Sumter is in the center of South Carolina, just 44 miles east of Columbia. Home to Shaw Air Force Base, a big supporter of the local economy, the city enjoys a thriving tourism industry with Swan Lake Iris Gardens, the "Crown Jewel" of Sumter, as the number one attraction. Golf, festivals and a mild climate helped land Sumter a spot on the Top 10 Places to Retire by Retirement Lifestyle Magazine.