Where, James Island, Johns Island or West Ashley?

[smithrep]

We like the homes we have looked at in James Island I really only have one concern about the area. It seems like there are some really "rough" areas with older, worn down housing, junk cars in the yard, blue tarps on the roofs, etc. in James Island when driving into the nicer neighborhoods. Is this something that most people just overlook and I am being too cautious about or is it something that everyone else sees and doesn't like as much either? Everything else about James Island seems great, its just the scariness all around...

[DJShymansky]

It all comes with the stages of development. Many new/newer neighborhoods have sprung up in recent years, whereas the neighborhoods "on the way" to them haven't increased/revitalized as quickly. You'll notice it in a number of areas of the lowcountry. West Ashley has some great neighborhoods, accessed by traveling through some older neighborhoods. Mount Pleasant even has some terrific plantation style neighborhoods with $500-800k+ homes, but you have to drive through older sections of Six Mile to get to them.

[timunh]

Originally Posted by smithrep

We like the homes we have looked at in James Island I really only have one concern about the area. It seems like there are some really "rough" areas with older, worn down housing, junk cars in the yard, blue tarps on the roofs, etc. in James Island when driving into the nicer neighborhoods. Is this something that most people just overlook and I am being too cautious about or is it something that everyone else sees and doesn't like as much either? Everything else about James Island seems great, its just the scariness all around...

Yes, I had this impression at first. There are patches of a few run-down houses together here and there, but I've never felt that there was a bad neighborhood or anything to avoid. I think one reason is that the island was rural before the James Island connector was built. Since then, the area has been more in demand. So you see newer houses going up around what was here before then. For example, there is a new neighborhood across the street from me with $750,000 houses next to much smaller houses. And also things change over time. There was a house that was a major eyesore just past the house across the street from me, but developers bought the land and the guy who lived there was happy to take the money and move out to the country. So you do see unusual mixtures of housing in close proximity. I've never had any problems with crime or heard of any problems.

[Theresejenkins]

James Island has more of an "older, established" feel to it, meaning brick ranch homes, etc. and your closest beach is Folly, which is a lot of traffic in the summer, younger sort of surfing crowd, but great "beachy" feel.

Mount Pleasant is a "newer" area (if you will), close to Isle of Palms beach, has great schools, more expensive homes, etc.

You need to speak with a realtor to really set you up the right way, send you listings in your price range, preview before you get here, set up an itinerary, and spend a good few days with her/him and it will only take that long before you narrow down your "wish list" and see what you can get for your money and what is important to you in the different locations.

Either way, welcome! You will love it here!

[Theresejenkins]

As with any home purchase, you really need to sit down and decide what, and how much, you are willing to do to a home to make it a profit, saleable situation for the future. It's important to establish that fact that you will be in the home minimum 2 years, but longer the better for greater return. And, are you willing to do the "upgrades" necessary for an older home on James island? or, are you more inclined to have a "turn key" home where you can concentrate on your relocation, relaxation, and new jobs? Then, a newer home may be your answer, even though it may be a bit more expensive. It's very hard to navigate solid answers for you without your budget in mind and seeing what is available for you, but please take these things into consideration. Today, and tomorrows, buyer are going to want the "best of the best" in order to pay top asking prices for anything, and you want to have your home in the best shape for the future by updating to the standards of todays buyer. Don't you agree?

[smithrep]

I think your answers and feedback is awesome, thank you! I am ok with driving through older, "up and coming" areas to get to my home as long as I know that whenever the time comes to sell it (in 3-5yrs possibly) that the buyers then will understand it and feel the same way. I guess it is just scary thinking I might buy a home and then everyone look at me and say "you idiot, this is a bad area and you will never get your money back".

[SCBeaches]

However, there are also many nice neighborhoods on James Island where you don't have to drive through older, unkept neighborhoods to access them. Some which come to mind are: Stiles Point Plantation (one of my favorites), Eastood, Fort Johnson Estates, Parrot Creek, Country Club Estates, Harborwoods, and many more.....(some much newer, more recently-built communities which I don't know the names of)...
Again, James Island has a very wide spectrum of types of neighborhoods - NOT cookie-cutter style (I can't stand those) - but neighborhoods with personality and individual charm.

[grace12100]

I love West Ashley, you don't have to travel far to get to everything you need. You mentioned Hunt Club, you should take a look at Schieveling Plantation, beautiful smaller neighborhood. There are several good elementary schools in the area, but not all so you have to be careful about the zone.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by SCBeaches

However, there are also many nice neighborhoods on James Island where you don't have to drive through older, unkept neighborhoods to access them. Some which come to mind are: Stiles Point Plantation (one of my favorites), Eastood, Fort Johnson Estates, Parrot Creek, Country Club Estates, Harborwoods, and many more.....(some much newer, more recently-built communities which I don't know the names of)...
Again, James Island has a very wide spectrum of types of neighborhoods - NOT cookie-cutter style (I can't stand those) - but neighborhoods with personality and individual charm.

Also Northern James Island near and along the Intra Coastal waterway is very nice. No jalopies in that area!