Georgetown info (Charleston, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island: sales, real estate market, homeowners insurance)

[Marylandsailor]

Hello, I have been considering relocation to Georgetown and have been there several times by car and by boat. Looking for any info as to quality of life, growth that is planned, the paper mill, road construction planned, development planned, housing prices and what's going on with the real estate market there. Any racial problems or tensions? From my own experience, the people I have met in Georgetown have been very friendly and the area looks good, but of course, local people always know what's going on both good and bad.

Thanks,

Brad

[baylovers]

Georgetown is on the verge of a population explosion. The local papers have done stories on the numerous developments planned for the areas west & north of the city. The county planning commission is trying to keep up with them but of course the money isn't there yet to upgrade the roads & schools etc. There is one community planned near the paper mill canal that they actually required the builders to construct a new school & YMCA facilty as part of the deal. I think they are looking at nearly 12,000 new homes in that area.

Plantersville is another area that the developers are buying up loads of property. The local residents are trying to fight the progression but it will difficult for them.

I really like the City of Georgetown, it has a quaint old southern town feel to it. They have done a nice job on the Riverwalk and there are a few art shops and good restaurants in the are now. I haven't scouted it out much but if you travel south to Maryville & South Island there are several nice communities down there as well.

I live up in the Pawleys Island community and get down to Georgetown to take care of all the official business and some shopping. I haven't experienced any racial problems in my travels, it seems that most folks get along pretty well.

Some helpful links:
Carolina Living - Coast
http://www.coastalobserver.com/
Georgetown County South Carolina Sheriff's Office
Georgetown County South Carolina
Georgetown Times
Seaport Georgetown

I hope this has been helpful.... you may want to consider subscribing to the Georgetwon Times to get the feel of politics and development. They also have a decent amount of real estate listings too.

[Marylandsailor]

Thanks baylovers. That was very helpful. It seems like there is an explosion of people moving to the carolinas and Georgetown is no exception. Are there any plans to extend route 31 south? My only concern about Georgetown is the smell from the paper mill. Does it contain anything harmful? I can live with a smell but not anything that's toxic. Have there been any air quality studies on this?

Brad

[lowcountry]

Try this one too D40: Picturetown
Georgetown is great, but try to find higher ground by checking surge maps here Hurricane Surge Maps
And get homeowners insurance quotes before you buy.
I too wonder about the paper mill/air issue. Hope someone can tell us.
As for Rt 31, there is a plan to drop it down to rt 17 near Murrells Inlet.
As for the explosion, it has quieted way down in terms of actual sales but developers have a lot of projects planned.
Let me know if you have any questions re the boating/sailing.

[Marylandsailor]

Wow, that hurricane surge map is really an eye opener. A cat 4 or 5 storm would really be bad. Pray that never happens! A question on boating/sailing: Are there public launch ramps around Georgetown? What about the availability of slips for a 30 foot by 14 foot wide catamaran? How's the sailing in the area? Only been on the ICW on my way north or south and not off the channel. Any good anchorages in out of the way areas? Last time I anchored in Georgetown harbor this spring, there seemed to be a few derelict boats and half submerged junk around. It was an eyesore. I don't remember that being there back in 2000 when last made the trip south. Any plans on cleaning that up?
Thanks,
Brad

[baylovers]

Coincidentally, there was an article today on one of the larger developments in the Sun News:

MyrtleBeachOnline.com | 10/10/2007 | Crown Pointe delayed again (broken link)

Here is a listing of public boat ramps along the SC coast, the two that I know of are the East Bay landing & the South Island landing. There are many more in the Pawleys/Murrells Inlet area.
South Carolina Public Boat Ramps and Fishing Piers

[usc_gal98]

Some of my family live in G'town. I was actually born at G'town hospital back in the day.

My thoughts on the paper mill air quality is this - it stinks 10x worse after a good rain. Eventually, you will get used to the smell after you have lived there for awhile.

Getting a job at the paper mill is another thing. It's like many places where it's better to know someone to get in the door. If you are qualified, you can still get in the door. Although alot of people now work at NUCOR and drive back and forth there.

As far as boating goes, there are areas to put in at. I do have to warn you about WINYAH BAY. This area of water is very tricky. It can go from calm to harsh in a matter of minutes. Many people have drowned in that area so be smart and put on a life jacket!

If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask. I know G'town like the back of my hand.

[lowcountry]

The derelict boats have been removed.
There are plenty of marinas, ramps, and facilities. Call around.
I would rather sail a large cat out of Charleston but living in Georgetown would be cheaper and much easier and more laid back.
The Waccamaw River and its numerous side creeks, has lots of secluded anchorages between Gtown and Myrtle beach. As you probably know the area between Gtown and Charleston is very pristine outback, sea island lowcountry with remote beaches.
This morning we saw a large herd of porpoises and a good size shark close to the beach. But it's not for everyone.

[Lovin'Pawleys]

Georgetown has many beautiful areas such as the historical downtown section. I live in Pawleys Island and go to Georetown (10 miles) to shop, eat (downtown has nice places to dine). It is a little stinky at times, I must admit, and there are some less than desirable areas there as well. If you want to be close , you could try Pawleys or Litchfield (both very small towns, on the beach with no smells, wonderful places to eat and shop and even less crime).