Lots of Questions on Sumter (Pinewood: to rent, condo, crime)

[danheit]

Wow, some great info here! PD, glad to hear that it is as good as you say it is. Many people lose sight of that "luster" of a small town after living there, so to hear from someone else just moving is great. Congrats on the house too! Swedged, I'm sure you have heard it many times, but thanks again for your service to our country. We ALL appreciate it, whether others express it or not...after all, I am sure they enjoy living and breathing, so....
Anyways, DravenX, I am moving to Sumter mostly for work. Sadly enough, Myrtle Beach is COMPLETELY depleted, unless I want to fight 1500 other people for a job making $7.75/hr working the front desk at a hotel. Myrtle is primarily a construction based economy, and with the housing market being crap, us realors aren't selling ANYTHING, new homes aren't selling, which means they aren't being built, which means builders are out of work as well as all their employees. To put it in perspective, In '06, I was #86 in sales out of ALL the licensed realtors in the U.S. In '07, I was #115, '08 I was off the list, and don't even get me started about this year. I am a very experienced salesman, and am good at what I do. I have just run out of people that I can pretty well force to purchase something. Sadly enough, I am still one of the top agents for my area, but it isn't enough to make ends meet and keep our standard of living. It costs a good bit to live here, believe it or not, and we are pretty sick of the crap that goes on here. It's just time for a change.
Since I was a little boy, I always wanted to be a policeman. Lots of my family have gone into police work, and my wife is finally ok with me doing the same, as she feels secure enough to handle anything that may come our way. This will give me an opportunity to change to a much more stable career, as well as continue selling real estate. Getting established in a new community isn't hard, it's just time consuming. Since it's all about who you know, I will have to come to know everyone. I can't wait!
On a different note, I am also glad to hear about all of the outdoor activities. My two little girls absolutely LOVE the outdoors. Can't wait to get them out into the fresh air at one of the lakes/parks/gardens. We checked out Swan Lake while we were up there and loved it. If there are some places even better, well, we can't wait.
I am curious about boating in the area. I tried to check out a few places, but couldn't really find any information on it. Tried google maps, and couldn't really find any bodies of water, so where does everyone go? I have a 20' SeaRay, and would love to find somewhere good to take it out. Not really big into water skiing, but love to just ride, or maybe find a good route to Chas. on the boat. We have planned that trip from Myrtle several times but never taken the jump to actually make it. We are looking at Sumter as a new opportunity to do some of the things we never have, and really can't wait to "dive in" head first.

[danheit]

Oh, as far as housing goes, I still haven't done too much work on it as I am still waiting on Sumter PD to finish their paperwork and give me the final go ahead to move up. I finally got my conditional offer of employment about 3 weeks ago, and am still waiting on them to schedule my physical and drug test. Once that happens I will need to move up pretty well immediately. Here's my new problem....
Upon moving to Sumter, I will be working inside the PD for approx. 2 mo. M-F 8-5 while going through their in-house training. After that I will be leaving for 9 weeks to go through the Academy. During this time, my wife is going to stay back here at the beach where her family is to get a little extra help with the kids while I am involved in getting adjusted to my new career path. Since I am only going to be living in Sumter for 2 mo. before I go off to the police academy, I am trying to find a very temporary place that will be dirt cheap, if not free (yeah, I know, go ahead and hang that one up). If anyone comes across anything that falls along those lines, please let me know. I can live up to 30 miles away from downtown during my training period. Many thanks to you guys!

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by danheit

Oh, as far as housing goes, I still haven't done too much work on it as I am still waiting on Sumter PD to finish their paperwork and give me the final go ahead to move up. I finally got my conditional offer of employment about 3 weeks ago, and am still waiting on them to schedule my physical and drug test. Once that happens I will need to move up pretty well immediately. Here's my new problem....
Upon moving to Sumter, I will be working inside the PD for approx. 2 mo. M-F 8-5 while going through their in-house training. After that I will be leaving for 9 weeks to go through the Academy. During this time, my wife is going to stay back here at the beach where her family is to get a little extra help with the kids while I am involved in getting adjusted to my new career path. Since I am only going to be living in Sumter for 2 mo. before I go off to the police academy, I am trying to find a very temporary place that will be dirt cheap, if not free (yeah, I know, go ahead and hang that one up). If anyone comes across anything that falls along those lines, please let me know. I can live up to 30 miles away from downtown during my training period. Many thanks to you guys!

Congrats on the job... Since you will be working for the City of Sumter.. you may want to talk with your employer to see if there are any programs that can assist you in purchasing a home in the City... There is a City program that builds houses in various neighborhoods across the City.. one of their better developments in near Crosswell School others may be in less desirable sections of town.. but they do build in various communities. Grant assistance and low interest loans are available and the houses are new . There also may be some state program for teachers, firefighters, and various public safety workers that could provide some additional grants/loans that you may want to investigate.. the folks in community development with the City can help steer you towards those programs if you are interested... Good Luck

[danheit]

Thanks Woodland. That is actually something that I am entertaining right now. However, unless I end up in a rather nice section, I will most likely be looking to move outside of the city for the time being. I really like the small town feel, but don't want the crack heads to interrupt it if that makes sense. There are several places downtown that I like, but time will tell. I am not quite willing to fork over a ton of cash to have someone else dictate to me how to maintain my home. That is also why I am not a huge fan of HOA's. I always maintain my home and yard very meticulously, but also enjoy having a garage and a place to work on my Jeeps. Don't think the city will quite be ok with me building a garage on a 100 year old home.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by danheit

Thanks Woodland. That is actually something that I am entertaining right now. However, unless I end up in a rather nice section, I will most likely be looking to move outside of the city for the time being. I really like the small town feel, but don't want the crack heads to interrupt it if that makes sense. There are several places downtown that I like, but time will tell. I am not quite willing to fork over a ton of cash to have someone else dictate to me how to maintain my home. That is also why I am not a huge fan of HOA's. I always maintain my home and yard very meticulously, but also enjoy having a garage and a place to work on my Jeeps. Don't think the city will quite be ok with me building a garage on a 100 year old home.

Sounds like you are talking about Hampton Park in the City???? I imagine that there are a few restrictions in there since I believe it is a historic district. The comment about living next to a 'crack house' is the only thing that gives me pause about the City's program.. by design.. it is intended to "revitalize" neighborhoods in the City.. but most people, particuliarly with families do not want to be a urban pioneer like in DC or even other larger communities where the rate of return in addtion to the character or the location or direction of the neighbohorhood may be compelling to make one invest.. so while the City effort is commendable.. in practice it may prove to be more problematic using a lot by lot approach.. Some of these areas where there are blocks of vacant homes or there is a "transitional area "between a nice area and a not so nice area should be focused on more...thats why the Crosswell developments seems well planned. I would not want to exist on an island in my new home in the middle of 10 sq. block area of blight.. but I may be willing to live on a block that is next to a stable or established neighborhood and one that may be not so nice..here again all thing being considered. Cities also have to step up law enforcement around these areas and make other improvements such as to the streets, lighting, and sidewalks to round out the picture and to make some of these areas more livable.

Hey..danheit, you would be the ideal neighbor.. giving your employment with the City as an police officer.. who wouldnt want to see that blue and white sitting in the driveway next door.....

[danheit]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

...........
Hey..danheit, you would be the ideal neighbor.. giving your employment with the City as an police officer.. who wouldnt want to see that blue and white sitting in the driveway next door.....

HA! I saw a few folks that would object to having me live next door!
I do think that I am back to my original scenario of needing to find a very inexpensive/free place to live for about 6 weeks though. Location isn't all that important, but I am gonna need it fast. Seems as though I have to move to Sumter between the day I am officially "hired" and my first day of work....which is about a day. No reason to move before hand, as I don't necessarily have the job until everything is said and done, and the rules are that I must live within 35 miles of the city upon hire.....such a predicament. The first 6 weeks will be spent on my own (no wife and kids), while I am going through in house training, then off to the police academy for 9 weeks. Then back to Sumter. I really hate to pay for 2 houses during that time when one won't be used for a majority of it, but I also hate to spend the $$$ to stay in a motel for that long of a time. Sadly enough though, Sumter doesn't seem to have much of a rental management market, thus leaving me without the ability to find a short term rental easily. I have checked CL pretty regularly, but am coming up short every time. Anyone have any suggestions? Looking to find not much more than a 'room' for around 250-300/mo. I would really prefer to live by myself (vs. renting a room from your typical college student or goof off), but will take what I can get.

[painterdude]

Anyone have any experience moving with a moving company?? I've always uhauled it but at almost 60 and an iffy back, I'm gonna try something different. If you have any experience with a national company or someone local who'd come here I'd appreciate it. thanks, pd

[rubber_factory]

Run from U-Haul, run as fast as you can.

I prefer Penske as an alternative.

[painterdude]

yea, well....I'm gettin' to old and broken to carry converible sofa's upstairs. I was actually looking for people who've had national companies move them. btw, never had a problem with uhaul. I moved from n.y. to fl., and several times within fl....but I'm done with all that. I've got a few appts. with sales people in the next few weeks.....hopefully I've done my homework. pd

[MemphisMeantime]

Originally Posted by painterdude

yea, well....I'm gettin' to old and broken to carry converible sofa's upstairs. I was actually looking for people who've had national companies move them. btw, never had a problem with uhaul. I moved from n.y. to fl., and several times within fl....but I'm done with all that. I've got a few appts. with sales people in the next few weeks.....hopefully I've done my homework. pd

I've not used professional movers in the past, but like you, I'm getting too old for all that. Plus, all my friends have gotten rid of their pickup trucks. :-)

I've just started researching the subject of professional movers, so I can't really give you first-person experience. But I did find that Lightning Van Lines has received very favorable reviews at several sites, and they're members of the BBB. Probably worth calling for one of your estimates.