Edisto Island Permanent Residence (Columbia, Charleston: real estate, rental, houses)

[leebythesea]

I am wondering if there is anyone who now lives, or has lived as a permanent resident on Edisto Island, that can tell me what it's like? My husband and I are seriously thinking of building a home there. Let me mention, right now we live practically at the end of the earth in North Carolina, so I am aware that there will be a lack of conveniences. That is the reason we are considering that area. We like dirt roads and small towns. I am more interested in the safety and community information. Also, my husband will be commuting to Charleston daily, so traffic information, especially during tourist times,would be great
Thanks!

[charlottePA]

Originally Posted by leebythesea

I am wondering if there is anyone who now lives, or has lived as a permanent resident on Edisto Island, that can tell me what it's like? My husband and I are seriously thinking of building a home there. Let me mention, right now we live practically at the end of the earth in North Carolina, so I am aware that there will be a lack of conveniences. That is the reason we are considering that area. We like dirt roads and small towns. I am more interested in the safety and community information. Also, my husband will be commuting to Charleston daily, so traffic information, especially during tourist times,would be great
Thanks!

That'd be a long commute. My in-laws have a place there at Edisto Beach proper. Not year-round, though. Takes about an hour or hour fifteen with no traffic from downtown. Your commute problem would be 17N into town. Tough. Have you considered John's Island/Rockville? It's a bit closer in.

[SCBeaches]

It is a long commute, but if your husband is already used to long drives, it may not be that big a deal. I know people who drive to Columbia and back almost everyday...some people don't mind. Now with the rising cost of gas, it may become a big deal....

I absolutely love Edisto---it has true small-town island charm! I would love to live there full time and would if I could. I love to drive out there and photograph old, empty country churches and abandoned wooden houses.....don't ask me why!? But there is definitely a sweet charm about Edisto that islands closer in to Charleston have lost, all in the name of civilization. I "get" what you see in Edisto. Good luck with your decision.

[Gretchen Olson]

Friends have said how great Edisto is for small town charm. I am searching for a small cottage in a safe area close to the ocean to relocate to in a year or two. I am alone and would like a long term rental before I buy (if I do at all). Can you suggest a few places to look? $150,000 tops and I would love a fixer upper as I love projects. Thanks

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by Gretchen Olson

Friends have said how great Edisto is for small town charm. I am searching for a small cottage in a safe area close to the ocean to relocate to in a year or two. I am alone and would like a long term rental before I buy (if I do at all). Can you suggest a few places to look? $150,000 tops and I would love a fixer upper as I love projects. Thanks

How fun would that be! Did you check on Realtor.com? I don't know if the Post & Courier covers Edisto or not, but I'll check. You can also try Craigslist or just google Edisto Island then find real estate listings.

[fqtravlr]

Gretchen, if I were you, I'd take a look around Beaufort, SC. If I won the lottery and could forget about work, the wife and I would be looking down there tomorrow. Lots of small towns in that area and prices are better. I love my hometown, but Charleston just won't quit growing. (I know, I know, all you brilliant people, that's everywhere)

[NCN]

I have a suggestion that is a little off the wall. Go to Edisto and pick a place that you want to live. Check on the tax records and see who owns it. Go to that person with an offer. My dad owned 170 acres in Wilkes County, NC, and if a person he liked came by and offered money for land, he would sometimes take the offer. When we vacationed on Edisto, I saw a lot of empty land. You can sometimes get land at a lower price that way. When the developers get there, the price usually goes up because they are in it for the profit.

Before building on Edisto, you may want to check the elevation. We experienced a little thunder storm and the streets started filling up. I personally would never want to live there, but I would not want to live a lot of places that others do.

We did very much enjoy a tour of the island. The mayors wife at the time was our guide. She was a very progressive person. The people there love their little island.