In recent years, United ranked South Carolina #2 in the United States for inbound residents. That, my friends, is a lot of people moving to South Carolina and it is absolutely no wonder why. We have it all here and I am going to give you 20 undeniable reasons why living in South Carolina will be the best idea you have had all year long!

1. Warm Weather
JBoatwright Photography/FB
Depending on which part of the state you choose to live in, you will have 7-8 months of warm weather. I don't know about you, but that is a plus in my book!
2. Clean Air
HiltonHead/Flickr
Even in the big cities you can walk outside and smell clean, fresh air.
3. Slower Pace of Life
Morgan/Flickr
Yes, this is true. Even if you decide to live in one of the bigger cities in South Carolina you will find that we move at a slower pace. Which is lovely by the way.
4. Budget-Friendly
Tax Credits/Flickr
The cost of living in South Carolina is 7.3% lower than the national average. That means that all that money you save you can actually have a vacation once in a while!
5. Southern Hospitality & Politeness
jill, jellidonut... whatever/Flickr
Yes, we do have our rude people. Doesn't every state? But, on average, we are polite and hospitable. In fact, we have been ranked as one of the friendliest states in the nation!
6. Beaches & Mountains
Courtney McGough/Flickr
-ted/Flickr
What more could you ask for? You can drive from one to the other in less than a day! How many can actually say that?
7. Education
GotCredit/Flickr
We have GREAT colleges and many to choose from.
8. City & Country
Mike Burton/Flickr
Brian Hathcock/Flickr
You don't have to choose one over the other here. It's the best of both worlds.
9. The Food
ed/Flickr
Hey, it is absolutely no secret that southern food is the best food. Now, don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say it was the best for weight management...I said it was mouth-watering and amazing food.
10. Barbecue
Aaron Conaway/Flickr
No matter which region you get it in...yes, we have three different kinds, it can't be beat anywhere else.

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11. Outdoor Fun
Graham Dean/Flickr
Dan Perry/Flickr
So you don't have to worry about what you ate for lunch! In all seriousness however, with all the warm weather we have loads of time to find outdoor activities. There is so much you can do here in South Carolina all you have to do is close your eyes and pick one!
12. Best Hospitals
Charleston's TheDigitel/Flickr
We have some of the top ranked hospitals in the nation including Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC, and MUSC in Charleston, SC. In fact, MUSC ranks #2 in the nation for Pediatrics.
13. Shopping
Prayitno / Thank you for (6 /Flickr
If you like it, boy, do we have it! You can shop all day and well into the night.
14. Prime Fishing
Janet Tarbox/Flickr
And, when you are done with all that shopping, you can relax with a cane pole or rod and reel. South Carolina has some of the best fishing around.
15. Art Culture
Tom Check/Flickr
Not into fishing? Well, South Carolina has many wonderful museums, local art shops, art "walks". I personally, am not a fisherman, but I do love to hunt down beautiful pieces of art.
16. Music
Doug Anderson/Flickr
Yes, we have it. Loads of it. From Alternative to Zydeco. Just choose your tunes.
17. Horse Racing & Darlington Raceway
carlfbagge/Flickr
Parker Anderson/Flickr
Aiken, SC is the prime location for all things horse related, but if that is too slow for you then we have Darlington Raceway where the fastest go to break records.
18. Nature
Scott Oves/Flickr
HiltonHead/Flickr
Tired of the rat race? We can definitely give you a better connection with nature here. South Carolina has 47 state parks covering more than 80,000 acres of land.
19. Front Porch Sitting
Yellowstone National Park
You can laugh if you like, but when you try it you will never want to be anywhere else. There is nothing better than sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair, your feet propped up, and a glass of ice tea beside you as you watch the clouds roll by.
20. Sunrises & Sunsets
Darla Aniline Photography/Flickr
Some of the most beautiful times in South Carolina. We tend to have some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. I don't think I have seen a bad one in all my years except when it was raining and there wasn't one.

I’m sure I could give you more reasons to move here. In fact, it would be quite easy to do so, but I bet you are planning your move here now. And, why wouldn’t you? There is nowhere finer than South Carolina!

If you’re considering living in South Carolina, here are some of the best-ranked cities and towns based on a variety of statistics, from crime rates to education.

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More to Explore

Living In South Carolina

Leah | December 04, 2020

What stereotypes are there about South Carolina?

Growing up in South Carolina comes with certain stereotypes attached to it. Even if someone has never been to the Palmetto State, they may already know about some aspects of being here that may or may not be true. Many people think of South Carolina and assume backcountry, truck-driving, pig-wrastlin' folks, and while there is nothing wrong with people who may check all of those boxes, there is a huge variety of people here. Plus, not everyone here lives in the country. There are big, modern cities, suburbs, small towns, and everything in between. South Carolina is often known as a beach destination in the summer and little else, but people who only come for the coast are missing out on the beautiful forests, mountains, and more that you can find further inland.

Where is the best place to live in South Carolina?

With such a lengthy list of the best things about South Carolina, you may already be house hunting and packing your bags. Before you head out, you may want to know about the different towns and cities and what they have to offer. According to Niche.com, which pulls together a variety of statistics and factors to rate the best places to live, South Carolina's top area is Forest Acres. It's a suburb of Columbia, the state's capital city, and has everything you need to raise a family like good schools, local amenities, and more. Still, the suburb life might not be for everyone. Whether you're looking for a downtown urban environment or a quiet small town to settle down in, South Carolina probably has a great option for you.

What is South Carolina known for?

Other than the people from South Carolina, this state is known for many things. The Palmetto State has fantastic beaches that draw in millions of visitors. Not only that, but cities like Charleston rank among the top destinations in the entire world. Charleston is even considered "America's #1 City." This state is also known for its great food and quiet southern living. If you enjoy BBQ, seafood, soul food, or the like, you'll find plenty of it here. SC can also be notable for its history, from pre-Revolutionary War to the Civil War and beyond. There are many historic sites to visit and lots of history to be shared.

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