Bluffton, South Carolina is a city known for its historical significance, pristine beaches, vibrant lifestyle, and reputation as “the last true coastal village in the South.”
Bluffton was founded in 1852. The historically preserved city brings residents a seamless blend of small-town comfort and an exciting, family-friendly assortment of culture and activities. Living here means being a part of a connected community where friends and neighbors double as doctors, business owners, and school teachers.
Thinking about relocating here? Read on to learn ten reasons why there is so much more to Bluffton than meets the eye.
1. A balanced city lifestyle
Discover a city that offers the best of both worlds: the quaint aesthetic of a picturesque small southern town and the bustle and resources of a thriving city. Life in the city is laid back, brimming with history, and complete with picturesque views proudly overlooking the May River. Locals here get all the excitement of a buzzing city balanced with views of the Atlantic Ocean right in the backyard.
2. A vibrant community
Bluffton is home to friendly, active residents with a median age of 35. This otherwise popular retirement destination is a place where locals get acquainted while engaging in town activities. It’s safe to say that classic Southern hospitality is a way of life here. And with so much nature surrounding the Bluffton community, preservation is vital to the people who live here. Thinking about carrying your groceries home in a plastic bag? Think again. They’re banned!
3. Fun things to do
Discover endless things to do in Bluffton. This is a place where athletes can play on exquisite golf courses, where foodies can get their fill at some of the best fine dining spots around, and where ocean lovers can enjoy tons of boating options.
4. Outdoor activities
If you love the great outdoors, then you’ll be glad to call Bluffton, SC home. Bluffton sits on the north bluff of the May River, which means the charter options at the local May River Excursions are always within reach.
Residents who fancy a more relaxing day on the water can opt for a dolphin excursion while the more adventurous types can spend the day crabbing or shrimping. For an educational experience on the water where you can learn all about the massive ecosystem, hop aboard Spartina Marine Education Charters.
After your aquatic adventure, there is no better place to kick back and relax than Bluffton’s unspoiled beaches, which are always within a 15-minute drive of Hilton Head Island. There are 12 miles of public, pet-friendly beaches which means you can sunbathe sitting on a soft towel or bike over 100 miles of trails.
Beyond beaches and boating, Bluffton residents love to play golf. Almost a dozen courses complete with world-class greens include Crescent Point Golf Club, Eagle’s Point Golf Club, Pinecrest Golf Club, and Hilton Head National.
5. Leisure activities
Photo courtesy of The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
Bluffton is more than just a city to explore the great outdoors. In fact, “indoor” people can find just as many leisure activities to pass the time. Lovers of history and art will especially feel at home living just a short drive from The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, a multi-million dollar venue showcasing both nationally acclaimed and local artists.
You can take a tour back in time at the Rose Hill Mansion. More than just tours, people also host their events and even their weddings at this location, restored to its original 1850 appearance. You can also explore the work of almost 200 artists in The Gallery Row.
Have an hour of free time and a thirst for learning? Immerse yourself in the rich history and evolution of the town on an Old and New Bluffton tour as you explore 60 of the town’s most influential sites.
More interested in shopping than art and history? You’ll be glad to know about the wide variety of high-quality boutiques and shops that line the streets of Bluffton including countless places to find valuable antiques, handmade jewelry, stunning home pieces, and so much more.
6. Delicious dining
Nothing makes you feel at home more than Bluffton food. From the seafood lover to the comfort food craver of delicious, home-cooked Southern cuisine, there is no shortage of restaurants that source from local farms and fresh seafood.
A mom-and-pop shop that opened its doors in 2010, Bluffton Family Seafood House is the signature spot to get your fill of mouth-watering crab legs, delicious oysters, and some of the most amazing seafood South Carolina has to offer. Almost everything that fills your plate and your stomach comes straight from the May River!
Seafood lovers can also head over to Hilton Head Island’s bustling Sea Shack where locals have no problem waiting in line for good eats including the daily Blackboard special dipped in homemade tartar sauce.
Already got your fill of seafood? Switch things up a bit by enjoying some good, old-fashioned Southern food right inside Bluffton BBQ. Satisfy your craving with slow-cooked meats dipped in finger-licking barbecue sauce and spend your special evening out at the Bluffton Room where the elegant ambiance and open-air bar elevate the Southern-cooked dining experience.
Of course, nothing washes down delicious food quite like the ice-cold, locally brewed beer at Bluffton’s up-and-coming Salt Marsh Brewing where beer lovers keep coming back for more permanent and seasonal craft beers and beverages.
7. More fun things to do
With the up-and-coming vacation destination Hilton Head Island just a 15-minute car ride away, you are always within reach of the amazing tourist attractions and activities. Countless residents flock to Hilton Head Island on the weekend to enjoy the beaches, wildlife refuges, food, shopping, and connection to the peace of nature after a full week of working on the grind.
Sun-worshippers can head over to Coligny Beach Park where storage spaces, outdoor showers, and changing rooms make you feel right at home. Walk the area or swing and rock in the charming chairs as you surf the web on your mobile device with WiFi access.
Locals here can also roam the streets of Harbor Town, home to Harbor Town Golf Links. Spend your time shopping or dining at the famous Harbor Town Bakery and Cafe.
8. Professional life
Thinking about relocating to Bluffton in search of a new job opportunity? Perhaps you just got promoted and plan to stay in your current industry? Either way, the job market in Bluffton has something for you to take that next step in your professional life.
The Bluffton community supports local businesses. Ask locals about some of the coolest parts of living in Bluffton and you’ll hear plenty of stories about neighbors who tend to bars at your favorite restaurant or stock the shelves of your local pet shop.
And don’t forget about Bluffton’s reputation as a popular vacation destination. Tourism is a major driver of the local economy and there is no shortage of jobs ranging from hospitality and food services to healthcare to construction.
9. Top-rated schools
Families thinking about relocating to Bluffton, South Carolina will want to consider the schooling systems. If you’ve got school-aged children or teens, rest assured that you can enroll them in highly-rated schools that employ exceptional teachers.
The Beaufort County School system educates over 22,000 students across 17 elementary schools, five high schools, five early childhood centers, and seven elementary schools including Pritchardville Elementary, River Ridge Academy, Bluffton Elementary School, and Hilton Head Island High School.
10. A lovely climate
The weather in Bluffton, South Carolina tops the list of great reasons to relocate there. Subtropical, year-round weather means every day is a good day to take part in your favorite outdoor activities.
With a 76-degree average annual high temperature and a 56-degree low (even in the winter months), golfing, biking, hiking, and just about anything else you can do outdoors are fair game any time of year.
Bluffton accumulates 50.4 inches of precipitation each year, which is average. May is the driest month and August is the wettest with about 7.4 inches of rain. July is the warmest month with an average high of 90 degrees. January is the coldest month with an average low of 39.9 degrees.
Final thoughts
If your dream is to settle in a classic, all-American city that perfectly blends young and old, Bluffton is a place to land during your relocation.
It’s not just a tourist town, despite tourism being a large part of the economy. The family-friendly area combines an unparalleled sense of community with a thriving local economy driven by small businesses from cafes to boutiques.
The Beaufort County School District is perfect for families and the year-round climate is perfect for people with all sorts of hobbies and interests from beach lovers to hikers to wildlife fanatics.
If you’re interested in buying or selling in the Bluffton, SC area, reach out to Anthony Mascolo for expert advice and guidance to make your process run smoothly.
