Is Isle of Palms of Older Folks? (Charleston, Folly Beach: rental, house)

[vsmoove]

Hey guys, a group of friends (mid to low 30's) are planning on renting a beach house this summer and we are looking at the Charleston area beaches. We initially thought Folly Beach but a colleague at work told me yesterday to go to Isle of Palms because Folly Beach is run down. He's a bit older... (late 40s, early 50s) so I don't know if that's a generational view or his individual perception. I've heard nice things about Folly Beach but his assesment gives me pause. Thoughts?

[ohioaninsc]

Folly Beach is a bit more rundown but it is full of young adults usually...Isle of Palms is nicer, but it's more family oriented...the one thing that makes IOP nice though for young adults is that it's the only beach in the area that actually has bars right on the beach...the other places like Folly or Sullivans Island, they are a block or so off the beach...one bar, The Windjammer, you can walk in off the beach w/ nothing on by swim trunks and as long as you have money and your ID, you'll get served...I usually go in there for a few beers during the day w/ no shirt on and in barefeet. Either island is good to stay on though...Folly is a bit shorter to drive into Downtown though.

[ohioaninsc]

I'm 30 by the way, so I'm in your age group...I've been to all the beaches in the area, including Kiawah and Seabrook when my grandparents lived there.

[Geechie North]

My guess is your collegue isn't originally from Charleston.

[DJShymansky]

I prefer Folly myself. It's all personal preference. Ohio's statements about the bars and such are true, and IOP would certainly put you closer to all that Mt. Pleasant has to offer. Which beach is more enjoyable though, that's up to you. Folly has better surfing, no question.

[ohioaninsc]

Originally Posted by DJShymansky

I prefer Folly myself. It's all personal preference. Ohio's statements about the bars and such are true, and IOP would certainly put you closer to all that Mt. Pleasant has to offer. Which beach is more enjoyable though, that's up to you. Folly has better surfing, no question.

No doubt about the surf...I never understood why that is the case, since they are so close to each other and it's the same ocean, and it's not like there's a big sand bar offshore that would break up the waves at IOP, Sullivans, Kiawah and Seabrook...but those beaches definitely don't have the same surf that Folly seems to get, especially on the north end of the island in the washout area.

[Maryjane55us]

In spring and fall, most of the Wild Dunes area of IOP is older people/retirees. I don't know about in-season, but I would suspect it would then becomes more 'family' oriented. But the W/D area only encompasses the northern end of IOP.

There always tends to be more of a younger crowd in the main part of the IOP area when we are there.

As for Folly beach in off-season, it seemed to be a mixed crowd. Lots of dog owners, young and old. Lots of surfers. The housing/area reminds me of the 50's and 60's era. Nothing fancy there, except the prices.

[vsmoove]

Originally Posted by Geechie North

My guess is your collegue isn't originally from Charleston.

No, he is not... I take it that you disagree with him that Folly is more run down?

[moneill]

Okay -- strictly talking beach -- they are the same dang thing. Off the beach -- Folly worked for me.

Having said that -- we are determined to live within 15 minutes of IOP.

[mrpeatie]

Folly is more local and more tolerant. IOP is nicer but touristy. Sullivan's is the nicest of the close in beaches with prices and restrictions to match.

It really depends what you want to do. One thing I will say about Folly is that you need to plan your off-island excursions to be opposite of the heavey traffic because it backs up pretty bad getting onto the island during summer weekend mid-days and off in the late afternoon. I'm out there all the time because a couple of my best friend's live there and I do like that it feels small townish. And there are plenty of nice, newer homes to rent. Simply tell the rental company you want a nice, newer home.

IOP has a little bit of a generic feel to it and not some of the areas just fell like mcmansions by the sea. But it is more consistant. And traffic is not quite as bad. Skip the on island grocery store- you'll spend half your trip waiting in line to buy limes.