Affordable Beaufort Storage Units

Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether traveling across town or the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we put together this resource guide for Beaufort.

About Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort is a small town of about 12,000 people on Port Royal Island in South Carolina. It sits on the water's edge of a protected bay. Bay Street, a popular street in downtown Beaufort, runs along the water. It has nice views from the restaurants and the antebellum-style properties, with their southern charm, which line the waterfront.

Beaufort is the county seat of Beaufort County. The U.S. military has a significant presence in the Beaufort area. The population doubled when the military came to Beaufort in the 1940s and 1950s. There is a Navy hospital and Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort and a military base on nearby Parris Island.

What to do in Beaufort

Beaufort is considered a popular destination location for tourists. There are around 20 art galleries to enjoy. The Arts Council manages a 12,000-square-foot community center called ARTworks, with many art galleries and a theater. The center has working artists' studios, a music store, workshops, classes, and after-school programs.

Both tourists and locals enjoy the Home Water Festival, held for two weeks in mid-July, and the Shrimp Festival each year on the first weekend in October. In the middle of February, there is the Beaufort International Film Festival screening independent films.

The local restaurants sponsor an event called A Taste of Beaufort is held on the first Saturday in May. This event offers a downtown celebration with food, wine, and live bands on Main Street.

During fall, a Tour of Homes is sponsored by the Historic Beaufort Foundation. Another home tour, offered during spring, is of the southern-style homes and plantations in the surrounding area. It is called St. Helena's Spring Tour of Homes.

The performing arts center at the University of South Carolina Beaufort offers events produced by regional and nationally-touring theatrical companies.

Working in Beaufort

The downtown area of Beaufort is designed for tourism. In this part of the town, there are many hospitality services, restaurants, and bars. About two million tourists visit Beaufort each year. These jobs provide about 12% of local employment.

About 13% of those employed work in construction, 12% in retail, and 11% in public administration. Professionals represent 10% of those employed. Healthcare workers are around 9%. About 11% work in business administration and support services.

The military is a large federal employer for those in military service and civilians supporting military operations.

Beaufort Neighborhoods

Over 300 acres in Beaufort are designated as a National Historic Landmark. In the downtown historic district, there is the commercial area surrounded by the neighborhoods of the Bluff, the Old Commons, the Old Point, and the Northwest Quadrant.

Toward the northern side of Beaufort is the Beaufort National Cemetery, with the neighborhoods of Higginsonville and Pigeon Point built around it. This area has two large city parks, the Basil Green Recreation Complex and the Pigeon Point Community Park. The top neighborhoods in Beaufort include:

• Drayton Street and Geiger Boulevard: Median Home Price is $354,866
• City Center: Median Home Price is $327,124
• Boundary Street and Ribaut Road: Median Home Price is $270,671
• Boundary Street and Broad River Boulevard: Median Home Price is $262,779
• Laurel Bay and Burton: Median Home Price is $177,279
• Laurel Bay Boulevard and Bobwhite Drive: Median Home Price is $161,987
• Seabrook and Grays Hill: Median Home Price is $118,390

Beaufort School District

Beaufort is in the Beaufort County School District. The area has 16 public schools, three charter schools, and six private schools.

Public Schools, Charter Schools, & Private Schools: There are eight elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools. The charter schools are Riverview Charter School, Lowcountry Montessori, and Bridges Preparatory School. The private schools are Agape Christian Academy, Beaufort Academy, Beaufort Christian School, St. Peter's Catholic School, and Trinity Classical Academy.

Colleges and Universities: The University of South Carolina has its campus in north Beaufort. The main campus of the Technical College of the Lowcountry is in Beaufort. Clemson University has an extension campus in Beaufort.

Moving to Beaufort Resource Guide

If you are relocating to Beaufort, here is the information you need to start in your new place.

• Driver's License and Auto Registration: Register vehicles and get a driver's license or an identification card by contacting the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Gas and Electricity: Provided by Dominion Energy (previously South Carolina Energy & Gas). The fastest way to sign up for new services is to make an application online.
• Water and Sewer: Services are provided by the Beaufort-Jasper Water Sewer Authority. New services can be requested online.
• Trash and Recycling Services: Provided by WastePro. New services can be requested online.
• Telephone: Service in the Beaufort area can be compared at Wirefly.
• Television/Internet: Television and Internet connection choices can be compared at Cable TV.
• Beaufort Municipal and County Government: The municipal government of the City of Beaufort has offices at 1911 Boundary Street, telephone: 843-525-7070. City parks are maintained by the City of Beaufort Parks Department. Beaufort County Parks and Recreation supports intramural team athletics for baseball, basketball, cheerleaders, football, soccer, and softball. There are recreational facilities with sports fields, tennis courts, and playground spaces for children.

Beaufort Housing

The median household income in Beaufort, South Carolina, is around $35,000 per year, about the same as other cities in South Carolina. The cost of living in Beaufort is 9% higher than the rest of South Carolina and 5% higher than the national average. The median home price is $200,500, 40% higher than the rest of South Carolina. About 55% of homes are owner-occupied.

Some many young professionals and families live in Beaufort. The median age of residents is around 33 years old. For those who cannot afford to buy a home, the median rental price is only $839, which is just 3% higher than the rest of South Carolina.