Bluffton, South Carolina

On a bluff above the May River on South Carolina’s southern coast, charming Bluffton was built by wealthy plantation owners seeking a place to escape the summer heat. It became a booming steamboat port but then struggled to survive after the Civil War.

Things finally began to turn around in the 1990s when preservation efforts and proximity to Hilton Head Island, just seven miles down the road, helped make Bluffton one of the fastest growing towns in the state. 

Leafy established neighborhoods are populated with ranch ramblers and antebellum homes, while new subdivisions have sleek Craftsmans, Cape Cods and newly planted vegetation. Sun City Hilton Head is an amenity-rich 55+ community.

Old Town Bluffton is cute with galleries, award-winning eateries, historic churches, festivals and tree-canopied streets. The Society of Bluffton Artists has exhibitions and classes, and the May River Theatre presents the best in local talent. The 1840s secessionist movement began in Bluffton, and the 350+ year old oak tree under which local leaders gathered and called for leaving the Union still stands.

Bluffton is bicycle friendly and has paths or bike lanes along major arteries. Tanger Outlets boasts a wide range of national retailers.

Four boat docks are within city limits, and important parks near the city include the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Pinckney Island, and Turtle Island. The Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve is open for hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching.

People who would like to live in Hilton Head but find it too expensive often choose Bluffton instead. Hence, the population has nearly doubled during the last decade.