Best Places to Live in South Carolina

South Carolina is a great place to live for anyone who enjoys sunny weather, thousands of miles of tidal coastline, and plenty of scenic golf courses. Regardless of the reason why you're moving, some cities in South Carolina are better than others. If you wish to live in one of the best cities in South Carolina, here are seven destinations that are sure to satisfy.

Myrtle Beach

If you're familiar with South Carolina, you likely know about Myrtle Beach. This destination is among the most affordable coastal towns in the state. Myrtle Beach is the hub area for the Grand Strand, which is a string of beaches that stretches for 60 miles.

Residents and tourists alike enjoy walking the beachfront boardwalk, which offers restaurants, arcades, and souvenir stands. The city also has a promising job sector with plenty of opportunities in the healthcare, technology, and aerospace industries. Like most South Carolina cities, weather is pleasant almost all year round. If you love playing golf, Myrtle Beach has more than 80 courses to choose from.

Bluffton

Bluffton is among the most highly sought-after locations in South Carolina for families. Along with having close proximity to Hilton Head Island, you'll also benefit from a low crime rate. In fact, violent crime rates are just 0.75 per 1,000 residents, while property crime rates are 6.93 per 1,000 residents.

Bluffton residents have access to comfortable beach living without dealing with the crowds of tourists present at Charleston or Myrtle Beach. You're just 30 minutes away from the main Hilton Head Island beach and a few minutes away from the nearby May River. There are also many beautiful parks and recreation areas throughout Bluffton, which include Buckwalter Regional Park, Oscar Frazier Park, and New River Trailhead Park.

Columbia

As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is in the center of the state but is just a few hours away from the sandy beaches along the coast. This city serves as the state's cultural epicenter. Residents have access to popular locations like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, and the South Carolina State Museum.

Nature lovers should visit Congaree National Park or the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, the latter of which is a vast park with botanical gardens and animal enclosures. If you have children, this city is home to the University of South Carolina as well as several private colleges. The main industries that the city supports include insurance, biotechnology and software.

Charleston

Charleston is the most populous city in South Carolina with just over 153,000 residents. The city is a major hub for many large businesses, the primary of which include Boeing and Mercedes-Benz Vans. This historic city provides residents with picturesque views of cobblestone streets and spacious antebellum houses.

When visiting the Battery or French Quarter districts, you'll encounter horse-drawn carriages that promise comfort and relaxation. Many of the churches and homes in this city have stood since the 1700s, which is why it plays host to many museums and walking tours. If you're a college student or young adult, the nightlife is active and energetic. No matter where you live in Charleston, you're just minutes away from one of many sprawling beaches, the best of which include Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms.

Greenville

Greenville is a relatively large city that provides residents with a thriving downtown area. You'll have access to a rapidly growing job market with an unemployment rate of just 6.3%. Numerous large companies, including Duke Energy and Michelin, call Greenville home. Even though Greenville offers most of what you expect from big-city living, it retains a mid-size town vibe that contrasts nicely.

If you love spending time outdoors, the city has a lengthy bike trail that spans the whole town and takes you through the top destinations in the area. In fact, part of this trail goes through the Falls Park on the Reedy, which is the most popular location in Greenville. When visiting this park, you'll gain access to waterfall scenery, riverside gardens and a suspension bridge.

Summerville

Summerville is a smaller city that's just 30 minutes away from Charleston. People from all over the state visit the Flowertown Festival, which takes place annually at the beginning of the spring season.

The Summerville economy mainly centers on the healthcare, technology, and retail industries. A couple of the local employers in Summerville include Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Residents have easy access to nearby beaches and recreation areas like Azalea Park and Gahagan Park.

Clemson

If you're searching for small town living, look no further than Clemson. While residents benefit from the peaceful small town vibe that Clemson offers, there are also several large amenities to enjoy. These amenities are available to residents because the city is home to Clemson University. When you're in the mood to go outside and take in the views, visit the Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park. This historic city is also host to the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum.

Benefits of a home automation system in South Carolina

Even if you buy a house in the safest neighborhood in South Carolina, it's advantageous to have a security and home automation system. These systems provide numerous benefits that should give you peace of mind that your family is safe.

• Excellent security features: Among the best features available with a home automation system is the smart lock. These locks are only accessible with a code, which means you control who's able to enter your home.
• Lower energy costs: A clear benefit of using smart devices in your home is that you may lower your electricity costs. For instance, smart lights use efficient LED bulbs and extend your home's security at the same time. And if you forget to turn your lights off before leaving the house, you can turn them off remotely from the Vivint app.
• Easy temperature adjustments: When adding automation to your home, consider a smart thermostat. This type of thermostat uses your preferences to auto-adjust settings and conserve energy, potentially lowering your energy bill and saving you money.
• Ability to save time: Every device you connect to your smart home automation hub is accessible from your smartphone, which means that you won't have to spend time plugging in and switching on numerous devices when you wake up. It's possible to monitor nearly everything from your phone.
• Simple operation: Smart devices are capable of learning from your preferences and settings Over time, this system predicts your needs and saves you time. If someone trips an alarm, the system sends out a signal immediately to your phone and Vivint’s security monitoring center. If there is an emergency, our Vivint representatives can contact emergency services on your behalf, saving you time and giving you peace of mind.

Protect your family with Vivint home security

South Carolina is a fantastic destination for families and couples alike. Whether you want to live in a college town or a coastal city, the state has something to offer for everyone. Once you move to a new location, consider improving your security with a Vivint security and home automation system. The devices you install provide convenience, safety, and peace of mind.

Call our team today at 855.822.1220 for a free quote.