Cost and Safety of Savannah vs. Charleston (Pooler, Summerville: real estate, loan)

[psulions2007]

Hi... So my aunt has been living in Charleston for the past few years, and she is about to move, but can't decide where. The big problem is that Charleston is getting expensive unless you want to live in a dangerous area like North Charleston which is a no go. I was thinking Savannah might be ideal for her as it is still close to Charleston (her son and grandson live there), but I don't think Savannah has had the same level of price inflation as Charleston.

Ideally it would be best for her to either live in a suburban or more rural setting that is relatively close to the city and quiet. She's already approved to $125,000 for an FHA loan. I briefly saw some affordable, nice looking houses for her around Pooler, but I'm not sure how that area is as I'm not familiar with the area. I wish she could get in the country closer to the beaches, but I don't know how realistic that is.

Any tips/advice? How does Charleston compare to Savannah in these areas?

[ellie]

She could also live in Walterboro, SC. It's a lovely old town and would be safer, closer, and more affordable than Savannah.

EDIT: Oh my, I apologize. Walterboro real estate looks terribly inflated. There are a few ranch style homes in her price range, but some of the listings seem way out of line.

I was just trying to keep her from driving so far.

[psulions2007]

Originally Posted by ellie

She could also live in Walterboro, SC. It's a lovely old town and would be safer, closer, and more affordable than Savannah.

EDIT: Oh my, I apologize. Walterboro real estate looks terribly inflated. There are a few ranch style homes in her price range, but some of the listings seem way out of line.

I was just trying to keep her from driving so far.

Yeah everything around Charleston is exploding because of the mini-tech boom there. Honestly, it's starting to get to the point that unless you are in line for one of those types of jobs, you might as well move to another city.

[gentlearts]

Pooler is safe. It has its own police department and fire department and has very few incidents of crime. It has easy access to Savannah or Hilton Head, and yet, soon you will never need to leave Pooler for anything you need.

[Newsboy]

Seems to me that there should be many more affordable places closer to Charleston than Savannah ...

[psulions2007]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

Pooler is safe. It has its own police department and fire department and has very few incidents of crime. It has easy access to Savannah or Hilton Head, and yet, soon you will never need to leave Pooler for anything you need.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Seems to me that there should be many more affordable places closer to Charleston than Savannah ...

You'd be surprised. Not only is tech boom inflating prices, but remember that Charleston is pretty restricted as far as growth grows. Savannah has a lot more free land to the south and West that can be developed versus Charleston which is constricted by geography.

[SavannahLife]

Beaufort SC is a beautiful town. Check out its surrounding areas. Best of both worlds. Close to Sav and even Charleston. And beach. And has its own little downtown. Worth some Zillow time.

Pooler might also be a an idea to consider like gentle posts. Close enough to Tybee. A more 'traditional' surburban experience. Yes Sav seems a little better price range than Charleston especially the surrounding areas. Both are such nice cities to either live in or near.

[masonbauknight]

Originally Posted by SavannahLife

Beaufort SC is a beautiful town. Check out its surrounding areas. Best of both worlds. Close to Sav and even Charleston. And beach. And has its own little downtown. Worth some Zillow time.

Pooler might also be a an idea to consider like gentle posts. Close enough to Tybee. A more 'traditional' surburban experience. Yes Sav seems a little better price range than Charleston especially the surrounding areas. Both are such nice cities to either live in or near.

But Beaufort itself is pretty dangerous according to other C-D posters. Break-ins and assaults downtown.
Don't know why Charleston's suburbs of Summerville or Goose Creek wouldn't still be affordable for most people. I realize Charleston proper and Mt. Pleasant have become pricey, but have far-north suburbs (i.e., beyond North Charleston) really become that expensive of late?

[SavannahLife]

Wait, Beaufort?! Dangerous!? Assaults!? I thought it was a beautiful little town with mostly nice old retired people (and well-off mostly) and Marines? That's so sad to hear. We need to start deporting violent criminals. Tie it to foreign aid to another country. Let them make a new life there. Or something. Rainbows, grants, job programs and unicorns are not working. I am all for school programs, things to strengthen families and neighborhoods and stuff but jeez. If Beaufort is dangerous what hope do we have anywhere really. I guess advice on this thread could be summed up: to be safe, live 500 miles from a city. I mean if I could choose any city to live downtown it would be Sav, Beaufort or Charleston, they are just so cool every way. UGH....

[masonbauknight]

@SavLife. Just repeating what I read in recent Beaufort C-D threads (folks in nice old homes in or near downtown Beaufort, with scary incidents to tell). I understand that Charleston proper (just like downtown Savannah) is not cheap anymore, but I have met people of modest means living comfortable lives in Goose Creek and Summerville. This was several years ago. Don't know what it's like there now, but I can't believe the entire Charleston MSA has become too expensive. Doesn't make sense to me.