Another Yankee (Brooklyn, NY) moving South to Charleston, with some questions please (countertops, hotel)

[MichaelNYC]

Thanks Mr P for the feedback.

I already planned when there to get up rise and shine and drive towards Charleston and other areas during rush hour(s).

Nothing like being in it to experience it.

Originally Posted by mrpeatie

One thing I will say about Daniel Island and outer Mt Pleasant is you need to drive them at high traffic times to get a true feel. Buzzing through at 10 am or 3 pm is absolutely no indicater of what most of us would face.

[moneill]

Husband's commute off of Rifle Range is nothing. He says it slows down on the bridge but nothing too serious. What a change from the drive from Summerville -- 20 minutes versus -- 40 minutes (on a good day).

[MichaelNYC]

Question...

Is there a map of Mt Pleasant somewhere showing/labeling/noting all the various neighborhoods, divisions, sub-divisions... Park West, Brickyard, Rivertown, Old Village, Snee Farm, Charleston National etc. etc. ?

So when I drive down later in June or July I can map out where to go as I want to explore Mt Pleasant as much as I can.

I would drive in and out and all around the neighborhoods that I am interested in.... plus some others.. as hey ya never know

Same for Daniels Island,,, the various developments.

Thanks

[carolinajack]

MP isnt very large, but i am sure at the visitors center you can find maps of it.

[USCJoe]

A few of the informative real estate web sites should have a map of Mt. Pleasant showing the location of the neighborhoods. A Realtor might also be able to send you 2007 issue of the "East Cooper Newcomers Directory" which had quite a nice Mt. Pleasant neighborhood map.

Originally Posted by MichaelNYC

Question...

Is there a map of Mt Pleasant somewhere showing/labeling/noting all the various neighborhoods, divisions, sub-divisions... Park West, Brickyard, Rivertown, Old Village, Snee Farm, Charleston National etc. etc. ?

So when I drive down later in June or July I can map out where to go as I want to explore Mt Pleasant as much as I can.

I would drive in and out and all around the neighborhoods that I am interested in.... plus some others.. as hey ya never know

Same for Daniels Island,,, the various developments.

Thanks

[MichaelNYC]

where abouts does his commute start, taking Rifle range Rd...

20 minutes from where abouts please ?

Thanks

Originally Posted by moneill

Husband's commute off of Rifle Range is nothing. He says it slows down on the bridge but nothing too serious. What a change from the drive from Summerville -- 20 minutes versus -- 40 minutes (on a good day).

[moneill]

Rifle Range and Bowman Road.

[MichaelNYC]

Never would think Mt Pleasant has a visitors center !!

A residential place/island/neighborhood with a visitor center... go figure !

I do not think here in Brooklyn we have one.. of course Manhattan has one and perhaps covers the other boroughs... but then what do we know.. we might have one somewhere in Downtown Brooklyn.

But there is more to MP than residential... the beaches, Sullivans and IOP and Palmetto State Park etc... which would warrent a visitor center.

Thanks Carolina.... I checked for one on-line and found out quite a lot of information for MP as well as info for the DI, Chas, JI

And thanks Joe.. I saw the "East Cooper Newcomers Directory" as well as plenty of useful information.... !!

Thanks as always

[MichaelNYC]

We have been searching homes in the Mt Pleasant area (MP to start) and just wanted to comment, maybe get some comments back...

We will rent for the 1st 6 months when we arrive.. so we can really drive/bike in and out the various developments, neighborhoods, sub-divisions we might be interested in, in MP, and Daniels Is is still a possibility and maybe maybe James Is.

Our price range is in the 400K range....
while we can afford more.. we live well within our means.. in case anything happens ...
we sleep well at night doing that... or as the saying goes... well something like this... our barn doors do not bang when the wind blows at night when we are sleeping.

Anyway.....

We looked at photos of the 400K range homes inside and out and then as natural bumped up our price range to see what 500K and 600K and 700K would get us from the 400K range.

We were very surprised.... what we found.

For the increase in the price and the generous increase in price... 400K to 700K easily... all we can see is maybe a 3rd car garage.. maybe a 5th bedroom.... but many without those extras... instead it is basically just more square feet.
Goes from lets say 2400sq ft to lets say 3800 sq ft.
Which is fine for the people who seek more sq. ft of course.
We would rather have a smaller home.. but more to the inside.

The increase in price does not even mean more land... just a bigger house on the same size lot.

Yes that is expected, more sq ft for more money.... but we expected the amenities of the house to be better. We noticed same kitchen cabinets for the 400K as for the 700+K homes.
We noticed the same bathroom vanities in the different range homes as well.

Really surprised us.

Workmanship looks the same... architecture looks the same... appliances look the same... as I pointed out kitchen cabinets the same... bathroom vanities look the same etc etc.

We expected a higher end workmanship, architecture, cabinetry etc.

Yes the specific development/neighborhood can offer more outside amenities... golf course privledges, more tennis courts, bigger pool(s), club house(s) etc. therefor increasing the home prices accordingly for those that want that.

OK.. yes if we go higher to the 900K and 1M+ range homes.. we will see these (well we think so).. but just surprised to see the 400K range homes same as the 700+K range homes... the upcharge for those homes gets you added sq. ft. basically.

Again we noticed same inside and out.... basically.
Ok it does mean the 400K range homes are very good and done very well.... matching the higher price homes for the inside amenities... is one way to look at it of course

Yes we have not done one single walk through of course... just going by photos of course... and cannot wait to do some actual walk throughs.

But we have purchased homes before, here in NYC as well as outside of NYC and noticed distinct differences inside, for the price differences... to give you an idea where we are coming from, our opinion.

Just our opinion of course... and invite comments.. thank you

[guttata]

Ummm, there are definitely going to be differences between a 400k and a 700k home. Otherwise, why would people buy 700k homes? Do you have any examples for comparison?

The photos may be deceiving. Also, it is hard to compare among neighborhoods. You are definitely going to pay a premium in some areas like DI, I'on, etc.