South Carolina

Beloved for its sweeping beaches and noted for its international business climate, South Carolina is anything but a sleepy Southern state. Sure, there's a rich – and oftentimes contentious – history that colors local culture, but that's just a portion of the story behind this engaging, hospitable part of the country. It's also a place of gentility and fierce loyalty – to universities, to barbecue, to politics, to religion – and while residents might disapprove of your choice of governor, they'll serve you a slice of pie and call you "sugar" nevertheless, just because that's the way folks are treated in the South. Even so, change has transformed the state, and textiles and farming have given way to tourism and to business, thanks to the presence of companies like BMW and Michelin. Plus, golf is huge, and you'll find more than 300 courses in the state, along with a host of resort and retirement communities. Beyond the natural appeal of the beach, SC also promises higher-altitude attractions on its western edge, like hiking, fishing, camping, and biking – in fact, local and international athletes train hard on the Upstate's challenging terrain. They realize, like the state, that anything well-earned requires effort, and SC has done an admirable job transforming its presence and its role. These days, the tension between old and new, between the time-tested and the evolving, impart energy and promise to SC, as laid-back as it may appear at times. As a result, the state's draw is now manifold: Come for the history, come for the beaches, come for the Old South, but realize that new rules apply and new opportunities abound. Welcome, y'all.