Situated on "The High Bluff" overlooking the beautiful May River, Bluffton in the early 1800s was the summering place for families of wealthy rice and cotton planters; they'd leave their plantations each year to escape the heat and insects. Everyone swam, boated, fished, crabbed, shrimped. In the cooler weather, locals enjoyed the abundant oysters, clams and scallops, as the Indians had long before. And as the present day residents still do.

Bluffton is one of the fastest growing areas in South Carolina. Home to a increasing number of businesses, many of them creative and artistic, as well as family neighborhoods and newly planned communities, the area offers a full price range of homes - grand modern estates to historic antebellum homes to affordable family homes ... and everything
in between.
 

The brand new Bluffton High School is located on the Buckwalter Parkway, making it easy to ride a bike or walk to school, or to visit friends in other nearby neighborhoods along the parkway.
 

With its 11 miles of shoreline, this 880-acre sea island sits in the heart of the Colleton River marshlands, made famous in Pat Conroy's book and the film, "The Prince of Tides." Here you will experience a rich relationship with nature and a haven from worldly pressures.

Spring Island is 5 miles away from the highway. So there is no traffic noise; mostly just the songs of birds and wind. People choose Spring Island because of its harmonious community nestled within a 3,000 acre nature park.
 

Commerce is in full swing in Okatie, with the addition of several new hotels, business parks and medical centers. High traffic shopping can be found in the New River area, just before you reach I-95. The new University of South Carolina campus provides increased education opportunities for the area, and new home communities are growing to accommodate both the University and the new Coastal Carolina Medical Center.
 

Just thirteen miles from Hilton Head Island, Sun City residents regularly enjoy its restaurants, entertainment, cultural opportunities and miles of Atlantic coastline. And within 30 minutes, those who call Sun City home can explore the historical sites in both Savannah, GA. and Beaufort, SC.

Within the gated, secure 4,300 acres, residents benefit from a state-of-the-art fitness club, two golf courses and Lake Somerset, a 22 acre fishing lake, as well as a softball field, tennis courts and swimming facility. Home prices begin at $118,900.

Riverbend, the waterfront gated community located along the banks of the Okatie River headwaters, is quickly becoming known for its ideal location, which is quite secluded, yet convenient to Hilton Head, Beaufort, Savannah and I-95. Developed in conjunction with Sun City Hilton Head, it also follows the government guidelines requiring that one resident per household must be age 55 or older.

Riverbend offers the opportunity to build your own custom home, appoint your own architect and choose your builder.

Along with full usage of the Riverbend amenities - pool, spa overlooking the Okatie River, the Landings Lodge with a broad verandah for watching wonderful sunsets - residents also enjoy the amenities that Sun City Hilton Head provides.

Riverbend's main entrance is off Hwy 170 through a fully staffed gatehouse. Homesites range from $67,000 for interior lots, to over $400,000 for estate-size waterfront lots.