Are you thinking of moving to Bluffton, SC? It’s a big decision, I get it. Read on to see if this is the place for you!
Moving to Bluffton SC and living a coastal southern life has always sounded like a dream. That dream has become a reality now and honestly sometimes its hard for even me to believe it.
Getting settled into our new hometown has been a wonderful experience for my family but there are definitely a list of things I wish I would have known prior to making the move to better prepare myself.
THINGS YOU’LL WANT TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO BLUFFTON, SC
1. NO ONE IS FROM BLUFFTON
Okay, that’s a stretch but it feels like it could be true. Since moving to the area I have met about 5 people who are originally from Bluffton. Some are from different parts of SC or GA but most have moved down from Northern states such as NY, NJ and OH.
There are also a lot of military families, since Parris Island is just a short drive away, as well as retiree’s. There are many retirement communities within Bluffton (Sun City, Margaritaville, etc.) and they have a big influence on the community.
When you move to Bluffton your new neighbors will more than likely not be long time locals. This is great because you will be able to meet new friends who are having the same new experiences as you and your family.
2. ALLIGATORS, SNAKES and BUGS
I’m not going to sugar coat this for you. Alligators, snakes and bugs are EVERYWHERE. There are also armadillos but they really don’t bother me. I’ve also heard that wild hogs are all over but I’ve never encounter one.
I don’t bring this up to deter you but to make you aware. Most communities have retention ponds and you should ALWAYS assume they have gators in them. We’ve also had a snake or two in our yard and our neighbors have had the same experience. There are venomous and nonvenomous snakes hanging around so its best to not approach unless you know what you’re doing.
Respect nature here and you shouldn’t have any problems. However, you need to be aware of these dangers and have conversations with your family (specifically kids) about how this is going to change certain aspects of your lifestyle. No more playing near the waters edge and absolutely no walking small dogs too close to ponds.
3. SUMMERS ARE HOT BUT THE REST OF THE YEAR IS WONDERFUL
The months of July into September are HOT, HUMID, and WET. We moved down in August and we couldn’t walk outside without sweating. No joke. We were either in the pool or inside in air conditioning. Because of the heat and humidity, it storms almost every single day.
The good news is almost any community you move to has a pool! Also, there are more and more businesses opening that offer indoor entertainment for kids to keep them occupied and out of the heat.
Once you get into October, the mornings dip down into the 50’s and the days are absolutely perfect. Experiencing a warm Christmas and New Years can be a little different but going to the beach on New Years Day in 75 degree weather is absolutely AMAZING.
4. DAY TRIPS GALORE
Summers in Bluffton are perfect for hanging by the pool and enjoying the beach. Once the weather cools off, there are endless possibilities when it comes to planning out your weekend.
Truly, Bluffton is surrounded with wonderful places to visit. Charleston, Jacksonville, Savannah, Hilton Head, endless state parks and more! In the mood for some fall foliage? Take a trip to the mountains. Want a fun day trip for kids? Head down to the Jacksonville Zoo. Or, stay local and check out a mermaid or dolphin cruise!
More of an outdoors man? Hunting, fishing, biking and more are all enjoyed by local residents.
5. START LOOKING FOR SERVICES NOW
And by services, I mean doctors, mechanics, dentists, pharmacies and whatever else you NEED to maintain consistency in your day-to-day life. Don’t forget about the non-essential services as well such as nail salons, hair salons, gyms, kids sports teams, dog groomers and so on.
The population is seriously BOOMING in Bluffton so making appointments (especially for health) can be frustrating due to the wait. Need to know where to get started? Check out some of these local Facebook pages to start gathering all the information they have to offer.
PRO TIP: Search the group before asking because more than likely your question has been answered 10 X’s in the past month.
6. THE DMV IS NOT MESSING WITH YOU
Ohh the dreaded DMV. Let me just say this. Go online and gather everything you need to update your drivers license and license plate. Got everything? Add 1 additional piece of required documents to each category.
Seriously, I’m not kidding. The DMV does not mess around and really doesn’t care how many times you need to return to get it right. Most people I talked to had been there 2+ times already because they didn’t have all the required paperwork. The DMV here is crowded. The employees are overworked. The process is ZERO fun.
Just do yourself a favor and BE PREPARED.
7. TEAM KROGER OR TEAM PUBLIX
Kroger and Publix are the two main grocery stores you’ll find around here. There is also a Food Lion but only one that I know of. The area does not have a Trader Joes or Aldi’s and if you suggest they get one the locals will probably cut your head off. Maybe that’s dramatic but they do like to remind people that Bluffton is beautiful because of its slow southern charm. Add all your favorite stores and conveniences to the mix and you’re turning it into the place you just left.
So, I recommend Kroger for weekly grocery pickup orders and Publix for quick fun trips! I always order my groceries online now and then go back to either store during the week for fruit or whatever else we run out of!
8. GOT A BUSINESS IDEA? NOW IS THE TIME
Moving to Bluffton now is a GREAT IDEA especially if you’re ready to move your current business or start one. The population in Bluffton has grown 121% since 2010. First the residential boom, next the business boom. I am telling you – if you want to start a new business, get your butt here and start NOW.
9. THIS IS NOT THE CHEAP SOUTH
A lot of people think moving south means moving to an area with a lower cost of living. While that may apply to some areas, it does not apply in Bluffton. I’m sure things are less expensive here compared to other parts of the US but definitely not all. Do your research and make sure this area is a good fit for you.
Moving from West Michigan to Bluffton has saved us money in some ways and cost us more in other. Although home cost continue to rise in the area, we were able to buy more house for less money here. However, going out to eat with our family is a lot more expensive here than where we were before.
Moving to Bluffton is a big decision.
If you still have questions after reading through this post, leave them in the comments or send me a message via my contact page.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my tips for moving to Bluffton. Check out these other great posts I think you’ll love as well!
Thank you for article! We are considering a move in the coming year and gathering information about the livability compared to the Midwest. We’re hoping to find more information on schools (elementary-HS) for our kids, best areas to live, etc. Would love your take on these aspects of relocating.
Hi Katie, that is such exciting news! I’d have to say it’s all relative to where you’re coming from. There are great public and private school options available throughout Beaufort County. As long as you don’t mind sunshine and warm temps on Christmas I think you’ll enjoy it here!
This is so spot on! We moved from CA to N Charleston, SC and lived there for 6 years before moving to Bluffton. Literally no one is from here. Lots of big $$ coming here from NY, NJ, Conn and more eastern cities. Homes are very expensive in certain areas of Bluffton. Shopping is not that good either…you’ll travel for department stores.
Heat is incredible in the summer…so bring your shades, hat and a towel to wipe the sweat off your brow! 🙂
Hello and thank you for your article! I appreciate the information since I am considering a move to Bluffton.
I am retired and would like more information about shopping, distance to beach (and what the beach is like) and things to do. Are there stores like Marshalls/Home Goods and TJ Maxx nearby? Outlets nearby?
If I have a house built, am I allowed to have a fence around the property? Do people have their own built-in swimming pools? What about having a covered lanai around pool area? Any information you can share on these topics will be greatly appreciated! Thank you
Hi Deborah! In the heart of Bluffton there is a good amount of stores to shop at. Some are in Bluffton, others are on the island. We live about 15 minutes from all the major shopping (Target, Walmart, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.) There are outlets between Bluffton and Hilton Head! Look up Tanger Outlets Hilton Head for more information.
All the house questions will depend on which community you build in. Most of the communities allow fences, screened in porches, pools, lanais, etc. but they’ll have guidelines on your options. If you buy property and build outside of a community you are more free to do as you please!
No joke about finding a doctor and making an appointment before you leave for Bluffton. The community is way underserved concerning the medical community. There are a ton of retirees (myself included) but lots of families too. They are trying desperately to recruit new doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc. but are unable to keep up with the demand.
And don’t expect your insurance to pay anything if you have private insurance from another state like I had ……you’ll get a nasty surprise if you need to get services. You’ll end up paying out of pocket or forget it.
From the time we moved here to the time I could get an appointment was 7 months out. Not exaggerating! Get your medical appointments set and move with appropriate timing.
Don’t forget to get at the very least a doctors note concerning any medical problems you have. Better still have your records in hand on a disk or something! My doctor died in my former state as we drove across country. He was a sole practitioner so no back up doctor and they shut his office down immediately. Unable to transfer my records I had a lot of explaining of a very serious medical condition to urgent care. Luckily they believed me.
So get your records transferred beforehand and in hand just in case. Any ct, mri scans etc. I never dreamed that my doctor would pass away and I’d be in such a mess. Don’t let it happen to you!
Can you talk about if there are many young children already or moving there. We’re looking to move with younger children. Are there good daycare in the area? Thanks
Hi James, there are TONS of families with children moving to the Bluffton area and this comes with positives and negatives. There are a lot of opportunities to make new friends but the schools, sports teams, doctors offices and daycares fill up really quick. If you have children that need to go to daycare right away I’d call around now to check on waitlists. This is the South so there are a lot of stay at home moms who run in home daycares.
Our kids made wonderful friends in Bluffton. Their sports teams were packed with kids but we didn’t have any bad experiences. We never used daycare so I do not have any to recommend. I hope this helps!
Hi there, great site and thanks for all the information, I am a single, late 40’s female living in Brooklyn NY and looking to make a change of location /lifestyle. Any thoughts on the dating pool in Bluffton or is it mostly retirees and families? Also, are there areas for walking/exercise. I may be able to stay remote with my job but wonder what are some of the industries in the area? Any help is appreciated!
From my experience there are a lot of families but that could be changing! There are tons of places for walking, usually right in whatever community you live in. There is this group on Facebook that may have better insight for you – search “Friends of Bluffton” on Facebook & request to join the group. I believe its a group of women (all ages) who get together in Bluffton once a month to socialize.
The industries in Bluffton are limited – that is what ultimately led to our family moving back to our hometown. There is a lot of senior care, golf management, restaurant work and touristy businesses. Good luck on your next steps!!
Thank you for writing this so we live in Colorado outside of Denver and thinking of moving there, we’re selling are place in Florida because I get eaten up with no seums and I know the bugs are bad but are they worse then Florida. I also work out at a big gym Lifetime with classes and was wondering if there are big gyms with classes to take. Thank you Mary Considine
Hi Mary, the no-see-ums/gnats do get pretty bad in the spring. Bluffton also has big spiders, palmetto bugs, etc. but those others don’t really bother you. I don’t know that there are any big gyms… they do have Plant Fitness, a CrossFit gym, a womens bootcamp gym and a Hotworx!
Hi Melissa,
I read your post and really liked what you had to say. My family and i just got back from a week down in bluffton to check it out and i loved it. Did your family move back to Michigan? I run a small bussiness and would be an undertaking to restart down there in Bluffton.
Bluffton is amazing but yes, we did move back to Michigan. If you are planning to move your business check out the Don Ryan Center for resources and contacts to help!
We are considering a move to Bluffton and are headed down to visit over Easter.
In one of the comments I saw that you ended up moving back to Michigan. Would be very interesting to know the reasons!
Hi Bill, how exciting! I hope you have a great trip. We moved back for career opportunities and for family reasons.