Finding Great Places to Retire Since 2006
McClellanville, South Carolina
Nestled Against Tidal Creeks and Saltwater Marshes, McClellanville is a Beautiful, Secluded Place Popular with Artists and Writers
The quiet, secluded fishing village of McClellanville, home to artists and writers, is nestled against a stretch of tidal creeks and saltwater marshes on South Carolina's mid-coast. It is a beautiful, simple place whose history began in the mid-19th century as a coastal resort for rice planters seeking relief from summer heat on the Santee Delta.
Although McClellanville was in the eye of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and has been struck by subsequent storms, it still has its classic antebellum and Victorian homes, many on spacious grounds dotted with stately live oaks (at least one of which is more than a 1,000 years old). Just a few shops and churches line canopied Pinckney Street, and there are no stop lights. The Village Museum has a family history room, and the active arts council maintains a small gallery and offers workshops. The Hampton Plantation is open for tours, and its mansion, camellia gardens and irrigation canals are worth exploring. The annual Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet brings in folks from around the region. Jeremy Creek, an offshoot of the Intracoastal Waterway and the only water access to McClellanville, is dotted with shrimp boats and pleasure craft.
McClellanville is almost completely surrounded by the Francis Marion National Forest, which is marked by canoe trails and colossal bald cypress trees. The forest's Buck Hall Boat Launch has access to Cape Roman and its visitors' center, lighthouse tour and pristine, seldom seen beaches.
There are a few restaurants, a couple of seafood markets, one or two gas stations, a couple of grocery stores and a doctor or two. Other services are few, mostly provided by residents who pitch in when needed.
McClellanville has 735 residents, with 57% age 45 or better. The population has grown 20% during the last decade. About half of locals hold a four-year college degree. Many families have lived here for generations.
The cost of living is 5% above the national average, and the median home price is $460,000. Real estate prices have remained steady over the last year.
Summers bring high temperatures in the low 90s, while winter days are typically in the 50s and 60s. The area averages 56 inches of rain annually.
Although the town does not have a hospital, highly rated Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital is in Mount Pleasant, 25 miles south.
There is a public library and a town mayor but no police department. Public transit is available, althought it mainly runs to Mount Pleasant.
The crime rate meets the national average. Politics are split down the middle.
Hurricanes are a fact of life in this region. In recent years, Hurricane Florence (2018) brought rain, wind, and some power outages with little damage, while Hurricane Dorian (2019) caused flooding and downed trees.
The mid-coast of South Carolina is defined by tidal creeks, barrier islands, and historic coastal towns that reflect both natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Stretching roughly between Charleston to the south and Georgetown to the north, this area is dotted with salt marshes, maritime forests, and pristine stretches of beach. Fishing villages and small communities thrive alongside more developed areas, creating a balance of quiet seclusion and convenient access to modern amenities.
Life here tends to move at a slower pace, with shrimp boats still working the waters and local seafood a staple of daily life. Beyond its scenery, the mid-coast is steeped in history, from Revolutionary War landmarks to Gullah Geechee traditions that still shape local culture.
For retirees and second-home owners, the area offers both tranquility and proximity to larger hubs like Charleston and Mount Pleasant, making it an appealing place to settle into coastal living.
South Carolina is considered tax-friendly for retirement.
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