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I recommend starting your search in the Summerville area. I did a quick look on MLS and found a few in Colony North/Wescott Plantation/Windsor hill/Mckewn to mention a few neighborhoods.
What are your requirements as far as schools, commute etc???
Schools - we want decent schools which are safe. As long as they have an advanced program of some sort, I figure the kids have an option at least.
Commute - I don't mind a commute, really. It would be nice if it could be 30 minutes or under each way, but 45 minutes is doable. I'm from large cities so I'm use to it, somewhat.
The main thing we want is a family friendly area with a house large enough and decent enough that we can stay in it for many years to come. However, we largely live off of one income and so we want it affordable.
Our main requirements are simply a decent home, in a decent community, with good people, low crime, and at least mid-line / upper-mid-line schools.
I don't know about the other areas beachme recommended, but I suggest doing your due diligence before settling on Wescott Plantation, or any other area for that matter.
I've heard that allegedly some homeowners are experiencing health problems due to toxic chemical(s) found, I think, in the soil. Here's one article I found from a couple of years ago: Erin Brockovich Here To Help Westcott Plantation|ABC News 4 (http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/0907/459458.html - broken link)
I'd also do a search in the Charleston forum about housing in this area. Similar topics have been discussed what seems like a number of different times.
Another idea is checking crime stats by calling the local police department, checking the third party sites that rate schools, and don't forget to check the sex offender registry to see who your neighbors may be.
While that info may be useful, I'd seriously consider the source and potential agenda of the "Dear Homeowner" letter written, presumably by Lennar (the builder of part/all of the neighborhood). Lennar obviously has a lot to lose with bad publicity. I'd take the type of consideration with Realtor opinions as well, especially those with listings in Wescott - they also have a financial stake and most generally, won't offer unbiased information about the situation.
I stand by my original statement of suggesting due diligence research of non-biased third party info (if it exists) before purchasing.
Oh I know -- but when I tried to find out more about the Erin Brockavich thing -- nothing current comes up. Listen -- I read enough of about that area to know -- not for me.....
The whole wescott thing is over hyped IMO. I've yet to see something credible that states otherwise, and we did a bunch of research on it because we looked at 6 or more homes there while we were shopping.
Dorchester District II schools are some of the best in the area so thats one thing to consider. Now before it starts, your going to hear about the wonders of Mount P and how its great and Moses visits them on the weekends and all kinds of other marvelous stories, bottom line is that the average family living on 1 income cannot find a decent place in Mt.P. We chose not to live in Mount P for various reason.
Commute - 20 minutes to where? Do youknow where you will be commuting to?
There are some really run down neighborhoods in all areas of charleston, but there are some good ones too. Crime happenes EVERYWHERE thats a fact. It comes down to what is acceptable to you. Some people in this area think bored teens who are out causing havoc constitues a "gang problem".....not hardly. Get specifics from the Local PD on neighborhoods you might consider. Most will give you good, ACURATE info.
I live in Wescott Plantation, but my home was not built by Lennar. That being said, Lennar is better than KB any day.
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