This SC beach community is among 10 ultimate winter destinations for retirees, new ranking shows

Here’s an unusual best of list. If you could pick two places to live in retirement — one for spring-summer, another for fall-winter — where would you choose?

Three South Carolina cities made the list with Hilton Head, paired with Louisville, Kentucky coming in at No. 6.

This, according to 3,000 people surveyed by IRAInvesting.com, a Florida company specializing in investing for retirees.

Louisville to Hilton Head was “pragmatic,” the company said in a news release.

Louisville’s moderate climate allows outdoor activities when other southern swelter. It has lots of ways to be entertained, not the least of which is the Kentucky Derby — first Saturday in May. The cost of living is relatively low.

Six hundred miles away (10 hours by car) to the southeast is Hilton Head — mild winter, beautiful beaches and golf, lots of it.

“This pairing merges the attractions of a culturally rich city in the summer with the relaxing coastal vibe of a renowned island during winter, IRAInvesting said.

You’ve got to go farther down the list to find the other South Carolina cities named in this survey.

No. 41 is Charleston and Springfield, Missouri. Charleston is not used to be ranked so low. In fact, last year WalletHub ranked it second best city in the nation for retirement. It’s also been best city, best small city, South’s best city, best hospital (MUSC), best beach (Kiawah). It goes one and on

Coming in at No. 46 was Myrtle Beach and Boston. Tripadvisor said the Myrtle Beach area was the top beach destination in the U.S. this summer. Myrtle was also one of the fastest growing places in South Carolina.

The top pairing according to the survey result was Fort Collins, Colorado and Long Beach, California. a 1,000-mile, 16-hour drive. IRAInvesting said Fort Collins’ draw was a “rich cultural tapestry, picturesque historic districts, and proximity to the Rocky Mountains.”

Long Beach has “gentle ocean breezes, palm-lined shores, and eclectic blend of urban and beach life.”

Here’s the rest of the top 10 in the ranking.

• No. 2 was Portland, Maine, and Orlando, Florida
  
  
• No. 3 Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Clearwater, Florida
  
  
• No. 4 Buffalo, New York and Palm Springs, California
  
  
• No. 5 Albany, New York and Asheville, North Carolina
• No. 7 Seattle and Albuquerque
• No. 8 Bar Harbor, Maine and Atlanta
• No. 9 Mackinac Island, Michigan and Savannah, Georgia
• No. 10 Appleton, Wisconsin and Daytona Beach
  
  

IRAInvesting created an Infographic to show the top 120 snowbird destination combinations.

“These retirees smartly sidestep the chill of winter, migrating south to bask in warmer climes, only to return north when summer arrives,” the company said. “It’s a route between two homes, ensuring year-round comfort.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2023 at 6:00 AM.