Aiken, South Carolina
Horse-Lovers’ Paradise, Home to those Who Savor the Good Life
"The land of the vineyard, valley and streams
The four square County of Aiken
Where scenic beauty reigns supreme
An empire in the making.
Secure from tides and ocean mists
And free from sleet and snow,
Old Aiken County heads the list
With plenty of room to grow."
Thomas H. Williamson
Looking to relocate to a community that’s got it all: temperate climate, rich history, beautiful surroundings, and a thriving business sector? Look no further. Aiken, South Carolina, on the Georgia border and just 15 miles east of Augusta, was named one of the 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Southern Business and Development magazine named this small city #1 out of 117 similar markets, based on the number of deals closed over the past 15 years that brought in 200 or more jobs apiece….making it a promising place to work as well as play. With a central location—three hours from Atlanta, two-and-a-half hours from Charleston, Savannah and Hilton Head—Aiken appeals to people who want to enjoy the small-town lifestyle within easy reach of big-city amenities.
Once the preferred getaway of families like the Vanderbilts, Astors and Whitneys, Aiken is still home to the equestrian sports and balmy weather that made it a popular turn-of-the-century retreat for the rich and famous—it was known as the Winter Colony, since so many wealthy Northerners chose to make it their home during the colder months. With three National Register Historic districts, the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, and 14-acre Hopeland Gardens, Aiken appeals to horse lovers and culture aficionados alike. It’s also home to Langley Pond Park, South Carolina’s only Olympic-sized rowing course and the fastest-growing rowing venue in the Southeast—a fantastic place to picnic, swim, fish, jet ski, and, of course, hold regattas. And for those who prefer teeing off to cantering, Aiken is just a short distance from Augusta, the official site of the Masters Tournament.
With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that more and more folks are deciding to make Aiken their second or retirement home…and they have a wealth of incredible communities from which to choose. Here are a select few.
Brigadoon
It’s hard to imagine a place more perfectly suited for horses and the people who love them. This 1700-acre Aiken community features 500 acres of permanent green space and a mind-bending array of equestrian amenities, including a 40-acre common area for dressage, jumping, exercise or pleasure riding, a 55,800-square-foot covered arena, 18 miles of trails carefully tailored for a range of equestrian sports, a polo practice field, show jumping area and more. Homesites range from 7.5 to 18 acres amongst gently rolling pastures and stately pine trees. So come home to Brigadoon, where life is about two things…the love of horses, and the room to enjoy them.
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From Discovery Tours to Retirement Roundabouts
Developers and Development Authorities Step Up to the Plate
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Chances are, before you decide to purchase a retirement or second home, you’ll have scoped out the area in person more than once. Something about it calls to you—the majestic mountains, sparkling lakes, friendly residents, crystal-white sand or ancient live oaks. Whatever your pleasure, you’ve found it here and are ready to take the next step: finding a community to call home. But how do you know which community is right for you? Across the country, states and developers alike are creating programs that help make these tough choices easier, so that you can fast-forward through the decision-making process and get to what you’ve been waiting for: enjoying the good life.
The first step, of course, is to find a region of the country that suits your lifestyle. “Research on retiree migration indicates that before a retiree makes a decision to move to an area they will visit that place at least three to five times. This only makes sense in that the retiree wants to be sure that they have made the right relocation decision,” says Diana O’Toole of Mississippi
Hometown Retirement.
Organizations such as Mississippi
Hometown Retirement are excited about the wave of Baby Boomers who are coming their way, and want to do everything they can to help you put down roots on their storied Southern shores. “The Mississippi Development Authority’s Hometown Retirement Program has utilized several discovery- type offerings… We offer a Retirement Round-About which showcases five of our certified cities in a regional approach,” Ms. O’Toole says. “The potential retirees fly in, are picked up by motor coach and then travel to each of the cities and given special tours of the area. Each of our certified cities offers complimentary tours…to any retiree who wishes a private tour.”
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