News Summary
South Carolina is becoming a top choice for retirees with its affordable housing, excellent healthcare, and vibrant cultural experiences. The state features various towns like Aiken, Conway, and Anderson that offer unique attractions and lower median home prices compared to metropolitan areas. Residents enjoy a wealth of recreational activities and essential amenities, making these towns ideal for a fulfilling retirement lifestyle.
South Carolina is emerging as a desirable destination for retirees, with an appealing mix of affordable housing, essential amenities, and vibrant cultural experiences. This southern state boasts a variety of towns where soon-to-be retirees can find tranquility without breaking the bank. A recent article highlights ten affordable towns ideal for retirement, offering unique advantages for a fulfilling lifestyle.
The median home prices across these towns range significantly lower than those in metropolitan areas, making them particularly attractive for retirees on a budget. For instance, Aiken features a median home price of $266,000 as of May 2025. Known for its polo-resort heritage since 1892, Aiken also houses the Aiken Training Track, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Retirees can access healthcare at Aiken Regional Medical Centers, which offers Level III trauma care. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate Hopelands Gardens, where they can enjoy two miles of paved paths and attend free chamber concerts from April to June.
Conway, a town established in 1734, maintains a charming historic street grid, with a median home price of $290,000. This area features the popular Conway Riverwalk, ideal for morning strolls or kayaking. Medical facilities such as Grand Strand Medical Center and Conway Medical Center are within close reach to cater to health needs.
Another noteworthy town is Anderson, known colloquially as the “Electric City.” Residents enjoy 13% lower electricity costs compared to the national average, along with a median home price of $270,000 as of April 2025. The town’s healthcare needs are well served by the AnMed Health Medical Center. The East-West Greenway also provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Seneca offers a reliable nuclear energy supply from a nearby station, along with a median home price of $360,000 as of March 2025. The renowned Prisma Health’s advanced heart program is merely 40 minutes away in Greenville, ensuring high-quality medical services for retirees.
In Lexington, which achieved the first ISO-Class 1 fire rating in 2023, residents enjoy 62 miles of dedicated bike lanes at a median home price of $303,000 as per the data collected in April 2025. The town comes alive with free Friday concerts at the Icehouse Amphitheater from April to November.
North Augusta spans two states and offers a median home price of $258,000 as of March 2025. Its residents benefit from close access to the Augusta University Medical Center and can enjoy recreational activities along the 12-mile Greeneway Trail.
It’s difficult to overlook Camden, South Carolina’s oldest inland town, where the median home price stands at $234,000 as of May 2025. Known for hosting the Carolina Cup steeplechase, Camden also preserves rich Revolutionary War history, appealing to history enthusiasts.
Gaffney is notable for housing the iconic Peachoid water tower. With a median home price of $218,000 as of May 2025, Gaffney is also home to Cherokee Medical Center, which provides tele-cardiology services significantly easing access to specialist care.
Florence, once a historical rail junction city, has a median home price of $219,000 as of April 2025. It features the McLeod Regional Medical Center, which specializes in trauma care and meets the needs of its ever-growing retiree community.
Lastly, Greenwood, which first hosted a professional opera season, rounds out the top ten with a median home price of $185,000. Home to a thriving regional healthcare center, Greenwood offers various cultural activities that contribute to a rich lifestyle for retirees.
Collectively, these towns prove to be excellent choices for retirees seeking affordable housing, reliable healthcare services, and a blend of recreational and cultural activities that promote an engaged and fulfilling lifestyle.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Shane Goodwin Appointed Superintendent of Greenwood County School District 50
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Additional Resources
- World Atlas: 10 Best Towns in South Carolina to Retire Comfortably
- Wikipedia: South Carolina
- Kiplinger: 8 Things You Must Know About Retiring to the Carolinas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- The State: News on South Carolina
- Google News: Retirement in South Carolina
- CBS News: LGBTQ Seniors Find Safety & Joy in North Carolina Retirement Village
- Google Search: Healthcare in South Carolina
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Ground Broken on New CCRC in Western North Carolina
- Google Scholar: Retirement Communities in the Carolinas
Author: HERE Greenwood
The HERE Greenwood Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenwood community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenwood Our team includes lifelong Greenwood residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listing of the historic Grier Building, Greenwood’s railroad and textile heritage, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Piedmont Technical College programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
