"It's a nice place to be from!" - Have you ever been given that response after asking someone about a place they used to live? Their former residence apparently left much to be desired. I often hear that response from new residents to South Carolina. Many had been visitors to South Carolina, vacationing in various spots, for years before deciding that it was not only a beautiful place to visit, but an ideal place to live.

So why make the switch from tourist to resident? This article will explain why many are making the move to South Carolina and why it may be smart for you to do the same.

The initial draw to the Carolinas from a tourist standpoint is often the beautiful southern landscape. From the mountains of Table Rock, Caesar's Head, and Paris Mountain, there are a host of beautiful views and fun activities such as hiking and mountain biking, just to name a few.

If you love the water, there are a number of lakes such as Jocassee, Kiwi and Hartwell that offer fishing, water sports, and guided tours. For beach lovers, there is the fun and excitement of Myrtle Beach, which has something to offer for all ages and backgrounds.

Another major draw to South Carolina is the great golf courses. We take our Golf seriously! You will find no lack of beautifully maintained golf courses for your recreational enjoyment.

Once people learn how affordable it is to live in SC, they get excited about living in such close proximity to the places they have come to love. Upstate South Carolina has become a prime spot for relocation for that very reason. The Upstate region rests within easy travel distance of many of the state's most popular tourist attractions.

As for affordability, the secret is out! People are learning that they can purchase much more home for their money in South Carolina than they can in almost any market in the United States. The median home prices are low and the average property taxes for Upstate South Carolina are 1/3 of the national average!

Cost of living, in general, is lower is SC. Groceries and property insurance are comparatively lower. Also, gasoline prices for the region are the 3rd lowest in the country.

Are you getting the big picture?

You can move to South Carolina and...

1) Be surrounded by beautiful scenery

2) Be within a short distance of many tourist attractions

3) Buy more home for comparatively less money

4) Save loads of money through lower costs of living

Next, you need to start gathering information about the SC real estate market. The resource links below will get you started on the right path.