Three Atlantic coast retirement markets — the honest comparison of character, cost, healthcare, and which buyer each market is right for
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Talk to a Specialist →Buyers who research one of these markets frequently research the other two. All three are coastal, all three are in the Southeast, and all three have strong 55+ community infrastructure. But they deliver meaningfully different retirement experiences — and the financial differences are significant enough to drive decisions.
| Factor | Hilton Head SC | Myrtle Beach SC | Jacksonville FL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character | Quiet Lowcountry prestige | Resort entertainment-oriented | Active master-planned; Del Webb heavy |
| State | South Carolina | South Carolina | Florida |
| State Income Tax | SC low effective (senior deductions) | SC low effective | None |
| Property Tax Advantage | Beaufort Co. SC 4% primary | Horry Co. 3-layer stack (best in market) | FL Save Our Homes 3%/yr cap |
| CDD Fees | Generally no | No | Yes at Nocatee |
| Entry Price | ~$350K | ~$200K | ~$280K |
| HOA Range | ~$200–$400/mo | ~$180–$310/mo | ~$180–$420/mo |
| Insurance | Higher (Hilton Head Island exposure) | Lower inland communities | Moderate NE Florida |
| Beach Quality | Hilton Head Island — quieter, less commercial | Grand Strand — 60 miles, resort-style | Ponte Vedra / Atlantic Beach — high quality, less crowded |
| Healthcare | Hilton Head Hospital; Savannah 45 min | Grand Strand Medical; Charleston 90 min | Mayo Clinic 20 min |
| Golf | World-class (Harbour Town, Palmetto Dunes) | Abundant (100+ courses) | TPC Sawgrass 20 min; Stillwater includes golf |
| Cultural Depth | Moderate — Hilton Head arts scene | Limited — tourist-oriented | St. Augustine 25 min — best in group |
Hilton Head: buyers who want quiet Lowcountry prestige, world-class golf, and are less price-sensitive. The buyer who describes retirement as understated and peaceful. Myrtle Beach: buyers who want maximum financial efficiency — lowest entry price, lowest taxes, lowest HOA, no CDD fees — and are comfortable in a resort-oriented coastal environment. Jacksonville: buyers who specifically want Mayo Clinic proximity, Florida's income tax elimination, the Save Our Homes long-term tax cap, and St. Augustine cultural access within 25 minutes.
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