Visited Summerville last weekend.. (Charleston, Mount Pleasant: for sale, high crime, custom home)

[nelson]

If you want to be a little bit away from the ocean, I suggest you look at Summerville. It has good schools, excellent shopping within 5 miles, good grocery stores (Publix!!), doctors, and restaurants. It is also near major interstates (I-26). Far enough from the ocean 20+ miles in case a medium hurricane should hit the area (actually an unlikely event). Mt. Pleasant has excellent schools, controlled growth policies, good doctors, excellent shopping, great restaurants, and is within 2-3 miles of the ocean (great if you like early morning beach walks or shelling). Both towns are the two best in the eastern portion of the state (in my opinion). I lived in the area for 13 years until I moved away last year. Home prices are higher in Mt. Pleasant for same quality home in Summerville. School systems in most of SC are not very good compared to Massachusetts, N.J. or simliar areas in Northeast so be sure to check them out if you have school aged kids and decide to move somewhere other than Summerville or Mt. Pleasant in the eastern portion of the state. Daniel Island, just west of Mt. Pleasant is a great place (designed community) but I'm not sure of the schools (Hanahan, I think). Conway is another possibility... 15-20 miles from ocean. We have family there, but the city doesn't seem to have the same togetherness that Summerville, Mt. Pleasant or Daniel Island have. Hope this helps.

[ah2007]

My interest has been piqued by the debate regarding Summerville and Mt. Pleasant. It would appear that there is some truth in all of the posts regarding both of these towns. If you do not make your way into Historic Summerville then you are likely to be discouraged by the strip malls and stores dotted along the main entrance closest to the interstate. As is the case with most towns just off of the interstate, turning the wrong way and traveling in the opposite direction of the town can cause you to to encounter an area much less appealing visually than if you make your way to the Historic District. If you enter the actual town of Summerville you will see the small town center with more charming shops circling an area of green where the residents get together to celebrate July 4th or where Santa sits when he greets the children in December. Just past this area is the small, but charming Azalea Park where residents often picnic, have Easter egg hunts, or where small weddings are held when the flowers are in peak bloom. Azalea Park is also a great place to play tennis, go for walks, or take family pictures. If you drive around Historic District you will see varied architectural styles as some homes are newer than others and despite the strict restrictions placed on development in this area it is far from a "planned community" such as one you might see in Mt. Pleasant. Furthermore, because the town of Summerville, as opposed to the greater area known as Summerville, is so small and quaint most of the residents know each other because they attend church together, play sports together, or work together.

In fact, comparing the two towns of Summerville and Mt. Pleasant is like comparing two very dissimilar objects or in this case locations. Unlike Mt. Pleasant, Summerville does not have subdivisions that exist as their own communities such as Park West, Belle Hall, River Towne, or Dunes West. I recently spoke with a resident of Mt. Pleasant who was discouraged because in her experience Mt. Pleasant residents are often categorized by others in their community according to the subsection of the subdivision the resident lives in. For example, one might be thought to have more of a social standing if they live in the back of Belle Hall's massive community as opposed to one of the neighborhoods towards the front. I guess this is why there is such a disparity among housing prices in Mt. Pleasant despite the fact that the location (although separated by neighborhoods within a neighborhood) is still the same, schools are still the same, and all are supported by the same infrastructure.

I am curious about the "excellent" scores for the schools in Mt. Pleasant as it is my understanding that Mt. Pleasant's schools are in the Charleston County School District which is known to be one of the worst public school districts in the lowcountry. To clarify something that was posted by another member of this site, Summerville is in District 2 not District 4. District 4 encompasses a totally different area such as Ridgeville, Harleyville, and St. George. It is my understanding that District 2 schools are among the most desirable schools in the lowcountry area. Unfortunately, SC schools are among the worst in the nation so I guess you should be concerned with the facts regarding test scores if you have to send your child to a public school in any of our counties.

I digress, I was hoping to make the point that Summerville can not be compared to Mt. Pleasant realistically because one is a coastal town and one is not. One town has high dollar developers who have taken the town over and made it beautiful by their standards, as well as unaffordable to many, while the other is unfortunately in the process of going that way. Mt. Pleasant sprawls on and on with some developments being more attractive than others, and Summerville on a smaller scale has some areas that are definitely more desirable than others. Mt. Pleasant has the beaches, and miles and miles of shops and restaurants to attract tourist, and Summerville has its small town charm and Middleton Gardens as its primary attractions. If you do not want to fight with traffic then don't bother trying to maneuver through the main roads and frontage roads of Mt. Pleasant. Unfortunately, as the developers from Mt. Pleasant turn their sights to Summerville our traffic is getting worse. Lastly, Summerville is unpretentious so if that is what you like then this is the place for you. If you are looking for an increase in cost of living then Mt. Pleasant may be the best place for you to be. (This is not to say that people in Mt. Pleasant are pretentious, but there is a definite "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality that seems to prevail in that area.) It would be interesting to know the differences in foreclosure rates for the two areas as it would appear that many have gotten in way over their heads in order to live in such a desirable and highly overpriced area. I say this because many of the plans for the homes built in Mt. Pleasant have been built in Summerville for up to $130,000 difference in price. In order to be a good steward of my money I can't justify spending that much more for the same house just because one house is in Mt. Pleasant and one is in Summerville. I'll spend a little more on the gas to go to the beaches or go boating whenever my schedule will allow and save $100,000+ for things of a higher and lofty nature.

[emilybh]

I think that the greater Charleston area is far too big and spread out for anyone to see it all in just two days. I was there for a week and didn't see it all. I would not pass judgement after just a two day trip.

I liked the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant but was disappointed to see so many ranch style homes so close together and not nearly enough southern style homes. Also while driving around Mt. Pleasant, except for Snee Farm, everywhere I drove in the area seemed to have too many vinyl sided homes on yards that looked small with driveways even smaller on narrow roads. I've just come to the conclusion that it is, what it is. Unfortunately, I didn't see much nice architechure like you see on Battery St downtown except on a few streets in the Old Village but I thought Sullivan's Beach was really pretty and Isle of Palms was too. I loved the homes near Sullivans Beach and thought it was too bad, the Old Village didn't have more homes like that. So I definitely would need another week exploring to see what i missed and maybe give James Island, West Ashley and parts of Johns Island a closer look.

[joyeaux]

[
Park West, Belle Hall, River Towne, or Dunes West. I recently spoke with a resident of Mt. Pleasant who was discouraged because in her experience Mt. Pleasant residents are often categorized by others in their community according to the subsection of the subdivision the resident lives in. For example, one might be thought to have more of a social standing if they live in the back of Belle Hall's massive community as opposed to one of the neighborhoods towards the front.


ah2007, you've got that right! Mt. P subdivision subsections are just plain segregation to me...not racist, but definitely "classist". Perhaps another thread here?

[USCJoe]

I have read the recent comments comparing Mt. Pleasant and Summerville with interest, particularly the references to the schools in the area to include Charleston County. An article in the Post and Courier Newspaper today mentioned a recent study and commented as follows:
" Standardized math and reading tests taken by South Carolina's public school students are among the nation's most difficult, according to a report to be released today.State education officials said the study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute again confirms what they have said for years — that it is impossible to compare the quality of education between states by test scores alone.... A report released in June by the National Center for Education Statistics also found S.C. standards among the highest in the country."
Dependent upon the validity of this study an argument might be made that the education that a child receives in many of the schools in the Charleston area to include Summerville and Mt. Pleasant may very well be comparable to that received in many of the other touted school systems located in other states.

From my experience and from comments made by many others on this forum, the traffic during rush hour is heavy both in Mt. Pleasant as well as Summerville. Neither has the volume in traffic experienced in many other areas of the country.

Having lived in Mt. Pleasant for many years, I have not experienced a "keeping up with the Jones" or pretentious attitude on the part of the residents. There are many subsections in Mt. Pleasant subdivisions, but I certainly would not call such a situation segregation or "classist." The subsections are often times composed of homes built by "tract" builders intermingled with sections of in most cases larger custom homes. I have never found a reluctance on the part of families living in one of the more expensive subsections to associate with families from a less expensive neighborhood.

From the comments of emilybh, it would seem that she/he certainly needs to explore Mt. Pleasant further, as there are many communities in which one will find homes with beautiful Southern architecture. I would highly recommend that the area be explored with a Realtor familiar with the area and the many communities found throughout the Charleston area be it Mt. Pleasant, Summerville or any of the other super areas in the lowcountry.

[Luvsdabeach]

I haven't had the pleasure of living anywhere else so I have no idea what the traffic is like anywhere else. I have only seen how much it has increased dramacially in the last 10 yrs but especially the last 5 yrs. here.

Howe Hall Arts Infused Magnet School in Goose Creek recently won an award as one of the top 5 arts school in the US.

[moneill]

Summerville has the same subdivision separation. Every town does. When you say you are from a certain subdivision you are immediately identified into a vague financial grouping.

Mount Pleasant may be more well known but I guarantee you once you move to Summerville, the first question asked will be "Where do you live?"....and whatever answer you give will identify something about you.

I'm looking at The Ponds myself

[moneill]

It is possible to have some of the best schools in the worst school district.

It is possible that the Mount Pleasant schools are highly rated but the Charleston district schools aren't overall.

Sounds like you are a bit defensive about the Summerville experience. I don't know why. Enjoy your choice and be able to appreciate that some of the things offered in Summerville aren't for everybody...and of course....Mount Pleasant is not for everyone either.

I did like Brickyard Plantation.........the only subdivision we cruised thoroughly on Mount Pleasant.

The problem with finding historic Summerville is having to drive through 'anywhere' USA with the box stores, chain restaurants but it does exist.

I'm excited about things like the Middle School for the Perfomring Arts...that's fun!!!!!

[imperieux]

Originally Posted by moneill

I'm looking at The Ponds myself

I currently live in White Gables, but I have to admit, The Ponds looks like a very promising new master planned community.

I've had no plans to sell my home here and buy in another neighborhood because I am so happy here in White Gables, but it has definitely piqued my interest.

Does anyone here have any more information about this new subdivision? Should I start a new thread about this?

(Maybe I should just hop in the car and go check it out myself, it's only a few minutes away after all!)

[DJShymansky]

I can e-mail you the info packet about The Ponds, if you'd like.