Moving from Ma to Sun City, SC to retire?? (Charleston: sales, real estate)
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Sun City Hilton Head (Bluffton, SC). The largest and with the most amenities such as 3 golf courses on (owned by) the property plus a few near by allied sections. Also spread out in two different counties (Jasper, Beauford)
Sun City Carolina Lakes (Fort Mill, SC), near Charlotte NC. 2nd largest but less amenities as in no golf courses on the property.
Sun City Charleston (Summerville, SC). The smallest with little more then a clubhouse and swimming pool.
Have people found a real savings with moving from New England area?
Obviously you are going to find much lower property taxes and lower winter heating bills. If you move to an area like Sun City, you will be spending more for the HOA and for summer air conditioning costs.
The savings will be in much lower real estate taxes. More house for your dollar. Lower auto insurance. Less expensive labor/services when needed. Cheaper utilities. Lower gas prices. No tolls. Less expensive parking. Less traffic. A range of less expensive restaurants. Golf and Tennis Clubs are less expensive to join and play at.
The everyday things like groceries, a new TV, golf clubs, a new refrigerator, etc. will be about the same.
The weather is much nicer especially during the winter. The people are friendlier, politer, and more respectful.
New car sales tax in SC is, regardless of price, $200 max.
One thing that is more expensive at Sun City Hilton Head is property insurance. We are considered to be in the coastal hurricane zone and property insurance is typically much higher. A standard policy in this area has a $5000 deductible on wind (hurricane) and hail (no subsidized roof replacements.) I pay about $1600 per year with the $5000 deductible for wind and hail.
FYI, the last hurricane to actually be in the area was Gracie in 1959. I have put up my metal storm shutters twice in 10 years and both were false alarms. If we are predicted to be in the path of a CAT II or higher, we will pack the car and leave the house to the insurance company. Won't wait for mandatory evacuation. But it hasn't happened in the 10 years we have lived here.
Another difference is you will see alligators in SCHH. We have one sunning in our back yard on occasion when they crawl up out of our backyard "lagoon". (That's realtor-speak for a state mandated stormwater drainage pond that they turn into an extra cost home sale option. Leave the alligators alone (required by law) and they won't bother you. Can't promise the same for poop dog if he decides to get too close, but then leash laws are mandatory here. We didn't want to spend the extra money for the pond view, but that was the only lot available at the time. Turned out to be a blessing with a beautiful view, shorebirds, etc. and we are glad we got it.
We pay about $2000 a year in HOA assessments which includes private roads and gated security. As far as we are concerned, we get out money's worth just with the peaceful, safe and quiet surroundings with beautifully maintained common areas. That's BEFORE even considering the 1001 pastimes, sports and activities available to residents.
While it didn't hit HHI, Hugo cut a swath of destruction through the state in 1989. From Charleston, inland to Sumter and all the way into Charlotte. It was nasty. No doubt that it is a plausible possibility.
The east coast is concave. With NC and FL sticking out while GA and SC are more tucked in. We are less likely to get hit because of this where NC and FL are more likely. But no matter the shape of the coast, a direct hit is going to happen from time to time.
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