Sort of a follow-up to a thread on retirement locations that was here last week.
Someone mentioned that his parents had just retired to Bluffton, SC. Spurred by that post, my wife and I are headed to Bluffton in a couple of weeks to check it out. Her excuse is that they are having a marathon there and mine is that I want to get out of the cold. Retirement is still several years away but we are doing a meandering look at areas that might be potential places to settle down and gum our food.
So, I wanted to ask, is there anything in Bluffton that we should focus on while we visit, with the goal of a potential landing spot? We will check out Hilton Head and Savannah for tourism stuff so if there is something we shouldn't miss from that respect that would be cool too.
In the retirement vein, next year we probably will look at Wilmington/Leland, and even New Bern in coastal NC. I heard that those places have higher than average crime though. We've also looked at Tempe/Mesa which were really nice but when they said they had 116 last summer, I got a bit scared. Also looked at Prescott and Sedona. Sedona was too pricey and touristy for me. I liked Prescott (is it very nice Mike?) but it falls a little short of my top criteria of close to a medical university hospital and close to an international airport.
TL;DR
Bluffton recs?
When we visit her, we go Savannah and take the trolley tour of the city. YOu can get on and off as many times as you want to walk around and check stuff out yourself.
I also recommend going to Beaufort and taking the tour. Pretty cool little town and a ton of movies were filmed there. The Big Chill, Forrest Gump and Prince of tides are three off the top of my head.
Hilton head is great..but better in the summer.
When we visit her, we go Savannah and take the trolley tour of the city. YOu can get on and off as many times as you want to walk around and check stuff out yourself.
I also recommend going to Beaufort and taking the tour. Pretty cool little town and a ton of movies were filmed there. The Big Chill, Forrest Gump and Prince of tides are three off the top of my head.
Hilton head is great..but better in the summer.
1)The beaches are awesome, good sand, not crowded, without the touristy crap. You can even ride a bicycle on them.
2)The golf courses are top notch. Plenty to choose from and not that expensive. Do not go into the woods for balls, it ain't worth it.
3) Bluffton is not on the island so it is less crowded. In my retirement I want quiet serene drama free days, kids being what they are these days....
4) The amenities, shopping, gas, restaurants are all close and easy to get to.
The drawbacks, there really is not an airport that close, Savannah is only a half an hour away, but flying into it is pricey and finding flight is a pain in the.... South Carolina gets hot and humid even in October/November, yes I know thats the reason to go, but.....maybe Im not ready to retire yet???
Good Luck!
Bluffton isn't bad - I really like that area, but if you are looking to travel North by car, the extra 90 minutes you save helps a lot. Plus, Bluffton and Hilton Head are both tucked away a little off the interstate, although with Bluffton you're about 10 miles closer than in Hilton Head.
You'll find air travel easier out of Charleston than Savannah, too.
Probably can't go wrong in either place, but Charleston area living is more appealing to me.
Beaufort has a nice "small town" feel but is still close to things. New Bern is much the same. I have not been to Bluffton, but it seems kind of remote to me.
You should make a few trips to these places as you get closer to Retirement.
One thing about all places you're considering -- hope you like the heat (and occasional hurricane scare). Good call on visiting in the summer (which lasts 6-8 months down there).
Bluffton does have a lot going for it, as all the above have mentioned. It does get warm and flat out, hot. If we could do away with July and August, we'd be good.
Was 70 yesterday, high of 58 today, back to 80 tomorrow. We do have a good bit of pollen once spring truly sets in. not a deal breaker, but something to be ware of. At times you can see the pollen being blown out of the pine trees.
Bluffton is trying to keep it's character. I reside upon the Historic Preservation Committee for the town. We are currently continuing out expansion of side walks and on street parking. The town has been working to address parking issues. some residents just can not deal with a 4 minute walk from a parking lot. They want to park right tin front of where they are visiting.
The town and county put on a number of outdoor activities through out the year. Mayfest is always a good weekend. Calhoun street is shut down and art merchants and what not try to sell there stuff. We have a Framers market every Thursday. They close off part of Calhoun street to allow this to take place.
If you like and have a boat, we have ample water ways. Always nice to get out to the any of the sandbars and chill for a while.
Savannah is really just 30-40 minutes way. A nice place to stroll and enjoy one's self. They really need to get a handle on their crime. They are trying, but at times you;d think it was one step forward and to steps back. If you like Savannah, read the book, it will help provide some context. The book, being "Midnight in the Garden of good and evil."
Actually moved to Bluffton From Wilmington. I do miss the surf of NC. The beaches of Hilton Head Island just do not have anything to make cause the waves to break. There are only a few public beach access on HHI. most accesses are with in the plantations.
The Heritage of Golf is coming up in a month, that's a fun event. Charleston and the tennis tournament is just up the road.
We due have a local university, via University of SC, Beaufort.
If you need more info or have questions feel free to touch base.
I taught in Summerville for the past 4 years before moving back north, it's a great area. Went to Bluffton for some golf a few times, gorgeous area. You really cannot go wrong with anywhere in the lowcountry. Great climate, scenery, and food options.
Beaufort has a nice "small town" feel but is still close to things. New Bern is much the same. I have not been to Bluffton, but it seems kind of remote to me.
You should make a few trips to these places as you get closer to Retirement.
What's your favorite course in the Charleston area?
also the best part about this years superbowl was the Riverdogs 74% discount due to the total points being so high, had to have something to root for with such miserable teams participating.
Where are not sea side, but we are happy - ( New Window )
Visiting lovely Parris Island for my Son's graduation several years ago, I got bitten by one of those sand fleas. One bite and my foot looked like a rugby ball and it itched like crazy for a couple of weeks...