A guide to Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area real estate, rentals and lifestyle
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You've built up your savings, consistently invested in your 401k, and are ready to take your fi rst step towards enjoying a work-free lifestyle known as retirement. Knowing that you want to retire is easy, but knowing where to retire can be diffi cult. Or is it? Hilton Head Island is the perfect place to settle down and live your life to the fullest. In addition to the 12 miles of beautiful beaches, the island has many noteworthy activities, gourmet eateries, and gorgeous scenic views around every turn. And, the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island (HHIMLS) can help make this beautiful island town your new home. In addition to being named the "Best Island In e U.S." by Travel + Leisure magazine, Hilton Head Island is also the ultimate place to retire for a variety of reasons: • WATERFRONT LIVING — ere are 12 miles of pristine beaches open to the public that allow for retirees to enjoy a nice bike ride, a walk on the beach collecting seashells, or plan the perfect picnic. You can also delight in a gentle ocean breeze from just about anywhere on the island, making savoring your morning coff ee just a tad bit sweeter. • ENDLESS GOLF AND TENNIS — Hilton Head Island is home to more than 20 championship golf courses and more than 300 tennis courts in all three Grand Slam surfaces. Not to mention, the island is also home to South Carolina's only PGA Tour event, the RBC Heritage, played annually on the iconic Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines Resort. • COMFORTABLE WEATHER — On average, there are over 250 sunny days on Hilton Head Island each year, with average daytime temperatures in the mid 70s. e island also provides very mild winters that allow for playing golf and tennis all 12 months of the year. e moderate island climate provides for a comfortable lifestyle without the worry of heavy snow in the winter and plenty of sunshine year round. • ENDLESS TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES — Another plus side to living in Hilton Head Island is that the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport is close by, so you will be able to welcome your family and friends for holidays or special occasions. Although you will already live on a resort island, it's a nice benefi t to have convenient access to an international airport so you can visit your favorite destinations around the world. • DIVINE CUISINE — Hilton Head Island is known for its Southern hospitality and delicious Lowcountry cuisine. e island is home to many food hot spots ranging from BBQ to seafood. Enjoy a steak dinner a er a round of golf at Darren Clarke's Tavern, owned by the European Tour legend and former Ryder Cup captain himself. If seafood is what you're craving, there are no shortages of options. Enjoy the day's fresh catch at Hudson's on the north end of the island while watching the sunset over Skull Creek Marina. With dining options like this, it's no wonder Hilton Head Island is a favorite for retirees from all around the world. • GREEN LIVING — Did you know that Hilton Head Island was the fi rst eco-friendly community on the East Coast? As island offi cials continue to work diligently to improve sustainability programs and initiatives, you can take pride in knowing your permanent home is being well taken care of for the future. Whether you are searching for a large eco-friendly home or a quaint beach bungalow, HHIMLS can help you fi nd the perfect retirement home to fi t your lifestyle. With over $3 billion in annual real estate transactions and the experience that comes from serving Agents and Realtors in both South Carolina and Georgia, HHIMLS professionals have the tools and knowledge to help you fi nd your forever home. To fi nd an agent, visit www.hiltonheadmls.com. The popular website "Only In Your State" (www.onlyinyourstate.com/south-carolina/sc-is-best-state-in-the-us/) gave South Carolina some love with a feature en tled "13 Ways South Carolina Has Quietly Become The Coolest State In America." The ar cle noted things we enjoy like great scenery, stunning beaches, an endless variety of outdoor ac vi es, friendly pe ople, 5 FARMER'S MARKETS In South Carolina fresh foods and flowers are available during months when cold weather is se ng in up north. Through December 28, Farmers Market of Blu on features local produce, plants, nuts, herbs, flowers, honey, cheese, milk, eggs, beef, pork, lamb, seafood and more. 6 WE SPECIALIZE IN THE UNIQUE The longer you're in Hilton Head, the more you'll discover unusual and intriguing experiences. Foot golf requires you to kick a soccer ball into a 21-inch cup in as few kicks as possible. Players of all ages can enjoy the 9-hole, foot golf course on Planter's Row at the Port Royal Golf Club. Or take the alligator, wine and cheese tour with H2O sports in a riverboat in the freshwater lakes of the Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve. Visit the King Neptune Sundial standing guard at the Shelter Cove Harbour and enjoy the sunset and breezes off the marina. We have restaurants that you won't find anywhere else like Claude & Uli's Bistro, where the escargot and other fare is made with European flair, and Hudson's Seafood House where seafood is prepared fresh from the boat each day. 7 HISTORY IS ON DISPLAY Hilton Head is full of history. There are Gullah heritage tours that show how enslaved people preserved their rich culture and express it today. Visit Mitchelville, the first freedmen's town in America, and take a drive down Beach City Road, past the original churches, homes and a school building s ll standing there today. Stop at Mitchelville Freedom Park on your way for a view of the site of the Ba le of Port Royal and visit historical markers spotligh ng area history. Four forts were built on Hilton Head during the Civil War, and the remains of two earthen embankment forts, Fort Mitchel and Fort Howell, s ll fascinate Civil War buffs. Fort Walker was one of the targets of the largest naval ba le ever in U.S. waters. Cole e Stevenson is the CEO of MLS of Hilton Head Island, Inc. and a CMLX3 Cer fied Council of MLS Leader. HHIMLS Serves Licensed Agents & Realtors® from the en re state of SC, as well as GA and If you're considering a move to the Hilton Head area, contact an HHIMLS agent. We have access to the latest data, inventory, and tracking trends to help you find your perfect piece of the Lowcountry. With the most advanced pla orms to make the process smooth and sim- ple, we're ready to help buy- ers and sellers. Turn to HHIMLS to make Hilton Head your home today. www.HiltonHeadMLS.com 1 AN ABUNDANCE OF NATURE If random sigh ngs of deer, birds, and an alligator or two aren't enough to thrill you, we have Pinckney Na onal Wildlife Refuge, a great place to view some of the thousands of migratory birds that have Hilton Head in their flight path. The Refuge is a nes ng habitat for birds like ibis, egrets, and herons. If you love horses, check out the Sea Pines Forest Preserve with Lawton Stables. 2 THE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Hilton Head is full of museums and theaters. Learn about the natural history and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Take in a professional show at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Find representa onal drawings, pain ngs and sculpture by the na on's leading ar sts at the Red Piano Art Gallery, South Carolina's oldest professional gallery of fine art. At the Jazz Corner, an old-school nightclub, modern southern food and live jazz combine to keep you coming back. 3 SEASONAL FESTIVALS Star ng October 19, each Thursday there's the Shelter Cove Music & Taste on the Harbour fall outdoor concert series. Local restaurants offer specially priced light appe zers, wine, beer, and cocktails. The annual Italian Heritage Fes val (Nov 18), honors the Feast of San Gennaro with food and booths featuring Italian arts, cra s, and merchandise. The Winter Wonderland Fes val (Dec 1) provides a great environment to start your Holiday. Celebrate with carnival games, a children's parade, a golden candy cane hunt, and a visit from Santa, all at Shelter Cove Community Park. 4 ENDLESS FUN ON THE WATER From deep sea fishing to sailing, you'll never run out of op ons for making the most of coastal life. Creek Cat tours offer small outboard motor boats that cruise among the wildlife. Flying Circus 27 Hilton Head Island... A Great Place To Retire Considering a move to the Hilton Head area? Our Members access the latest Real Estate data, inventory, and tracking trends to help you fi nd your perfect piece of the Lowcountry. By utilizing the most advanced tools in the industry, we make the process smooth and simple for buyers and sellers. Turn to an HHIMLS member to make South Carolina your home today. www.HiltonHeadMLS.com Colette Stevenson, CEO MLS of Hilton Head Island, Inc. and CMLX3 Certifi ed Council of MLS Leader HHIMLS serves Agents & Realtors® representing properties in SC and GA Discover the many reasons to make Hilton Head Island your new home.