Your Guide to Retirement Communities in Summerville, SC

Introduction

Summerville, South Carolina is often mentioned as one of the most desirable retirement destinations in the U.S. according to many retirement community studies. It offers a great climate, a quaint small-town atmosphere, and easy access to beaches, shopping, dining, and cultural attractions in nearby Charleston and Hilton Head Island. But even though it’s just outside of Charleston (and a quick drive to Myrtle Beach), there are still many active retirement communities in Summerville offering tons of convenience and amenities without ever leaving town.

NOTE: Our list focuses only on 55+ active adult communities in the Summerville, SC area, but there are also several choices for assisted living and elder care options as well.

Communities

Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay

This 55+ community is located within Cane Bay Plantation situated along their 300-acre lake system. There are 828 homes in the gated community featuring a 20,000 square foot lakefront clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, athletic club, tennis courts, bocce ball, and pickleball courts. 

Residents can enjoy a large selection of clubs and activities such as hiking trails, an outdoor amphitheater, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. 

Four Seasons at the Lakes offers homes ranging from 1,320 to 3,494 square feet and floor plans with 2-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, and 1-2 car garages. Prices range from the mid 400s to the mid $500s.

See the available Homes for Sale in Four Seasons at The Lakes of Cane Bay

Cresswind Charleston

Cresswind by Kolter Homes is located in the back section of The Ponds in Summerville. The 600 homes in this community have access to a clubhouse, fitness center, walking trails, and other resort-style amenities. The clubhouse also features fitness classes and nutrition programs and an on-site activities director.

Homes in Cresswind range from the mid $300s to the high $500s with floorplans ranging from 1,454 to over 2,500 square feet, at least 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and attached 2-car garages.

Several fantastic golf courses are conveniently located nearby with downtown Charleston about a 30-minute drive away and the airport 20 minutes.

See the available homes for sale in Cresswind Charleston

Del Webb at Cane Bay

Another 55+ community located within Cane Bay Plantation, Del Webb is a gated community featuring 1,017 homes ranging from the mid $300s to the mid $400s with floor plans of 1,109 to 2,722 square feet, 1-4 bedrooms, 1.5-4 bathrooms, and attached garages.

This vast 360-acre property features a 20,000 square-foot clubhouse with heated outdoor and indoor pools, a fitness center, tennis courts, bocce ball and pickleball courts, and a dog park. The clubhouse also features recreation areas, arts and crafts rooms, and social clubs.

At Del Webb at Cane Bay, you're 25 minutes to Charleston and 20 minutes from the International airport.

See the available homes for sale in Del Webb at Cane Bay

Carillon at The Ponds

This is a smaller 55+ community located within The Ponds in Summerville. At just 56 homes in this gated area, Carillon offers a cozier atmosphere while still being able to connect with the other residents of The Ponds. Most of The Ponds’ amenities are shared with everyone, so this would be something to consider for those in search of a true 55 and over in the restricted community.

Carillon residents have access to the 1,100-acre preserve which includes 21 miles of nature/walking trails, a lakefront amphitheater, saltwater pool, 4,000 square foot farmhouse with hobby and game rooms, and fishing lakes.

Homes in this community tend to start in the high $200s to high $300s.

See the homes for sale in Carillon at The Ponds.

Del Webb Nexton

The popular mixed-use community Nexton located in Summerville didn't ignore the 55+ crowd as Del Webb also has a presence. As part of this 4,000-acre development, the premier senior living community Del Webb Nexton is only minutes from shopping, dining, and other activities located in Summerville. Residents enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, and pickleball courts along with a fabulous fitness center and clubs and social groups as amenities.

Around 1,000 homes from the low $400s to Mid $600s offer floorplans of 1,355 to 3,818 square feet with 2-4 bedrooms and 2-4 bathrooms.

See the available homes for sale in Del Webb Charleston at Nexton.

Marrington at Cobblestone

As an alternative to the scale of Del Webb developments, Marrington at Cobblestone offers a cozier feel for the 55+ crowd with less than 100 homes on 21 acres surrounded by the Lowcountry's famous woodlands and wetlands. 

Amenities include an outdoor pool and clubhouse intended to be the social center of the community with a fitness center, kitchen, and an area for meetings, social events, and more.

Floor plans in Marrington range from 1,171 to 1,995 square feet, 2-3 bedrooms and bathrooms and some feature 1-2.5 car garages. Prices range from the mid $200s to mid $400s.

See the available homes for sale in Marrington Villas at Cobblestone.

The Pines at Gahagan

Those looking for other smaller, more intimate 55+ communities should also consider The Pines. 109 homes make up this gated neighborhood centrally located in Summerville. Amenities offered here include a fitness center, catering kitchen, juice bar, and event space in the 4,700 square foot clubhouse, outdoor pool and a library, craft room, and billiards hall.

All home layouts at The Pines feature single floor designs with no stairs and wide doorways, 1,500 to 3,000 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms and bathrooms ranging from the low to high $300s.

See the available homes for sale in The Pines at Gahagan

Horizons at Summers Corner

The brand new gated community scheduled to open in the Summer of 2022 will feature a private pool, fitness center, public garden, dog park, walking trails, and access to all Summers Corner amenities including the open-air pavilion, pools, and the 95-acre Buffalo Lake for fishing and recreation.

Current home plans feature 2 bedrooms, 2 bath homes with attached garage from 1,305 to 1,507 square feet. Prices are currently estimated to be between the high $300s to mid $400s.

See available homes for sale in Horizons at Summers Corner.

Climate & Geography

Summerville is part of the Lowcountry so expect the area to be both humid and subtropical. Summer temps can reach over 100 degrees while winter temperatures rarely dip below the high 30s and snow is rare.

See Summerville's Current Weather

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

In addition to each of the active adult communities listed here, Summerville itself has a rich history and as such offers a great selection of museums to learn about the town's past. Art galleries, antiques, farmer's markets, parks, and multiple historic sites also offer plenty of options to get out of the house. 

Summerville also holds multiple events throughout the year including the nationally recognized Flowertown Festival which features artists from all over the country, children's events, food vendors, and more.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Summerville tends to be higher than both the South Carolina and National Average. Residents of the state pay sales, income, vehicle, and property taxes but social security income is untaxed. There are also additional exemptions available for other retirement income such as 401k, IRAs, and pensions as well as retired military and their spouses.

Healthcare

Summerville residents enjoy a wide selection of healthcare options such as East Cooper Medical Center, Trident Medical Center, Roper St. Francis, and nationally ranked MUSC Health-University Center in Charleston.

The Final Say

If you're considering retiring to the state of South Carolina, make sure to put Summerville on your list. With easy access to some of South Carolina's most beautiful beaches, world-class cuisine, and amazing history - not to mention the amazing amenities offered by each community - Retirement in Summerville is a no-brainer!

If you're still undecided, check out other 55+ homes for sale in Summerville.

843-609-5202  |  Chris.Sotiroglou@gmail.com  |  www.TheFamilyRealEstateGroup.com