Florence, South Carolina - Homes for sale

In the mid-1700s, it was difficult to entice settlers to the area now known as Florence County and the first Royal Governor of South Carolina, Robert Johnson ordered the creation of 11 townships. Each one encompassed 20,000 acres and to sweeten the deal for settlers, each man, woman and child would receive 50 acres free for improving the land.

The area was somewhat remote in the early days and the local rivers provided most of the transportation. It is said that the new residents were more savage than the Indian natives. It was a lawless time, life was rough and the rules of church and state were distant, allowing rampant crime.

"Best of all, Florence offers low property taxes, moderate cost of living and a variety of affordable housing options, from single-family homes to low-maintenance condos."

What a difference a couple of centuries makes. Today, Florence is a vibrant Southern town conveniently situated where two Interstate highways meet. It features charming neighborhoods, friendly people and a temperate climate that encourages outdoor activities year-round.

Sports lovers will enjoy watching the PeeDee Cyclones play hockey or the Florence Phantoms, a professional indoor football team. In the South, racing is more than a sport, it is a tradition and nowhere is it more evident than the Darlington Raceway. Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon are two of the famous drivers that have taken on "The Lady in Black," and the raceway itself was featured in the movie Days of Thunder.

Florence also encourages a healthy lifestyle with miles of hiking and walking paths through their Trail System, which is currently being expanded. If your walk needs more purpose than beautiful sights, there are plenty of golf courses where you can tee off.

It's not all sports and hiking, however. Florence has developed a strong cultural and arts community. Some of the more notable groups include The Florence Museum of Art, Science and History, the Florence Regional Arts Council, the Florence Little Theater and the all-volunteer Florence Symphony Orchestra.

Best of all, Florence offers low property taxes, moderate cost of living and a variety of affordable housing options, from single-family homes to low-maintenance condos.