"I'm ridin down I-85 bouncin dirty / Oh that Carolina blue candy paint is purrty / I mean I'm the greatest out here spittin rap / N.O.M.B. was the first to put this city on the map." -- "Carolina Pride" by N.O.M.B.
According to that latest census in 2010, the population of Bluffton, SC, is now 12,530, and who knows how much that's going to continue to grow by over the coming decade. The city itself is found in Beaufort County, and is known as the last real coastal village in the South, with lovely natural views of the May River and an eclectic Old Town district. Right on the Atlantic coast, the city is reachable by Route 278 coming off Interstate 95 heading south. The larger city of Savannah is within commuting distance to the south, while the settlements of Hardeeville and Ridgeland are also reachable via a short drive to the west and north.
Real estate prices in Bluffton are relatively expensive for the state, but not for the country as a whole, as South Carolina has comparatively cheap property prices overall
"I'm ridin down I-85 bouncin dirty / Oh that Carolina blue candy paint is purrty / I mean I'm the greatest out here spittin rap / N.O.M.B. was the first to put this city on the map." -- "Carolina Pride" by N.O.M.B.
According to that latest census in 2010, the population of Bluffton, SC, is now 12,530, and who knows how much that's going to continue to grow by over the coming decade. The city itself is found in Beaufort County, and is known as the last real coastal village in the South, with lovely natural views of the May River and an eclectic Old Town district. Right on the Atlantic coast, the city is reachable by Route 278 coming off Interstate 95 heading south. The larger city of Savannah is within commuting distance to the south, while the settlements of Hardeeville and Ridgeland are also reachable via a short drive to the west and north.
Real estate prices in Bluffton are relatively expensive for the state, but not for the country as a whole, as South Carolina has comparatively cheap property prices overall. You'll also find that nearly 80 percent of housing is in the form of detached houses, while the rest is split between row houses, mobile homes, and apartment blocks. Anyone on the search for apartments in Bluffton should be aware that these are less easy to find than in other settlements, and you'll find it a lot easier to hunt down a larger house rental anywhere in the region.
The good news, however, is that vacancy rates in the town are high, so this takes the pressure off a little bit. You're not going to be hunting for that needle in a haystack, and with the great vacancy rate, you'll find that's it's pretty easy to find a few good options that might suit you. Obviously, this refers specifically to those looking for a house to rent rather than an apartment.
It's also important to note that the town has no transit system, so if you're looking to get around, you can't rely on public transport to do so. The WalkScore for Bluffton is 62, making some errands easily achieved by foot, but others require a car, motorcycle, or whatever else you drive. In general, it's the sort of place where you're going to need a vehicle of some kind, especially when it comes to getting out of town and exploring what else is nearby. If you're aiming to commute to the larger city of Savannah, you'll definitely need more than your two feet.
When you first settle in town, you should take a look around and consider where you might want to lay down some roots. The town has a large surface area of over 53 square miles, so that might take some driving! Of course, most of the housing -- and especially any apartments you might find -- are located centrally, but beyond there are large tracts of land where housing is more sparse.
Town Center: If you're going to find high-rise apartments in Bluffton, they'll be here. Bluffton Road runs through the center, and this is where most of the action is in terms of dining, drinking, and entertainment. You'll find restaurants here like Zorba's and Bluffton Seafood House; bars like Cork's Neighborhood Wine Bar; and other local amenities, including shops, banks, and the MC Riley Sports Complex.
Brighton Beach / Buckingham Landing: Myrtle Island and Brighton Beach offer great shorefront accommodations here, with a host of private jetties stretching out onto the ocean. It's great for golfers, too, with Hilton Head National Golf Club.
Pinckney Colony: This is a great spot for outdoorsy types and those looking for larger and more secluded homes. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge and Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve are found here.
Fording Island Road / Whiteoaks Circle: If you want to literally live on a golf course, move here, because there are houses intermingled all over the grounds of Hampton Hall Golf Course!
Bluffton is known to be a charming and quaint town, with historical churches, great shops, lovely restaurants, and Antebellum houses dotted all over. Sitting along the May River, it's really scenic and offers the local people plenty of opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the water and the great parks, woods, and forests in the area. With long, hot summers, the weather is also perfect for enjoying a host of outdoor and active pursuits, including hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, boating, and many others.
There are a range of annual events that bring the people together, including the Bluffton Village Festival in May and the Christmas Parade in, well... you know when! The historical old town center is also home to various museums and historic sites, including The Heyward House and Historical Center, The Carson Cottage, and The Planters Mercantile. While there's no transit service in town, roads and routes out to the outlying settlements are easily navigated via Route 278 and Interstate 95. In reality, however, Bluffton really has just about everything you might want and need. So, why bother leaving at all?
