Wondering if it is possible to find rural living near Charleston area of SC? (Summerville: for sale, houses)

[northeastern native]

We're wondering if it's possible to find some property with a house outside of Charleston and what we might expect to pay. Ideally the house would be around 2,000 square feet +/-. I've read some posts that living rural would not be so easy having lived on the east coast of NY our entire lives. Recently we heard of retired couple that moved to the "deep" south and ended up moving back north because they felt they weren't accepted. I find that hard to imagine in this day and age, but who knows what factors were involved. The reason we are interested in some property is that we're tired of having houses next to us, across from us, and behind us. It would be nice to have some more space and privacy. Just want some space for the pups to run and kids to enjoy. A pond for fishing would be a bonus. We are not interested in living next to a creek or river though.
Ideally, my husband and I want to move in approx. 10 years max. This place will be where we would like to retire. We've had our share of winters in NY and are ready for milder ones in the south.
If anyone has any great places that sound like they might match what we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you. Thanks!

[OleTomCat]

It all depends on how far away from the city you want to live...

There are places around where you can find land as cheap as $4K an acre and build you retirement home on it...

Or you can pay over $50K an acre and have people living with in spitting distance....

I personally want to retire where I don't have to see my neighbors if I don't want to...

[northeastern native]

Thanks for your reply! Just wondering if the land that is for sale for as low as 4k an acre is in a remote area thus the low price or could it be near a town? As far as areas go, we were also thinking about Summerville. Any other areas that are up and coming or already established that would have some property and/or a house reasonably priced? Like the idea of being able to get to the beach in about a 1/2 hour or a bigger city w/in an hour and a half or 2 hours. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[DJShymansky]

It depends on the location and acreage, yes. If you're looking for land with homes already on it, 4+ acres, 2000+sf homes start in the high 300/400's pretty much throughout. As you get out towards Huger or Holly Hill, prices drop a bit down towards the high 200's. If you drop the acreage down to 2 or so, many more listings pop up, and the price moves towards the lower 300's. It's a rough generalization, every house and property is going to be different, but that's from a cursory look through the MLS.

[meks]

if u go up into the St.Stephens area it's a lot cheaper, there's 10 acres of raw land listed for 30K off hwy 52 just about 8 miles from Moncks Corner... 1 - 1 1/2 hrs to the beach

or you can go towards Cottageville up 17A and find houses/land very reasonable too, rural, less than a hour to the beach - Edisto

10 yrs from now? who knows, things change quite a bit here in 10 yrs...

[OleTomCat]

Huger, is still high an acre, it doesn't drop now until you get out near Cross.

[northeastern native]

Thanks for the helpful information. I think we've decided we're going to focus mostly on the Summerville area as it seems like a nice town and isn't too far from Charleston nor the beach. Our next family vacation will be geared toward that area so we can get a feel for things. Naturally it won't be a totally accurate assessment of the area since we'll be vacationing, but it should give us a general idea. When we are ready to move or buy we'll live in the area for 4 - 6 months before purchasing to be sure it is what we are looking for.

[northeastern native]

I don't know much about Cottageville, but the distance to Charleston and the beaches isn't too bad. I might have to do some research on that area. Thanks so much for the suggestions.

[wildwoodflower]

keep in mind your idea of rural might be very very differnt then what the "rural" south may be like. we have lived very rurally in the northeast and the rockies ( so also feel at home in the rural north), but do not enjoy the "rural" areas we have explored around charleston. however there are options for you...best to come down and really look and get a feel for it. but i can tell you right now, the feel is totally different....

[northeastern native]

I guess my idea of rural would be an area with a lot of acres and no houses in immediate view. When you lived rural north was that what you meant? Maybe that isn't such a good idea to consider now, but rather looking into houses that have maybe a little more space between the neighbors. We definitely will have to come and explore the area to see first hand what it is like and how it feels. Thanks so much for that input...it helped alot.