Moving to Charleston/MUSC/recommendations (Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach: real estate, apartments, condo)

[ichaudry2]

Hi. I am moving to charleston from Madison in feb and need a place that is close to MUSC (10-20) but in a safe area with lots to do....Hopefully i'd like to keep rent around $1000. any suggestions?

thanks

[echobeach]

You can find many apartments just off the peninsula only a few minutes drive to MUSC. There are several condo developments on Camp Road on James Island just off Folly a bit and I have recently priced 1 BR (and some 2!) for as low as $750 but most around $950. There always seem to be rentals available in this area. Driving into Charleston proper from Camp Road puts you right at MUSC (literally - it begins at the first street light when you take the Calhoon exit). When I have visited my nephew on Camp Road this drive took less than 10 minutes, albeit not at rush hour. The rentals I have perused on the Penisula in the $1000 range -- if you want your own place and don't want to share -- appear to be in questionable nabes north of Calhoun. I am no expert but when driving north of MUSC on Meeting St, the change in the housing & neighborhood was unbelievably dramatic: garbage, defunct businesses, drug deals in braod daylight, etc...and this is just a few blocks away from MUSC and some of the most upscale shopping in Charleston - and one of its priciest hotels. Frankly, even for someone used to how quickly a neighborhoods can change - block by block in many areas here in Brooklyn - I was still kind of shocked as was my sister.

As far as "things to do" you probably will have to go to Downtown Charleston for the "really happening" bars and clubs but there seem to be places to hang out right on James Island - hopefully someone else can fill you in on that. Still the drive from James Island to downtown is minimal - especially at night.

From Camp Road, near the Folly intersection, you are only about 10-15 minutes to Folly Beach (which rocks BTW). Most things you need - 24 hour Walgreens, Walmart, food shopping are within a few minutes of the Camp/Folly intersection. If you have not done so already, begin with one of the real estate web sites like Prudential to get a better picture of what's available - I have been working with an excellent agent there in prep for moving to Charleston next spring. The maps they have for most of their properties are really helpful and once you know where the apartment is then you can scan the tons of threads here about specific neighborhoods.

Good luck with your move!

[Jim3310]

I'm guessing echobeach is talking about Point James or Brigadier. They work.

I've found that most MUSC people that are renting can be located at the following places. These are all within your price range.

'The Peninsula' and 'The Regatta' both on James Island, but closer to the connector into downtown Charleston.

Also, 'The Concorde West of the Ashley' is just across the bridge from downtown in the other direction.

I would tend to stay on this side of the bridge rather than the Mount Pleasant side, but that is an option as well.

We can send you samples of available listings if you like.

jim