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Retire in Garden City, South Carolina?
Overview: Garden City is on South Carolina's northeastern coast, about eight miles south of Myrtle Beach, and is a mellow, unincorporated community known for having one of the best beaches in the state.
With creeks and tributaries all around, fishing, crabbing, birding, shelling and boating are what keep most people occupied. There are some very good seafood restaurants, and The Pier, which has often been voted the best pier in South Carolina, has live music on two stages, nightly summer concerts, two full service bars and a full arcade. Garden City is also known for its Golf Cart Parade every 4th of July. Housing is a mix of large, oceanfront single family homes, beachside condo high rises and ranch ramblers in leafy neighborhoods. Most shopping takes place in neighboring Murrells Inlet.
Population: 9,000 (city proper)
Percentage of Population Age 45 or Better: 62%
Cost of Living: 8% below the national average
Median Home Price: $135,000
Climate: This area has summer high temperatures in the low 90s, and winter temperatures in the 50s and 60s. On average, the area receives 56 inches of rain each year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but the Waccamaw Community Hospital, about three miles away in the neighboring city of Murrells Inlet, accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but the Waccamaw Community Hospital, about three miles away in the neighboring city of Murrells Inlet, is accredited.
Public Transit: Yes, provided by Coast RTA
Crime Rate: Meets the national average
Public Library: No, but one is in Surfside Beach, about five miles away.
Political Leanings: Conservative
Is South Carolina Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: The hurricane risk is real. Garden City was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and was severely damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew uprooted trees, flooded some neighborhoods and dumped huge amount of sand on streets. Hurricane Florence in 2018 did little damage.
Notes: This is a popular place with "snowbirds" and has grown by 40% within the last decade or two.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
South Carolina:
South Carolina is nicknamed the Palmetto State and its motto is "Dum spiro spero," which is Latin for "While I Breath, I Hope." It is 40th in size in the United States and was the eighth state to be admitted to the Union on May 23, 1788. The largest city and state capital is Columbia.
Formerly known as the Province of South Carolina, the area was also one of the 13 Colonies that declared its independence during the American Revolution. The state was the first to secede from the Union and was the first and founding state of the Confederate States of America.
South Carolina is in what is considered the Deep South and is bordered by the states of Georgia on the south and North Carolina on the north.
The state does not host any major professional sport franchises. However, the Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes actually represent both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Stats:
Population - 4,961,018
Persons 65 years old and over - 16%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 85%
Bachelor's degree or higher, age 25+ - 25%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 5%
White persons, not Hispanic - 64%
Median household income - $45,483
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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