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My husband and I will be visiting my parents in Bluffton in a few weeks and we'd like to spend a couple days checking out Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Whenever we visit my parents, we always start talking about how we should move down there and from what I've read on here, it sounds like Mount Pleasant might be worth considering. So, we'd like to spend a couple days getting to know the area a little. We're not in a rush and we visit my parents a few times a year, so we have lots of time to decide! Right now we live in a suburb outside of Philadelphia. My husband hates the weather here and our house is over 100 years old, so the idea of better weather and a newer house is very appealing.
So, here's my info:
1. Budget - $400-$500k
2. House/Condo/Townhome? - House
3. Employment Status(commute/work from home) - Self-employed, work from home
4. Children(public school vs. private) - Yes, would prefer public school, but would possibly consider private
5. Suburban, Coastal or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of them together (or even Rural) - Suburban or suburban and coastal
6. Amenities preferred or must-haves - Not too far from shopping and restaurants
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood - Looking for a neighborhood that has a lot of families
And here's my questions:
1. Are there any neighborhoods or new developments we should look at while we're there? Are most of the communities in Mount Pleasant gated? Looking at houses online gave me that impression.
2. How is the crime in Mount Pleasant? Living right outside of Philly, we have a lot of burglaries and we've had our house nearly broken into twice, so I'm concerned about safety.
3. What restaurants should we try in Charleston and Mount Pleasant?
4. What attractions should we visit in Charleston?
I definitely appreciate any input you have and I'm excited to plan our trip!
mt. pleasant sounds right for you for good public schools, convenience, safety, and your price point can easily be fit.
i can't answer the question about how common gated communities are. i've mainly been to communities that have an HOA but aren't gated. i forget the proper term for these. nice houses, lots of families.
And here's my questions:
3. What restaurants should we try in Charleston and Mount Pleasant?
4. What attractions should we visit in Charleston?
I definitely appreciate any input you have and I'm excited to plan our trip!
as a transplant to SC from WI and one who goes down to Charleston frequently for day trips, a few things we enjoy seeing/doing.
- The beach. We prefer Isle of Palms, it has a nice park setting plus some restaraunts and shops in walking distance.
- Historic area of Charleston. From relaxing at Waterfront park (near every time we've seen dolphins in the bay there), to walking downtown and it's shops/the "market", to taking a carriage ride or walking tour of the home sites, to checking out the forts (Moultrie can be driven to, Sumter is a boat ride), to even the Aquarium. Lets not forget the plantations nearby; Magnolia is our go-to ( it's gardens can be amazing and the ponds usually have plenty of gators for us "northerners" to see lol) but there are several in the area that offer tours and sightseeing.
- eating. Well this will get plenty of suggestions. We've enjoyed the Noisy Oyster and Crab Shack in town, and actually like hitting the Banana Cabana by the beach for a lunch when we're there. And while it's more of a regional spot then local, i do like Sticky Fingers for it's food and blues music background (hey it was new to me even if it is kind of a chain lol).
- lastly, due to it's location near Bluffton, i'd add a drive thru the Savannah National Wildlife park near Hardeeville (close to SC/GA border). It's a long path you drive thru to watch birds, gators, we even saw a family of bobcats there. Plenty of nice photo opps if that is your thing.
I'd certainly look at Hamlin Plantation, Brickyard Plantation, Carolina Park (new home construction), Park West, and Rivertowne. You could also consider Daniel Island, Oyster Point (new homes/pre owned), Snee Farm, Belle Hall, and Hobcaw Creek Plantation. There's many more neighborhoods in your range besides the ones I just listed. Most of the ones here have really nice amenities and are filled with families with children.
The town of Mount Pleasant does not allow gated communities. The few that do exist are/were in the county as opposed to MTP. I personally do not know of any gated community in MTP created in the last 12 years or so.
$400 to $500K will buy quite a nice home in MTP.
While the schools in SC are county schools, the schools in MTP are considered to be among the best in SC. I would go as far as to say they are equal or better then private schools.
My husband and I will be visiting my parents in Bluffton in a few weeks and we'd like to spend a couple days checking out Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Whenever we visit my parents, we always start talking about how we should move down there and from what I've read on here, it sounds like Mount Pleasant might be worth considering. So, we'd like to spend a couple days getting to know the area a little. We're not in a rush and we visit my parents a few times a year, so we have lots of time to decide! Right now we live in a suburb outside of Philadelphia. My husband hates the weather here and our house is over 100 years old, so the idea of better weather and a newer house is very appealing.
What suburb outside of Philly? I grew up in Springfield.
So, here's my info:
1. Budget - $400-$500k
2. House/Condo/Townhome? - House
3. Employment Status(commute/work from home) - Self-employed, work from home
4. Children(public school vs. private) - Yes, would prefer public school, but would possibly consider private
5. Suburban, Coastal or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of them together (or even Rural) - Suburban or suburban and coastal
6. Amenities preferred or must-haves - Not too far from shopping and restaurants
7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood - Looking for a neighborhood that has a lot of families
As pretty much everyone has said, Mt Pleasant sounds just right. Good schools, restaurants, shopping and not far from the beach. Your budget will work in a lot of the new communities in Mt P as well.
And here's my questions:
1. Are there any neighborhoods or new developments we should look at while we're there? Are most of the communities in Mount Pleasant gated? Looking at houses online gave me that impression.
2. How is the crime in Mount Pleasant? Living right outside of Philly, we have a lot of burglaries and we've had our house nearly broken into twice, so I'm concerned about safety.
3. What restaurants should we try in Charleston and Mount Pleasant?
4. What attractions should we visit in Charleston?
The neighborhoods that Wise listed are all good choices and as he said, there are plenty more. Drive around a bit and get a feel for it all. There's a lot to like.
Crime here is low compared to Philly burbs.
Reds in Mt p is popular and on scenic Shem Creek. Home Team BBQ in West Ashley or Sullivans Island if you want a taste of some of the best BBQ in SC. There are so many good restaurants in Charleston... Do a search on the forum and find lots of good suggestions.
Attractions... depends on what you like. I always think everyone should visit Angel Oak on Johns Island. It's on the wrong side of the city if want to spend time in Mt P and your time is limited though. A carriage tour would be interesting or just take a stroll south of Broad St say starting on Church ST and meandering anywhere inspiration takes you.
I'd certainly look at Hamlin Plantation, Brickyard Plantation, Carolina Park (new home construction), Park West, and Rivertowne. You could also consider Daniel Island, Oyster Point (new homes/pre owned), Snee Farm, Belle Hall, and Hobcaw Creek Plantation. There's many more neighborhoods in your range besides the ones I just listed. Most of the ones here have really nice amenities and are filled with families with children.
Not Hamlin (isolated from "the rest"); not Oyster Point (same & more); not Carolina Park (in its infancy).
Park West & Rivertowne might as well be their own villages -- so fits your (OP) criteria if subdivision village life suits you - they are pretty & can live relatively self contained.
OK, truth is I'm prejudice toward zip 29464, basically older established neighborhoods, closer to Charleston.
Hobcaw Creek Plantation & Belle Hall are nice but I'm not a fan of I526 as immediate access road.
All that said, "kid friendly" probably puts Park West as #1 location. But, hey, there's a lot of lovely streets not in formal subdivisions in Mt P. And FYI, there are VERY few gated communities in Mt. P. Town does discourage them.
Enjoy your tour & include the neighborhoods off of Mathis Ferry Road on it -- you might find "home."
With my regards from Broomall & Drexel Hill family
The town of Mount Pleasant does not allow gated communities. The few that do exist are/were in the county as opposed to MTP. I personally do not know of any gated community in MTP created in the last 12 years or so.
There are several gates...firmly in the town limits of MtP.
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