North or South?!? Big move, big decisions! Help!! (Columbia, Charleston: rental, low crime)

[Marsmom777]

Hi, my husband and I are anticipating a move to SC from PA within the next year and half (hopefully sooner than later). We have only been to the Myrtle Beach area on vacation the past few years so don't know much about surrounding areas. All we know is we want out of PA (originally from NJ)!! The main reason being the weather and SC seems to be ideal for us where that is concerned. My problem is deciding on where in SC would be best for us. As I said before, we have only ever been to Myrtle and North Myrtle Beach. While we enjoy the area, my research shows that it is not the ideal area to live for a family with children. So I started looking both North and South of Myrtle. Up North I am looking at Loris, Little River, and Forestbrook. Down South I am looking at and very intrigued with Summerville and possibly Goose Creek which is nearby. I also have heard decent things on Socastee which is right by Myrtle.
Here's some info on us that may help for suggestions....We are a family of 6, my husband, myself, and our 4 daughters (ages: 1,8,14,17). So obviously we are looking for a safe/low crime neighborhood as well as good schools. My daughters would also, of course, like to be somewhere they can make friends easily. We are planning to rent when we first relocate incase the area doesn't agree with us, so we are looking for a place that offers good rental properties at affordable costs. We don't want to be in the boonies, but don't want to be right in the center of the hustle and bustle either.
Another important factor is racial issues. I was looking into the Conway area until I read that there is a big KKK following in that area. How much truth is there to this? Is Socastee the same since it is so close? I personally find the KKK pretty scary and would prefer my children not be exposed to such ignorance, so any information on that would be great!
I'm sorry if I am all over the place but that is how my brain is working right now as I navigate through all the information I am coming across. Tks in advance for any advice you can offer!!

[Gapeach69]

Are you sure you want to be close to the coast? If you want the best schools in the state, a small town atmosphere with a close proximity to a large town (Charlotte), and a safe area to live, your answer is Fort Mill, SC. You would be a little over 3 hours from the beach and about 2 hours or so from the mountains if you live in this area. We relocated here at the end of last year after doing much research and several visits and we absolutely love it here. My kids adjusted in no time and they all love their new schools (16, 12 & 9).

[Marsmom777]

I looked into Fort Mill but I don't think we want to be that far from the beach

[Buckeye in SC]

Summerville is a good choice; also consider Bluffton which is right off of Hilton Head Island. We have some nice areas here in Columbia that have good schools, but we are about 2 hours from the beaches of Charleston & 2 1/2 from Myrtle & Hilton Head.

[DBIF]

Are whole areas of MB really dominated by KKK followers? Scary if true.