The Difference Between Beaufort SC and Bluffton SC 

Love Beaufort. My dad used to live near the waterfront. We love Jason's near Duke St. Seafood love scallops. Also love the Nevermore Books on Craven. Yes Robert Smalls and his highway. Gorgious old homes, history. We used to crab at Pidgeon Park. I like Ladies ISLES, Helena Island, Fripp

Long time Beaufortonian so have a local perspective. Just saw this video and have a few comments. First off, it's the "Point" not the "Old Point" but that's a common mistake non-locals make. You were standing in front of the Lowcountry Produce Market & Cafe, locals call it Lowcountry Produce not the Market & Cafe. Dataw Island and Habersham are both located 7 miles from downtown Beaufort. In my opinion, the biggest difference between Beaufort and Bluffton are the people. Everyone knows each other in Beaufort, you can't go anywhere without seeing someone you know. Bluffton not so much.

I lived along the water on Lady’s Island and loved it. I preferred it over Bluffton as it was smaller and more compact. Wonderful beaches just 25 minutes away too. Both places have a lot to offer. Just depends on individual taste. Charleston is just up the road and Savannah Georgia is just down the road. So much to offer in that area!

Thanks John- We visited Beaufort a couple of times and we really loved it; but at the end we still picked Bluffton for its charm (old town), proximity to beach (especially from Moss Creek), 25 mins drive to Savannah, and tons of restaurants to go to by boats including lunch in Beaufort. Can’t wait to finally move to our house in Bluffton!! Thanks John for making these weekly videos...

Came back to look at this video again after viewing it 6 months ago before our trip to the area to look for a home. After visiting both areas, we decided on the Beufort area for it's charm, history, access to Hunting Island State Park. Looking in Habersham due it's low HOA cost but great access to the pool, dock, tennis/pickleball, "downtown" (Marketplace) features. There is something about beautiful consistent low country homes with no mailboxes or visible garages (all alley access) that makes it so charming, walkable and great for making new friends. Have since sold our home in MI and hoping to move to the area soon! Thanks for your great videos, John! (and the great camera work by the lovely Mrs. Weber)

Great video,,,👍👍,,,,I remember when Habersham was being built,, been going to Beaufort SC since 1984,,,Steamers on ladys Island was Awesome in the 80s 90s,,,Port Royal has some good restaurants,,,it takes awhile to find the local hangouts they are in nooks and crannies,,,, Shrimp Shack way out by Hunting Island was fun at one time,,,alot of movies have be made there,,,have fun people

We love these videos that show the surrounding towns. Great job!

Great video John! We are planning on moving to the Hilton Head/Bluffton/Beaufort area and are trying to decide on where we would like to end up. We will actually be first time homebuyers, so we may not be your normal clientele. We would love to see a video on areas your recommend for first time home buyers! As always, love the videos! Thank you for all that you do.

I have lived in both...I picked Charleston. I loved Beaufort and still do, but the jets are a dealbreaker for me

This is the video, John, that I was asking for on your other videos. I know Beaufort much better than Bluffton, so love the town. It seems to have more actual historical properties - at least, from what I have seen. I am not really a fan of gated communities, but I do like the new urbanism concept, which I have seen in Pleasant Point (Lady's Island), Mt Pleasant, northeast of Charleston, Habersham, and a few other places. I also like that the beach is right there in the heart of town, without driving to HHI. I love that both Bluffton & Beaufort have easy access to Savannah (for the airport, too), HHI, and Charleston, and also about 3.5 hours to the mountains and beautiful Lake Jocassee and Keowee. I think GVL has developed into a real nice town, too - enhanced by Fluor Field having their own mini- Green Monster, for us Red Sox fans. Columbia & Clemson are handy for us cfb fans, too. The center of SC does not impress me, but I love the Lowcountry, and enjoy the Upstate. I also love the sanity, by which SC is governed, as opposed to the blue state tyrant loons. Let's hope it keeps its charms, despite rising emigration to the Palmetto state. I know you are partial to Bluffton, but you showed Beaufort in a favorable light. Beau-fort in NC, is a pleasant & historic town, but marred somewhat by its proximity to Morehead City and its ugly refineries. I discovered it after a trip to the Outer Banks, and the Cedar Island ferry. I prefer the SC version better, but its North Carolina cousin is still a nice weekend getaway, and a good walking/biking destination. Thanks for the video. I also like neighborhoods without a HOA PUD fee. That adds up, and encourages the nosy, control freaks that love to order others around. There are always a few in every association that make it miserable for others. Habersham is truly gorgeous, but that HOA is a turnoff. Not sure if Battery Point has an HOA. The Point, and places like Tidalholm are spectacular, but quite expensive. I love biking or walking thru the quiet streets and Spanish Moss-strewn trees, where only the clip-clop of a carriage interrupts the silence. I also like that the Bay Street restaurants have that back porch, fronting Waterfront Park. Hunting Island SP is a nice beach, not overrun with crowds, as well!

I totally love the old historic homes in Beaufort. My dad used to take we around and see the gorgious architecture. We're you on Bay St at the restaurant? Robert Smalls is a total hero

John, I have a topic suggestion for you. We live in DC. We are used to paying taxes, but we have never lived in a gated community before. Can you give us an overview of the HOA or community fees on Hilton Head Island? What do the HOA fees buy? How much do they tend to increase each year? How are HOA fees calculated? Can you do a comparison of the fees in HHI’s gated communities? Who decides what the HOA fees cover and how do homeowners have a say in what expenses should be covered by the community? We vacationed in Sea Pines for the first time ever in April for our 12 year old twins’ spring break, and kind of fell in love with the area. We don’t golf, but we love to bike and my husband plays tennis. We’re considering retiring to HHI in maybe 7 or 8 years once our kids are off to college. Another good topic might be talking about the cycling community on HHI, if there is one, and the best spots to ride bikes on HHI.

Can't believe any real estate video about Beaufort wouldn't include a walk along Chambers park on the river - the heart of Beaufort and home to many of its restaurants that face the water. That really captures the charm of Beaufort. Also the part about Habersham completely left our that it is on the water - it sits on the Broad River, and has a private dock along with the River Retreat area, tennis courts, pool, and many other amenities.

From Beaufort here, I miss it so much! Lost my home to a fire few years ago would do anything to be back in SC!

Its Good to see you again John. Thanks again for showing me around in Bluffton.

John, I recently discovered your videos and love them. I'm an African American man from Chicago. I love the Charleston area and now considering Bluffton and Beaufort. The was flying into Charleston, drive to Savannah, Saint Simon( visiting friends) and to Atl area. I'm drawn to smaller town with beautiful older vibrant downtowns. Unsure if we should be now or wait till next year. Your thoughts? Also all the places we stop, we are looking to move for retirement

2010? 😁😁😁

Suspect that the Robert Smalls story went a little awry as he passed in 1915, a little short of the 2010 date you sited. Old Point, Newpoint, Distant Island, etc. are all the equals of Habersham, but considerable closer. I'm a Beaufort person, because, in large part, one way in and one way out (at least HHI). Also, Bluffton is a new planned community, where the comingling of old and (relatively) old exudes a charm that cannot be replicated in the 2000's. Of course, Burnt Church Distillery may tip things a bit for Bluffton. Can you tell I lived in Beaufort?

I hear Aiken is the new retirement destination. Thoughts anyone?

Another great video John. Always enjoy. Thank you.

You may not be impressed with Lady’s Island, but, I was able to sell my working class home in Florida and pay cash for my home. It is safe and pretty. I wish people would stop building this area up. It will definitely lose its charm.

Good video. I am building in Bluffton right now at The Retreat at Grande Oaks. I can’t wait to start my new beginning in this cute town.

It’s weird watching this sense I live in Beaufort and you have the same name as my grandfather

Love Habersham!!! Charleston has similar Ion across the harbor in Mt. Pleasant. Even up here in Louisville, we have a similar community called Norton Commons.

Love this! Thank you for this video

Nice video John!! Good work, good info!

For those with children, I would recommend Bluffton over Beaufort. I live in Beaufort, and I can say that we regret not living in Bluffton. The schools are better, the town itself is better, and it’s safer to be honest. Beaufort is only good if you’re someone who can afford to live in a nicer neighborhood, which isn’t an option for most. Realestate is crazy in this county.

Oh, I wish you would have done more about Bluffton!!

❤very helpful look at the areas!

This was a great topic and video. Love that area!

Hi John. New to the area. Liking your videos to learn about the area.

LIKED the video. John there is a really nice restaurant in Bluffton, wish I remembered it's name. Got my sister a gorgious low country cookbook with breath taking artistry, and this particular Bluffton Restaurant is in there. It's a famous Seafood place

I Love Ladysisland 💘 wonderful affordable place to live not like Bluffton and Hilton Head expensive half million dollars home with yearly fees.

Bluffton has bad traffic too and higher home prices

Great video! Thank you.

Thanks interesting video. I planning on visiting.

Nice video. Fellow Carolinian looking at lots of places. One edit at 7:32, probably should be 1910.Unless Mr Smalls was over 170!

Thanks for the video

“Thumbs up” for algorithm gain!

John, does Moss Creek have a garbage pick up service? If not, where do people take their trash?

What areas have a nice home for under 350,000?

Good morning ☀️ could you do a video on real estate on Daufuskie Island?

Great content! What about major medical needs as we age? I am wanting to be near a larger hospital should I need specialist etc.

Blackstone's Cafe is another great breakfast spot in Beaufort!

Dear Lord, it's BeauforT.. Not BeauforD. hard T. Thanks

When did 20 mins become a long drive? That's silly.

Completely disagree with about everything you said - Habersham IS beautiful, however it is Far from most everything, nothing to do nearby, and it’s a bit edgy getting there. Next Bluffton to me seems to always have lots and lots of traffic, as well as lots of new tract homes. -which is Not what I like. Beaufort is THE absolute most charming, historical, classy, & Beautiful place I have ever been! The people, the feel of the whole surrounding areas, including Lady’s Island, which “IS THAT GREAT”, contrary to your comments! It has lots of beautiful neighborhoods, Newpoint, Walling Grove, along with gorgeous neighborhoods on Sunset and Meridian roads, the Marina is also very charming, loads of nice restaurants and not just close to Beaufort downtown, but also the adorable Port Royal! Lots of charming old and new houses in cute neighborhoods!! I think you need to do a bit more homework before acting as if you are a good source of information.

7:33, I'm sorry a Senator until 2010? Did you mean 1910?

That slave who stole the ship and freed other slaves…I highly doubt he lived until 2010. He would have been like 170 years old my man.

Beaufort ends in a T. Is he saying Buford?

That restaurant super mediocre

Are there any other master planned communities like habersham in the low country?

ribaut is pronounced RE-balt ...u is silent..

that slave story was def not mathin right. good video tho

This yankee has no clue about Lady’s Island!

Until 2010 for Robert Smalls ? I don't think so!