Surrounded by coastal scenery, calming ocean breezes and beautiful weather year-round, Charleston, SC checks all the boxes for a wholesome retirement.

A recent study by personal finance website WalletHub compared affordability, quality of life, health care, and availability of recreational activities for seniors in more than 180 U.S. cities. It comes as no surprise that Charleston, South Carolina claimed the top spot as the best U.S. city to retire in 2022, with other popular retirement destinations in Florida and Arizona also making it into the top 10.

Charleston, SC has so much going for it! Surrounded by coastal scenery, calming ocean breezes and beautiful weather year-round, this highly sought-after region checks all the boxes for a wholesome retirement. To top things off, South Carolina offers some favorable senior tax breaks and a very affordable overall cost of living.

If you love the conveniences of city life, then Charleston is where you will thrive during your retirement years. With several top tier senior living communities in close proximity to the city center, you will have plenty of options to suit your preferences and budget. Live your best life at one of the many 55+ active adult communities, like Overture West Ashley, or plan for your long-term care needs in a continuing care retirement community, like the highly acclaimed Bishop Gadsden. One thing is for sure, this historic port city will not disappoint! Its deep southern roots are widely spread throughout the local community and can even be enjoyed in its stunning architecture and excellent cuisine.

Just a short drive across the Charleston Harbor and you will find yourself in the charming streets of Mount Pleasant. Thanks to North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge, the Ravenel Bridge, you’ll never be more than a few minutes away from the historic Charleston city center. Senior living communities in this area are often nestled in retreat-like settings, like the beautiful grounds of Somerby Mount Pleasant, which will bring a certain peace and tranquility to your days. If you love spending time outdoors, especially golfing or fishing, then the limitless options in and around Mount Pleasant will be sure to get your seal of approval. With a variety of community events hosted throughout the year, the Memorial Waterfront Park and Mount Pleasant Pier also make the perfect social gathering places to catch up with family and friends.

As a more recently developed area of Charleston, Daniel Island is fast becoming the go-to for luxurious retirement living. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of parks, the purpose-built resort lifestyle communities on Daniel Island, like Daniel Pointe Retirement Community, will make you feel as if you’re on an endless vacation. With all the modern facilities and services at your fingertips, you will have everything you need to make the most of your golden years. Enjoy an extensive range of golf courses, country clubs, tennis courts, and so much more in your very own slice of paradise.

Whether you are only just starting out in your search for senior living options, or you are eager and ready to make the move, Kithward can help you seamlessly navigate this next exciting chapter of your life.

The Best Neighborhoods to Retire in Charleston, South Carolina

If you are an avid golfer, then Charleston, SC and its surrounding neighborhoods should be high on your list of senior living communities to consider.

If you are an avid golfer and you are hoping to prioritize your favorite hobby during your retirement years, then Charleston, SC and its surrounding neighborhoods should be high on your list of communities to consider. According to Golfbreaks, the townships of Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms offer some incredible opportunities to tee off all year round. With several top-tier senior living facilities located in this area, you will have plenty of options to choose from to live out your golden years within close proximity of some of the best golf courses in Charleston, and South Carolina as a whole.

Three of the state’s top-rated golf courses can be found tucked away in the northeastern corner of Mount Pleasant. Designed by the legendary Arthur Hills, Dunes West is set amongst the natural wetlands of the South Carolina Lowcountry and its par-72 layout will keep any golfer entertained for hours on end. RiverTowne Country Club is home to Charleston’s only Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, with 18 holes to challenge even the most seasoned putter. Open to the public year round, Charleston National offers one of the best golfing experiences in the region. Its championship course was designed by Rees Jones and visitors can also enjoy a full-size state of the art practice facility and driving range.

If convenient access to these world class courses is what you are looking for, then the brand new 55+ active adult communities in this area, like Restore at Carolina Park, will make you feel right at home with all their modern luxuries. If you are planning ahead for the future, then Somerby Mount Pleasant offers choices that few senior communities in this area can match. Not only do they have several different independent living floor plans for you to consider at this stage of your retirement, but they also provide future care options under their assisted living and memory care umbrellas.

Just a short drive south from Mount Pleasant and 15 miles northeast of Charleston’s city center, you will find yourself in the bustling beach town of Isle of Palms. The Wild Dunes Resort, a high-end gated community on the island, hosts two more of South Carolina’s top-ranked golf courses. Both courses were designed by Tom Fazio and the Links Course at Wild Dunes Resort was his first ever design. It’s a relatively short but tricky 6,500-yard layout with stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean. The secondary Harbor Course at Wild Dunes Resort is located on the other side of the island and sits alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, challenging golfers with complex shots around natural lagoons and salt marshes.

If the island vibe is sounding like the right fit for you, there are several senior living communities located within a stone’s throw of these beautiful golf courses. Franke at Seaside is one of the region’s oldest wellness-based non-profit continuing care retirement communities and offers convenient shuttle bus transportation to your favorite nearby golf courses, while South Bay at Mount Pleasant is a much newer resort-style living community offering all the same services at your fingertips. Take your pick and never be further than a few minutes away from your preferred way to spend the day.

If you are considering senior living options in and around Charleston, Kithward can help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect fit for you. With so many exciting opportunities for a healthy outdoor lifestyle, a retirement in Charleston will ensure you don’t just live out your golden year but that you thrive in them!

Retiring to Charleston, South Carolina is a Golfer's Dream

If you're looking to retire to a more comfortable climate, you may consider one of the many stunning beachside locations near Charleston, South Carolina.

If you’re nearing retirement age, you may be starting to think about where you want to retire. Many retirees choose to move to a location where they can benefit from warmer weather as well as peace and quiet. If you’ve grown tired of cold, gray winters and would rather live in a location that’s comfortable all year round, you may want to consider one of the many stunning beachside locations near Charleston, South Carolina.

Just north of the Charleston Peninsula and neighboring the charming town of Mount Pleasant, you’ll find yourself in Isle of Palms. This bustling beach town boasts a large gated community but also offers multiple public beach access locations along the island, like the ones at Isle of Palms County Park, as well as many great places to eat while you spend your days soaking up the sun. The beaches on Isle of Palms are a great option if you are looking for the conveniences of city life while still being able to enjoy day trips to the beach.

With its impressive 60-mile stretch of beach, often referred to as “Grand Strand”, Myrtle Beach is nothing short of an oceanside dream for many retirees. Although the drive to Charleston, SC is just under two hours, you’ll find everything you could ever need in this well-equipped coastal city. Enjoy the clean ocean air while you spend your golden years playing countless rounds of golf with friends, and entertain your children and grandchildren with a visit to the Myrtle Beach State Park to show off your own little slice of paradise.

If you are looking for a slower pace of life, then Pawleys Island has your name written all over it. This small barrier island only stretches across four miles of beachfront access but offers many fantastic opportunities for fishing, shelling, and crabbing during various times of the year. You can also explore the salt marsh that separates Pawleys Island from the mainland on foot, or by kayak or canoe. On your doorstep, you’ll find several county and state parks, like Huntington Beach State Park, where you can spot over 300 different types of birds.

Located on Folly Island and just a short drive south from Charleston’s historic center, Folly Beach is a popular tourist destination for visitors to the region. It can get crowded during weekends and holidays, but it is still a convenient option for anyone looking to retire in the Charleston Peninsula. You can find some less crowded beaches on the western side of the island at Folly Beach County Park and on the eastern side of the island near the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve.

Still located in the sunny state of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island is close to the Georgia border and therefore within a short 20-mile drive of Savannah, GA. Charleston, SC is just under two hours away, so it’s still easily accessible if you crave the occasional city trip here and there. Hilton Head Island itself has a rich history of Native American ancestry, European settlement, and Civil War significance, making it a fascinating place to continue your lifelong learning goals. This region also hosts some of the most pristine beaches in the state, like Fish Haul Beach Park, where fishing and boating are enjoyed by many.

Explore these and the many other beautiful areas to retire in and around Charleston, South Carolina. Kithward’s advanced search filters allow you to sort through the numerous senior living options in any given area of interest, and help you narrow down your selection to the ones that match your individual needs.

The Top 5 Beaches to Retire to near Charleston, South Carolina

Arbor Landing at Surfside pairs access to exceptional senior care services with the very best of southern hospitality to create a world-class senior living experience in the heart of Surfside Beach. Our innovative care model makes Arbor Landing a great option for seniors with a wide range of needs.

Our independent living communities provide a nice balance between the independent lifestyle your aging loved one wants with access to the care he or she needs — or one day might need. Private apartments, scheduled home care services provided by our on-site home care agency, three restaurant-style meals served daily in our dining room, and a robust social calendar make this a perfect option for the senior who needs supportive care but not the full complement of services offered in our assisted living communities. 

Sure, our communities are beautiful, but they’re designed to keep your loved one healthy and well, not to look nice on a brochure. We don’t have pools and tennis courts. That’s just not who we are — because that’s not what your loved one wants or needs. After all, if your mom or dad were well enough to swim laps, they’d probably just stay home. Instead of spending money on amenities your loved one will never use, we invest in people, systems, and programs to maximize health and create holistic wellness.

We know that if we take good care of our team members, they’ll take good care of your loved one. That’s why we’re focused on creating a culture that attracts team members who don’t just provide care but actually care about our residents. We offer competitive wages, a generous benefits package, complimentary meals, and professional and personal development scholarships to make sure we attract and retain the best and the brightest. Having the right people makes all the difference.

And we’ll help you be good stewards of your mom or dad’s resources by making it clear upfront exactly what you’ll pay each month. Our pricing model (rent + levels of care) is as transparent as it gets. There are no buy-ins and no costly leases. We’ll never add on services or fees without your consent, and your loved one’s rate will never change without a 30-day notice. Because if you can’t trust us to be honest about money, why would you trust us to care for someone you love? 

From time to time, we’ll make mistakes. But we’ll work harder than anyone else to make them right. Care is all we do and all we sell, and we’ve never forgotten that our success as a business tomorrow depends entirely on how well we care for your mom or dad today. 

Arbor Landing at Surfside

It’s the time of your life... why not enjoy all its privileges? Introducing Inspire Coastal Grand, an extraordinary senior apartment community in Myrtle Beach designed for you.

Our 55+ apartment rental community located in beautiful seaside South Carolina offers one, two, or three bedroom apartment homes. Relax in luxury with chef-inspired kitchens enhanced by granite countertops, vinyl wood flooring, stainless steel sinks and appliances, oversized closets, and spacious balconies. Inspiration is just outside your door with our senior community living features including a resort pool and outdoor courtyards, exclusive athletic club, yard games, walking trail, creative arts center, concierge services, and more.

Inspire Coastal Grand is 55+ luxury senior living like you’ve never experienced before.

Inspire Coastal Grand

If you’re looking for a community that understands and honors you as a unique individual, you’ve come to the right place. In choosing Portside at Grande Dunes, you can rest easy knowing that your lifestyle and your interests will be catered to and your expectations exceeded. We offer a variety of living options, as well as daily wellness, cultural, and educational programs. This is the place for you to live your best life–exactly as you want.

It is home, after all.

With the day-to-day freedom to come and go and the convenience of any number of activities to choose from, independent living at Portside at Grande Dunes is a perfect fit for an active, healthy lifestyle. Enjoy restaurant-quality dining and weekly social gatherings, and feel empowered to explore personal interests. When you feel like venturing into the larger community, our team will connect you with transportation to everything you're accustomed to doing.

Portside at Grande Dunes

Indigo Carolina Forest is a state-of-the-art senior living community coming soon to the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Our 55+ retirement community will offer spacious, well-appointed Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care residences and a wide variety of amenities and services designed to allow you or your loved one to live life to the fullest.

Indigo Carolina Forest is a unique senior living community encouraging an active lifestyle and daily fun for seniors. Enjoy the chance to engross yourself in new passions and curiosities, make lasting friendships and explore new opportunities. Our state-of-the-art retirement community features all-inclusive, resort-style dining, daily social hours, wellness programs, complimentary housekeeping and a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

Indigo Carolina Forest is an upscale independent living, assisted living and memory care community in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Your new lifestyle is customized to your personal tastes and needs by an excellent staff, and features exquisite cuisine and a great, warm family atmosphere.

Indigo Carolina Forest embraces nature by allowing many spacious and private residences to connect with the outdoors. Whether taking a stroll throughout the property, gardening with your new friends or simply enjoying the view, you will sense the warm feeling of paradise. It’ll be hard to forget you’re not on vacation.

The Myrtle Beach, SC area is filled with a bounty of fresh ingredients our chefs craft into seasonal menus, featuring dishes making this part of the country legendary. Imagine dining on perfectly prepared chicken, and then sharing tall tales over desserts like homemade pecan pie. The best meals start with the best ingredients, but always end with good friends and family around the table.

Living at Indigo Carolina Forest, you will discover the finest independent living lifestyle for seniors, the fun and activity of a resort and as few responsibilities so you can fully enjoy your retirement.

Indigo Carolina Forest is a unique independent living community encouraging an active lifestyle and daily fun for seniors. Enjoy the chance to engross yourself in new passions and curiosities, make lasting friendships and explore new opportunities. Our state-of-the-art retirement community features all-inclusive, resort-style dining, daily social hours, wellness programs, complimentary housekeeping and a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

Indigo Carolina Forest

We offer a top-notch Active Independent Living option that boasts worry- and maintenance-free senior living with a unique blend of senior-focused programs as well as personalized and attentive care services with a central location that allows you to access all the iconic sands of Myrtle Beach.

Here at TerraBella Myrtle Beach, seniors all over the area can’t wait to have more time and energy for leisure and fun without any daily living obligations.

On top of that, our stylish apartment homes and suits provide only convenience and comfort, featuring a gorgeous backdrop that will only enrich your daily life. Come by our dining hall to savor delectable, chef-prepared meals, participate in planned daily activities, and make new friends to make the most out of your experience with us.

Home to a wide variety of entertainment, dining, and shopping opportunities, TerraBella Myrtle Beach is the ideal central resident-focused senior living that is surrounded by pristine Atlantic beaches.

For seniors in the area who are ready to live a maintenance-free living in a superior community, our Active Independent Living option at TerraBella Myrtle Beach may be just what you need.

An exceptional senior-focused solution in our Independent Living community begins with a cozy suite or one- or two-bedroom apartment home then provides all the amenities and services you need to live like you’re on a worry-free vacation in one of America’s premier seaside destinations!

Independent Living at TerraBella Myrtle Beach offers unrestricted and full access to a variety of fun, attentive personal service, health and wellness amenities, and other recreational opportunities for an active social life, all at a greater value than you can imagine!

We make it convenient for you to enjoy daily activities like dining restaurant-style, socializing with your neighbors, and transportation to various places, so that residents at Independent Living at TerraBella Myrtle Beach can enjoy retirement living and all the fun and freedom that come with it.

This program is well-designed to offer only the best and widest variety of options for lifestyle on your terms. Not having to keep up with home maintenance once and for all, you will have more time for fun and leisure every day. It has never been easier to carry out the recreation and fun waiting for you around and within Myrtle Beach. To travel freely, unencumbered by at-home obligations. Even the freedom to just relax and go wherever the wind takes you on any given day.

If you’re looking for complete freedom while still having access to all the luxuries we offer like personal care, housekeeping and home maintenance services, as well as medical assistance, Independent Living may be just what you need. You can rely on us even to drive you to and from errands and appointments, so you need not worry about anything when you choose TerraBella Myrtle Beach.

Our amenities, daily activities and events, and excursions offer residents the opportunity to connect with like-minded neighbors while building a shared sense of community while being able to retain their independence and privacy. If you don’t need help with day-to-day living activities (dining, personal care, showering etc.), this option is perfect and is a great way to open up a wealth of new possibilities for fun and enjoyment right here at the beach.

With our Independent senior living community, you can choose to entertain friends in your apartment home, cook for yourself, or join others for a delectable, chef-prepared cuisines in our dining area. It becomes so easy to go out for dinner dates, medical appointments, or even take part in the area’s festivals with us. Residents are more than happy to participate in social and recreational events, activities, and outings.

Our hometown community is singularly focused on delivering the finest-quality Independent Senior Living and an overall way of life that’s perfect for active adults who want care-free living and the freedom to enjoy retirement on their terms.

TerraBella Myrtle Beach

You’ll love the quiet, peaceful lifestyle of Jefferson Place Apartments. We’re just moments away from Hwy 17 and approximately 6 blocks from the ocean. While conveniently located near medical facilities, grocery stores and shopping venues, we are positioned away from the hustle of town. It is important to us to provide you with a maintenance-free apartment to assure the carefree lifestyle of Senior Citizen apartment living. Our management staff is available to assist you with any questions you may have concerning our community.

Come to our apartment homes and see why our community is where you should live! We offer one bedroom apartments with central heat and air conditioning. Conveniently located close to shopping centers, hospital, doctors offices, pharmacies and restaurants.

Jefferson Place Apartments

Welcome to Swansgate Senior in Myrtle Beach, SC. This community is located in Myrtle Beach on Mister Joe White Ave.

Since this property has received funding in part through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, a certain number of units are set aside for lower income households. Households must earn either less than 50% or 60% of the area median income (depending on the set-aside option chosen by the property owner) to qualify for these units. Rents in these units are capped at a maximum of 30% of the set-aside area median income (adjusted for unit size). Some rental units in this property may not be subject to LIHTC and therefore have higher rents and no maximum household income requirement.

Swansgate Apartments

Located in the heart of the North Grand Strand, River Park Senior Living is conveniently located close to dining, shopping, entertainment and medical facilities. 

River Park is situated on more than 20 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds. Whether you prefer an apartment or villa, either choice provides you with the comfort and service you need, without the responsibility of home maintenance. You will be free to catch a movie in our theater, stop by the clubhouse for a swim, exercise in our fitness room, join friends in the bistro for happy hour and experience all the fun the North Grand Strand has to offer. 

We combine the amenities and services of a hotel, the care available at a health care center and the social and recreational opportunities of a private club. It’s welcoming South Carolina-style assisted living that offers new adventures, lifelong learning, continued growth and engagement that embraces a wide variety of interests and abilities.

River Park offers an uncompromising lifestyle, designed with you in mind. River Park features residential accommodations with comfortable surroundings and all the services and amenities you need for easy, enjoyable living. Whether you prefer an Independent Living apartment or villa, River Park provides you with the comforts and services you need without the responsibility of home maintenance. As your needs grow, so does the River Park experience. A wide range of diverse activities and services can put stress-free living within your reach. 

Every day is inspiring when you live in a community that embraces new adventures, sparks creativity, and lets your passions flourish. River Park is sophisticated yet comfortable, combining Southern hospitality with the familiarity and warmth of home. The result? Every day feels like a well-deserved vacation.


River Park Senior Living

At Brightwater’s 55+ Active Adult community, your days are free to plan, conquer and relax as you want, without the burdens and hassles of traditional home ownership. Enjoy safety and peace of mind, living in a well-established, private, gated neighborhood, with on-site Care Services, located in one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular areas.

Brightwater is your premier destination for senior living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Located on 78 acres and just minutes from the beach, our gated retirement community offers an active lifestyle where Members are encouraged to make the most of every day. Amenities include restaurant-style fine dining, a never-ending social calendar, a national award-winning wellness program and industry-leading Care Services. Our luxury accommodations range from spacious, villa-style apartments to independent cottage homes.

Our luxury community offers a vibrant, independent lifestyle ⁠and a commitment to helping Members live Longer, Healthier, Happier lives. Our Members in Independent Living Plus enjoy spacious accommodations, person-centered care, restaurant-style dining, robust social programming and award-winning wellness initiatives. They spend their days how they please, doing what makes them happy on their own schedule and enjoying all that our community has to offer.

Brightwater celebrates aging and all it’s seasons. Independent Living Plus focuses on the transition from full independence to independence with light support. By providing a lifestyle rich with services and amenities and on-site care if needed, it is truly care-free living.

Whether you’re looking for yourself or a loved one, ready to move in now or still in the planning process, don’t hesitate to reach out and start your journey with Brightwater. We can’t wait to meet you!



Brightwater

Horry County

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