Best Independent Living in South Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 107 independent living communities in SC using SC Dept. of Public Health (DPH) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in SC
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in South Carolina our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in South Carolina.
107 homes
Other senior care options in South Carolina:
Avg Walk Score: 34/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in South Carolina. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 90The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in South Carolina. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Independent Living around South Carolina

Info below is compiled from the SC Dept. of Public Health (DPH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
West Columbia
22
Facility 22
SC AVG 90
Rank #298 / 304
Yes
63
Facility 63
SC AVG 34
Rank #14 / 221
-A+
TidePointe, a Vi Community
IL
AL
NH
RC
SNF
Hilton Head Island
25
Facility 25
SC AVG 90
Rank #293 / 304
No
6
Facility 6
SC AVG 34
Rank #205 / 221
1 Bed / 2 Bed / CottageA
Linville Court at The Cascades Verdae
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Greenville (Cascades Verdae)
44
Facility 44
SC AVG 90
Rank #269 / 304
Yes
8
Facility 8
SC AVG 34
Rank #196 / 221
1 bed-
Cascades Verdae
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Greenville (Cascades Verdae)
92
Facility 92
SC AVG 90
Rank #125 / 304
Yes
9
Facility 9
SC AVG 34
Rank #193 / 221
1 bed / 2 bed / 3 bedA
Park Pointe Village
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
PC
SNF
Rock Hill
20
Facility 20
SC AVG 90
Rank #299 / 304
Yes
7
Facility 7
SC AVG 34
Rank #201 / 221
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 BedA+
Wildewood Downs Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Columbia (Williamsburg East)
57
Facility 57
SC AVG 90
Rank #226 / 304
Yes
33
Facility 33
SC AVG 34
Rank #117 / 221
1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed-
Rolling Green Village Assisted Living Facility
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Greenville
52
Facility 52
SC AVG 90
Rank #239 / 304
Yes--A+
Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Pawleys Island
79
Facility 79
SC AVG 90
Rank #170 / 304
Yes--A+
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Charleston
123
Facility 123
SC AVG 90
Rank #58 / 304
No---
Lodge at Wellmore
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Tega Cay
60
Facility 60
SC AVG 90
Rank #206 / 304
Yes---

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every SC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 107 on this page.

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Overview of Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community

Situated upon 44 acres of tranquil woods in the greater Columbia area, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community’s open arms welcome all who seek an active independent living home to make the most of their golden years. A range of cozy apartments and free-standing cottages are available, coupled with a staff of well-trained nurses that provide individualized care upon request, making for a safe environment, conducive to relaxation. Still Hopes offers a Wellness Center, Solutions for Living at Home services such as cooking, cleaning, and even healthcare, and rehabilitation plans, for a holistic approach to daily physical and mental rejuvenation. Learn to love your artistic side, discover musical talent you never knew you had, or work on your backhand on the golf course; there’s no shortage of activities you can finally make time for all while your basic necessities are covered.

Should you want to venture out ever so often, Still Hopes is an independent living home that’s not only peaceful but accessible; around seven minutes away is the center of downtown Columbia with every manner of establishment well-within reach.

Contact Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community

Overview of TidePointe, a VI Community

Owned by Sandra Gilliam, TidePointe, a VI Community, is a skilled nursing community on TidePointe Way in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with a 25-bed capacity. It provides skilled nursing, post-acute rehabilitation, and respite care, with cottages and one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas. It has an occupancy rate of 85.3%, with an average length of stay of 55 days, supporting both short-term recovery and longer-term care needs.

Residents receive an average of 5 hours and 34 minutes of nursing care each day from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, and physical therapists. Furthermore, strong weekend registered nurse coverage and a staff-to-resident ratio of 3.04:1 help ensure consistent, individualized clinical support.

Rehabilitation services, wellness programs, daily activities, and meals tailored to individual dietary needs are offered to promote recovery and overall well-being. Medicare, private pay, and respite care options also provide flexibility for families. Meanwhile, the surrounding neighborhood has a Walk Score of 6, making transportation necessary for most errands. State inspections have confirmed compliance with health and safety standards.

Contact TidePointe, a Vi Community

Overview of Linville Court at the Cascades Verdae

A proud member of The Cascades Verdae Linville Court stands as one of the premier homes that have set the standard for premium nursing and rehabilitative care. Offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehabilitation– management ensures you get a hassle-free and seamless transfer to your new place. The premier nursing home offers a definite solution to all your needs, ensuring that comfort and relaxation are being prioritized. Linville Court has continuously provided world-class hospitality in a resort-like environment.

Linville aims to enhance the quality of life for its residents by ensuring that they have the best services such as housekeeping, transportation, medication management, and daily assistance with tasks. The nursing home provides quality services that measure high-end levels of care such as wound care, pain management, therapy, and strengthening coordination exercises.

Contact Linville Court at The Cascades Verdae

Cascades Verdae

10 Fountainview Terrace, Greenville, SC 29607
Overview of Cascades Verdae

Cascades Verdae sits at 10 Fountainview Terrace in Greenville, South Carolina, in a car-dependent part of the city where a Walk Score of 9 means essentially no walkable access to services. What makes this address worth noting is what’s happening inside the building rather than outside it. This is a 92-bed nursing facility running at 85% occupancy, with an average length of stay of 56 days. That stay length is the operational signal here: Cascades Verdae is built around short-term post-acute recovery, not long-term residence.

The staffing figures are among the more telling pieces of information available on the community. Total nursing care runs 6 hours and 9 minutes per resident per day, including 3 hours and 9 minutes of nurse aide time, 1 hour and 27 minutes of LPN/LVN coverage, and 56 minutes of RN time. The facility carries rehabilitation services, short-term rehab, respite care, and 24-hour staffing on its service list. Medicare and private pay are both accepted.

The amenity set is genuinely unusual for a nursing home. An indoor heated therapy pool, salon and spa services, concierge service, restaurant-style dining, complimentary continental breakfasts, and pet-friendly accommodations together describe a physical environment that prioritizes comfort alongside clinical function.

For someone leaving a hospital who has a choice in where they recover, that combination of solid staffing hours, a post-acute service model, and resort-adjacent amenities in Greenville are features worth taking seriously.

Contact Cascades Verdae

Overview of Park Pointe Village

Operated by Acts Retirement-Life Communities Inc, Park Pointe Village is a nursing home in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It offers skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, independent living, hospice, and palliative care. Marie Lunow serves as the administrator. Residents live in private suites and have cable TV and emergency call systems, with staff available around the clock.

The two-story community has 20 beds and offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. It currently has an occupancy rate of 82%. Residents stay an average of 99 days, reflecting a strong focus on short-term rehabilitation. The community accepts Medicare and private pay, giving families more than one way to cover the cost of care.

Rehabilitation services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy for residents recovering from neurological conditions, joint replacement, orthopaedic surgery, or arthritis-related mobility challenges. Residents receive an average of about 5 hours and 12 minutes of nursing care each day. This includes roughly 55 minutes provided by registered nurses.

A dedicated memory care program is available for residents who need specialised support. Fitness and recreation programmes, transportation services, and a pet-friendly policy are also part of daily life. The neighbourhood has a Walk Score of 7. It’s a car-dependent area where most errands and outings require a vehicle.

Contact Park Pointe Village

Overview of Wildewood Downs Retirement Community

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, Wildewood Downs is a top-notch destination for independent senior living. Situated within the scenic and secure 37-acre gated community of Wildewood, this premier facility provides a lifestyle that surpasses expectations. Residents can choose from a range of luxurious independent cottage homes and spacious villa apartments, each meticulously designed to offer comfort and elegance.

At Wildewood Downs, residents can enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with a comprehensive set of amenities and services. Maintenance-free living ensures that residents can enjoy their time without worrying about household chores. Weekly housekeeping keeps their living spaces tidy and organized. Daily dining options cater to their culinary preferences, while convenient bill payment services streamline financial tasks. Transportation services are readily available for hassle-free mobility, and a 24-hour emergency call system ensures safety and peace of mind. Pets are more than welcome at Wildewood Downs, allowing residents to bring their beloved companions along. Additionally, residents have the freedom to furnish their living spaces with their own furniture, creating a familiar and personalized environment.

Contact Wildewood Downs Retirement Community

Overview of Rolling Green Village Assisted Living Facility

Rolling Green Village Assisted Living Facility is a nursing home in Greenville, South Carolina, set on a 175 acre campus in Greenville County as part of a continuing care retirement community. The community is operated and owned by Rolling Green Village and has been in continuous operation for 49 years, giving it a long-standing presence in the area. It accepts Medicare and private pay, which gives families more than one way to help cover the cost of care.

The community offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing alongside its nursing home services, so residents can move between levels of care on the same campus as their needs change. With 52 beds, it’s a moderately sized setting, and residents commonly stay for shorter periods, averaging around 19 days, pointing to a strong emphasis on short-term rehabilitation alongside longer-term nursing care. Occupancy runs at close to 85 percent.

Nursing support stands out here. Total nursing care averages about 7 hours and 30 minutes per resident each day, and residents also have access to on-site speech, physical, and occupational therapy, along with dedicated rehabilitation and respite care services. For residents living with memory loss, the community maintains a dedicated Alzheimer’s unit as part of its care model.

State inspections of the facility have touched on a mix of quality-of-care, resident-rights, and pharmacy-related matters over time, with the items on file noted as corrected. Families touring the community may want to ask how those areas are monitored and maintained day to day.

Dining includes multiple venues, among them a private dining room, giving residents some choice in where and how they eat. The community also allows residents to bring their pets, which can ease the transition into a new home for both residents and their families.

Contact Rolling Green Village Assisted Living Facility

Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living

120 Lakes At Litchfield Dr, Pawleys Island, SC 29585-5515
Overview of Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living

Serving residents in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living is an assisted living community operated by Litchfield Retirement LLC and administered by Joseph Mason. The 79-bed community has been serving the area for 27 years. It has a strong occupancy of 87%. Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families coverage options to explore with admissions.

The community mainly serves active and engaged residents. There’s a specific program and schedule built around that lifestyle. Short-term rehabilitation and respite care are available alongside full-time assisted living. This makes the community a flexible option for families whose needs may change over time.

Total nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 50 minutes per resident each day. Also, 24-hour staffing and daily assistance are available.

Residents stay an average of 43 days, including short-stay rehabilitation clients and longer-term assisted living residents. With this population, the community can serve people recovering from health events as well as those who need ongoing support with daily activities, as they stay as independent as possible.

Families considering Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living should take a tour of the community to see how the daily schedule, activity programs, and care services support residents’ needs and lifestyles.

Contact Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living

Overview of Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community

Located on Bishop Gadsden Way in Charleston, South Carolina, Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility administered by Jonna Cook. The community serves residents recovering from hospitalization or surgery and those needing ongoing skilled nursing care. Rehabilitation services, respite care, and 24-hour nursing support are central to the care model. Families can choose from Medicare and private pay to cover rehabilitation stays.

The facility mainly supports short-term recovery. Residents stay an average of 20 days, although longer-term care is also available. Nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 34 minutes per resident each day. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses provide this hands-on support because of the home’s strong focus on daily care.

A 2023 annual state inspection found no health deficiencies, which shows strong standards during that review. State oversight has identified periodic areas for improvement in clinical documentation, infection control practices, medication safety, and monitoring systems. The facility has been working on these operational areas.

Beyond clinical care, residents have access to a wide range of amenities and services. A Wellness Center and on-site clinic with pharmacy support reduces the need for outside appointments. The dining program features fresh, locally sourced ingredients and includes both casual café and fine-dining options.

Residents can also enjoy a spa, community garden, nature trails, and a croquet court. Specialized programs such as BG Therapy, BG At Home, and the Embark Program further support recovery and quality of life during a resident’s rehabilitation and stay.

With 123 beds, the community has a midsize setting, which balances personalized care with a broad range of services and amenities.

Contact Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community

Overview of Lodge at Wellmore

Lodge at Wellmore is a 60-bed skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation facility owned by Wellmore of Tega Cay LLC in Tega Cay, South Carolina, part of the Wellmore of Tega Cay luxury continuing care retirement campus in York County. Administered by David M. Dunn, the facility accepts Medicare and private pay and serves primarily short-stay residents, with 62 percent Medicare admissions and an average stay of 39 days.
CMS grades Lodge at Wellmore 3 stars, with a staffing rating 69.5 percent above South Carolina average and a quality measures rating 14.6 percent above state benchmark. Total nursing hours reach 5 hours 4 minutes per resident per day, placing the facility 10th of 112 South Carolina skilled nursing facilities. All six staffing metrics exceed state averages, including weekend total nursing at 4 hours and 49 minutes per day, 44 percent above South Carolina benchmark, and CNA hours at 2 hours 53 minutes per day, 30 percent above state average. Long-stay quality measures are rated significantly above average: hospitalizations at 1.02 per 1,000 resident days are 50 percent better than South Carolina’s 2.03 average, and pressure ulcers at 1.9 percent are 68 percent below the state figure. Return to home for short-stay residents at 64.7 percent is 28 percent better than South Carolina’s 50.6 percent average. The health inspection rating is 27 percent below South Carolina average. 7 total health citations since 2023 include 2 critical and 1 serious citation, all in the quality of care category and all subsequently corrected. 5 civil money penalties totaling $40,000 have been assessed between June 2023 and February 2025, slightly above the South Carolina average of $34,000. Falls with major injury for both short-stay (2.4 percent, 205 percent above state average) and long-stay residents, and a UTI rate of 5.9 percent among long-stay residents (257 percent above state average), are the clearest quality concerns in the outcome data.
Amenities feature on-site rehabilitation services, fine dining, a salon and spa, and a cafe and bar.
Lodge at Wellmore suits York County families and those near Charlotte seeking post-acute rehabilitation in a luxury CCRC setting. Families should discuss the quality of care citations and falls prevention protocols with the facility before placement.

Contact Lodge at Wellmore

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in South Carolina

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 107 independent living communities in South Carolina. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in South Carolina?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in South Carolina, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting independent living communities in South Carolina?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.