Things To Know Before Moving To Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Let’s examine the pros and cons of living in Hilton Head – the perfect place for anyone moving to South Carolina that desires an elegant, sophisticated island lifestyle.
Living In Hilton Head Pros And Cons
My top list of advantages and disadvantages of moving to Hilton Head includes the following:
- Choice of gated communities
- Good schools
- Mild winter weather
- Oceanfront beaches
- Natural beauty and wildlife
- A golfers paradise
- Abundant outdoor activities
- Amazing seafood
- Tons of restaurants
- Arts, culture, and entertainment
- Lots of shopping
- Plenty of jobs
- Happy residents
- Expensive homes
- High cost of living
- Automobiles required
- Overcrowding from tourists
- Long waits times at restaurants
- Traffic congestion
- Limited diversity
- Risk of hurricanes and floods
- Oppressive summer heat
- Distant from other places
Next, explore with me this beautiful area and go through these 23 essential things you must know before moving to Hilton Head. Then you will better understand if South Carolina island life is proper for you.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. Choice Of Gated Communities For Your Hilton Head Lifestyle
Gated communities segment the island into distinct areas. Some are private and residential for people living in Hilton Head year-round. Others have resorts, golf courses, and businesses open to visitors.
Here is an overview of what you will find:
Port Royal Plantation is a private oceanfront residential community.
Palmetto Dunes is a popular resort and residential community located mid-island. Leamington is a private community within Palmetto Dunes.
Long Cove Club plantation is toward the island’s south end. The private community is home to one of the best golf courses in the state.
Wexford Plantation is a residential community with manicured landscaping, a championship golf course, a multi-million-dollar clubhouse, and a harbor.
Indigo Run is a recently developed private residential golf community at the island’s north end.
Windmill Harbour is located just after crossing the James F. Byrnes Bridge onto the Island.
Hilton Head Plantation is one of the island’s largest and most age-diverse residential neighborhoods. There are thousands of homes and villas throughout the community.
I recommend working with a local real estate agent to find the best community to satisfy your desired lifestyle.
2. Good Schools
For those moving to Hilton Head with school-age children, rest assured that residents have quality education options for their families.
The island is part of the Beaufort County public school system. Kids of all ages attend a wide assortment of public and private schools, including the following:
- Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center
- School for the Creative Arts
- International Baccalaureate Elementary School
- Hilton Head Island Middle School
- Hilton Head Island High School
- St. Francis Catholic School
- Hilton Head Preparatory School
- Sea Pines Montessori Academy
- Hilton Head Christian Academy
- Heritage Academy
Thus, raising a family in Hilton is entirely possible.
Okay. We are just starting to roll. I have many more points to cover.
So, let’s continue examining the pros and cons of living in Hilton Head.
3. Mild Winter Weather
Hilton Head is a good place to live because of its mild winters.
January is the coldest month when high temperatures average 60 degrees. Low temperatures typically fall to about 40 degrees. It rarely, if ever, snows.
4. Oceanfront Beaches
After moving to Hilton Head, residents enjoy nearly 12 miles of continuous beachfront property with multiple public access points. Among the most accessible are Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field, and Islander Beaches.
The sand is clean, white, and firmly packed, making it accessible for bikes. The surface is also excellent underfoot for strolling and jogging.
Next is one of my favorite benefits of living in Hilton Head.
5. Natural Beauty And Wildlife
You enter an exclusive, natural paradise after crossing the James F. Byrnes Bridge into Hilton Head.
First, the community is ecologically minded. Thus, conservation and preservation are big priorities.
Furthermore, there are no billboards and no streetlights to spoil the natural environment.
Residents enjoy two nearby nature preserves. One is on the barrier island, and the larger one is on the mainland.
- Sea Pines Forest Preserve (605 acres)
- Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge (4,053 acres)
There is an abundance of wildlife to observe and enjoy all over the island, including:
- Dolphins
- Blue herons
- White Egrets
- Eagles
- Osprey
- Alligators
Finally, the island is a very dog-friendly place. So, Fido will like living in Hilton Head too! But keep him away from the alligators!
6. Golfers Paradise
After moving to Hilton Head, you will live in one of the best golf destinations in the United States.
Public and exclusive private golf courses are plentiful, including the following:
- Arthur Hills
- Bear Creek
- Country Club of Hilton Head
- Dolphin Head
- Golden Bear
- Heron Point
- Oyster Reef
- Palmetto Hall
- Port Royal
- Robert Trent Jones
- Ship Yard
Finally, the world’s best golfers arrive at Hilton Head and compete annually in the RBC Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links. The event is a favorite among PGA tour participants and regularly attracts more than 100,000 spectators.
7. Variety Of Outdoor Activities
After moving to Hilton Head, residents enjoy various outdoor activities here.
Several of the resident’s favorites include:
Sixty-four miles of biking trails. You can go almost anywhere safely on the island by bike.
Walking, strolling, and biking along the beach are spectacular.
Finally, boating, fishing, tennis, and pickleball are popular outdoor activities.
This next point is one of the best things about living in Hilton Head.
8. Amazingly Fresh Seafood
The coastal waters, marshes, inlets, and tidal creeks are home to many types of fish and shellfish. Take your pick from the catch of the day, including:
- Blue crab
- Flounder
- Grouper
- Mahi
- Oysters
- Redfish
- Shrimp
- Snapper
- Triggerfish
And, after you move, be sure to enjoy the Annual Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival.
9. Tons Of Restaurants
There are somewhere around 300 restaurants on the island. Many of them are independently owned and operated. Thus, you can find any food that you desire.
10. Arts, Culture, And Entertainment
Hilton Head Island gets an A+ for its entertainment options. After moving, put some of the following items on your bucket list of things to do.
- The Art Café
- Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
- Coastal Discovery Museum
- Gullah Museum
- Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
- Lean Ensemble Theatre
- Local Art League Academy
- The Jazz Corner
11. Lots Of Shopping Opportunities
Residents have many shopping options, from the Walmart Supercenter to dozens of boutique stores and luxury outlets.
Several popular places to shop until you drop, include:
- Coligny Plaza
- Main Street Village
- Shelter Cove Towne Center
Next, after moving, you will be living in a vacation paradise. However, one of the good things about living in Hilton Head is that you can work too.
12. Plenty Of Jobs For Anyone Moving To Hilton Head
If you are willing and able to work, there are jobs on the island.
First, as a huge tourist destination (more on that topic later), there are many hospitality, retail, and food service-related jobs.
Second, professional positions are available that cater to the needs of permanent residents, including financial planners, teachers, and lawyers.
Finally, property management and maintenance job opportunities are also possibilities.
Are you still asking yourself, should I move to Hilton Head? If yes, I have plenty more for you to consider.
13. Happy Residents Live In Hilton Head
Put all these great things about living in Hilton Head together; it stands to reason that residents are upbeat and happy living in such a lovely small South Carolina community.
So, move to Hilton Head and surround yourself with happy people. As a result, you will likely be happy too.
Okay. That completes my list of pros of moving to Hilton Head Island.
However, it’s time to balance out the conversation and cover the cons of living in Hilton Head. Whether you are considering retiring on Hilton Head Island or moving here as a young adult, these points are critical to know and understand.
14. Homes In Hilton Head Are Expensive
Developers have built out the island. Thus, land is at a premium, limiting the supply of new housing while the demand to live here grows.
What is the result? The answer is higher home prices.
For example, the median selling price of homes has nearly doubled over the past five years. Median home selling prices were almost $800,000 when writing this article. Prices here are roughly double the national average.
To make ends meet, look for a place inland off the South Carolina oceanfront. Also, consider a condo or villa rather than a single-family home to save money.
Finally, newer construction and more homes are available in Bluffton, just west of the island on the mainland. However, you won’t be living on the island.
15. High Cost Of Living In Hilton Head
It costs more to transport goods onto an island. Plus, the market is more captive than most since exiting the island is time-consuming and inconvenient. Demand from tourists also drives up prices.
These factors lead to higher costs for groceries and gas.
Finally, property and casualty insurance costs more here because of the greater risk of damage. More on that topic later.
16. Automobiles Required For Life In Hilton Head
You can find almost everything you need to sustain life on the island. You could avoid owning a car if you didn’t mind entirely committing to island life, biking, and walking everywhere.
However, most people who live in Hilton Head year-round own a car. You will need one to conveniently and efficiently get on and off the island to go where you want to and when.
The next point is one of the worst things about living in Hilton Head.
17. Lots Of Tourists And Overcrowding
As a full-time resident in Hilton Head, you must put up with tourists. It’s very congested during the peak tourist season from June through August.
Think of it this way. The island’s permanent population is about 40,000 people living on 70 square miles of land. However, approximately 2.5 million visitors come to the island each year.
Thus, year-round residents must be comfortable sharing their little patch of paradise with many strangers.
The peak tourist season brings us two additional disadvantages of living in Hilton Head.
18. Long Waits For A Restaurant Table
You will experience long wait times for a table at popular restaurants during the high season.
Expect to wait one to two hours. Sometimes more!
19. Traffic Congestion At Certain Times
The traffic is heavy here at certain times and for specific reasons.
Take the bridge, for example. Tourists check in and out of their vacation rentals on Saturdays during the summer. Thus, this time is super busy.
Furthermore, Highway 278 is the one main loop around the island. The road can be slow on busy days.
20. Living In Hilton Head Means Limited Diversity
You won’t experience much racial, cultural, or ethnic diversity here. Recent census data shows:
- White: 81.56%
- Other race: 6.74%
- Black or African American: 5.65%
- Two or more races: 5.04%
- Asian: 0.84%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.16%
- Native American: 0.01%
Source: World Population Review
Okay. Check what I said earlier. Tourists aren’t the worst thing about Hilton Head living. But, my next point is.
21. Risk Of Hurricanes And Flooding
Hurricanes and flooding from heavy rains and storm surges are possible yearly from June through November.
First, savvy residents have an emergency preparedness plan in place.
Furthermore, there will be times when you should evacuate for safety reasons.
Finally, purchasing reputable property and casualty insurance is an excellent idea to protect your financial interests.
22. Oppressive Summer Heat
Many residents find July and August oppressively hot on the island.
Temperatures routinely climb to 90 degrees. The humidity level is high, making the air feel even more uncomfortable.
23. Distant From Other Places
When living on an island, the rest of the world sometimes seems far away. Consider these travel times by car:
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport – 45 minutes
- Charleston, South Carolina – 2 hours
- Jacksonville, Florida – 2.5 hours
Furthermore, a flight from Savannah to Seattle takes about 7 hours. Thus, Hilton Head living may not be for you if you do business or have family on the west coast.
Okay. That’s all of the pros and cons.
So, please allow me to wrap up.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Hilton Head – Wrap Up
Moving to Hilton Head means living in a unique and beautiful place. However, higher cost island life popular with millions of transients and tourists is only for some.
To decide if Hilton Head, SC is a good place to live, consider all the pros and cons before packing up the moving van!
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.