Retirees are attracted to Wyboo’s lakefront living
Wyboo offers a laid-back lifestyle on Lake Marion, South Carolina’s largest lake. Locals often spend their days boating to restaurants, fishing in quiet coves or golfing on the community's two 18-hole courses. These recreational opportunities appeal to retirees looking to escape the bustle of big cities like Columbia and Charleston, which are both about 90 miles away. “They move here to get away from the city and be outside,” says Susan Stroman, a Realtor with Premier Properties of the Carolinas, who has sold several homes in the area. Wyboo is also known for its friendly atmosphere, where neighbors wave to one another as they pass by in boats or golf carts. “People won’t even necessarily know each other, but that just speaks to how welcoming everybody is,” Stroman says.
Some houses line Lake Marion, and others sit on a golf course
Mobile homes, ranch styles and New Traditionals dot Wyboo’s winding roads and cul-de-sacs, shaded by live oak and pine trees. Some homes back up to Lake Marion with docks and boat slips, while others front the community’s golf courses: Wyboo Golf Club and The Players Course at Wyboo. Smaller inland homes typically range from $60,000 to $175,000, and larger ones may cost between $200,000 and $450,000. Waterfront houses often start at around $500,000, with some reaching $1 million. The community also has condos, generally selling for between $68,000 and $190,000. Houses near the water may be at risk of flooding.
Lake Marion offers boating, swimming and fishing access
Though a few tourists visit Wyboo’s RV parks and campgrounds every summer, it doesn’t affect the community too much. “The lake gets a little busier, but people tend to just stay at their camp sites when they’re not on the water,” Stroman says. Alex Harvin Landing is a public boat ramp in the area. Once on Lake Marion, boaters can drop an anchor to swim or catch largemouth bass, catfish and crappie. Trails for hiking, canoeing and kayaking stretch past cypress trees at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge’s Cuddo Unit on Wyboo’s western edge. Santee State Park, about 22 miles southwest, has more boat ramps, hiking trails and a fishing pier.
Wyboo has two 18-hole golf courses
The Players Course at Wyboo and the Tom Jackson-designed Wyboo Golf Club each have 18-hole layouts overlooking Lake Marion. Membership packages and public tee times are available at both. “There’s not much of a difference between them,” Stroman says. “It’s just nice for locals to be near both, because if one’s too busy, they can just book a tee time at the other one.”
Locals can boat to restaurants and church in Wyboo
Shopping and dining are limited in Wyboo, with only a few convenience stores and restaurants. Thommy Mac’s is a popular spot to eat wings, listen to live music and watch football games. People can boat to Fayz at the Lake, a small shack-style restaurant serving fried shrimp, okra and banana splits. Santee Summer Ministry, locally dubbed “Boat Church,” is another waterfront spot. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, locals can hop in their boats, dock near the shore and listen to Methodist services delivered from the lawn. Manning, about 10 miles north, has grocery stores like Walmart Supercenter and Piggly Wiggly. There’s also a small downtown district with bakeries, boutiques and seafood restaurants.
Dual enrollment classes are available at Manning High
Clarendon County School District serves the community. Kids can attend prekindergarten through third grade at Manning Early Childhood Center, which has yet to be graded by Niche. They may continue to B-minus-rated Manning Elementary and A-minus-graded Manning Junior High before going to Manning High, which gets a C-plus. The high school offers dual enrollment classes with the University of South Carolina Sumter, about 33 miles north.
Wyboo is convenient for boats, golf carts and cars
While boats and golf carts are popular ways to get around the area, Wyboo is also easily accessible by car, though there is no public transit option in the area. State Route 260 takes drivers to Manning, home to McLeod Health Clarendon. Interstate 95 connects with other highways to reach Columbia and Charleston, which both have major airports. “It can take about an hour and a half to get to either city, so retired people in the area are still somewhat close to their families,” Stroman says.
