Moving to South Carolina (Charleston, Summerville: house, rent, lease)

[servicead1014]

My family and I are thinking of relocating from north of Boston, MA and my mother is looking into retiring in the Charleston area.. It's cold here, it's expensive and we want to slow down and enjoy life a little more. SC sounds great to us. We both have well paying jobs at car dealerships and we are hoping to continue in the same industry if we move. The Savannah Highway seems to have a ton of dealerships. Is anyone familiar with the new apartment complex Abberly at West Ashley? We were thinking of renting there. I was just wondering what the neighborhood is like. Residential or city like? And what the school system is like. We have a four year old. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[emilybh]

It might be comparable to a Framingham with palm trees. A few sections might be comparable to Wellesley. Depending on where in West Ashley you live it will take anywhere from just a few minutes to 15 minutes or more to downtown.

Someone else will have to help you with the apartment complex question. I'm renting a townhouse and moved from Rhode Island but also lived in Chestnut Hill and
Wellesley.

[Annabelle]

"Framingham with palm trees" ...that made me laugh!

Emily, what about James Island, any similarities commercially/geographically to a New England location?
Thanks!

[emilybh]

Hmm. James Island compared to southern New England. Well on James Island you have a little bit of Beverly Mass with neighborhoods with exclusive mansion/ upper middle class homes built in the 1930s to 60's starting at $900k plus( to 2-3 million or more) on or near the ICW or looking directly across to the peninsula of Charleston. You can get a 2-3 bedroom condo in the same area or with a view for $600k plus or minus $150k. You can get homes in these neighborhoods without views for a lot less.

Northern James Island is FANTASTIC. It is where I live. I'm renting a townhouse in a complex on the ICW. I don't have an ICW view but its just down the street from me. From my place it's a 2 minute walk to a Piggly Wiggly grocery and to good restaurants including a tapas place and one with outdoor seating on the ICW... and Starbucks and a Whole Foods competitor called Earth Fare (which is better than the Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant in some respects -- better prices on organic produce for example) and more restaurants, shops and a library are all just a mile from me over the bridge in West Ashley.

Another half a mile to a mile from here takes you to downtown Charleston.

Imagine living in Beverly and having it take only 3 minutes to get to downtown Boston. Except for living in West Ashley which is noisier, you can't be off the peninsula and be as close to downtown living anywhere else (except the peninsula where nice areas are cost prohibitive for most). You are much farther away living in Mt. Pleasant. But this is relative. It might take you and extra five minutes or 10 or 15 in traffic.

Also imagine living in Beverly and having it take you just minutes to get to Cape Cod (being either Folly Beach which is just to the south of you or to Sullivan's Beach or Isle of Palms a little farther away in a different direction).

Also driving in the other direction on Folly Road on James island towards Folly Beach you pass various businesses including a Walmart (but the big box stores are hidden away behind trees). There are nice landscaped entrances -- unlike Framingham.

On the other hand there are a some places right next door that look a little shabby with huge murals painted on them. The box stores are mixed in with wayside stands selling produce and boiled peanuts and other local favorites. It's variety and apparent lack of zoning restrictions is all part of the charm of the South.

If you WANT to drive FARTHER to the beach, there is always Kiawah Island and Edisto Beach that are farther away in rural areas ..and beyond that Beaufort and Hilton Head all farther south before you hit GA.

[carrie0312]

we are moving to the charleston area in a few months thats right months. i just want a true view on the area. If anyone can give me an honest opinion let me know!!!!! We now live in New Jersey and I have lived in Columbus GA. So the south is not foreign to me...........................Please HELP

[servicead1014]

Are you happy that you moved? What is it about Charleston that you love compared to New England? What is the diversity like? We live in Danvers now. How would you compare it to Danvers? Any help/advice is appreciated! Which areas are good for children? I have a 4 year old. And are the bugs THAT bad??

[Annabelle]

Great reply, Emily. Thanks! The more I hear about James Island, the more I believe it is the type of area we are looking for. Sounds like it a diverse community ranging from the wealthy to the poor and everyone in between. I'm really looking forward to having so much to see and do all within close proximity to downtown.

We'll be visiting next week. Will report back with my take on the area.
Thanks!

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by Annabelle

Great reply, Emily. Thanks! The more I hear about James Island, the more I believe it is the type of area we are looking for. Sounds like it a diverse community ranging from the wealthy to the poor and everyone in between. I'm really looking forward to having so much to see and do all within close proximity to downtown.

We'll be visiting next week. Will report back with my take on the area.
Thanks!

Yes. Definitely there are blue collar as well as some poor areas in James Island but they mostly tend to be farther down and off of Folly Rd.

Along the ICW and the Ashley River you'll find some of the nicest areas of both James Island on one side, and West Ashley on the other side. These areas are also the most convenient to downtown.

There are other nice areas if you want more of a rural feel in the Lighthouse Point section of James Island but I was disappointed to find only miles of marsh and a few tidal creeks there and not a harbor area for Clark Sound like is pictured on Map Quest. If you want fantastic harbor views of the Ravenal Bridge and of downtown Charleston you'll want to drive along Wampler Drive on James Island. Those homes have the REALLY SPECTACULAR views of the harbor and of historic downtown and Sullivan's Beach.. but they have the disadvantage of being a ways from town and good shopping. Homes here will run in the millions (even a small run down ranch if you can find one will be in the millions).

James Island also has a really huge park including a water park, bike rentals, kayak rentals, fishing and tons of things to keep kids occupied. West Ashley I don't think has anything comparable.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by servicead1014

Are you happy that you moved? What is it about Charleston that you love compared to New England? What is the diversity like? We live in Danvers now. How would you compare it to Danvers? Any help/advice is appreciated! Which areas are good for children? I have a 4 year old. And are the bugs THAT bad??

This link should help anyone moving here with kids Lowcountry parent

Also there is an extensive thread about the bugs here. I suggest you look back a few pages of the threads started, find it and read it.

For comparisons to Massachusetts, look back a few pages on this thread and read my remarks.

[carrie0312]

we are moving in July to summerville area i just want a true idea of the area. Help!!!!