Looking to start the next phase of your life in Summerville, South Carolina? You’ll be happy to hear that Summerville, SC is a good place to live. From the employment opportunities to the food scene, cost of living, and safety, there are plenty of upsides to life in Summerville, SC. But we’ll be honest: we’ll go over one con of living in Summerville, as well as Summerville, SC moving companies. By the end, you’ll have the information you need before moving to Summerville, SC.
Table of Contents
History
Summerville, SC, nicknamed the “Flower Town in the Pines,” has a complex history.
Summerville emerged as a summer getaway town for plantation owners in South Carolina—hence the name. In 1847, Summerville was incorporated and continued to attract tourists and temporary residents. Throughout the 1900s, its population grew with the establishment of health resorts and military bases in the area.
Today, Summerville, SC lies in South Carolina’s Berkeley County, Charleston County, and Dorchester County. As of 2024, it has a growing population of over 52,000.
Summerville now offers multiple attractions related to this history. In Summerville, you can visit the Colonel Dorchester State Historic Site, which is the location of a colonial village from 1697. This site contains preserved archeological remains that shed light on the history of the settlement.
Near Summerville, in Charleston, you can also visit several historic plantations, including Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, and Middleton Place. These sites offer visitors a look at the history of slavery in the area.
Summerville, SC Cost of Living
Another reason Summerville, SC is a good place to live is the low cost of living. Specifically, the cost of living in Summerville, SC is 12% below the national average.
Housing is particularly affordable in Summerville, with housing costs sitting 33% below the national average. The median rent in Summerville is around $1,000 per month, and the median home price is around $325,000. These low housing costs make Summerville a good place to live, whether you’re moving into your first apartment or buying a house.
Transportation is similarly cheap in Summerville. Be aware that groceries and utilities cost slightly more than the national average—yet the low cost of housing in Summerville, SC still makes life there highly affordable.
Outdoor Recreation
Summerville, SC has hot summers. However, the mild winters have an average low temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the weather allows for outdoor recreation year-round—and is friendly for winter moving.
There are a variety of places for water recreation in and around Summerville. One highlight is the Ashley River Blue Trail, which is perfect for those who enjoy paddling or wildlife watching. Along the Estido River, you can go tubing, as well as enjoy beach activities.
Summerville is also close to the ocean. By car, Folly Beach is about forty-five minutes to an hour away from Summerville and is a popular destination for Summerville residents. Sullivan’s Island is another great beach destination and is a similar distance from Summerville. Thus, for water lovers, Summerville, SC is a good place to live.
Summerville also offers a number of running and biking trails, including the shorter Oatbrook Nature Trail and the longer Sawmill Branch Trail, which is almost seven miles long and runs through wooded areas in the city.
Job Market
Summerville, SC has a variety of job opportunities, especially because of its proximity to Charleston, which has a very strong economy. In normal traffic conditions, you can expect the drive from Summerville to Charleston to take about half an hour.
The most popular employment sectors for people living in Summerville, SC are health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.
Entertainment
The annual Flowertown Festival, a tradition founded in 1973, draws thousands to Summerville to celebrate the local flowers. Outside the festival, flowers are abundant in Summerville and can be found in spots like Azalea Park, which also has sculptures on display.
Summerville, known as the Birthplace of Sweet Tea, hosts the Sweet Tea Trail, which runs through a variety of city districts. The Sweet Tea Festival also celebrates this legacy and occurs on the third Saturday in September. Attendees can vote on the best tea of the year.
If all these tea-themed attractions aren’t enough, you can also visit the world’s largest sweet tea in Summerville. It’s over fifteen feet tall!
Lastly, you won’t want to miss the Summerville downtown, home to an art gallery and to events like concerts and performances. The downtown contains the highly walkable Short Central Street, which is closed to vehicle traffic.
Education
If you’re moving with kids, you’ll be happy to hear Summerville has some of the best public schools in South Carolina.
Summerville residents can attend the Dorchester School District, the Charleston County School District, and the Berkeley County School District. Some highlights of the Dorchester School District—which serves over 26,000 students—include the Rollings Middle School of the Arts.
The Charleston County School District is even larger, with over 50,000 students. It contains Saint Andrew’s School of Math and Science, which specializes in STEM education.
Lastly, the Berkeley County School District serves over 37,000 students and is also a good choice.
Looking to move soon?
Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!
Summerville, SC Safety
You may be wondering if Summerville, SC is a safe place to live. Rates of violent crime in Summerville are significantly lower than the national average, which may be a relief to you if you’re moving to Summerville.
Property crime rates in Summerville are above the national average; these crimes include burglary and theft. Still, some parts of the city are safer than others. In addition, you can consider working with a home security company when you move.
Thus, with some foresight, you can find a way to make Summerville, SC a very safe place for you to live.
Food Scene
Summerville, SC is home to a number of great restaurants, especially in the thriving downtown area. The city has a large French influence and also offers a variety of other international cuisines, from Italian to Thai, Irish, and Southern food.
For those who enjoy home cooking, the Summerville Farmers Market operates on Saturdays and features local farmers, artisans, and food.
Downside of Living in Summerville, SC
There are many reasons that Summerville, SC is a good place to live. However, if you move to Summerville, you should be aware of one downside: the traffic.
Residents note the town’s growing population has contributed to traffic concerns that can lengthen commutes. This traffic problem extends to Charleston, where many Summerville residents work. Unsurprisingly, Summerville also ranks high in cities with the most car accidents.
Still, don’t let the traffic around Summerville dissuade you from making the move. It’s still nothing like metro areas like DC, and the traffic you encounter will depend on your location and route.
Summerville, SC Moving Companies
Now that you’re more familiar with why Summerville, SC is a good place to live, you might be looking for Summerville, SC moving companies. One moving company to help you out in the Summerville, SC area is UniMovers.
UniMovers is a labor-only moving company that charges fixed hourly rates. UniMovers offers services in Summerville and nearby South Carolina cities like Charleston. It’s a highly affordable option for your moving budget, whether you’re already in Summerville or coming from across the country.
Conclusion
There are many reasons Summerville, SC is a good place to live. Summerville is a storied town, with a variety of attractions for exploring the history of the region. The cost of living in Summerville, SC is quite low, and Summerville has great opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Summerville has good options for employment, entertainment, and education. It is also a relatively safe place to live, with low rates of violent crime. Moreover, the food scene will not disappoint. However, if you choose to move to Summerville, prepare yourself for one downside: the traffic.
FAQs
Summerville, SC boasts a low cost of living. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for entertainment, employment, and outdoor recreation that make it a good place to live.
Summerville, SC ranks well below the national average in violent crime, yet the city has more property crime than average. Take the crime rates into account when finding a safe place to live in Summerville, SC!
Summerville, SC is a highly affordable city, with a cost of living 12% below the national average. Housing costs are especially low at 33% below the national average.
The moving company UniMovers offers services in Summerville, SC, as well as in several nearby South Carolina cities.
Sophie Pollack-Milgate has a day job as a research assistant. In her free time, she likes to read 10% of the library books she checks out, complain about how either ice or heat are ruining her runs (depending on the season), and modify recipes beyond recognition.
