coblue

I am planning a 3-4 week road trip next summer to South East coast mainly for vacation but also to check out potential places to relocate too for retirement. We like small coastal and/or historical towns, nice beaches but not too overcrowded.

Was thinking of the following

Hilton Head
Savannah
Charleston
Beaufort

Any other suggestions? Also thinking of having 3 bases and staying a week in each location so we can explore without driving too far and then moving on to the next location. Any suggestion what the best bases would be?

thanks in advance.

Gretchen

Go up the coast from Charleston to Georgetown and the Litchfield/Pawley's Island area. I think you'll find Hilton Head crowded.

Ackislander

Where are you coming from? It sort of matters for recommending a route.

You are wise to visit this area in the summer. The heat and humidity are a shock for some people, though many Southerners happily go to the beach in August.

I join Gretchen in also liking Georgetown and Litchfield. Charleston and Savannah are small cities in comparison to Charlotte or Cincinnati, but they both have endless strip malls and fast food outlets.

If you are a military retiree, SC is a great place to retire because -- unless things have changed, SC doesn't tax military retirement income.

Up until a couple of years ago, I would have recommended Beaufort and Wilmington, NC, but the NC legislature is out of control.

jamie99

We just drove over for the day when staying in Savannah en route to Hilton Head, but really liked Tybee Island.

coblue

Driving from Colorado but will most likely come up through Florida. Heat not a problem. Thanks for advice will check out Georgetown, Litchfield and Tybee

Gretchen

Not to be snarky but I cannot imagine why you would come up through Florida. LOL
You would be well served if looking for retirement areas to just come through Asheville for a look (I70 to I40), then down I26 to Charleston and on south. I have drived that many times and it is direct and easy.
Or if you are going to do Litchfield, go on toward Myrtle Beach and head south through Litchfield, Georgetown and on to Charleston.
Print out a map and connect the dots.

coblue

Only reason coming up thru FL is we will likely visit family in north FL on way. It's a little longer but not excessive.

Thanks for all the ideas.

Gretchen

You didn't mention this originally. It sort of does impact the places you go and in what order.
Map and pins