Moving To Beaufort, SC? Learn all about our Coastal Town
Welcome to Beaufort, South Carolina! If you’re considering relocating to Beaufort and looking for the lowdown on our great Coastal town ~ here’s some inside scoop about our little slice of Lowcountry paradise.
What is Beaufort Known For?
Also known as the “Queen of the Sea Islands,” Beaufort is known for its tight community, small town charm and deep-rooted history. It’s got about a thousand fun facts to throw around, including being a Hollywood haven – films like Forrest Gump, The Great Santini and even Netflix’s hit Outer Banks all have filming ties to Beaufort.
Beaufort is also host to many military establishments, with the area being home to Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, a U.S. Naval Hospital and is also home of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Ask anyone – when you hear the planes flying overhead, it’s not noise, but “the sound of freedom.”
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Beaufort’s narrative is the amazing preserved history of the Gullah culture, a culture unique to Lowcountry. The Gullah are African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia, and preserve more of their African linguistic and cultural heritage than any other African-American community in the United States.
What is the Cost of Living in Beaufort?
According to payscale.com, here are the numbers:
- The cost of living is two percent lower than the national average
- The housing cost is 16 percent lower than the national average
- The median home price is $291,827 the median rent is $914.17
You’ll also find groceries might be a little higher due to our location and in 2020, gas prices run anywhere from $1.79 to $1.99. A Night out for dinner and drinks for two might run you $50 to $75 depending on where you’re going, as most restaurants run on the moderate side of price ranges – but don’t worry, there’s plenty of fine dining experiences to be had in Beaufort!
How Safe is Beaufort?
Port Royal was named one of South Carolina’s safest cities of 2020, and Beaufort ranked 37 out of 68. Crime rates have also significantly declined over the past ten years – click here to read more!
What’s the weather like in Beaufort?
On average, there are 216 sunny days in Beaufort – that’s 216 opportunities to discover our great town!
Comfortable weather follows us almost year round (except for July and August, those months can just be brutal with the humidity), even into the winter, where we can have several mild days of 60s and 50s. We do experience our cold snaps and yes, even sometimes snow, but it’s nothing a good puffer jacket and heated seats can’t fix!
What are the best things to do in Beaufort?
There’s always something to do in Beaufort. Home to many festivals, events, water and land parades, your dance card will always be filled.
What’s the Local Lore in Beaufort?
History runs deep in Beaufort, and so does the lore. Ghost tours run yearly and for charity in October, and trust us, nearly every building and landmark here have stories. One of the most popular tales includes a 16th century dwarf who served as a jester in the French court, and now haunts Beaufort’s famous “Castle.”
Does Beaufort Have Beaches?
Indeed we do! Life on the water is synonymous with Beaufort, and our beaches attract natives and visitors in spades.
Is Beaufort a Good Place to Retire?
Beaufort is always named one of the best places to retire in both the country and the state, and for good reason. It was named Southern Living’s Best Small town in 2017, #3 on Top 20 Most Preferred S.C. Destination Towns by Carolina Living and Fripp Island was named best Beach community of the year in 2016.
Want to learn even more about Beaufort? Here’s how to speak like a local, eat like a local, and play like a local!