Family of 4 from PA considering SC needs specific suggestions. Help? (Columbia: appointed, rental)

[Sarahmorgan]

Hi! I've spent days reading this forum, and I'm thrilled at how helpful people are! I've been researching a move to Roanoke, Va, but I'm highly interested in learning more about South Carolina. I know this is a looooong post, but I want to be sure to include all pertinent information so hopefully someone can help me.

I'm currently living in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, with my husband and 2 boys aged 8 and 12. I was laid off in April 2005. The job market up here is so fierce I've been unable to find any work except minimum wage. We were forced to file bankruptcy, so our credit is shot. My husband has worked for the same company for 17 years, but it has already been heavily implied that my husband will be receiving his pink slip soon. My husband begins CDL truck driving school on July 30th. He chose the profession because it will give us the freedom to move just about anywhere in the country and still retain his job. We simply can not afford to stay here. In essence, we're being forced to start over.

We're currently living in a tiny row home in the middle of a row home development with a postage stamp sized front yard 10 minutes away from a filthy city. Traffic is horrid and it literally takes 20 minutes to drive 2 miles. My gas has been siphoned out of my van more than once. I can't sit outside on my porch because of the noise and smell of dog feces from my next door neighbors. The list goes on and on. I'm claustrophobic, I can't breath, and I want OUT!

We love the outdoors, mountains, woods, lakes, fishing, hiking, etc... We're looking to rent a clean 2-3 bedroom SFH, with grass all the way around it. I'm not picky. We have 2 small dogs (pugs) and 2 cats, and we need a landlord that will allow us to keep them! Due to our bankruptcy, we're willing to pay 6 months rent up front if need be. We're good quiet respectful people. I'd like my kids to have friends nearby. We won't be able to afford more than $800.00 a month in rent. As my husband will be gone for a week at a time, I'm looking for a decently populated area that has a low crime rate. I don't mind driving to a grocery store, department store, or restaurants. I DO mind being in an area so rural we could be alone for days before seeing another person. We're just looking for a nice semi-suburban neighborhood to rebuild our lives and let my children have the childhood they deserve. Any specific area's or towns and where I could find available rental property listings would be appreciated!

I'm in a position to wait until the boys are acclimated to the area before finding a job, but I will need one eventually. I'd prefer not to have to drive an hour to get there, lol. With my husband gone so much, I will need a job with hours during daycare availability. I've been an Inventory Control Manager for a warehouse, customer service, waitress, etc... I've got excellent references, motivated, willing to learn anything, and I'm not afraid of hard work.

My boys are entering 3rd and 6th grade. My youngest has ADHD. I'll need to know my kids are in a decent school, and are willing to work with parents. Also, my oldest son may not need daycare, but my youngest child most assuredly will. I was paying $195 a week for before / after school 2 years ago. I'm hoping it's less down there!

Due to my mother's southern upbringing, it takes me about three minutes to pick up a southern drawl. I joke around all the time and tell her I'm a misplaced Ozark baby, LOL. Every time my husband and I visit the south, we feel such peace and wonder at how beautiful it is, and how different it is from the North.We've been wanting to move south for years, and there's never been a better time that screams DO IT NOW! We're ready to embrace the southern way of life. I'm desperate for my children to spend the rest of their childhood in an area that embraces the true values I hold dear, and not the ghetto mentality that is so predominant where we live now.

Any and all suggestions and comments are appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!

[beckie1229]

Sarah, research Summerville/Goose Creek area. Online that seemed like the best fit for us, and I went to visit last week. I vistited 3 elem. schools in Dorchester 2 district and was impressed (although school was not in session.) What impressed me is how helpful the office staff was and the amount of information I got about the schools.

A realtor can help you find a place to rent.

good luck to you!

[GJM]

Sarah - we just moved from NJ to Myrtle Beach the Carolina Forest area. The schools are wonderful here and there is so much to do. I have a 7 year old son and he loves living here.

[sixinthefamily]

WHere in PA ? WE just moved to Fort Mill Sc from Downingtown in Chester County.

[Sarahmorgan]

We live in Delaware County, about 15 minutes from the Philly airport. We HATE IT! We're prepared to give up some of our conveniences, like cheese steaks, tastycakes, 24 hour Walgreens every mile, a Wawa every 2 miles, etc... We think it's worth it.

I know there's no such thing as Utopia. I'm certain there will be things that will drive me nuts anywhere we go. However, when the list of things we hate about this area was three times longer than what we loved, we knew it was time to start looking to move.

We're open to relocate just about anywhere. In our situation, education and living expenses are our highest priority. We're very simple people who just want to enjoy life, spend a lot of time outdoors exploring, and have fun being together. From what we've seen, read, and have been told from family members dotted across the country, what we want is available in the southern states.

Due to my husbands job mobility, we can choose to live most anywhere, LOL. While that freedom is nice, it opens up a whole geographical area to narrow down from, and that's more difficult than it first appears! Completely uprooting is scary, but exciting too. We're looking long term, and want to make sure we make the right decisions for our family.

I truly appreciate all your help. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

[sixinthefamily]

I do have to say not having Wawa's is about the worst of it. I always post about my neighborhood because I love it so much. In fact another forum user read about it and just bought a house in here, they settle in August.

I live in WHitegrove in Fort Mill. When came to look here it was like WOW this is home. Nice mature tree's, walking trails, ponds and very low HOA fee's ( under $200 per year). The lots are not huge but not small either . It has a top notch school district, close to Charlotte, Rock Hill and Lancaster so lots of job opportunity.

We are about 10 minutes from Carowinds amusement park 2 minutes from a 2,300 acre greenway 2 from a huge rec center with pools, and all the kids activities and about 8 minutes from the village of baxter that you hear so much about- we even belong to the Y in there which is great.

Not sure if I can post this but I will give it a try. We used a realtor through ReMax because my mom works for them in PA but I loved the web site for Allen Tate Allen Tate Family of Companies because you can search by neighborhood. Plug in Whitegrove or some others you hear about on here and take a look at what is out there. Our house here is exactly 1/2 of what it would costy and we could not afford in PA and our taxes are about 1/3 of what tehy would have been in PA on the same house.

You will find housing is cheaper, ins is cheaper, taxes are cheaper,gas is cheaper, life is slower ( taking me some time to get used to that), the weather is awesome- so far Philly has had more heat and humidity then us which I thought was really odd. The only thing to prepare for is that groceries are much more expensive and tehy tax more of them.

[wlr107]

I am a grad student in Latrobe, and I have a job in Jasper County, but after we were robbed, we now don't have the cash to move!

Ah for the want of 1,500!

As to moving down to SC, lots depends on where you want to live (lowcountry - close to beaches, sandy, flat my favorite! :-) The midlands are nice too, or the highlands with mountains, hills, etc.) All three have their distinct and wonderful advantages, you can find good schools in all 3 regions!

E-mail or call me directly, and I will gladly point you to schools. Good Luck!

wlr107@teacher.com

Will

[janrey]

In South Carolina areas of interest probably would be Greenville/Spartanburg, Columbia area, and Charleston in particular Summerville. You say you like the mountains so to me Greenville/Spartanburg would be best fit. I don't know about child care costs. Come for a visit to see if you like it.

[pminct]

I'm looking for similar things - relocate to somewhere that is affordable as well as has good schools from my son who will be entering 4th grade, but who receives special education services for help with reading and writing. From my research so far, I'm looking at the Irmo area. But with all the guides I've read, etc., I'm wondering if Lexington or some other areas are just as good?

I guess I need to see the area (which I hope to do at end of August), to see how far each area is (during rush hour), probably from Columbia, as I'm sure that's where the job market would lead me (IT job).

Sounds like Irmo is close to Lake Murray - is there public access to the lake, as well as public boat launches, or is it limited to residents? Are there swimming areas around the lake open to the public? Are there any restrictions in Irmo or surrounding towns for parking a boat in your driveway?

I live on the coast now in CT, so I am used to being near the water, but I guess it wouldn't matter whether it was fresh water or salt water?? At least I hope so---I've lived next to the beach for 43 years, so I've taken it for granted. I certainly hope moving 2 hours from saltwater will be okay and a lake will take it's place?

So, advice for affordable towns with stellar school systems that provide special ed services would be appreciated.

Patty in CT

[Miss Preen]

quote=Sarahmorgan;1089891]Hi! I've spent days reading this forum, and I'm thrilled at how helpful people are! I've been researching a move to Roanoke, Va, but I'm highly interested in learning more about South Carolina. I know this is a looooong post, but I want to be sure to include all pertinent information so hopefully someone can help me.

I'm currently living in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, with my husband and 2 boys aged 8 and 12. I was laid off in April 2005. The job market up here is so fierce I've been unable to find any work except minimum wage. We were forced to file bankruptcy, so our credit is shot. My husband has worked for the same company for 17 years, but it has already been heavily implied that my husband will be receiving his pink slip soon. My husband begins CDL truck driving school on July 30th. He chose the profession because it will give us the freedom to move just about anywhere in the country and still retain his job. We simply can not afford to stay here. In essence, we're being forced to start over.

We're currently living in a tiny row home in the middle of a row home development with a postage stamp sized front yard 10 minutes away from a filthy city. Traffic is horrid and it literally takes 20 minutes to drive 2 miles. My gas has been siphoned out of my van more than once. I can't sit outside on my porch because of the noise and smell of dog feces from my next door neighbors. The list goes on and on. I'm claustrophobic, I can't breath, and I want OUT!

We love the outdoors, mountains, woods, lakes, fishing, hiking, etc... We're looking to rent a clean 2-3 bedroom SFH, with grass all the way around it. I'm not picky. We have 2 small dogs (pugs) and 2 cats, and we need a landlord that will allow us to keep them! Due to our bankruptcy, we're willing to pay 6 months rent up front if need be. We're good quiet respectful people. I'd like my kids to have friends nearby. We won't be able to afford more than $800.00 a month in rent. As my husband will be gone for a week at a time, I'm looking for a decently populated area that has a low crime rate. I don't mind driving to a grocery store, department store, or restaurants. I DO mind being in an area so rural we could be alone for days before seeing another person. We're just looking for a nice semi-suburban neighborhood to rebuild our lives and let my children have the childhood they deserve. Any specific area's or towns and where I could find available rental property listings would be appreciated!

I'm in a position to wait until the boys are acclimated to the area before finding a job, but I will need one eventually. I'd prefer not to have to drive an hour to get there, lol. With my husband gone so much, I will need a job with hours during daycare availability. I've been an Inventory Control Manager for a warehouse, customer service, waitress, etc... I've got excellent references, motivated, willing to learn anything, and I'm not afraid of hard work.

My boys are entering 3rd and 6th grade. My youngest has ADHD. I'll need to know my kids are in a decent school, and are willing to work with parents. Also, my oldest son may not need daycare, but my youngest child most assuredly will. I was paying $195 a week for before / after school 2 years ago. I'm hoping it's less down there!

Due to my mother's southern upbringing, it takes me about three minutes to pick up a southern drawl. I joke around all the time and tell her I'm a misplaced Ozark baby, LOL. Every time my husband and I visit the south, we feel such peace and wonder at how beautiful it is, and how different it is from the North.We've been wanting to move south for years, and there's never been a better time that screams DO IT NOW! We're ready to embrace the southern way of life. I'm desperate for my children to spend the rest of their childhood in an area that embraces the true values I hold dear, and not the ghetto mentality that is so predominant where we live now.

Any and all suggestions and comments are appreciated. Thanks so much in advance![/quote] Hope you have received many responses. If not, what topography are you intrested in? SC/NC has such a varied selection. I have lived in most of them and have not been disappointed (sp?) for the most part. Smaller towns tend to be more value oriented but be aware of prejudices. Even though I am a native NC living in SC I am most unhappy with folks who think they are better than others because of the color of their skin or their religious preference. From your letter it seems you are such a person as well. Just be aware and observant. You will get a feel for where friendliness and acceptance are prevalent. The other vibes also will be quite evident. I stress in my children love for all people regardless of race, religion or status/wealth. There is good to be found. Currently we are in Anderson SC Have recently lived in Augusta GA and enjoyed both with Augusta being somewhat larger with more amenities, yet still that Lovely Southern Welcome
and lots for children to do. Anderson is growing now (in a good way) and it is an exciting time to live here. Local governments can be interesting in both towns but, hey, that is pretty much everywhere, right? There's my two cents for what it's worth. Hope you receive a warm welcome.