The Enchanting Low Country Of South Carolina

Today, this post has been written by a guest blogger, Ben Stott. Ben is the director of sales at a fabulous Planned Community called The Settings of Mackay Point which is just outside of Beaufort, SC.

You can learn more about The Settings at www.thesettings.com.

Ben has been nice enough to share his insights into a very special part of South Carolina!

South Carolina Lowcountry friendliness is absolute. Its relaxed lifestyle and quiet beauty make this region of South Carolina enchanting! Walk down a street, strangers greet you. Need a hand? Six are offered. New to the area? Lowcountry residents will welcome you. The warmth and welcome that the Lowcountry extends to newcomers cannot be overstated. To live in the South Carolina Lowcountry also means living among history. National Historic Landmarks and Landmark Districts include the antebellum homes and beautiful churches, some dating back to the Revolutionary war. Old lighthouses, forts, walking tours, carriage rides and festivals for all occasions mark that you are in the lowcountry.

The South Carolina Lowcountry is a term used to describe South Carolina's coastal counties, generally south of and including, Charleston. The region includes the South Carolina Sea Islands. The commonly accepted counties of the Lowcountry are Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties.

THINGS TO DO

The outdoors is the favorite playground for Lowcountry residents. Dozens of golf courses and tennis courts provide challenges worthy of champions, and champions do play here in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Fishermen delight in the seasonal visits of cobia, tarpon and the best game fish from both northern and southern waters. Fresh-water ponds are well stocked. Bicycle/walking paths are everywhere, much to the delight of locals and Lowcountry residents. The hunting season is long, and nearby forests are home to many hunt clubs as well.

All kinds of water craft find a place in the South Carolina Lowcountry area. Sailboats and motor yachts travel the Intracoastal Waterway and venture out to the ocean. Kayaks, canoes and john boats find their way through the marshes and tidal creeks. Shrimp boats cast their nets offshore and deep-sea fishermen go even farther out to sea. Much of the land, both public and private, remains preserved for animal life. Endangered species are thriving. Eagles, ospreys, gators, turkey and a large population of white-tailed deer appear perfectly at home with the human residents.

The South Carolina Lowcountry has a vibrant art colony. Theater, dance and musical performances are regular events for Lowcountry residents. And for those who love learning, you’ll find great universities, as well as expertise from the Lowcountry residents and locals that include professional-level instruction in art, photography, hobbies of all kinds, ecology and the environment, gardening – you name it, it’s available in the Lowcountry.

HEALTHCARE

Healthcare is excellent in the Lowcountry area, with two major hospitals serving the region: one in Hilton Head and one in Beaufort, South Carolina. Hilton Head has a cardiac rehabilitation center and Beaufort, which is affiliated with Duke University, has new heart and cancer centers. Another Lowcountry hospital, Naval Hospital of Beaufort, is so well regarded that some military personnel purchase Lowcountry real estate and retire to the area because of it.

2008 AWARDS AND ACCOLADES FOR BEAUFORT, SC

National Geographic's Adventure Magazine ranked Beaufort as a Top 50 Adventure Town, it was ranked 7th in waterfront adventure towns.

Southern Living Magazine readers choose Beaufort as “the best small southern town”.

New York Times describes Beaufort as a town with “scenic beauty, abundant wildlife, remarkable cultural resources, and being near both Savannah and Charleston and their own rich cultures makes Beaufort a tough spot to beat.”

Savannah Now considers Beaufort "a great escape”.

American Style’s cover story “National Treasures: Top 25 Cities for Art”, ranks Beaufort #14. It ranked above Aspen, Co; Laguna Beach, CA; and Naples, FL.

CNN Money.com named Beaufort one of six terrific towns on the water.
Famous award winning movies have been filmed here, such as The Big Chill, Great Santini, Prince of Tides, Forest Gump, G.I. Jane, Forces of Nature, Full Metal Jacket, Something To Talk About, Last Dance, Jungle Book, and Rules of Engagement.

The area is truly magical and breathtaking!

In next week's post, Ben will tell you more about The Settings Of Mackay Point which is a planned community located just outside of Beaufort. You can also read about it at www.thesettings.com.
Their approach to developing a community is to respect the environment while doing so.