Pepper’s Porch, a now-shuttered Bluffton restaurant once situated in an aging and aged old tobacco drying barn, used to have a gold star on its menu; it was called The Just Can’t Decide Platter. This was where many ended up. An inherent inability to decide mixed with the opportunity to enjoy fried pickles, shrimp, and a crab cake, etc., gets them every time. And, as it turns out, is a great metaphor for the Lowcountry.
Lots of folks living in the Lowcountry, homeowners and renters alike, still can’t decide where they really want to be. Bluffton vs Hilton Head, for some, remains fluid and moving, like a pine tree swaying during a hurricane. So, if you have your sights set on the Lowcountry, you have an important decision to make. Is it going to be Hilton Head Island, with its beautiful beaches and resort amenities? Or will you live in Bluffton, with its small-town vibe and eclectic flair?
While not everyone just can’t decide, to some the decision between these two equally attractive locales can be grueling. Each offers a distinct personality, lifestyle and culture. Both dazzle with charm and Lowcountry beauty.
So, which one is right for you? Forge on, dear reader, and see if the following sways you one way or the other.
Hilton Head Island
Since the island entered its modern era (aka Charles Fraser’s founding of Sea Pines), Hilton Head Island has constantly raised the bar for laid-back luxury living. As of late, it’s also redesigned itself as both a world-class destination and hometown.
Long thought of as simply a golf or beach getaway, the island has expanded its repertoire. Think beautiful beaches and parks, a thriving arts scene, and restaurants that offer siren calls to foodies. As more development finds its way outside of community gates, a concerted effort has helped create a more cohesive hometown. It’s certainly a boon for those looking to stay longer than a week vacation.
The Scene
Over the years, Hilton Head Island has cultivated a well-deserved reputation as an upscale hideaway. But be careful not to confuse upscale with stuffy. Hilton Head remains an oceanside paradise. The island never forgets that people are drawn here just as much by the professionally manicured fairways as they are the wide sandy beaches.
As such, Hilton Head Island thrills with a vibe that some describe as easy-going opulence. Save the tux for special occasions but keep your flip-flops handy. You’ll need them both. Yacht hops and golf tournaments might look down on denim, but a well-worn sarong and sandal can get you through most doors.
The Splendor
Hilton Head Island wrote the book on beachfront luxury. After all, there are high-end gated resort communities from the north end to south end. If you’re looking for extravagance, you’ll have plenty of options. On the north end, Windmill Harbour offers a nautical vibe amid lush waterfront views. Spanish Wells delights in Lowcountry splendor with deep water access and lush wooded lots. Mid-island the offerings expand to include Palmetto Hall, Wexford and Long Cove Club. And of course, on the south end is the one that started it all. Sea Pines stuns with luxury beachfront and golf view homes.
But for those unprepared to spend a small fortune on initiation fees and HOA dues, Hilton Head doesn’t disappoint. Hilton Head Plantation, taking up the lion’s share of the island’s ankle, offers amenities aplenty. There are large homesites and good old fashioned living that won’t have you spending too pretty a penny. Other smaller communities are popping up all over the island and welcome new residents with open arms.
The Setting
Since officially forming as a town in 1983, Hilton Head Island has strived to create a true hometown for residents. You’ll find plenty of year round activities for the family and no shortage of community organizations. There are also loads of volunteer opportunities at the island’s many non-profit organizations. The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina offers a packed calendar of terrific Broadway-quality shows. This has led to an arts scene that dazzles with works from many talented islanders. And, you’ll never have to go too far for groceries or a friendly farmer’s market. Speaking of friendly, Hilton Head Island’s public beach parks make it the envy of every East Coast beach town.
Bluffton
Once a sleepy little fishing village just over the bridge from its more famous neighbor, this one-square-mile town has come into its own over the last 20 years. That’s right…what was once a stretch of a speed trap you had to endure before you hit Hilton Head is now a destination.
Growth first came to the Buckwalter Parkway corridor with family-friendly communities adding new residents as quick as they could build new homes. That was Bluffton’s first boom. Soon, Bluffton’s one square mile started seeing some of the spotlight and got a new name: Old Town. It continues to shine as family centered neighborhoods take root.
The Scene
Bluffton is unapologetically eclectic, even as new developments create a more upscale vibe in Old Town. Park at the Calhoun Street Promenade and you’ll find gleaming luxury cars parked next to golf carts; the Southern charms of Bluffton don’t discriminate.
Bluffton has worn a lot of hats throughout its storied history (a breezy getaway for wealthy planters, a quiet farming town, a funky arts community) and each chapter has left an indelible imprint on Bluffton. The result is a town that can host a swanky oyster roast on the banks of the May River one month, then fill Calhoun Street with a cast of colorful characters for its infamous annual Christmas Parade.
The Splendor
Just because Bluffton has a funky side doesn’t mean it can’t wow you with dazzling luxury lifestyles. Gated communities line William Hilton Parkway and get real swanky real fast: think Colleton River, Belfair, Berkeley Hall, Rose Hill, and Moss Creek. Whether you’re looking for deep-water access, equestrian centers, or lush golf views, you’ll find it at any one of the luxury communities in Bluffton.
And further afield, there’s no Bluffton luxury without Palmetto Bluff. Developed with conversancy and charm in mind, residents enjoy quiet solitude among sprawling wooded lots or in cozy village cottages. Either way, you’ll be part of a community within a community offering every level of luxury.
The Setting
Decades of careful development have made Bluffton extraordinarily livable, with plenty of activities, amenities, shopping, and dining gathered around three distinct areas.
Berkeley Place, located along Buckwalter, offers restaurants, shops and movie theater. Just down the road, Buckwalter Place features a bowling alley, dining and grocery stores. Motoring down William Hilton Parkway will take you to various shopping centers. With mom and pop shops and big box stores, you’ll find plenty of shopping as well as numerous grocery stores and restaurants. Finally, Old Town Bluffton has reinvented itself in recent years as a fully walkable and golf cart friendly destination. There’s fine dining and quaint antique stores just steps away from historic churches and cocktail lounges.
In between, Bluffton’s many parks let the kids be kids while you enjoy tranquil river views and the small-town vibe of this once-tiny river town.
The Conclusion
Still can’t decide? Maybe it’ll help to think of the two towns as one big embrace. There are Lowcountry residents aplenty who think nothing of driving over the bridge to shop at their favorite grocery store or dine at their favorite restaurant. Bluffton isn’t impervious to the ocean scented breezes of Hilton Head. The island can’t escape Bluffton’s ‘what’s old is new’ eclectic scene. Where you choose to lay your head is just a physical location; consider yourself fortunate to have two picturesque towns at your fingertips.
