SC has 2 of the best beach towns to live in year-round, Travel+Leisure says. Here’s why

Two South Carolina cities made Travel + Leisure’s new ranking of 15 best beach towns to live in year round — Hilton Head and Charleston.

Hilton Head ranked first and Charleston ranked 10th.

“Beach towns may be synonymous with vacation memories — old-fashioned boardwalks, the smell of sunscreen, seafood dinners, and sunset strolls — but plenty of people decide it’s just not enough to experience this lifestyle once or twice a year,” the magazine said. “Some beach towns are better suited for full-time living than others — whether it’s because of the weather, access to major airports, amenities, or community.”

The magazine asked real estate experts across the country to devise the list.

Caitlin Smith, a Realtor with Sequel at Compass South Carolina in Bluffton, selected Hilton Head for its beaches, golf, lifestyle and property value.

“Its commitment to natural preservation, bikable communities, and top-tier amenities makes it ideal for both full-time residents and second-home buyers,” she said.

Winters are mild generally.

About 38,444 people are considered permanent residents. The median age is 59.8 years, according to World Population Review.

Readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler voted Hilton Head Island the No. 1 island, where nearly 3 million people visit each year.

Charleston has been a favorite so often it’s been put on Travel + Leisure magazine’s hall of fame.

“Although Charleston is certainly a city, it has all the features of a beach town (plus three of its own beach destinations: Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach),” the magazine said in selecting it as a year-round beach town.

“Charleston blends historic charm with coastal living like no other city,” Smith said, citing walkable neighborhoods, good restaurants and the beaches.

“It appeals to buyers who value culture, character, and timeless Southern architecture alongside coastal access,” she said.

Jeff Lichtenstein, CEO and broker at Echo Fine Properties in Florida, added that its role as a college town brings in “a younger, buzzy population.”

The Charleston metropolitan area has about 800,000 residents. The average home value is $575,000, according to Zillow.

The other cities on the list were:

2. Malibu, California

3. Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

4. La Jolla, California

5. Seaside, Florida

6. Virginia Beach, Virginia

7. Laguna Beach, California

8. Cape May, New Jersey

9. Naples, Florida

11. Cannon Beach, Oregon

12. Vero Beach, Florida

13. Savannah, Georgia

14. Carpinteria, California

15. Newport, Rhode Island