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Myrtle Beach - Conway area Horry County
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Old 08-03-2009, 10:06 AM
 
3 posts, read 8,653 times
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My wife and I just returned from visiting Myrtle Beach for the second time in two years. We currently live in Waterbury, CT and are interested in moving down South. We have both lived in suburban areas of CT all our lives.

When in Myrtle Beach we stay at Myrtlewood Villas on Wild Iris Drive and really enjoy the accessability of everything. This is what we're accustomed to now. Close to grocery stores, gas, work, gym, Walmart and of course, the lake and ocean. Not that we visit NYC or Boston, we do enjoy the option to go. And, of course, the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS.

My wife is an 8th grade teacher and in her tenth year with her Masters, and I work in the financial industry. Both of us are 30 with no children as of yet. While in MB we were told that there are no unions or contracts for teachers in SC. We reviewed the pay scale and with the same credentials there were be a $25k pay cut. I could transfer at comperable pay. We feel that the cost of living could offset the pay cuts. For instance, our car insurance is $1200, car taxes $1500, property taxes (on a $150k condo) are $4500, and forget about our $1000/mo electric bill in the winter months.

We have nothing holding us to CT and are not to fond of the 8 month long winters. However, we do enjoy taking our SeaDoo to Candlewood Lake and heading to Mystic and RI for day trips. We also enjoy, on occasion, heading to Foxwood or Mohegan Sun Casino for a show. I have read a few threads on Myrtle Beach, Conway and Charlseton, but would like a better insight from other northerners of what to expect.

We are planning on starting a family within the next few years so the school systems are very important.

We would prefer a 3+BD, 2+BA single family with central air, garage, pool w/ .5+acres. I'm sure I'd get sick and tired of the overpopulated months with tourists but, on the contrary would prefer being within close proximatey to the ocean.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 08-03-2009, 12:43 PM
 
344 posts, read 724,213 times
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To key in on your title and taking the info you have given, I suppose that either Charleston or Myrtle Beach would be more to your liking. I say that because Conway is pretty much your quiet, little southern town. It has a nice downtown area, so-so schools, and you would be driving somewhere else for any entertainment other than Friday night high school football (one of the best teams in the state).

Charleston is the most cosmopolitan of these three areas, with beautiful homes and history, an upscale downtown shopping area, and many good restaurants. Charleston city schools are generally poor, but public schools in suburbs are pretty strong (such as the Wando schools in Mt. Pleasant, Summerville schools in Summerville, West Ashley schools on the west side). Charleston would offer the most cultural experience of the three, but remember we're talking about a city that has a population of approx. 70,000, so it's not NY or Boston.

The Myrtlewood area where you vacation is very pretty, but you are smack dab in the middle of the tourist area from June to September. I also would not suggest Myrtle Beach Schools. The two areas I think you would like would be Carolina Forest (along U.S. 501) or Murrells Inlet (about 20 minutes south of Myrtle). Both would have good schools (CF in CF or St. James in MI). And both areas have plenty of shopping and services, and are quick trips to Myrtle attractions and the beach.

The type of home you describe could be found in these areas in the price range of $250,000 to $350,000. Don't look for drastic cuts in insurance. Car insurance stays high because you are out and about with tourists who like 3-lane changes, etc. Homeowners because of the threat of hurricane and flood (although Hugo was the last big one in 1995). Property taxes will be a pleasant surprise (Mine is $850/year on a 3000 sq.ft. single family on a 1/4 acre lot). Central air is a given in SC and our highest utility months are July and August accordingly (about $250/month). Most newer communities here are Planned Unit Developments and you would have a tough time finding one that permits an individual pool, although most all have nice community pools available as part of your HOA fees. (My fee is $75/ month and includes cable TV and trash pickup.)

The weather here is great compared to the North. Warm summers, 70 degree days through October and starting up again in late March. Your summer coat will be a hoodie. It gets below freezing about 5 or 6 nights a year.

And as I would caution anyone who wants to move here and needs to work to support themselves, have a position lined up before you move, as this area and state have been hit really hard by the economic downturn. Teaching jobs, which were a dime a dozen 3-4 years ago, are being cut back now.

Don't know what else to tell you, but reply with any questions, comments or wisecracks. Good luck to you!

P.S. If that "Jets-Jets-Jets" are the football team be fairwarned from a Ravens (and Rex Ryan) fan that this area is Steelers-Steelers-Steelers.
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Old 08-03-2009, 02:58 PM
 
3,115 posts, read 7,109,469 times
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"Local" Myrtle Beach (as in living there all year, not a tourist) is as small town as Conway. Everyone knows everyone and everyone's business. It can be very friendly and comfortable, if you are ok with that. While I'm happy to have my anonymity back now that we live in Charlotte, I think it's kind of cool that every time we come back down, whether for a weekend or a week, we end up running into several people we know. So really, the only difference to me is that Conway is farther from the beach. Oh, and the schools in MB are much better than in Conway, although it's all the same system.

As for Charleston, you will get more of a city feel there with the added benefit of the water. I agree with Teddy's assessment of the school situation. Charleston is a beautiful city.

I know you have enjoyed seeing Myrtle Beach as a tourist, but give some thought to moving there, especially if you are planning on starting a family. While they are working on it, there are not a lot of typical amenities that families look for in a place to live/raise children. Examples: not many parks, playgrounds, soccer fields (they play on dirt), only one YMCA, libraries are kind of lacking, only two big bookstores, etc. Also, everything, and I mean everything closes down in the winter.

I said to someone in another thread that it is all in what you want in a place to live. Myrtle Beach is laid-back, comfortable, friendly, and fun, but if you are looking for it to be on par with anywhere up north, look elsewhere. It is a very different way of life. Are you set on either MB or Charleston? Have you given any thought to other areas of the south/coast?
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Old 08-03-2009, 07:20 PM
 
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Thanks for the info...going to start looking into Carolina Forest
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Old 08-05-2009, 01:52 PM
 
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
540 posts, read 1,675,402 times
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If you want any land at all, Carolina Forest is not your ideal. The houses are all on top of each other. The traffic is hideous, however the schools are good. I live there right now, matter of fact! The second we leave our condo we go..."oh god I hate 501"...every single time!!!

Horry County laid off quite a few teachers, so I'm not sure that would be the greatest idea. In fact, when I was at an unemployment meeting 2 weeks ago, there was an English teacher who was never laid off in her life (she was easily in her 50s), with her Masters...at the meeting just like me. So much for that, huh?

It is a great area to visit, but it is extremely boring. We are in our late 30s-early 40s and we both find it tedious. I have 3 older teens, one graduated from HS already, one will be this coming year, and have a freshman in HS as well. To keep THEM amused as well, we go to Charleston, where it is far more family and pet friendly.

Wish I could be more positive, but frankly, I can't. I've lived here for almost 5 years, he's been here 2. We are just waiting for them to all graduate and we're out of here. At least, out of the Myrtle Beach area. After that, who knows!!

The unemployment rate here is EXTREMELY high, no matter what your degree level is. If you were older, like, retirement age, I'd say you'd love it. But you're far too young to take the huge financial risk. Plus, like I said, the boredom quickly overcomes you lol

Like other ppl said before me, you really should reconsider moving to this area. We are thinking of your best interest, and I'm sure if we could do it over again, we would. Some of us are "stuck" for a while due to circumstances, meanwhile you can avoid it. Consider the outskirts of Charleston where it offers everything you're used to, and things you are looking for like lower taxes, etc.
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Old 09-20-2009, 12:23 AM
 
68 posts, read 107,214 times
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Rutledge, CT:
I can't speak for Myrtle Beach, but I can tell you lots about Charleston. I lived in Charleston for 30 years and it is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Of course there are some bad areas like all cities, and you learn not to go in those areas, but for the most part of downtown, it is beautiful and great to walk around. It is a city of the arts, therefore it is common to see artists with their easels set up on Queen Street, or someone sitting outside a quaint little resturant playing music, or mimes putting on a show or an orchestra playing in Washington Park. In May, the Spoleto Festival is in town and there is Dock Street Theatre and lots of other entertainment. Home to the Citadel and the College of Charleston. They also had a huge culinary institute, but I think it closed, not sure. Has a huge museum and lots of great history. Also has good hospitals with one of the finest teaching hospitals in the US. Great nightlife! It has the greatest places to eat and a great variety, from fresh seafood (right off the boat at Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant) to Greek, Italian, Meditteranean and Carribean. The homes downtown are absolutely beautiful and very expensive. Take a walk along "The Battery" and have picnics in the park. Charleston is below sea level, so don't go downtown when it rains or when the tide comes in. East Bay street always floods. The Market is an old slave market and now it is full of open air vendors and shops that have been there a long time. You can find the most extroidinary gifts and the 'sweetgrass baskets' are definitely an item you will want to purchase. There is always something to do in Charleston.

Downtown is an expensive area to live, but there are some great apartments if you want to live downtown. There are many islands surrounding Charleston and all of them have beautiful and average priced homes. Mt. Pleasant is awesome, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island and then West Ashley, there is Johns Island, James Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. The best beach to me is Kiawah Island. Never over crowded, but more family oriented. You may like Sullivan's Island better or Isle of Palms. There's also Folly Beach, which looks older and not as pretty as the other islands. Would not be my choice. It is best to vacation there for a week or two and see how you like it. It really gets hot and humid in the summer. The best vacation time is between March and end of May, or October - December. You can beat the heat and most of the tourists.

20 miles west of Charleston is Summerville, which is a beautiful city! Not near the ocean, but a short drive. Most of the driving around Charleston and vicinities is done on the interstate, so it is quick and easy to get around. Summerville is in Dorchester County, which is well known for a great school system. That would be my pick for your wife to teach. She definitely will take a huge cut in pay, but you are right about the cost of living . . . . WOW! Vehicle insurance is a little high, but everything else is quite reasonable.

We moved to NC 9 yrs ago to be close to my family because of an illness I have and I wish so much I had stayed in Charleston. It was much cheaper to live there than it is to live here in a small town of 10,000 and a very small county. I truly do not know how anyone could not fall in love with Charleston. It is also a very multi-cultural city. There are some people who are still fighting the war, but for the most part, the ppl you would be associated with don't care where you come from. Charlestonians are very hospitable, neighborly and can be quite political. They love their city, so if you don't want to make enemies, don't dishe the south or Charleston. We had neighbors from New Jersey, Baltimore, Ohio, etc and we all shared wonderful times together.

Good luck and I hope I have helped you in some way. Keep us posted as to your choice!
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