Wondering if South Carolina, is a good move for a Jewish family (Charleston: schools, moving to)

[DJShymansky]

Nicely put, SCJJ.

[justNancy]

I am still trying to figure out how to navigate around the city-data forums, so I'm glad I made it back here!


Thanks for clearing up the "kids in trailers" comment. Actually, I lived in a mobile home park for many years, so being in an area with some nicely kept trailer parks wouldn't bother me, but I started to get a picture in my head of people living on the side of the road in Fifth Wheels from the description.

[Charleston native]

Keep in mind that the figures for Chas County's poverty percentage increase are concentrated in the areas that have been problem-areas for years, basically downtown north of Spring Street and N. Charleston. Areas like West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island are economically supurb, with many new neighborhoods, shopping centers, and parks being planned or built. Properties there may be a tad more in price, but you're paying for the nearby access to the many waterways around the city.

[meks]

Charleston has always had a very large Jewish population, many of whom help found this city and made it prosper... Jewish roots go way back hundreds of years here

most of Mt.Pleasant is pretty new, it's a melting pot of mostly Christians and agnostics I believe... a lot of Summerville is old conservative Christian, and most of that population is only 20 yrs old

I have many Jewish and Christians in my family...

[trish723]

We live in Summerville having moved from Mt.P where we lived there for 14yrs. Honestly, you can get more home for the money. Try The Summit, Pineforest, and Walnut Farms subdivisions. Our son goes to a private school called Pinewood Preparatory. It's great here. Also, the country hill billies rednecks are being pushed out further into the "rural" areas. Northerners and retirees, upscale families weeding them out. A synagouge is in downtown Chas. about 35 mins away. Soccer is everywhere. Call the Summerville Chamber of Commerce. Take note you rarely get responses from emails from business/churches etc. Not sure why. Good luck with your move.

[RedgirlV]

We are just getting our research on Charleston started...I've done the standard call the community center and a few synagogues...

Do any locals have more info on Daniel Island, James & John Island, or West Ashely Jewish/Israeli communities? What about schools in those areas?

We are primarily English speakers but my other half does speak Hebrew with the kid. Are there non-religious Hebrew/Israeli activities, camps, etc.

Any info is helpful. Thanks!

[In the Pines]

I'm friends with several Jewish families here in Summerville. They seem to love living here. I understand about your hesitation. I'm Catholic and not all parts of SC or the country as a whole are as welcoming to Catholics as Charleston and Summerville. I can say for certain that my family has felt very welcomed here in Summerville - much more so than in some other towns I've lived in.

I hope you visit soon and fall in love with Summerville and Charleston like so many others have.

[IOPbaby]

Originally Posted by justNancy

However, your post did bring up some concerns, so I might have to choose another part of SC. like Irmo where it's more affordable. I don't want to buy a nice home in a economically poor town where there is a lot of families living in poverty.

Irmo is a tiny town and from all you've mentioned, doesn't sound like what you're looking for. Also, it's in the middle of the state and it gets soooo hot there in the summer! Of course, it's hot everywhere in SC but at least on the coast you have the ocean breezes, and upperstate is a little better because it's closer to the mountains.

[carolinajack]

sure it is, if you are just going to be yourself and not get upset if others are acting like themselves. it is very pluralistic there, in Mt P, so people come in all shapes and sizes and colors and religions.

so im not sure why your being jewish would be a prob. i know some great jewish friends who live in MP, my hometown, and west ashley and own great delis, etc

one of the oldest jewish synagogues in america is in charleston and one of our long standing police chiefs was Jewish--so i dont knwo what would be an issue of your jewishness there

[MichaelNYC]

Hi DL,

Did you make the move to the Chas. area ?

Read over my post, we want to move to the Chas. area as well....

Michael
Another Yankee (Brooklyn, NY) moving South to Charleston, with some questions