Hilton Head & Bluffton Lifestyle

Americans are a mobile people. Families are far-flung, turning “over the hills and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go” into “let’s use our frequent flyer miles.”

We are no longer tied to the family homestead. We can live anywhere we want, and we do. Most of us limit that wanderlust to our countries of birth, but not always. (Just listen to the accents at the Pineland Station Starbucks.)

Sometimes volunteerism takes on a life of its own. There’s volunteer service, and then there’s extraordinary volunteer service.

Five Hilton Head Island High School juniors dreamed a simple dream to satisfy the 20 hours of community service required by the college-level International Baccalaureate diploma program they were pursuing.

Calling all artists (and non-artists). Hilton Head Monthly is looking for a flag to represent Hilton Head Island and Bluffton’s community spirit following Hurricane Matthew. Design a flag on the surface of your choice.

AUBURN, Indiana (September 29, 2016) – Following a successful debut in South Carolina last Fall, Auctions America proudly returns to the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance (HHIMF), November 5. A boutique event by Auctions America standards – entries to the auction were strategically capped to just 120 motor cars—the sale at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa will provide an exciting close to the company’s 2016 auction calendar.

Many are drawn to the Lowcountry each year because of its beautiful beaches, world-class resorts and wide selection of restaurants, shopping and activities. For those who decide to stay year-round, there is another big draw: the luxurious communities residents call home.

Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Daufuskie Island and the greater Lowcountry as a whole are shining examples of well-planned residential development. The communities here are designed to be environmentally friendly, preserving much of the beautiful natural surroundings and designed to grow strategically over time. Each community in the area offers its own unique draws, and no matter what you’re looking for there is sure to be a neighborhood that fits your needs.

The Lowcountry has a calming effect. It soothes your spirit and calms your mind. The environment here moves a little bit slower, and makes things a little less stressful. Worries are washed away with salt water and sand.

Here, life truly imitates art. Spanish moss draped across live oaks, sunsets against salt marshes and canopies of trees brimming with wildlife; it’s a little more lyrical, a little less corporate and, for those who live in this undeniably special place, it’s home.

The revolution of development. POPULATION BOOM BRINGS CHANGES OF ALL TYPES

There is no easy way to sum up the changes this region has experienced since 1985, the first year of Hilton Head Monthly’s predecessor, the Property Owners Report.

Consider the differences between 1985 and today.

It’s no secret southern Beaufort County has grown rapidly in the past 30 years, with golf-loving retirees driving the boom.

In 1985, Hilton Head Island had over 17,000 full-time residents. The U.S. Census Bureau now estimates more than 40,000 people call the island home.

The town of Bluffton’s rise has been even more dramatic, with a jump from 3,500 residents in 2000 to a current estimated population of nearly 17,000.

Samples of Rashawn's photos. Top right: Rashawn and his friends kicking off the event

In July, Special Olympics and Recreation (SOAR) teamed up with Engel & Völkers to share the beauty of Hilton Head through the eyes of our local Special Olympians.

Five Special Olympians were partnered with five local amateur photographers who taught them how to take professional-quality photographs.  It was no surprise that these gifted athletes turned out to be gifted photographers, and many discovered a new passion.