Charleston neighborhoods- need your advice! (Isle of Palms, Folly Beach: oceanfront, condo, vacation)

[itsagreatlife]

Hello,
My husband & I are wanting to move away from the Phoenix area. Charleston is on our list! Can anyone tell me a little about the neighborhoods?

What are the good & bad areas?
What areas would be considered more upscale?
How are the shopping and restauraunts?
We are looking to spend $600k-$850k on a home and we would love to be near water! Is this realistic?
What do you do for fun?
What is the industry & how is the employment situation?

We are business professionals in our late 30's/early 40's and no kids.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[DJShymansky]

Isle of Palms, Daniel Island, Mt. Pleasant and Downtown, would rank among the more "upscale" areas, but there are plenty of fantastic neighborhoods and locations throughout the lowcountry. Each, of course, has it's own offering of price ranges and home varieties.

As to being near water, you could be in deepwater communities in that price range, in the above areas, or in a home on deepwater in others. If you're simply looking to be within 15 minutes of the ocean, for example, there are a tremendous amount of homes being offered in/near the above price range that would suit you. Oceanfront in that price range probably won't happen though, unless you're considering a condo at Folly Beach.

For fun, hit the beach, go downtown, shop in Mt. Pleasant. The restaurants are world class, there's just no question to that.

Industry and employment vary, that would depend on what fields you're looking in.

All in all, you absolutely need to visit. Arrange a vacation and take a week to come down and see the town and all it has to offer. Have a realtor set you up with a tour of homes and neighborhoods that match what you're looking for while you're in town. You won't be disappointed.