South Carolina has used the same marketing slogan for a number of years - Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places - because it is so true. From the mountains to sea, South Carolina is filled with stunningly beautiful scenery. And the people you meet in South Carolina are almost unfailingly friendly.

It's no wonder that South Carolina is experiencing incredible growth as more people discover that sun and sand are far more appealing than snow and exhaust fumes in the colder, more densely populated parts of the country.

And, whether you're looking for a small town cottage, complete with picket fence, or a maintenance-free condo overlooking the beach or a rustic mountain home, you'll find exactly what you are looking for.

There are small towns such as Walterboro and Santee that exemplify country living and metropolitan areas such Columbia and Greenville, which are experiencing a revitalization of their downtown areas. Although newcomers are settling in every corner of the state, the area of largest growth continues to take place along the coast.

The major coastal cities each offer a completely different attitude. Myrtle Beach is full of bright lights and neon and is surrounded by scores of golf courses as well as outlet malls and what seems to be hundreds of seafood restaurants. There are quiet pockets along the Grand Strand but the big draw here is excitement.

Charleston and its environs are steeped in history and tradition and it is a world-class city offering fine dining and shopping experiences along with a wealth of wonderful attractions.

The south coast includes Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Beaufort, each offering a different take on Lowcountry life. Hilton Head has many gated communities, including Sea Pines Plantation and Palmetto Dunes while Beaufort is a small historic city shaded by moss-draped oaks. Bluffton is a bit inland and includes Palmetto Bluff, a gated community on the banks of the May River.

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