A Tax Haven In The Carolinas
Americans spend more on taxes than food, clothing, and housing combined!!
I find that to be truly amazing!
According to the Tax Foundation, in 2008, Americans worked 74 days to pay their Federal taxes, and an additional 39 days to cover State and Local taxes.
That's a total of 113 days just to pay taxes!
If you're retiring or relocating to North Carolina or South Carolina, it's helpful to know which areas have more favorable taxes. Remember, this is only one of the significant factors you need to consider when choosing your best place to live.
However, when it comes to taxes, one area in North Carolina and South Carolina has a favorable tax climate and that is Beaufort South Carolina.
Read all about this quaint, charming town surrounded by water on the South Carolina coast…
Setting:
With a population of 11,075, Beaufort is the namesake of Beaufort County, which has a total population of 150,415 people, and is one of the fastest growing counties in South Carolina.
Between the more than 500 square miles of islands connected by salt water creeks, marshes and rivers, the streets of the city, lined with sprawling oaks shading antebellum houses, tabby ruins and plantation homes and the sounds of horse drawn carriages echoing through the air, its hard not to fall in love with Beaufort, SC.
Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina, and the accolades haven't stopped pouring in since its inception. Some recent honors include being named, “The East Coast's Most Romantic City,” by Life Magazine.
Fortune named Beaufort one of its, “Top 50 Affordable Places to Retire”.
Beaufort is one of Peachtree Publishers', “Top 50 Small Southern Towns,” as well as being named, “A Distinctive Destination,” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and being one of three National Historic Landmark Districts in South Carolina.
In spite of the fan fare, Beaufort SC has maintained a cool head and remains a place full of charm and a lack of pretension. Although you may never want to leave, Beaufort is near a couple of larger cities.
Savannah, Georgia is only an hour away; Charleston South Carolina is about two hours to the north; and Hilton Head Island is only about a half hour away.
All locations are accessible by the water as well.
Attractions: Beaufort, SC has it all for some of the best living in South Carolina.
Walking through the streets you'll want to make sure to stop in at any one of the many restored buildings.
Fine dining is a centerpiece of living in Beaufort, inspiration and ingredients for most of the dishes coming up out of the surrounding waters. Make sure to try the creamy and sweet she-crab soup or the Frogmore Stew, reminiscent of jambalaya. Festivals abound in town.
In October, the Shrimp Festival is a great chance to try local recipes and restaurant offerings.
The Gullah Festival, during Memorial Day honors the African roots of the area.
The Water Festival in July brings ten days of celebrating the water that gives Beaufort so much of its character.
Sports enthusiasts will find opportunities on the water and land. Golf courses, tennis, jogging, biking and more are supported by trails, courses and courts.
Shopping options are available for everyone, from the outlets in nearby Bluffton to the local shops and galleries of Beaufort and nearby Port Royal, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
Education:
Beaufort's children go to Battery Creek High School and Beaufort High School. Out of Battery Creek's 267 seniors, 78 percent graduated, 38 percent went on to four-year colleges and 21 percent went to two-year colleges.
Battery Creek's seniors scored an average of 919 on their SAT's.
Out of Beaufort High School's 343 seniors, 85 percent graduated and 65 percent went on to four-year colleges. Beaufort's seniors scored an average of 972 on their SAT's.
In comparison, the statewide average on the SAT's was 993 and an average of 55 percent of South Carolina students graduate from high school.
Beaufort is home to several colleges; the Technical College of the Low-country, which has an enrollment of about 900 students and the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, which has an enrollment of about 1500 students.
Sportsmen and fishermen will most likely be your neighbors as well as retirees from all around, tourism specialists, restaurateurs, and teachers.
Military personnel from one of the two bases. Large oaks, old homes, shrimp from the sea and birds winging through the sky.
About twenty-five percent of the population works in the educational, health and social service fields.
About ten percent of people work in the hospitality industry. Approximately ten percent of the population works in the construction industry.
Beaufort Memorial Hospital takes care of Beaufort's citizens. Beaufort Memorial is a fully accredited facility licensed for 197 beds (169 acute, 14 rehab, 14 mental-health).
The largest hospital between Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC, Beaufort has a staff of over 150 board-certified or board-eligible physicians. In 2005, Beaufort Memorial was among the tops of Hospitals and Health Networks list of, “Most Wired,” hospitals for the third straight year.
The award commends the efforts of top hospitals that have used technology to enhance the care they give their patients.
The closest commercial airport is Hilton Head Airport, located on Hilton Head Island, about fifteen miles away. Hilton Head Airport is serviced by US Airways Express(800-428-4322).
Check out Beaufort, SC…it could just be your best place for the best living in South Carolina!
See you next week!
About Bob Bencivenga
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Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
| Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more.
Bob does not sell real estate. |
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