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Independent Living in South Carolina

Overview of Independent Living in South Carolina

With mild temperatures throughout the state and beaches along its Atlantic shoreline, South Carolina has much to offer as a retirement destination. The Greenville-Spartanburg area in the northwest corner of the state is an affordable, thriving metropolitan area for all ages. Along its Atlantic shorelines to the east, the Palmetto State earns its nickname with popular coastal cities like Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Savannah. Senior living in South Carolina is filled with Southern hospitality and charm, which may explain why the state has a higher-than-average senior population.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 55 independent living communities, also simply called retirement communities, in South Carolina.

The median monthly cost of independent living in South Carolina is about $2,400.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in South Carolina

20
20 Photos available

Arbor Landing at Surfside

3105 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
10
Review Score
39 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
AnnMarie Porbanksy - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mother has only been there for about 6 months, but really enjoys it. Always things to do. Even though she's had a rough year in and out of the hospital, everyone has been so wonderful helping her. Only...

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8
8 Photos available

Langston Square

939 Springdale Drive, Clinton, SC 29325
10
Review Score
45 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Lisa F. - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Love having my mom here! They offer everything to make her feel at home and keep her safe. Nice size rooms and plenty of space to gather with other residents. Nice courtyard for her to enjoy during warm...

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6
6 Photos available

Ashley Square

526 Haltiwanger Rd., Greenwood, SC 29649
9.9
Review Score
68 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
BB - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

You need to know that this is a wonderful place, wonderful workers, clean building, lots of activities, friendly people, beautiful place, good food, nice rooms, large bathrooms and great covered porch.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Greenville

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5
5 Photos available
21
21 Floor plans available

TerraBella Greenville

11 E Augusta Pl, Greenville, SC 29605
9.1
Review Score
62 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Staff tried very hard to work with me through some speed bumps. I also liked that I was given their cell numbers. They may have changed since then, but I would have liked more security. They could improve...

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19
19 Photos available

Kauhale Pettigru

12 Boyce Avenue, Greenville, SC 29601
9.0
Review Score
53 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Toni W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Everyone here is knowledgeable, helpful and professional. They knew exactly what requirements were required to get my mother situated and made it a smooth transition. My mom is loved, respected and taken...

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14
14 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

The Legacy at Southpointe Drive

23 Southpointe Drive, Greenville, SC 29607
8.9
Review Score
60 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
James Eric Young - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Very friendly staff and helpful has treated my mom with love and care and would recommend taking a tour of this facility. Staff and aides have been very helpful in extending extra care for my mom. Physical...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Spartanburg

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11
11 Photos available

TerraBella Spartanburg

104 Dillon Dr, Spartanburg, SC 29307
9.2
Review Score
55 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff take very good care of my mom. She is very happy at Terra Bella and we would recommend them to other families based on the experience we have had so far.

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8
8 Photos available

Eden Terrace of Spartanburg

2780 E Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29307
8.0
Review Score
10 reviews
C. Linder - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

This is a great facility! Eden Terrace staff is friendly and very caring, very responsive to the needs of their residents. It is a friendly and well cared for facility. I would definitely recommend!

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18
18 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Legacy Reserve at Fairview Park

538 Harrison Bridge Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29680
9.6
Review Score
11 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jacalyn G - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff was excellent help in the move in process. The place is very clean. It has a lot of opportunities for its residents. Everyone has made my loved one feel at home. I don’t have anything else to...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Columbia

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10
10 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Fairforest Grove Senior Living

120 Fairforest Rd, Columbia, SC 29212
9.8
Review Score
61 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
C Chapman - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I am so very thankful we found Fairforest Grove for Mother! It was such a difficult decision to make having to place her somewhere in the first place; but I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I’ve not...

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10
10 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Forest Lake Manor

4405 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206
9.4
Review Score
75 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Dendy - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Staff is nice, office not as helpful with paperwork, insurance as would like. Activities pretty nice. Not a diverse population of residents. Mostly white females… haven’t been happy with level of attention...

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5
5 Photos available
15
15 Floor plans available

Vitality Living Columbia

1951 Clemson Rd, Columbia, SC 29229
9.4
Review Score
5 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Renee M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Grandma's enriched life… Grandma's social life flourished when she moved in to Vitality Living Columbia. The different activities and the genuine connections she's made with fellow residents have greatly...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Charleston

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20
20 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Daniel Pointe Retirement Community

514 Robert Daniel Dr, Daniel Island, SC 29492
9.5
Review Score
47 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Daniel Pointe is a great place and our loved one likes the food the best. Based on the experience we have had so far, I would recommend this community to other families who may need a place for their loved...

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19
19 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Oaks at Charleston

2333 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
9.2
Review Score
46 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The update is that all is well, and [name removed] is doing well. The care for her is good. She no longer can walk, nor stand. The only continued issue is the care of her clothes. Either it is missing...

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15
15 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Brookdale West Ashley

2030 Charlie Hall Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29414
8.6
Review Score
88 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Missy - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Loved the staff, set up of the unit, activities, etc. the only negative is they overpromised and under delivered. I don't think they gave my Mother as much attention as she needed to acclimate and at the...

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South Carolina laws and regulations for independent living communities

South Carolina’s independent living communities can operate as stand-alone facilities, and they aren’t licensed by the state in this case. They can also operate as part of larger, combined assisted living communities known as community residential care facilities. These facilities are licensed by the Board of Health and Environmental Control’s Division of Health Licensing.[01]

Some of the regulations that govern South Carolina’s community residential care facilities may impact your future independent living community. We outline some of these details below, and you can also review South Carolina assisted living laws and regulations for more information.

Resident rights

In most cases, you’ll rent your independent living unit similar to how you’d rent a traditional apartment. To respect your rights as a renter in South Carolina, the owner of your independent living community must follow the rules below:[02]

  • Be responsible for all repairs
  • Keep all parts of the community in a healthy and safe condition
  • Ensure running cold and hot water is accessible
  • Make reasonable levels of heat and air conditioning available
  • Keep all utilities, including electricity and gas, in safe working condition

Reasonable accommodations and modifications

Seniors with disabilities have additional rights under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These rights include making reasonable accommodations and modifications to the independent living community and your individual unit.

Reasonable accommodations are changes to the facility’s policies that allow seniors with disabilities to better participate in and enjoy their community. Accommodations include assigning accessible parking spaces, making rent due date adjustments, and allowing a service animal to live with you regardless of a no-pet policy.[03]

Reasonable modifications are physical changes that make the building easier to navigate and access. Examples include installing ramps, altering doorways to fit wheelchairs, and installing grab bars in bathrooms.[03]

Building requirements

The building requirements below may apply to your South Carolina independent living community if it’s part of a community residential care facility:[01]

  • There can be no more than three seniors per unit.
  • There must be at least one toilet for every six seniors.
  • There must be at least one tub or shower for every eight seniors.

South Carolina Department of Health contact information

South Carolina Department of Public Health
2100 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 26201
Phone: 803-898-3301

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Inspections

South Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services inspects all community residential care facilities before they’re licensed.[01] If your independent living community is part of a community residential care facility, their inspection reports may give you peace of mind. They illustrate any past issues and how the community responded to them.

Contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s Freedom of Information Office at 803-898-7503 or make a Freedom of Information Act request to review the inspection reports of a community you’re interested in.

References

  1. South Carolina Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy. 2015 ed. Community residential care facilities.

  2. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, South Carolina Code of Laws § 27-40-10 – 27-40-940. (1986 & rev. 1999).

  3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Top cities in South Carolina for independent living

8.8
Myrtle Beach, SC
12 facilities
8.0
Charleston, SC
25 facilities
8.0
Greenville, SC
40 facilities
7.5
Columbia, SC
32 facilities
7.2
Bluffton, SC
9 facilities
6.2
Spartanburg, SC
18 facilities

Find independent living in other states

Find Independent Living in South Carolina cities

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

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