moving to summerville,SC (Charleston, Mount Pleasant: home, price, activity)

[ECX]

scjj - What did you mean when you said "Poverty is evidant"? Is it really run down? Will we be acosted by bums and such?

[scjj]

I said it was evident in the rural areas, meaning the outlying areas OUTSIDE of Summerville. It is not a homeless situation, the homeless in Summerville is very low, if hardly any, and I have never seen a bum in Summerville. There are areas here and there where you will see a rundown home or trailer. As development keeps pushing out some of these areas are making a turnover. I've seen several turnovers in just the past year since I wrote that.

[imperieux]

I would agree with Scjj that we have seen a lot of development in Summerville since the posts last year about it. Including in the more rural or "country" areas, such as where I am in the northern tip of the town.

I have personally witnessed this, all during this past year or so that we've lived here. Even Central Ave area near Knightsville has grown with many more businesses opening and even more are being built as we speak, and I remember what it looked like only a short time ago.

A new Publix, Cvs and a soon to open Walgreens now stand at the intersection of Central and Orangeburg Rd. They are added to the Piggly Wiggly and it's shopping center and the Family Dollar just behind it.

I remember that we intentionally moved to the upper corner of Summerville, in White Gables,with the thought that we could avoid the higher traffic areas,even if it felt a little more isolated. Well, it looks as though we might have the traffic here anyway, so that didn't work lol. I love the additional businesses, but I do think that the traffic situation is something that will need to be addressed as more and more families move to the area. It's getting very very congested on Main St in historic Summerville, including the shopping area near Hwy 26. I know that it's congested in the southern part of the town as well, near or around Trolley and Dorchester Rd.

Scjj, have you heard of any possible solutions being discussed to address it? Is it something that city or county planners are working on? I love Summerville dearly, (I plan on posting much more about that) and the traffic situation is my one and only complaint.

[scjj]

Road improvements have been in the planning stages since the raise of the penny sales tax. There are 22 projects that can be seen here: ProjectDescription(Project Description.htm) I believe work is supposed to start on some of the larger projects like Dorchester Road, Bacon's Bridge and Berlin G. Myers around 2009/2010.

[imperieux]

Wow, that's a lot of road projects.

Thank you so much for that link, it definitely shows there are improvements being made that are sorely needed.

[ECX]

Wow, you guys are great.... My wife and I have been having lots of internal conflicts about the possible relocation to Summerville. It's such a big step leaving a place that we have been all our adult lives. I really would like to hear more comments on the public schools, crime, and job opportunities.

I can't wait to visit in October and have a look for myself!

Thanks again everyone for the comments!

[mol]

School info is located at www.dorchester2.k12.sc.us

[MomziIIa]

We're getting ready to retire soon and I am looking at Summerville and Goose Creek to live. I have a daughter in North Charleston and a son in Columbia. I've enjoyed looking on line at real estate - but I want to avoid cookie cutter subdivisions. I'm sure we'll find the perfect house when we finally get to start looking!

[DJShymansky]

There is certainly a vast assortment of homes and neighborhoods available in those areas that don't fit the "cookie-cutter" mold. You should have no problem finding something great when the time comes!

[ch12]

My husband and I both grew up in the city, we are seriously considering moving to Charleston, SC We are looking for a town or city no more than 30 minutes from city-life activity, we, but like it peaceful, and we like the convenience of city amenities i.e. restaurants, malls, movies, entertainment, etc. Any suggestions on areas.