South Carolina Best Places To Live College Towns
Alright, last week you got a taste of what people are saying they like about living in college cities/towns and we looked at five of the best college and university towns in North Carolina.
If you missed last weeks Carolina Report, let me offer you a little summary of why college and university towns may be a great option for when looking to find your best place to relocate or retire to in either North Carolina or South Carolina.
With the younger population, there usually is a vibrancy to the local social scene, arts and economy.
Additionally, college and university towns tend to have cheaper housing options than most other places for obvious reasons.
Moreover, college and university towns have populations that are in most instances higher educated. Colleges and universities draw people from not only all over SC and NC but also the nation therefore, the college towns and cities tend to be a bit more cosmopolitan.
This often means younger families looking often consider a college town as their best place to live, to relocate to so you can expect strong commitments to education and local schools.
But also you’re liable to find a community with people just like yourselves who’ve made the move to South Carolina or North Carolina.
And let’s not forget that college and university towns provide educational, cultural and entertainment options for young and old that are second to none.
So what about the best college and university towns in South Carolina?
Statistically South Carolina has over 70 four and two year institutions in towns and cities spread across the state.
As I mentioned last week, when I talk about college or university towns in South Carolina that can mean a town where the school is the center of everything, like say Clemson, SC or a large metropolitan area with several institutions of higher learning like Charleston, SC.
What you decide is your best place really all depends on what you’re looking for.
I have to tell you that part of my criteria for a town or city making it onto my list of the best college and university towns in either North Carolina or South Carolina I want to make sure they have something for everybody.
For instance well-established lifelong learning centers for young and old are a big plus in my book and you can see it in my lists.
With that in mind, here are my top five college and university towns in South Carolina.
Charleston, SC is one of the oldest cities in the country, the second largest city in South Carolina and has long been one of our favorite best places to live in the Palmetto state.
In addition to a lot of history, culture and a diverse economy, Charleston, SC is home to several colleges and universities including well respected institutions like the College of Charleston, the Citadel, the Medical University of South Carolina and the Trident Technical College.
Better yet the College of Charleston offers a Center for Creative Retirement for you lifelong learners.
The median home value in Charleston, SC is $139,700 (not downtown) and the average rental cost starts at around $531 a month.
Sitting in among the lakes and rolling hills of the northwest corner of the state is a small, laid back town with a lot of 
history.
Clemson, SC has a great sense of its self that also happens to be the home of Clemson University and an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Clemson, SC is small enough to double in size when school is in session but I really like the downtown area with its great restaurants and eclectic shops.
The median home value in Clemson is around $114, 350 and the average monthly rental cost starts at around $566.
Columbia may be the state capital and largest city in South Carolina but it is also home to the state’s flagship university.
The University of South Carolina (USC) as well as several smaller liberal arts colleges like Benedict College.
Columbia, SC is a great town for arts, culture and entertainment and its colleges and universities are a big part of that.
You’ll also love all the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities the area provides.
Whether your relocating or retiring, for those interested in expanding their horizons check out the Continuing Education class options at USC.
The median home value in Columbia is a very reasonable $98,500 and the average monthly rental cost is around $415.
Conway, SC might not be on a lot of people’s radars, but its small, close to the coast, affordable and home to the prestigious 
Coastal Carolina University which is an integral part of the community.
You’ll love Conway’s tree lined streets and genuine small town atmosphere without all the commotion on the coast caused by tourism.
Coastal Carolina University also offers a program of lifelong learning classes for retirees.
The median home value in Conway is $93,900 and the average rental cost starts at around $267 a month.
Greenville , SC:
Greenville helps anchor one of the fastest growing areas of South Carolina and happens to be home to three campus' of higher learning…
Furman University
Bob Jones University
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC is a dynamic place socially, culturally and economically and the local universities and college are very much apart of that.
Throw in a low cost of living with the amenities of a big city and its hard not to notice why people have flocked to Greenville, South Carolina.
The median home value in Greenville, SC is about $118,100 with the average rental cost starting around $370 a month.
Well that’s all for this week. These are my picks for the best places to relocate or retire to in South Carolina if college or university lifestyle in on your list.
Remember if you’re interested in more information about the best places on the list above, check out our SC Best Places page for all the details.
See you next week!
Just a little hint about where we're going next…
Based upon the survey we conducted in December last year, we have been touring the best places to relocate or retire to with a population of under 30,000.
Soon, I'm going to be headed back on the road to the best places to live in North Carolina and South Carolina with a population of between 31,000 – 50,000.
Your not going to want to miss these towns and cities.
As always, one may just be Your best place to relocate or retire.
Bob
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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