Within 30 minutes of Beach- what are good areas to live in/good schools? (Charleston: to rent, condos)

[imnellen]

Hello-
We are contemplating a move (after our oldest graduates from high school in 2 years) to the general area. Looking for an area with good high schools for the youngest, safe, etc... The more options we have to check out the better. Obviously we are a family and we do have pets, we'd most likely be looking to rent at first. We are pretty flexible overall.
I just don't know where would be an area to look at within the 30 minute drive to the beach...

Thanks for any input.
Nellen

[innovator82]

I would suggest starting your search with Carolina Forest - it's a master planned area between Myrtle Beach and Conway that is popular with families wanted the suburban lifestyle but close to Myrtle Beach.

[pburgess68]

Carolina Forest is great, but 501 stinks. Traffic is hideous, there are accidents and fatalaties CONSTANTLY on that road. You will find very very few pet friendly places, unfortunately. That's one of the main reasons we've looked into purchasing over renting, even tho we've rented for 2 years. Just be prepared to pay a hefty, non refundable pet fee if you rent.

And if you're in the CF area, be prepared to live with a LOT of college students. It's a nightmare. At least, if you value going to sleep at a decent time. As we speak, our new "neighbors" are moving in above us...at 11:30 pm...and making one heck of a noise. We've lived like this for 2 years.

Hope our mortgage passes!!

[imnellen]

I have heard Carolina Forest mentioned many times. That will definitely be an area we check out.
Yes, 501 stinks. The traffic is just one necessary evil of living in the area.
Any other areas North or South of Carolina Forest? The beach does not have to be Myrtle Beach... anything along the coastline is good.
How much is the fee for living with pets? Is there a limit on size or number? THAT will be a big thing for us as our dogs will be with us for a few more years. And we have cats!
Nellen

[innovator82]

Originally Posted by imnellen

The beach does not have to be Myrtle Beach... anything along the coastline is good.

Does that mean you are open to looking in the Charleston area as well? If so there are a number of safe and family friendly suburban-type areas in the Charleston area that also have great high schools and are close to the beach.

[pburgess68]

Originally Posted by imnellen

I have heard Carolina Forest mentioned many times. That will definitely be an area we check out.
Yes, 501 stinks. The traffic is just one necessary evil of living in the area.
Any other areas North or South of Carolina Forest? The beach does not have to be Myrtle Beach... anything along the coastline is good.
How much is the fee for living with pets? Is there a limit on size or number? THAT will be a big thing for us as our dogs will be with us for a few more years. And we have cats!
Nellen

The fees range from $200 to $400 per pet. Generally, they allow "small dogs" (under 35 lbs), which lets us out as ours is 130.

Traffic is NOT a necessary evil. It is just that they didn't plan accordingly or see the growth of the area. The lights are 6-8 minutes long. You'll see people reading books, newspapers, etc., while at the lights. It's ridiculous.

Head towards Charleston. There's water, more pet friendly areas, better schools, ( and believe it or not) less congestion because of better road planning, and wayyyyyy more things to do besides golf.

You really have no conception of how bad 501 is until you're here. There are 6' drainage ditches that people have drowned in when their cars have overturned because of the tremendous amt of accidents we have.

My "honest" theory is this...the road planners have closed their eyes and have drawn roads at random. Wherever they go, they go. Some lead to no where, some lead to dirt/sand roads that you'll never see finished because some people want a bear bridge built in order to save the bears in case of an emergency or some sort of nonsense like that...meanwhile when we had the wildfire here this spring THAT road and the "bear bridge" hold up is one of the main reasons so many acres and homes were lost. The emergency vehicles couldn't get to the houses because they were sinking into the sand since it was never allowed to be paved. Pathetic.

My advice, take it as you will...stay out of Horry County. The governments here are horrible, they fight within themselves, some of mayors get arrested, they decide who can visit and who can't (bike rallies). They can't even run pet shelters here without having to put down over 100 animals. Is this where you want to call home?

There's beaches elsewhere...Charleston, Hilton Head...with better amenities and such than you can find here.

[imnellen]

Originally Posted by innovator82

Does that mean you are open to looking in the Charleston area as well? If so there are a number of safe and family friendly suburban-type areas in the Charleston area that also have great high schools and are close to the beach.

Yes, Charleston would be considered! We haven't been down that far south yet, but the history appeals.
I am a certified teacher (elementary) so that is what I'd try to get into. He is in sales.

Any specific areas around Charleston?

[imnellen]

Two hundred to four hundred each is not possible for us, as much as we love our pets. So we'd need a much more reasonable area.
Been on 501 was I know what you mean. We wouldn't object to going away from Horry county.

[innovator82]

Originally Posted by imnellen

Any specific areas around Charleston?

Well judging by your original post and what you are looking for, two towns around the Charleston area to look at would be Summerville and Mt. Pleasant. Just off the top of my head I know that Summerville (about 30 minutes north of Charleston) has one of the best regarded high-schools statewide, Fort Dorchester.

Mt. Pleasant is right over the bridge from Chrleston and probably known as the nicest suburb of Charleston and very desirable to live in and would be a little more expensive than places like Summerville (based on just what I have heard).

The two other "suburban" areas of Charleston are the city of North Charleston and the "West Ashley" part of Charleston.

The main historic section of Charleston is going to be your million dollar row houses, your multi-million dollar mansions, condos, etc. Most people relocating families to Charleston wouldn't be living right in the historic downtown district but you will never be far.

The other towns surrounding Charleston are more of beach-y environments like Sullivans Island and Folly Beach/James Island. Then you also have the exclusive islands like the Isle of Palms where families live and people also vacation.

I hope this gives an overview--but if your really interested in Charleston you should post in that forum too.

[regirlmb]

The St. James Schools in the Murrell's Inlet/ Surfside area are also very good and I would personally recommend this area over the Carolina Forest area...closer to the beach (Surfside & Garden City).