Retiring In Greenville SC

Thought about retiring in Greenville SC? It was ranked the 10th best retirement destination according to SmartAsset.

Seniors have the opportunity to enjoy being out in nature most of the year, and also experience great food, culture, entertainment and arts. Best of all, cost of living is super cheap here, making it easier for you to thrive as a retiree.

The state of South Carolina offers residents soothing hills, beautiful coastlines, and a little dose of city life. Cozied up to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is a small, robust community on the rise. Located halfway between Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, lays an animated economy with a city filled with life.

There are many reasons Greenville, SC can be a good place to live. If you’re a soon-to-be retiree, here are some reasons why retiring in Greenville SC.

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South Carolina is Tax Friendly

Of the 5.2 million residents living in South Carolina, 4.8 million of those residents are retirees. This is because South Carolina is incredibly tax-friendly, especially for their senior residents.

South Carolina is one of the few states that do not take taxes out of retiree’s social security income. This goes without saying, but this allows for retired residents to have the retirement financial flexibility that they need.

South Carolina has great tax deductions

If over the age of 65, South Carolina allows its residents to deduct up to $15,000 in taxes. Succinctly, this is pertinent to all forms of income: pension plans, 401(k) plans, and even IRAs.

Greenville, South Carolina has low property taxes

To residents who have retired in the state for over a year, South Carolina equips their residents with homestead exemptions. The homestead exemption exempts retired residents for up to $50,000 on their home’s value. Not to mention, the property tax is considerably low. In Greenville, the property tax is an average of 0.69%.

Retiring in Greenville grants you a low cost of living

Like everywhere else, the price of living varies based on the person’s needs and location. A one-bedroom space averages around $1,036 a month, while a 3 bedroom space averages around $1,590 a month. Considering the low cost of living that’s coupled with tax-friendly policies for senior citizens, one can already see why people choose to retire in Greenville, South Carolina.

Greenville, South Carolina Crime Rate

Just like virtually anything else in life, there are almost always pros and cons. Given the size of the community per crime, Greenville has a high crime rate.

According to government-based statistics of 2020, Greenville has a crime rate of 49 per one thousand residents. In total, Greenville has roughly 70,000 residents.

This means that in comparison to other cities in South Carolina, more than 80% of them have a lower crime rate. The two most common types of crimes that occur are violent crimes and property crimes.

Violent Crime Rate

In America, a violent crime is typically considered rape, aggravated assault, armed robbery, non-negligent manslaughter, and murder. According to crime data, the chance of being a victim of a violent crime in Greenville, South Carolina is 1 in 139.

Property Crime Rate

On the other hand, property crime entails cases involving larceny over fifty dollars, burglary, arson, and motor vehicle theft. In Greenville, the chances of being a victim of a property crime are 1 in 24.

Safe areas to live

Despite occasional crime issues, that doesn’t have to deter you from moving here. Just like most cities, there are good areas and then there are not so good areas. In accordance with 2021 crime data statistics, here are the top 10 safest neighborhoods in Greenville:

Dellwood
Cleveland Street & Crescent Avenue
South Pleasantburg Drive & Cleveland Street
Paramount Park
August Street & Mills Avenue
State Highway South & Hudson Road
West Georgia Road & Fork Shoals Road
Piedmont Park & Minter
Stone Lake
Richmond Hills

Greenville, South Carolina Amenities

When it comes to retiring, finding amenities that fit your needs is of utmost importance. You don’t want to retire somewhere that you find boring. Fortunately, Greenville, South Carolina, has lots to offer for fun and entertainment.

Restaurants

If there’s one known fact about American southerners, it’s that they know how to cook. Here are the top rated restaurants in Greenville, South Carolina:

And if those restaurant names don’t scream deliciously southern food, then what does. Here are two other top-rated restaurants.

Entertainment

Even though it’s a small city, Greenville has a lot of entertainment options to choose from. When it comes to family fun, consider the Greenville Zoo – a 14 acre zoo that offers a variety of wildlife, including an aquarium.

Other family-friendly places near or around Greenville include the Roper Mountain Science Center and the South Carolina Botanical Garden. And if you’re looking to go out with friends instead of family, a great spot is Magnolia park – a popular area anchored by Dave & Busters, Regal Cinema, and more.

Shopping

Greenville offers a range of options for those who like to shop. For those who enjoy shopping at the mall, consider Haywood Mall, which includes stores ranging from Lego to Pottery Barn.

If you are someone who enjoys shopping locally, a good spot to shop at are the Shops at Greenridge. It’s a popular area that has a healthy dynamic of local shops and restaurants to choose from.

Museums

As Greenville is riddled with rich history, they have a variety of museums. Some of the best ones include:

Sports

For sports lovers, Greenville has a minor league baseball team and an ice hockey team. You’ll also quickly learn about the rivalry between Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

Venues

Greenville has three main venues. The Bon Secours Wellness Arena seats up to 15,000 people and hosts unique and popular artists throughout the year.

The Peace Center is a concert hall that seats up to 400 people and also hosts a variety of artists. Greenville also has a comedy club and lots of different events that happen downtown.

Parks

And of all the activities to do in Greenville, walking through the parks is something many of the residents here enjoy. You can enjoy Falls Park on the Reedy, which is an urban park, or the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a common walking and bicycle greenway.

There’s also Cleveland Park, which is filled with amenities such as tennis courts and softball fields. McPherson Park has fun miniature golf courses and walking trails. Lastly, Paris Mountain State Park has 1,540 acres of pure outdoor.

Greenville, South Carolina Weather

In the colder months, the temperature in Greenville, South Carolina ranges from 34 to 53°F. In the warmer months, the average range is 71 to 90°F. With that said, snow is a rarity.

Natural Disasters

In terms of safety in relation to natural disaster frequencies and occurrences, Greenville is considered safe. With being near any coastline, hurricanes are always a possibility.

However, Greenville is nestled up between the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mountains break up hurricanes and tropical storms, making it that much more difficult for tornadoes to touch down. In short, the small city of Greenville is likely to only experience an occasional amount of excess rain and flooding.

Greenville, South Carolina Healthcare

While there are many independent practices in Greenville, the main hospitals are Bon Secour and Prisma Health Alliance. Bon Secours St. Francis has two hospitals. They are the Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside Hospital.

Prisma Health Alliances has three hospitals: Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, Prisma Health Patewood Hospital, and Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital.

Greenville, SC Retirement Communities

When all is said and done, the small city of Greenville has a lot to offer. If you’re considering retiring to Greenville, to help you get started, here are the top three retirement neighborhoods:

Retiring in Greenville SC