Retiring in Pawleys Island

If you’ve been dreaming about a coastal retirement where days feel slower, neighbors feel like friends, and the beach is never far, Pawleys Island, South Carolina belongs at the top of your list. Tucked between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, Pawleys offers a rare mix of laid-back Lowcountry charm, upscale amenities, and a strong real estate market that includes everything from oceanfront cottages to golf-course villas and low-maintenance patio homes.

As a Real Estate Advisor with Peace Sotheby’s International Realty, I help retirees and second-home buyers find the right fit here every day. Below is a practical, local guide to what it’s really like to retire in Pawleys Island — including costs, healthcare access, lifestyle, and the communities people love most.

Why Pawleys Island Is One of South Carolina’s Best Retirement Towns

Retirees are drawn to Pawleys Island for three big reasons:

1. A true coastal lifestyle without the crowds. You get beaches, marsh views, and water access, but the vibe stays calm and residential most of the year.

2. Easy access to golf, dining, and nature. Pawleys sits near top courses, historic Georgetown, Brookgreen Gardens, and Huntington Beach State Park.

3. A location that keeps travel simple. You’re about 25 minutes south of Myrtle Beach’s airport and roughly 90 minutes north of Charleston, so family visits are easy.

Cost of Living & Housing: What to Expect

Let’s talk numbers in real terms.

Home prices & property taxes

Home prices in Pawleys Island vary widely depending on whether you’re on the island, in Litchfield, or in golf and marsh communities farther inland. Most retirees I work with focus on low-maintenance homes or condos close to amenities.

On the tax side:

• Georgetown County uses district millage rates, and Pawleys Island falls in a specific tax district. Your actual bill depends on assessed value and exemptions.

• Many homeowners qualify for Homestead Exemption or senior-related reductions, which can lower the taxable assessed value. (I’ll happily connect you with the right county contacts and walk through this for any address.)

Everyday costs

Compared to many Northeast and West Coast retirement areas, Pawleys Island tends to feel moderate — especially for buyers downsizing from higher-tax states. Day-to-day costs (groceries, utilities, dining) are similar to the rest of the Grand Strand, while waterfront maintenance and insurance are the main “coastal add-ons.”

Healthcare & Medical Access Near Pawleys Island

One concern I hear from relocating retirees is: “Will I have good medical care nearby?” The answer here is yes.

You’re close to multiple providers and hospitals:

• Tidelands Health has a strong local network, including hospitals in Georgetown and Murrells Inlet plus many physician practices and specialty services close to Pawleys.

• Primary care options also include local clinics such as Careteam Plus in Pawleys Island.

Whether you want a primary physician nearby, specialists on the Grand Strand, or hospital access within a short drive, the area is well-covered for year-round residents.

Lifestyle: What Retirement Feels Like Here

This is where Pawleys Island shines.

Outdoor living

Retirees here live outside:

• morning beach walks

• kayaking and paddleboarding in the creeks

• fishing and boating

• biking quiet roads and paths

Golf & social life

Golf communities are a major part of the Pawleys lifestyle, but even if you don’t play, they offer clubs, pools, walking trails, and built-in neighborhoods where people actually get to know each other.

Pace of life

In summer, Pawleys is lively. In fall and winter, it becomes wonderfully peaceful — which many retirees love. You still have restaurants and events, but without tourist traffic.

Popular Retirement-Friendly Communities in Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island doesn’t have a huge number of age-restricted developments, but it does have many communities that retirees naturally gravitate to because of location, maintenance level, amenities, and lifestyle.

Here are a few favorites:

Pawleys Plantation

A classic golf community with a range of home styles, from townhomes to custom properties, plus a strong social culture.

Litchfield by the Sea / North Litchfield

Ideal if you want beach proximity without giving up privacy. Condos and patio homes here are popular with second-home retirees.

Prince George & Hagley Estates

For buyers who want a more private, upscale Lowcountry feel near the ocean and marsh.

The Lakes at Litchfield (CCRC / Life Plan Community)

For retirees who want a continuing-care option with independent living now and care available later. It’s one of the best-known senior living communities right in Pawleys.

For more options, there are also active-adult and 55+ communities within a short drive of Pawleys Island, and I can help you compare those alongside local non-age-restricted neighborhoods.

Is Pawleys Island Right for Your Retirement?

Pawleys Island is a great fit if you want:

• coastal living with a quieter, more residential feel

• golf, nature, and water recreation close by

• a tax-friendly retirement state

• strong healthcare access

• a mix of second-home neighbors and year-round community

It might be less ideal if you’re looking for a dense, walk-everywhere city vibe. Pawleys is more about space, nature, and neighborhood life.

Let’s Find Your Place in Pawleys Island

If you’re considering retiring here, I’d love to help you explore your best options — whether that’s a lock-and-leave condo, a golf villa, a marsh-view home, or a classic beach cottage.

Lauren Fournier
Real Estate Advisor | Peace Sotheby’s International Realty
Serving Pawleys Island, Litchfield, and the South Strand

Reach out anytime for:

• a curated list of retirement-friendly homes

• neighborhood comparisons based on your lifestyle

• a custom cost/tax/insurance look at any address

• private tours (in person or virtual)

Your next chapter could start right here in Pawleys Island.