Relocating! (Charleston, Isle of Palms, Fairfax: real estate, rentals, felon)

[DC-7]

Hi there,
We are from Northern Virginia and are thinking about relocating to Old Village or Sullivans Island, or Isle of Palms. I have been reading everything I can but I need to ask someone with experience living there. All of our kids are under 7 so I really want to make sure the neighborhoods are safe. I can't really get a feel for the differences between the 3 areas. Can anyone help me a bit? I am excited and nervous all at the same time Thank you for your time.

[joyeaux]

First, define safe. Dope boys on any corners? Not in those areas. Strangers around? We call them tourists.
The islands are very safe -- Sullivans has more year round families. IOP has many more rentals by the week, so more people pass through. But both are beach destinations for the surrounding counties.
The Old Village is broken down into different neighborhoods & I'm comfortable walking through at any time. All are family oriented.The Old Village has some streets that are busier than others & are the main cut-throughs.
Other definitions of safe: do your homework online & you'll find the locations/map of registered sexual offenders. Good luck.

[DC-7]

I realize coming from DC talking about an area being "safe" is funny.
I meant, can my kids ride their bike safely etc... Your post was
so helpful. I appreciate your time

[beachme]

Very safe and great place to raise children. My husband and his brother grew up on Sullivans and IOP. the Old Village is very nice too and tons of younger families hang out at the park across from Alhambra Hall.

[DJShymansky]

I think the only concern you'd have in either area with regards to your kids riding their bikes around is the traffic and lack of sidewalks. That would be the extent of it. All are family friendly, it'll just depend on which feels "right" to you. IOP, Sullivan's and Old Village all have different feels to them, but are all fantastic areas. Coming from he DC area myself...I think you'll love all three.

[USCJoe]

Having lived in the WDC area for 17 years, Alexandria and Springfield, Va. with the FBI I think you will find all three areas as comfortable as what you will find in Fairfax County, Va. In my opinion, the Isle of Palms is less of a true residential area than Sullivan's Island and the Old Village. To give you a little feel of the Old Village and Sullivan's Island here are two videos:

Sullivan's Island


Old Village

Originally Posted by DC-7

Hi there,
We are from Northern Virginia and are thinking about relocating to Old Village or Sullivans Island, or Isle of Palms. I have been reading everything I can but I need to ask someone with experience living there. All of our kids are under 7 so I really want to make sure the neighborhoods are safe. I can't really get a feel for the differences between the 3 areas. Can anyone help me a bit? I am excited and nervous all at the same time Thank you for your time.

[dylan33]

USCJoe: Great videos. BTW can retired FBI still carry their pistolas? I know up here almost all retired NYPD carry. For all I know, maybe in S.C. EVERYBODY carries!

[USCJoe]

A retired agent does have authority to carry a firearm in any state in the country, including South Carolina, as long as they take a qualifying firearms test on an annual basis. I feel no need to do so here, as I feel completely comfortable in the Charleston area and travel little if any do to being involved in real estate on a continuous basis.

Originally Posted by dylan33

USCJoe: Great videos. BTW can retired FBI still carry their pistolas? I know up here almost all retired NYPD carry. For all I know, maybe in S.C. EVERYBODY carries!

[OleTomCat]

Just as a side, yes SC is a shall issue state when it comes to concealed carry, so unless you are a felon or mental patient once you pass the class anyone can get a concealed carry permit.