Van Wyck, SC

Van Wyck sits in northern Lancaster County along the Catawba River, giving residents a quiet, rural feel just south of the North Carolina border. U.S. 521 runs right through the area, so commuting into Charlotte or heading down to Lancaster is straightforward. The community officially became a town in 2017 to help preserve its open farmland, though its roots trace back to an 1880s railroad stop. Local history buffs also love mentioning that George Washington spent a night nearby during his 1791 southern tour. It offers a relaxed, spread-out atmosphere that stays close to bigger city conveniences.