Beaufort SC

Beaufort is one of the few Southern coastal towns with surviving antebellum homes, and is designated a national historic landmark district. Residents can choose elegant-historic or charming-historic living in a peaceful small-town waterfront setting. The post office, library, and pre-revolutionary churches are always a short walk away, and every other street ends in a breathtaking waterfront vista.

Back when low country planters and merchants were the wealthiest men in the U.S., they built magnificent and hospitable summer mansions along Beaufort’s waterfront. Lovingly restored, these homes, designed to catch every breeze, incorporated high ceilings, gracious wrap-around porches, pillars, pitched tin roofs, and double staircases. Carefully modernized, the sturdy and breezy cottages, originally the homes of “the working class”, create the charming walking neighborhoods of Beaufort today.

Setting for much of Forest Gump and all of The Big Chill, Beaufort truly is beautiful. Ancient live oaks, southern gardens, and the waters and marshes of the Beaufort salt-water river are the backdrop where shorebirds and raptors share their hunting grounds with kayaks and sailboats. The Intercostals Waterway, a protected water highway running north and south, runs right by Beaufort’s waterfront park and provides access to the ocean. The main street, Bay Street, is a collection of art galleries, specialty shops and a growing number of excellent restaurants.

Culturally, Beaufort is an arts town, creating, supporting, and enjoying an expansive repertoire of music, theater, dance, and art exhibits, named one of the best small towns for arts in the country. Residents and visitors enjoy special events at Waterfront Park. A series of festivals such as Beaufort’s 10-day water festival and the equally famous Gullah festival, plus all kinds of musical events, bring families and friends to meet, mingle and picnic while enjoying an outdoor performance.

In terms of educational and medical services, restaurants and entertainment, recreation, history and culture, Beaufort offers much more than one expects from a county with approximately 125,000 residents. The exciting and varied opportunities offered by the area's expanding economy provide a variety of lifestyles for both the permanent and part-time resident. Continued education, offered at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus, at the Technical College of the Low country and by Clemson University Extension. Beaufort has an excellent hospital associated with Duke University, new cardiac and cancer centers, and a highly respected medical community.

Today, tabby ruins, historic forts, elegant homes, majestic plantations and Gullah culture and cuisine are reminders of Beaufort’s 500-year history. Horse-drawn carriages make their way slowly through the narrow streets of the historic district, one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in South Carolina and shrimps boats can often be seen gliding past Waterfront Park with the day’s catch. In addition to a variety of historical and natural attractions, the area is home to three major military installations – the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, the Marine Corps Air Station, and the Naval Hospital, which are vital to the local economy, as well as national security.

Bridges and highways were widened on both sides of Beaufort. Beaches are 30 minutes away, the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport an hour’s drive, and I-95 is about 30-40 minutes. Private aircraft uses a small airport across the river. Beaufort is essentially a small town offering a small town way of life. Neighbors are friendly and residents feel safe and comfortable with one another.

REALTOR® Rick Silbaugh

I represent buyers at absolutely no charge. Employ me to represent you when you are purchasing property, I will negotiate on your behalf, and do an extensive search for property that fits your criteria, present your offers, coordinate inspections, and deal with attorneys. Whether you are buying or selling a home, I would be happy to assist you with this important transaction. I can represent you in the purchase of any property listed for sale on the Hilton Head MLS.

View Hilton Head Properties for Sale, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton SC Real Estate, Oceanfront Condos, Rentals, Homes for Sale, Hilton Head Oceanfront Condos for Sale, Hilton Head Oceanfront Vacation Rentals, Hilton Head Oceanfront Condos for Rent, Homes, Condos, Lots for Sale.