Many people like to retire somewhere warm, and with plenty of fun things to do. The sub-tropic climate of South Carolina, and the historic charm of Charleston in particular, make this area an appealing choice.

An exciting new Del Webb retirement community is currently under construction in Summerville, just 45 minutes from downtown Charleston. While the models are still under construction, they are available for viewing by interested buyers. The official model park grand opening is September 15th, but those curious enough to view early may be rewarded with some buyers incentives.

One of the major advantages of choosing a planned retirement community is safety and easy living. In a Del Webb retirement community you not only know your neighbors, you have a lot in common with them. The yards are low maintenance, and the homes are high quality. Pulte Homes, the builder for Del Webb Charleston in Summerville, has a long history of building high end homes, and this means peace of mind for buyers. There’s also a wide variety of home styles to choose from.

At Del Webb Charleston, your social life and personal development will be a priority. In addition to golf, there’s the fitness center, featuring aerobics classes, fitness training and staff to help you out with anything. Or you can enjoy the variety of pools at your leisure, play tennis, bocce, horseshoes, lawn bowling or any one of dozens of sporting activities. There’s hot-tubs, hiking trails, dance studios and just about anything you could want to do.

There’s also a performing arts center, continuing education classrooms, library, craft center and computer lab. There are plans to have a full-time lifestyle director on staff here, someone to plan classes and workshops in things like yoga and french, and to help you decide what to do with yourself if you can’t decide between all the amazing options!

If the working world still calls occasionally, or a volunteer interest needs space to meet, residents will be able to take advantage of the conference rooms.

If you enjoy the outdoors, there is a community garden planned here, plus a pond and protected wetland areas for your enjoyment. And yes, your grandchildren are welcome to visit.

Living at Del Webb Charleston will give residents access to the amenities in Summerville, as well as the larger city of Charleston. This new retirement community is promising to be truly great, offering so much within itself and central to so much more. I expect it to be very popular. If you’d like more information, or to set up a viewing, don’t hesitate to contact me about it.

South Carolina, one of the original 13 colonies, has a population of about 4.3 million. A visit to South Carolina by a Chinese trade delegation may seem unusual but this is a necessary development. They signed a MOU- Memorandum of Understanding, with the state government. Harsco Track Technology, a West Columbia Co. and the Chinese Ministry of Railways signed an agreement, and the Governor applauded this announcement. This is for a $350 million contract over 4 years, and Harsco’s largest railway track maintenance and equipment sales contract in the division’s history! Governor Sanford has visited China twice and opened South Carolina’s first office there under the Department of Commerce. South Carolina exports to China rose 12-percent to $870 million. Chine also purchased machinery, cotton yarn and fabric, plastics, chemical and aluminum. Are there any ideas there for your Howard Giske writes about how to get your South Carolina Incorporation and other business info at Inc Paradise?

The City of Charleston is on the coast of South Carolina, with 120,000 people, or 600,000 in its metropolitan area. The city has developed into a major container port. There is a Bosch plant here- the German manufacturer of automotive parts and brakes. Nucor is a steel producer with a plant in Darlington, South Carolina. They use “mini-mills” which are electric arc furnaces, to melt scrap steel, not blast furnaces. They recycle 10 million tons of scrap steel in the United States. Nucor produced carbon steel in bars and various other shapes, in Darlington and other sites in Berkeley County. The Charleston also has NASCAR motor car racing, at the Darlington Raceway.

Columbia is the state’s largest city with 700,000 people in its metropolitan area. It is located away from the coast in the middle of the state. Columbia is known as a great place for kayaking, canoeing and other boat lovers with water sports on the Congaree River the Broad River and the Saluda River. Major employers in the city include the Palmetto Health Hospital system and Fort Jackson, which is a U.S. Army Training Facility. Square D is a manufacturer here that produced industrial electrical and control products, but is headquartered in France. Michelin Tires, Westinghouse and Bose Corporation, makers of audio equipment are also active in the area.

South Carolina tourism is also doing well. Start with the white-sand beaches in Georgetown County. There is an annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament at Memorial Day, and lots of fishing after that as well. Historic Georgetown also has the Georgetown Landing Marina. The Myrtle Beach area has over 100 golf courses and is sort of a golf paradise. There’s a big convention center here too. Other attractions on the coast are the Family kingdom Amusement Park and the Myrtle Waves Water Park. Much of the upcountry (Piedmont) region of the state is covered with forests. Upcountry there is also the Chattooga River, a favorite spot for whitewater kayaking, rafting and canoeing. Since it has a wild and scenic river designation, there is no motor boating allowed. Part of the river is on the South Carolina, Georgia border. Other activities in the area are swimming, hiking, fishing and camping, particularly in Table Rock State Park.