Other senior care options in South Carolina:

Page 7 of Best Independent Living in South Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 108 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
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
108 homes
Other senior care options in South Carolina:
Avg Walk Score: 32/ 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.

TidePointe, a Vi Community
IL
AL
NH
RC
SNF
Hilton Head Island
25
Facility 25
SC AVG 90
Rank #296 / 307
No
6
Facility 6
SC AVG 32
Rank #205 / 230
1 Bed / 2 Bed / CottageA
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
West Columbia (Still Hopes Drive)
22
Facility 22
SC AVG 90
Rank #301 / 307
Yes
63
Facility 63
SC AVG 32
Rank #14 / 230
-A+
The Village at Summerville
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Summerville (Palmetto Park)
48
Facility 48
SC AVG 90
Rank #266 / 307
No
45
Facility 45
SC AVG 32
Rank #58 / 230
1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed-
Linville Court at The Cascades Verdae
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Greenville (Cascades Verdae)
44
Facility 44
SC AVG 90
Rank #271 / 307
Yes
8
Facility 8
SC AVG 32
Rank #196 / 230
1 bed-
TerraBella Greenville
IL
Greenville (East Augusta Place)
-Yes
76
Facility 76
SC AVG 32
Rank #2 / 230
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 BedC
Wildewood Downs Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Columbia (Williamsburg East)
57
Facility 57
SC AVG 90
Rank #228 / 307
Yes
33
Facility 33
SC AVG 32
Rank #117 / 230
1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed-
Maple Brook Terrace Retirement Community
IL
Greenville (Verdin Road)
-Yes
54
Facility 54
SC AVG 32
Rank #29 / 230
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 BedA+
Rolling Green Village Assisted Living Facility
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Greenville
52
Facility 52
SC AVG 90
Rank #241 / 307
Yes--A+
Lakes at Litchfield Assisted Living
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Pawleys Island
79
Facility 79
SC AVG 90
Rank #172 / 307
Yes--A+
Merrill Gardens at Greenville
IL
Greenville (Payne-Logan)
-Yes
74
Facility 74
SC AVG 32
Rank #4 / 230
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Cascades Verdae
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Greenville (Cascades Verdae)
92
Facility 92
SC AVG 90
Rank #127 / 307
Yes
9
Facility 9
SC AVG 32
Rank #193 / 230
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 #302 / 307
Yes
7
Facility 7
SC AVG 32
Rank #201 / 230
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 BedA+
Rosecrest Community Residential Care
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Inman
45
Facility 45
SC AVG 90
Rank #270 / 307
No---
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Charleston
123
Facility 123
SC AVG 90
Rank #59 / 307
No---
Sprenger Healthcare of Bluffton
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Okatie
60
Facility 60
SC AVG 90
Rank #208 / 307
No---
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Overview of Okatie Pines Retirement Community

An independent living community in Okatie, South Carolina, is Okatie Pines Retirement Community. It’s designed for older adults who maintain their independence while enjoying residential community benefits. The three-story building offers flexible housing with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. This allows occupants to choose a layout that fits their lifestyle and preferences.

Situated at 142 Okatie Center Boulevard North, the home in the Hardeeville neighborhood has a walk score of 32, meaning some nearby services are walkable, though most errands and activities demand driving. This quieter residential setting captivates those wanting a more relaxed pace than a bustling commercial environment. The pet-friendly facility welcomes residents’ companions into their homes. This pet policy recognizes that for many older adults, the bond with a pet provides companionship, routine, and emotional support that enhances daily life. Independent living is built on the premise that residents manage their own households, cooking, cleaning, and deciding their own daily schedule, while having access to community amenities, social activities, and support services nearby. Occupants live privately in their apartments and join community life as much as they prefer.

For families exploring independent living options in Okatie, Okatie Pines Retirement Community offers a straightforward residential setting with multiple floor plans and a pet-friendly environment. To know the specific amenities, activities, dining options, and services, directly conversing with the team or an in-person visit will give you a crystal-clear picture of daily life there and whether it’s the right fit for your dearest one.

Contact Okatie Pines Retirement Community

Overview of Overture Greenville

Overture Greenville is a 55+ adult community that offers the best balance of urban living and assistance with everyday living.  Offering a range of opportunities tailor-fit for its residents, seniors can surely feel inspired in creating a better life with the continuum of care being provided. Leave the daily chores to the staff as the residents are encouraged to live a hassle-free lifestyle. Overture is an elegant senior living home that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of its residents. 

Keeping the residents active and maintaining a healthy wellness, the staff plans engaging activities and programs– recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs available for residents to take part in at the library, media room, or social areas.

Contact Overture Greenville

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Columbia

Merrill Gardens at Columbia is an assisted living facility located in Columbia, South Carolina, offering independent living and hospice services on-site. The community is part of Merrill Gardens Senior Living, a senior care company, and provides vision care to its residents. The costs at Merrill Gardens at Columbia start at $3,225 and range up to $6,585, with the average price being $4,905, which is more than the average cost of assisted living in the area. The community is pet-friendly, and while South Carolina requires three meals to be provided per day, it can accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets.

Residents at Merrill Gardens at Columbia are required to have a scheduled, structured activity every day, and the community offers a variety of activities, including musical performances and social outings. The facility is located near five hospitals, with the two closest being Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Baptist, and has above-average reviews for the area. Merrill Gardens at Columbia offers 120 independent living and assisted living apartments, with concierge services, scheduled transportation, 24-hour staffing, and weekly housekeeping. The community features a variety of amenities, including a pet-friendly environment, pool, fitness programs, outdoor areas, and social outings, allowing residents to choose from a range of options to suit their individual needs and preferences.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Columbia

Overview of Bayshore on Hilton Head Island

Offering independent living and assisted living, Bayshore on Hilton Head Island is a Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF) in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Featuring an upscale waterfront setting designed for older adults who wish to age in place in one of the Southeast’s premier resort communities, this community has a large capacity of 147 beds. Administered by Rodney McKee, the community is owned by BS Hilton Head Opco LLC and is affiliated with Sentio Investments.

Along with its waterfront location and resort-style amenities, a community boat for sunset cruises, an expansive pier, and a top-floor Bayview Club are provided. These amenities are genuinely rare among South Carolina living options for older adults and reflect the upscale lifestyle in the Hilton Head Island setting.

The Sentio Investments affiliation places the community within a privately held senior living investment platform, which families may want to research further when exploring long-term operational stability. Additionally, TidePointe, which is a Vi Community, is a similar 5-star CMS-rated senior living community on Hilton Head Island, providing a useful local benchmark for families comparing options on the island.

With a combination of resort-quality amenities, Hilton Head Island’s natural beauty, and aging-in-place care continuity, Bayshore on Hilton Head Island is a good option for older adults seeking an active, luxury-oriented independent or assisted living experience in a waterfront setting.

Contact Bayshore on Hilton Head Island

Overview of The Legacy of Anderson

Enjoy a resort-style retirement at The Legacy of Anderson, an independent living community in Anderson, SC that offers a vibrant environment with sweet southern sunshine and welcoming community. Residents can choose from a variety of floor plans, including studios, one and two-bedroom apartments with access to various medical resources and convenient services. Onsite maintenance, weekly housekeeping, linen services, and free, scheduled transportation helps residents to live a worry-free lifestyle with more time to enjoy the things they love.

With its residents’ welfare in mind, the community provides a variety of activities, group trips, clubs, and conveniently designed amenities, complemented with 24/7 front desk concierge service. Residents can get pampered in the salon, chat with friends over happy hour, enjoy a movie in the movie theater, or take scenic walks in the beautiful walking paths. With welcoming residents, a compassionate team and exceptional amenities, residents here are guaranteed to live a happy and meaningful life.

Contact The Legacy of Anderson

Overview of Watercrest Myrtle Beach

Set on the beautiful Colline Verdi Way, Myrtle Beach, SC, Watercress Myrtle Beach is an exceptional senior living community providing assisted living and memory care. The community features various sophisticated and well-crafted residences, promising relaxation and safety like no other. The community boasts a team of competent and extremely talented professionals providing round-the-clock care and support for seniors to live their lives as they prefer.

The community ensures seniors cherish every moment of their stay at Watercrest Myrtle Beach with its scenic views. Discover new interests and reignite passions with fun activities and enjoyable programs. Eat well with nutritious and tasty meals for dietary satisfaction. Watercress Myrtle Beach is a good place to spend your golden years surrounded by serene spaces and a bright and friendly community.

Contact Watercrest Myrtle Beach

Overview of White Oak Estates

Owned by Emma Bowers, White Oak Estates is an 88-bed skilled nursing home in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Operated by NHC Estates LLC on Webber Road, it serves residents who need full nursing care and rehabilitation following surgery, hospitalization, or ongoing medical needs. Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are welcome, giving families flexible pathways to afford short-term therapy and longer-term care.

The community is a moderate-sized home with 88 beds. It has an occupancy rate of around 90 percent, currently with 79 residents. The average stay length is about 102 days, reflecting a mix of post-acute recovery patients and those staying for ongoing skilled nursing. Daily nursing support totals roughly 3 hours 49 minutes per resident, with registered nurses and nurse aides working to provide attentive care throughout each day.

Designed to support residents via rehabilitation and ongoing medical management, the facility is backed by daily nursing attention and a staffing structure that balances specialized care and attentiveness.

Contact White Oak Estates

Overview of Heritage at Lowman Residential Care

Operating as a continuing care retirement community in Chapin, South Carolina, Heritage at Lowman Residential Care offers independent living, assisted living, memory support, rehabilitation, and long-term skilled nursing care for older adults throughout Lexington County and the greater Columbia region. This 132-bed community is owned by Lutheran Homes of South Carolina Inc. and administered by Amanda Knowles. Its affiliation with the Lutheran Homes network connects the community to an established faith-based nonprofit organization with decades of experience providing senior care services across South Carolina.

The community provides a full continuum of care, allowing residents to transition between levels of care while remaining under one roof as their needs progress. Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, 24-hour staffing coverage, rehabilitation services, short-term rehabilitation, and a dedicated memory support program for residents living with cognitive conditions are offered. This range of services supports both long-term residential stability and more specialized healthcare needs.

Restaurant-style dining creates a more elevated culinary experience than traditional institutional dining models. Rehabilitation and nursing care, assisted living and memory support, and a variety of engagement opportunities are also provided.

Located along Dutch Fork Road within Lexington County’s growing Chapin and Irmo corridor, the community maintains a quieter setting outside central Columbia. Nearby healthcare systems, including Prisma Health Richland and Lexington Medical Center, are also easily accessible.

With a combination of rehabilitation services, memory support, skilled nursing care, and long-term residential continuity, Heritage at Lowman Residential Care may appeal to older adults and families seeking a nonprofit, faith-affiliated continuing care community with multiple levels of support in one setting.

Contact Heritage at Lowman Residential Care

Overview of Daniel Pointe Retirement Community

Daniel Pointe
Daniel Island’s Independent Retirement Community

Welcome to Worry-Free Senior Living on Daniel Island!
Daniel Island’s thoughtful development shines through its parks and year-round activities like boating, swimming,
fishing, and crabbing. With Charleston’s charming downtown just 15 minutes away, Daniel Pointe Retirement
Community offers the perfect blend of relaxation and convenience. It’s the ideal choice for luxury senior living its
finest.

Schedule a tour and join us for lunch. You’ll love the retirement lifestyle awaiting you at Daniel Pointe.

514 Robert Daniel Drive
Daniel Island, SC 29492

Daniel Pointe Retirement Community

Discover the joy and ease of all-inclusive retirement living. Picture yourself in a luxurious, safe, and
vibrant community with a fantastic location for fun local outings. With three chef-prepared meals
offered daily, and weekly housekeeping and maintenance included, you’ll have more time for family,
friends, and the other important things in life. This vision comes to life at Daniel Pointe Retirement Community

Designed for comfort, our apartment homes come in a variety of floor plans. Each living space features
window coverings, a climate-controlled thermostat, and ample closet space. The apartment kitchens are
also equipped with full-sized appliances. You are free to decorate your unit around your unique tastes.
Pets are also warmly welcome for no additional fee.

Our Signature Freedom Dining program is the focal point of the resort lifestyle and often the most
praised feature of our community. Our executive chef prepares three quality meals daily with an
evolving menu, fresh ingredients, and diet-conscious recipes. Can’t make it to dinner? No worries. With
our meal delivery service, we’ll prepare you a plate and bring it to your door. You can also visit the
“chef’s pantry” for snacks any time – day or night.

The most important part of our community is the shared spaces that allow you to meet other residents,
celebrate fun and memorable moments, and relax. Our common areas include a 150-seat theater,
library, billiards room, arcade, conversation areas, a lounge with bar, superb fitness and exercise room,
spa area, and business center. Our Lifestyle Director plans monthly community events around these
spaces, allowing you to practice new skills, see new things, meet new people, and much more.

While our community focuses on making your retirement fun and fulfilling, our greatest priority is your
safety. Our managers are your neighbors and live on-site to ensure you are happily enjoying your best
retirement life. With our 24/7 Emergency Alert System, round-the clock concierge, and live-in managers
there’s never a moment when you are unable to reach somebody for help!

Our gorgeous community is full of amenities and services, allowing you to enjoy all the conveniences of
all-inclusive living without the hassle of upkeep. Our ample list of amenities and robust social calendar
offers you choice and flexibility in how you choose to spend your time.

Additionally, if you’re ever craving a change of scenery and don’t want to leave behind the comforts we
offer, no worries! With our travel program, you can explore the country while staying at any of our other
Resort Lifestyle Communities locations for no additional cost.

Relax in the theater while watching a movie or get active in a group fitness class; spend teatime with the
gals or watch a game with the guys; cuddle up with a good book or go join a happy hour for fun times
with the neighbors! However you wish to spend your time, we are here to support the retirement of
your dreams.

Retire well. Retire here. Call today to schedule a private tour!

Contact Daniel Pointe Retirement Community

Overview of Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community

Located in Laurens, South Carolina, Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community is an 82-bed Life Plan community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services. South Carolina Baptist Ministries for the Aging Inc. operates the nonprofit community under a Christ-centered mission, one of the few continuing care retirement communities in Laurens County. CMS rates the facility at 2 stars overall, driven by a Health Inspection sub-rating roughly 27% below the South Carolina average. Staffing tells a different story: nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 1 minute per resident per day, about 36% above the state average, ranking it 13th among 112 South Carolina skilled nursing facilities. Quality Measures are also above the state average. The 2-star overall reflects inspection performance, not care delivery. The community accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Amenities include a chapel, library, bistro, beauty and barber shop, wellness facilities, and Southern-style dining. Respite care and home care services round out a continuum designed to support residents as their needs shift without requiring relocation to another facility. Its occupancy rate is below the South Carolina average of 82%, suggesting current availability across care levels. Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community is a good fit for residents and families seeking a faith-based Life Plan community with strong staffing and a full continuum of care, particularly those prioritizing continuity of placement as care needs evolve.

Contact Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community

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.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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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 108 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.