Can anyone give me insight about living on Isle of Palm year round? (Isle of Palms: rental homes)

[Cold Up North]

Are there neighborhoods with young children? Do the kids go to the elementary school on Sullivans Island? Are they bused? Where is the middle school? I would love to live near the beach but am concerned about lack of a "community" feel because of so many rental houses. Does anyone know what the difference in population is in the winter vs. summer? We have 3 small children so neighborhood/schools are important. We have looked in Mt. P. 3 times now. We thought it was really nice, but it is too large for us. We are looking for a smaller community.
Any info. would be appreciated!

[ah090206]

I don't think know for sure but don't think there are too many neighborhoods with small children (or locals.) Its not really organized into neighborhoods...there is "Wild Dunes" which is a gated area, but more of a resort type area, with condos and homes and lots of tourists. I don't think there is too much of a community feel there...the rental homes are mixed in with the local's homes.

They would go to school at Sullivan's Island Elem., which is an excellent school! I'd assume there is a bus since its a public school...but I don't think many SI kids ride the bus, so I'm not sure.

[Theresejenkins]

I think the community feel of the islands (iop or sullivans) is awesome...I live in MtP but daily walk the beach year round and I wish I could afford to move there! There are great "pockets" like off Forest Trail, Duck Lane, back in that area of the island that are off the main roads, and have a very small "neighborly" feel that I love....it's almost like you don't even realize you are on a small island so close to the beach! Lush landscaping, palm trees, etc. and I love the fact you can just ride your golf cart anywhere! and my friend has a son that goes to Sullivans elementary and absolutely loves it - the classrooms are small, each child gets individual attention, they have a thing where parents can meet the kids for lunch...but they drop him off and pick him up...(if you live over there it's not far from anywhere)...are you coming back down again to look over there? prices have plummetted - what was once asking $1.2M is now down to $699,000 so it's a good time for a deal...it's just the high cost of insurance that deters some people...and, there are a lot of homes that definitely need some tlc and updating, lots were built in the 1970's so it depends on your budget...a lot of people purchase for land value and build.

[beachme]

My husband grew up on Isle of Palms and his cousins, who are now (14) live and grew up on Sullivans . I think there is a community feel and lots of community "things" . For example the Isle of Palms Rec center is awesome and offers a lot of sports, classes and a place for kids to hang out.
There are lots of full time residence in Wild Dunes and in Isle Of Palms. It in no way feels like a Ghost Town in the winter like some other beach towns I have lived in.
I would love to find a deal on Isle Of Palms but I don't think you'll find one. Maybe some price reductions..but prices are still over a million for a nice home on IOP and Sullivans. You can maybe buy a fixer for 600K or a tear down. Unless your looking for a condo.