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South Carolina Facts

Capital: Columbia
Nickname: The Palmetto State
State Motto: Dum Spiro Spero
        (While I breathe, I hope.)
State Tree: Palmetto
State Bird: Carolina Wren
State Flower: Yellow Jessamine
State Animal: Whitetail Deer
State Dog: Boykin Spaniel
State Wild Game Bird: Wild Turkey State Reptile: Loggerhead Turtle
State Fish: Striped Bass
State Insect: Praying Mantis
State Fruit: Peach
State Shell: Lettered Olive
State Stone: Blue Granite
State Gemstone: Amethyst
State Beverage: Milk
State Dance: The Shag

Simply Sensational South Carolina Retirement!

What's Your Retirement Dream?

Misty blue mountains, magnificent waterfalls and the peaceful forests? Or perhaps you favor fishing, beachcombing and the matchless beauty of sandy beaches and salt-water tidal flats. There's a wide range of pastimes for active adults in South Carolina retirement communities.

South Carolina features a diverse geography that includes the eastern Coastal Plain, centrally located Piedmont Plateau, and western Blue Ridge Mountains. Active adults can find attractive senior housing options in all these areas. Popular fishing, boating and general relaxation spots for seniors include the three largest lakes; Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, and Lake Murray, as well as major rivers like the Santee, Great Pee Dee, and Savannah. Prefer the beach? Retire to South Carolina's expansive coastline! Stretching 2,876 miles--counting all the charming bays, inlets and islands-South Carolina has the the 11th longest coastline of the 50 states.

Attractive Tax Structures

South Carolina offers an attractive tax structure for retirees. Beginning with the first year you receive retirement income and until you turn 65, you may take an annual deduction of up to $3,000 from retirement income. At age 65, all residents are eligible for a deduction of up to $15,000 from income, regardless of the source. Retirees do not pay a capital gains tax in this state on property sold in another state. South Carolina has an appealing property tax structure too. The millage rate of a legal residence and up to five acres of surrounding land starts at 4% statewide. The millage rate of the local government is then applied to the assessed value resulting in the tax liability. Additionally, the first $100,000 in fair market value of a primary residence is exempt from school operating costs.

Senior Housing Options

Given its attractiveness to retirees, South Carolina offers the full gamut of senior housing from active adult communities to assisted living facilities. South Carolina real estate options for adults over 50 include new and resale homes, gated communities, golf, tennis, and boating, condos and townhouses, villas and patio homes, apartments, and waterfront living.

Click here to find South Carolina retirement & active adult communities!