Chester County's Outstanding Quality of Life
Country Charm With Access To Metropolitan Amenities

CHESTER COUNTY

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CHESTER COUNTY - THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!

ENJOY ALL OF SOUTH CAROLINA!

COST OF LIVING

HEALTHCARE

CHESTER COUNTY...THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Chester County, South Carolina is located within one of the fastest growing interstate corridors in the Southeast.  Located 38 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina; 56 miles east of Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina; and 45 miles north of Columbia, South Carolina, the communities of Chester County are prepared to meet the development challenges that await them and all offer an outstanding quality of life.

Residents of Chester County truly have the best of both worlds.  The County's small towns include the County seat of Chester, and the smaller incorporated communities of Richburg, Great Falls, Lowrys and Fort Lawn.  All offer a low cost of living, a rural setting and less than a 30 minute drive to the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.  Ideally situated, these communities offer Chester Countians an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and small town living while frequenting all of the cultural and entertainment endeavors offered by America's 20th largest city.

At first glance, Chester County appears the picture perfect panorama of South Carolina's lush, green piedmont countryside. But a simple glance will not reveal the true nature of this economically and culturally vibrant area. Good things, exciting things are happening. Chester County is truly emerging as one of the best places in South Carolina and the Charlotte Region to live and do business. 

Take a moment to read through our Quality of Life section and we believe you'll understand why Chester County will be "Your Hometown in South Carolina!"

CHESTER: A GROWING PART OF THE CHARLOTTE MSA PERIMETER

Economic achievement means little unless people can complement their work-life with opportunities for relaxation, entertainment and personal growth. In this respect, Chester County and the Charlotte Region's offerings are limitless. An incredible variety of recreational activities abound in Chester and the Charlotte Region - boating, fishing, golfing & professional sports. It boasts a cultural lineup that includes nationally recognized museums, a symphony, opera, theater, and dance companies which are housed in a newly-opened Performing Arts Center.

A mild climate with four distinct seasons invites year-round enjoyment of the outdoors. The scenic Blue Ridge Mountains are only three hours to the west, and just over three hours to the southeast lay the beaches of North and South Carolina. Quality educational institutions offer instruction in a wide variety of disciplines, and a robust, competitively-priced housing market provides homes to fit any lifestyle.

SPORTING EVENTS

Chester County and the Charlotte MSA is truly a region on the rise. Its success can be measured not only by its phenomenal business growth, but also by its success in attracting sporting events and teams to the region. Charlotte is one of only three Southern cities to have at least two professional sports franchises and is the number one travel destination in the state of North Carolina.

The Charlotte area is home to the WNBA's Charlotte Sting, the NFL's Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Checkers of the East Coast Hockey League and AAA affiliate Charlotte Knights . In addition, the Lowe's Motor Speedway offers exciting NASCAR racing.

ARTS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Residents in the Chester and Charlotte area have access to a myriad of artistic and cultural offerings. The region is home to nationally recognized museums, symphony, opera, theater & dance companies as well as a number of historic sites, living history exhibits and annual community festivals.

The beautiful uptown North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte is host to several Broadway plays each year. Aside from the main arts center, several excellent local theater companies put on a wide variety of productions throughout the year. The City of Charlotte is home to a growing number of artists and galleries. A popular event is "Gallery Crawl" which takes place the first Friday evening of each month in the artist's community of North Davidson Street in downtown Charlotte.

In addition to activities at the Blumental Performing Arts Center, the region is home to the Mint Museum of Art, Discovery Place Museum, the Museum of York County, the Charlotte Repertory Theater, the North Carolina Dance Center, the Catawba Indian Cultural Center, the living history exhibit at Historic Brattonsville, the Chester County Historical Society Museum, and a host of community festivals. Statewide, the annual Spoleto Festival in Charleston, Freedom Weekend Aloft in the Upstate and the Carolina Cup horseracing events in Camden are just two of the dozens of community events that attract literally hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.  For a complete listing of all the artistic, cultural and entertainment opportunities in Charlotte, visit the Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau.

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

If the excitement of arts, culture and professional sporting events isn't enough to fulfill your need for entertainment, there is a host of outdoor recreational opportunities in Chester County and the Charlotte MSA.  Plus, the beautiful Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains and the beaches of the Atlantic Coast are less than a 3-hour drive away - perfect for those weekend getaways!

If you enjoy water sports, nearby Lake Wylie, Lake Norman, Lake Wateree and the Catawba River offer boating, fishing, and swimming. Chester State Park, and  Landsford Canal State Park in Chester County; and Andrew Jackson State Park and Lake Wateree State Recreation Area in Lancaster County, offer hikers, bikers and campers opportunities for rest and relaxation. The area is also home to Kings MountainState Park and the Kings Mountain National Military Park and Cowpens National Battlefield - both sites of important Revolutionary War battles.

If golf is your game, then South Carolina is a dream come true. There are more than 30 golf courses in the area and over 300 within a 3-hour drive including the over 100 courses along the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand.

If you enjoy leisurely walks amidst beautiful gardens, Rock Hill's Glencairn Gardens will make you feel right at home. Statewide, South Carolina offers some of the most beautiful gardens in the world including those at Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation, Cypress Gardens, and Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston; Edisto Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg; Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter; Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet; and the South Carolina Botanical Gardens in Clemson.

If the kids want a little more than a leisurely stroll, the Chester County  and Charlotte area offers fun and excitement for them too! Paramount Carowinds Theme Park is located on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line - less than 20 minutes from Chester County. The full-featured theme park is open during warm weather months and offers roller coasters and other rides and amusements. Other children's entertainment venues across the state include the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand area that has become a family vacation mecca and the Charleston area with its attractions, beaches and events.

CLIMATE

The Chester County area offers residents a temperate climate that allows for year-round outdoor activities. The region’s normal summer humidity is 74% and yearly morning humidity averages 83%, 54% during evening hours.

Rainfall is distributed evenly throughout the year with an average annual precipitation of 43.1 inches (107.5 cm). The summer months host the heaviest rainfall, March is the wettest month with approximately 4.8 inches (12.2cm) and October is the driest month with only 2.7 inches (6.9cm) of rainfall. Some snowfall does occur during winter months on occasion but not in amounts that disrupt travel or work schedules. Severe weather, such as hurricanes and tornadoes is a rarity in Chester County. The area is located outside principal tornado zones and the typical path of hurricanes along the Atlantic coastline is such that storm centers are usually at sea by the time storms reach this latitude. The few storms that pass close to the North Carolina-South Carolina have little adverse effect on Chester County.

Winter

The area’s winter offers you a taste of the old man, without all the shoveling, swerving and salt. Only half of the winter days fall below freezing, and below zero (-18° C.) temperatures have only occurred five times since 1878.

Snow is infrequent, with an average annual accumulation of less than six inches, but the area is only three hours away from excellent snow skiing in the North Carolina mountains. Residents can enjoy the snow, without having to endure it.

Summer

The summer months lure residents outside. The bright sun and clear skies, dappled with pure white clouds, fill the summer days. Unlike cities to the south, very hot weather conditions (90° F, 32° C) occur only 36 days in the Chester County area. On the average, temperatures reach 100°F (38°C) only twice a year. And with an average summer temperature of 76°F (24° C) with an average daily range of 20 degrees, these inviting days are punctuated by cool nights under starry skies.

Spring and Autumn

The transformations of the seasons in the Chester County area are the most breathtaking times of the year. The slow emergence of spring, from mid-March through May, provides residents with a visual extravaganza. The Carolina blue skies accentuate the pinks, reds, yellows, purples and soft whites of the spring blooms that fill the city. Those same skies, crisp and clear, provide the setting for the brilliant array of colors which paint the trees during a fall which extends well into November. Both seasons are appreciably long, providing a slow, enjoyable gateway into summer or winter. The average frost free season lasts 216 days from mid-March to mid-November. October and November welcome the cool temperatures which invite people outside to enjoy those brilliant fall colors which rival those of New England, but are unknown in the deep south.

HOUSING

The Chester County area is extremely affordable in terms of housing. From country farms to upscale condominiums, there is a host of housing opportunities in the area.

There are a wide variety of costs, styles, locations and amenities. From historic neighborhoods with graceful homes to modern apartments and condominiums convenient to jobs and shopping

Housing Affordability Index

Cities compared have $12 billion or more in wholesale sales.
Note: Index is average cost of a single-family, 2200 sq. ft. home with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths.
Source: Coldwell Banker Real Estate, 1999

REALTORS

The following is a sample of current listings and real estate company web sites in the Chester, Lancaster and York County areas:  

COST OF LIVING

The Chester area and the Charlotte MSA cost of living index is among the lowest in the U.S. The table below illustrates the most recent ACCRA Cost of Living Index numbers for the Charlotte area and selected major U.S. cities.   Please note that among the counties in or near the Charlotte MSA, Chester County has the lowest Cost of Living figures.

ACCRA Cost of Living Index

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 3^rd Quarter, 2000

HEALTHCARE

CHESTER COUNTY

Access to exceptional and affordable healthcare is an important facet of any community. In Chester County, residents have access to a local ambulatory and acute care facilities as well as nationally renowned hospital systems in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Residents of Chester County are served by Chester County Hospital, an 82-bed facility located in the City of Chester. There are a total of 17 physicians and six dentists with offices in Chester County.

CHARLOTTE REGION

Residents also have access to quality healthcare that is available in the Charlotte. There are over 1,300 physicians and over 375 dentists in the Charlotte area. There are six major hospitals in Charlotte representing two health care systems – Carolina HealthCare and Presbyterian Healthcare.

A not-for-profit corporation, Carolinas HealthCare System has 36 facilities including seven hospitals, two nursing homes, and a retirement community. The major facilities operated by Carolinas HealthCare include the 777-bed Carolinas Medical Center, which is a state designated teaching hospital, and Level 1 Trauma Center that includes an air-ground ambulance transportation system. In addition to general surgery and family healthcare, Carolinas Medical Center also offers heart, liver, pancreas, and kidney transplant surgery. In addition, the facility has a 40-bed Children’s’ Hospital, the Carolinas Heart Institute, the Blumenthal Cancer Center, an Orthopedics Institute, a Neurological Institute featuring an Epilepsy Center, a Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, a Stroke Unit and one of only a handful of ALS centers that treats Lou Gehrig Disease.

In addition to the Carolinas Medical Center, Carolinas HealthCare System operates Mercy Hospital (224 beds), Mercy Hospital South (95-beds), and University Hospital (130-beds).

The Presbyterian Healthcare System consists of four hospitals and an integrated network of primary care physicians. A not-for-profit corporation, Presbyterian operates two acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient and same-day surgery centers, a school of nursing, and urgent care center an other ancillary services.

The flagship hospital for Presbyterian Healthcare System is Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. The 546-bed facility has been in the Charlotte area for more than 95 years. Presbyterian Hospital operates general surgery and healthcare services along with the Center for Women’s Health, the 72-bed Hemby Children’s Hospital, the Belk Heart Center, and the Charlotte region’s most comprehensive cancer treatment center. Presbyterian Healthcare’s second acute care facility is Presbyterian Hospital located in Matthews.

The following is a list of major general and specialty hospitals in the Tri-County Region:

ENJOY ALL THAT SOUTH CAROLINA HAS TO OFFER!

LEISURE – RECREATION, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A host of leisure activities, including arts, entertainment, and recreation, define the many dimensions of South Carolina.  The state’s varied landscape is a backdrop for diverse activities. Over three hundred championship golf courses, including five ranked among the top 100 courses in the U.S., are located in South Carolina.  For more detailed information about all of the state's many tourism and recreation offerings, visit the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism web site at: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/gir.asp

RECREATION

South Carolina’s geography is defined by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean -- from higher elevations ranging between 1,000 feet to 3,500 feet in the foothills, to sub-tropical conditions along 200 miles of Atlantic coast.  With such a diverse topography and a temperate climate, South Carolina invites year-round, outdoor activities.

South Carolina’s water resources offer recreational activities from kayaking and rafting on whitewater rivers; to fishing and boating on lakes; to blue water sailing and deep-sea fishing.  In addition to the Atlantic coast, 830 square miles of the state are covered by water, including 10 main rivers and 3 main lakes.  Lakes Marion, Moultrie, and Murray together encompass 221,000 acres of water surface and are all man-made lakes built to furnish power for hydroelectric plants.  Lake Murray in the center of the state boasts the 2^nd largest earthen dam in the world.

Hiking, camping, and backpacking opportunities abound in South Carolina.  The 300-mile Palmetto Trail spans the state from the northwest mountains to the seacoast village of McClellanville, north of Charleston.  Dozens of state and national forests and parks, along with wildlife refuges and preserves, are located throughout South Carolina, offering unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.  The temperate climate also supports year-round natural beauty found at such places as Middleton Place near Charleston, the home of America’s oldest formal gardens, and Brookgreen Gardens near Murrells Inlet, the world’s largest collection of outdoor sculptures nestled among 2,000 species of plants.

ARTS & CULTURE

Steeped in Southern history and American heritage, South Carolina’s historic communities reflect a rich past that is evident in many different ways.  Celebrating the past or celebrating the present, South Carolina’s smaller communities and metropolitan areas support a host of artistic and cultural events.  Among the most noted event is Charleston’s internationally acclaimed Spoleto Festival.  For two weeks each year, artists and patrons from around the world convene in Charleston to present and view avant-garde theater productions, studio art in various media, and musical and operatic presentations.

In addition to Spoleto, there are numerous other local festivals that occur across the state throughout the year, presenting such international artists and events as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Vienna Boys’ Choir, David Parson’s Dance Company, “Les Miserables,” and Shakespeare Festivals.  Performing arts centers are located in most of South Carolina’s larger cities, such as the Koger Center in Columbia, the Opera House in Newberry, and the Peace Center in Greenville.  In fact, Charleston’s Dock Street Theatre, still in operation today, was the first permanent structure erected in the original 13 colonies solely for theatrical performances. 

Because important Revolutionary and Civil War battles were fought in South Carolina, even celebrating history has become an art form.  Thousands of people participate in living history demonstrations, from military reenactments to demonstrations of plantation life.  Architecture is a subject of celebration as well, and dozens of tours of public and private dwellings throughout the state reveal some of America’s oldest and most beautiful buildings.

SPORTING EVENTS

Sports are a prominent feature in South Carolina’s quality of life; spectators enjoy a wide variety of events, from high school football to professional hockey.  The state’s grade schools and colleges offer seasonal sports opportunities for their athletes as well as cheering fans.  Each year, the impressive list of professional sporting events held in South Carolina and neighboring states grows.  Sports-related entertainment now includes: baseball in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville; basketball and football in Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina; hockey in Charleston, Florence, and Greenville; soccer in Charleston and Myrtle Beach; golf in Augusta (The Masters), Hilton Head (MCI Classic), and Myrtle Beach (Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship); tennis in Hilton Head (Family Circle Cup) and Charleston (U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships); International Steeplechase in Camden (Carolina and Colonial Cup races); and stock car racing in Darlington (Southern 500 and Transouth Financial 400).

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE

Due to its southeastern location and varied terrain, South Carolina has a number of different climates, ranging from temperate to sub-tropical; yet, all are mild and conducive to year-round outdoor activity.  There are four distinct seasons, but warm weather prevails throughout most of the year.  Average temperatures range from the 40’s in the winter to the 80’s in the summer.  There is very little frozen precipitation during the winter months, and any that does occur rarely accumulates on the ground to an extent that results in business closures and travel delays.

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