Upstate cities among Travel + Leisure’s best places to retire in SC. Which ranked No. 1?
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Employees who want to retire in sunny South Carolina may want to consider this Travel + Leisure piece.
In a roundup of the eight best places to retire in the state, two Upstate cities made the Top 5, with one of them ranking No. 1. Another city in the area made it into the Top 10.
Greenville leads the list of best places for retirement, with Anderson not too far behind at No. 4. Spartanburg also made the rankings, at No. 8.
“South Carolina is a great place to live, a great place to visit, and a great place to retire. From the sandy shores of the Atlantic coastline to the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with plenty of charming small towns and picturesque lakes in between, South Carolina offers something for everyone,” Duane Parrish, director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, told Travel + Leisure.
According to local experts, here’s why you should retire in one of these three cities.
Why is SC a good place for retirees to live?
SC’s low cost of living is one of the main reasons transplants choose to move to the state. For retirees, there are other benefits. Retirees can enjoy no state tax on Social Security benefits, according to Travel + Leisure. Residents 65 or older can deduct up to $10,000 of retirement income from their state taxes. Residents under 65 years can deduct up to $3,000. Residents 65 and older may also be eligible for a $50,000 tax exemption off the value of their home after living in the state for a full calendar year, which is possible through the Homestead Exemption benefit.
Greenville is No. 1 place for retirees in SC
In Travel + Leisure, Greenville received much praise for its walkable downtown, entertainment, and parks. While Greenville does not have beaches, it is less than four hours away from beautiful coastal destinations like Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Retirees who look forward to traveling can do so at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP), which offers 100 daily nonstop flights to 23 U.S. destinations.
”Greenville offers retirees a dynamic blend of small-town charm and big-city conveniences, with a rich cultural scene, farm-to-table dining, and vibrant community events,” Sean Hartness, CEO of Hartness Development, told Travel + Leisure.
Anderson in close proximity to Lake Hartwell
In 2022, Anderson was among Travel + Leisure’s best places to retire in the U.S. It was nicknamed “The Friendliest City in South Carolina.” May 2024 Redfin data indicates home prices are down 3.3% compared to last year, with a median sale price of $250,000. A historic downtown offers residents community, dining, and shopping. Retirees who are up for boating or fishing will get the most out of nearby Lake Hartwell, where various fishing tournaments are held annually. Types of fish anglers can expect to reel in at the lake include catfish, striped bass, and walleye, among others.
Spartanburg is home to BMW museum, driving school, and plant
Like Anderson and Greenville, Spartanburg offers retirees a low cost of living, named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best places to retire in 2024. It was also named the first bicycle-friendly city in the state by The League of American Bicyclists. North America’s only BMW museum is one of the attractions highlighted by Travel + Leisure, as well as the city’s BMW Performance Driving School and BMW manufacturing plant (the only one in the U.S.). Regarding outdoor recreation, Spartanburg has no shortage of things to do, from escaping into nature to its bustling nightlife. However, what makes this place beneficial for retirees is the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, which offers free fitness classes each week for seniors 50 years and older.
“Spartanburg offers a lower cost of living with plenty of amenities that speak to a retiree. Just a few of our amenities include great weather, world-class trail systems, ample waterways, a thriving arts and culture scene, emerging downtown with great shops, restaurants, and a Minor League Baseball stadium,” Billy Dunlap, chief tourism development officer for OneSpartanburg, Inc, told Travel + Leisure.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.
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