Single NYC Female Moving to Charleston or Wilmington? Please help! (Greenville: sales, real estate)

[gabsbutterfly]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site and need help. I am a 30 year old single white female from the NYC metro area looking to move down south. I currently work in financial sales and am tired of the NYC area. And not to mention, its so expensive here!

I was looking at either Charleston or Wilmington....but I really have no idea. Heres what I am looking for: to rent (max 900) in a small city that is walking distance to shops and restaurants and close to the beach (max drive of 5 minutes) I am looking for a very safe area and want to be around young professionals like myself. I have an English Bulldog puppy too so I am looking for an area that is pup friendly. I love trendy unique little places (restaurants, shops, art) and would love to be around that.

Im done with the cold weather and am looking for a warm friendly place to live. Where are the beaches prettier? Where should I look for apartments? Any specific complexes?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Im looking to move this fall
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim3310]

Could you share a place? That would get you much closer to what you are looking for. It's GOT to be cheaper/bigger/nicer than what you have in NYC! Check out Craigs List for Charleston.

Five minute drive to the beach is kind of tough. I can't think of anything for $900 a month. Also, there are very shopping areas within walking distance of that area, but there are some in Mount Pleasant & James Island.

You need to visit. We can give you the specifics on a tour, but you need three days to come see what we have.

You can do Wilmington in about 1/2 hour,.
jim

[gabsbutterfly]

Thanks for the reply! Im not sure I can share a place...I got very used to my "personal space" for the past 4 years LOL. I would actually even settle for a 20/30 minute drive. My main concern is job availabilty and social life. I want to make sure I am around young professionals. I dont need a big place - just a one bed/bath is fine with me. How is Mt Pleasant for what I am looking for? How far is that from the beach?
It looks like I will be in the area the weekend of the 25th - any suggestions? Restaurants? Nightlife that I should check out?
Yea - I heard theres not too much in Wilmington for a young 30 something like myself.

Thanks

[Wetlands]

If you currently live in NYC and you move to Wilmington...... You'll be so bored in a week you are likely to shoot yourself. Wife and i are from north western NJ and we visited town last summer. Dead is the only word I have to explain it. We presently live in Greenville, NC, i dig it but wife does not. I am a tree hugger so rural America has a lot more to offer me.

I hear great things about Charleston however. Never been. Considering a job there.

[imperieux]

Although I've never spent much time in Wilmington to be able to give a qualified answer, a good friend of my husband's left Wilmington for the same reason wetlands just mentioned. He said he was so bored because there really isn't much to do for someone his age and his single lifestyle. (He's 30) He's much happier here in the Charleston area.

[eversonsc]

We moved from the northeast as well. We came to visit 4 times before actually buying a house and making the move. I would suggest you do the same. I don't really think you can make a decision in 1 visit. Depending on where you are going to work and what you are going to do, the West Ashley area seems to be much more affordable than other places in town. We looked in Mt. Pleasant and it's greatly overpriced. We bought a house in West Ashley for $100,000 less than a smaller home in Mt. Pleasant. We see apartment complexes all over the place in West Ashley that look nice however I am not sure of the price. You could google apartments and I am sure you would find hundreds.

I agree with Real Estate Jim. It will be very hard to find a place at your price for $900 that is 5 minutes to the beach. The West Ashley area is about 15 minutes to the beach however. A short drive we think. We usually go to Folly beach or Isle of Palms. Folly is more laid back and casual than Isle of Palms.

If you are visiting on the 25th I would recommend downtown. Lots of art, tons of restaurants and nightlife. We go downtown often.

We could show you around if you are looking for a tour guide.

[Jim3310]

OK, so we all agree that Wilmington is out.

Now, a 20 minute drive for the beach is a piece of cake.
Socially, you would do well with either Mount Pleasant or West Ashley.

Eversonsc is correct, spend a bit more & stay as close as you can to downtown on your visit. Are you flying & renting a car or driving? Will you be on your own?

We can set you up with an itinerary.
jim

[gabsbutterfly]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the replies! I have been doing so much research lately and If I were to go to NC ... it looks like Charlotte has much to offer as far as job availabilty & things to do. Does that sound about right? After hearing from you guys nad others about Wilmington, it looks like that option is out. So Ive narrowed it down to Charleston and maybe Charlotte - the only bad thing is that Charlotte is far from the beach but I hear they have plenty of pretty lakes?? UNless anyone has any suggestions as to the other areas in NC that might be a good fit for me?

As I continue my research, I am considering buying instead of renting. I could afford a place for about 150k.....I have a good amount to put down and keep my monthly paymnets low....does this sound doable in Charleston (West Ashley or Mt Pleasant)?

I would be flying in with a friend and def be renting a car as I would like to explore the area. It looks like Ill be heading down the second week in August now as prices for flights are increasing each day! I would love to be set up with an itenary! Any help would be great! Any suggestions on hotels?

I know this may sound like a stupid question, but being that I have never relocated out of state...does anyone know about how much it would cost to hire movers to transport all my furniture/stuff from here down to SC/NC??

Basically, I would love to be in an area with great people, small little city with good food and culture and be close to some type of water (beach/lake). I am totally fine with a 15/20 minute drive to the beach!

Thanks again guys and happy fourth!

[eversonsc]

Charlotte is a big city and coming from NYC you would probably like. They have a beautiful lake called Lake Norman there. It is huge!

You could purchase in Charleston for $150k. Probably a nice townhome. Real Estate Jim would be able to help you more on that I am sure.

Hotels downtown are expensive. The Hampton Inn in West Ashley has a great deal. Just tell them you are with the MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) and I think the deal is $109 per night. It's not near the beach or anything but a really cheap and a nice hotel.

We moved from West Virginia and had a 3 bedroom home and it cost us almost $4,000. Not sure how much stuff you have though.

Charleston has great people, it's larger than a small city, has wonderful food and culture. Charlotte is a HUGE city and lots of crime however.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by eversonsc

Charlotte is a big city and coming from NYC you would probably like. They have a beautiful lake called Lake Norman there. It is huge!

You could purchase in Charleston for $150k. Probably a nice townhome. Real Estate Jim would be able to help you more on that I am sure.

Hotels downtown are expensive. The Hampton Inn in West Ashley has a great deal. Just tell them you are with the MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) and I think the deal is $109 per night. It's not near the beach or anything but a really cheap and a nice hotel.

We moved from West Virginia and had a 3 bedroom home and it cost us almost $4,000. Not sure how much stuff you have though.

Charleston has great people, it's larger than a small city, has wonderful food and culture. Charlotte is a HUGE city and lots of crime however.

Pardon, me, but to someone from New York, Charlotte is a small city. I don't really know how anyone could say Charlotte is a huge city, frankly, it really isn't that big. Back to Charleston, though. I think the OP would be most happy somewhere on the peninsula, with a small place in a good location. That would put her close to the battery with a 20-25 minute drive the the beach. What could be more ideal than that? Charlotte and Charleston are nothing alike, so the best thing would be for the OP to visit both.