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My husband's is being relocated from the Seattle area (which we love!). We can choose between Franklin, TN, Tampa, FL (near the airport), and North Charleston, SC. I have been doing research on these area's, trying to decide which would be the best for our family. We have 6 children, ranging from 3 to 20, so good public education is a priority, as well as safety! I'd like to get an insiders view to some of these areas. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!
His work will be in North Charleston? You could be in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, Goose Creek, Hanahan and Summerville, including a few other spots, and still be within a very reasonnable commute for him. I'd recommend checking into all of the above areas as well as making a couple trips down to see the places for yourself. That'll work wonders in helping you decide which is a best fit for your family.
Charleston has a lot to offer, but hopefully you would be able to visit all 3 cities to get a better feel as to what each area has to offer. Where in North Charleston will you be working? Summerville would be a good nearby option for schools. Mt Pleasant is in Charleston County but has some great schools. If you are a beach person, then Franklin is a long distance from water. Franklin home prices are also higher than in the North Charleston area, if that is important to your budget. Franklin would be a pretty safe area, whereas North Charleston is sketchy. Keep us posted on your decision!
Dorchester County Schools have one of the best reputations in the State. Sounds like your husband is being transferred with Boeing. I've helped many families relocate here. Good luck to you.
While there are some good neighborhoods in North Charleston, they will be the exception not the rule. In other area towns, the good neighborhoods will be the rule, not the exception.
One area considered most desirous for living conditions and schools is Mount Pleasant but it will be costly there.
The general Summerville area will be attractive as it is one of the nicer, more reasonable cost areas.
Ollie, my family just recently relocated here from the PNW as well. We lived all over Snohomish, Pierce and Thurston counties. If you tell me the communities you like best in WA I can tell you what would suit you here. As stated above, your budget is a HUGE factor.
The one thing you'll find is how much more cleary defined the subdivisions are here. If I said I live in "Charleston National" in Mount Pleasant nearly everyone would know what I was talking about. If I told someone on a similar board in WA that I lived in Brighton Park in Lake Stevens they would all look at me like I was nuts. Don't be surprised if people start pointing you towards specific subdivisions within cities, as the styles within the subdivisions vary significantly.
I'm going to assume with the size of your brood that you will be looking for a fairly large house. The one thing I noticed was how small the older homes were. Feel free to respond here or PM me directly if you have any questions.
Thanks everyone for your input. Sounds like the Summerville area would be a good fit for our active family. We would need at least 4 bedrooms, and couldn't go above about $230. Still trying to decide between Tampa and Charleston. I don't know if we will be able to visit both before having to make our decision, so I'm relying a lot on word of mouth. Thanks for all your comments!!
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