What area for our income/ needs? (Charleston, Mount Pleasant: sales, insurance, how much)

[KH02]

From CT but always played around with the idea of living in South Carolina.
I am a Stay at home mom, so we are a single income family of about 100K a year.
We are looking for EXCELLENT schools and a nice somewhat rural suburban area thats close to Charleston if not in charleston.
3 bedroom 2.5 bath single family with 1/2 acre or more and at least a 2 car garage. We would like something newer or recently restored.
Preferably not in a development where ALL houses look the same.
What would be a good fit for us?

[todseyah]

Moncks Corner! You're going to have a hard time finding the land you want near Charleston. Just about all houses built down here in the last 10 years have a 2 car garage. If you don't want to be in a development where all of the houses look alike, stay away from new construction in subdivisions as they're cookie cutter and usually 4 houses per acre.

[DJShymansky]

There are about 40-50 homes available on the MLS in Mount Pleasant and the Summerville areas that meet the above description and lot sizes. Some of the homes are in developments, but all are on at least .5 acre lots. The problem is that rural areas and excellent schools don't always go hand-in-hand.

[todseyah]

DJS is correct about the schools. Mt. Pleasant is too "hustle, bustle" for my family but if you like everyone always being in a rush it would be a good choice (my sister lives a very fast paced life so it would be ideal for someone like her).

[Jim3310]

I would bump up the land to .75 acre. That should get you into an area of similar homes. Don't discount new construction so quickly, there are plenty of builders that build fine stand alone homes.

And, if you are from CT, I would hesitate to suggest that Mt. Pleasant may be too busy for you.

Have you visited Charleston yet?
jim

[KH02]

No but my parents just came back from their most recent trip. I am planning on one soon.

Let me be more specific. Schools are the most important thing to us since we're coming from wonderful schools where we are now.
As far as pace of life, I think CT is much faster paced then SC in general, but pace doesn't matter as much.
I'd also like a town with shopping etc not to far and sidewalks etc.

Any other suggestions to check out before we visit.

How are the mosquitoes their, really bad?

[emilybh]

As someone who spent my early childhood in Westport, CT and have lived most of my life in nearby Rhode Island and Massachusetts both on the bay (in Jamestown/Newport) and in or near cities: Providence, Boston, Worcester, who recently moved to Charleston, SC last December, I can tell you that sidewalks are a rarity except in downtown Charleston and in shopping areas. You'll also see (when you visit) that just about every secondary highway lacks breakdown lanes. Here kids don't seem to mind the lack of sidewalks and just play in the street in subdivisions I've visited. You just have to stop and let them move out of the way.
Instead of sidewalks there are walking paths.

[charlestoncadet]

I used to live in Greenwich. We have lived all over the eastern seaboard!
Mt Pleasant is Great. A lot slower pace than CT.
Charleston has great shopping! As does Mt Pleasant.
The Plantation style neighborhoods are great for families,they have tons of activities for the entire family.
Come down spend a few days,one of the areas will speak to you!

[DJShymansky]

Mount Pleasant still sounds like it best fits what you're looking for. The only caveat would be how much you're looking to spend on your new home, taking into consideration not only sales price, but insurance (flood and wind&hail) if necessary.

[KH02]

We could spend up to about 400K