Moving to SC from the UK and Massachusetts (Columbia, Charleston: how much, public schools)

[kadams1965]

Hello everyone, I am originally from Massachusetts, but have lived in the UK for the past seven years. In about 5/6 months time, we are moving back to the States. Originally we were going to come to SC, but then my stepmother asked us to come to Texas, as my Dad is not very well. I convinced my Mother to come with us from Massachusetts and possibly my 23 year old (I also have a 21, 5 and 3 1/.2 year olds). Well, my Dad has had a turn for the worse, and basically, I'm not sure how much longer he is going to be with us. So, we are looking at SC again, as that was our first choice. Why was this our choice? Well, basically for the climate and the variations in geography. I used to camp every summer in Myrtle Beach when I was a kid, and my mother loves it there, but after reading some threads, I don't think it is where we want to live. I can't stand the snow and neither can my mother, especially after having a bad fall this year. Here in England is the typical grey and rain and I hate it.

We want to live in a smallish town, where we can be part of the community, embrace the southern way of living and generally be good neighbours. A place that has country fairs and potluck suppers, or is that hard to find and impossible?

Mom wants to be within easy distance to a beach, any beach. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Karen x

[SC ArborOne]

There are several small, friendly towns within 2 hours of the beach. May I suggest Hartsville, Florence (larger), Marion, Dillon, Cheraw. This is just a few, but they sound like what you are looking for.

[janrey]

Try Summerville. Cute downtown will remind you of New England and not far from Charleston beaches. Summerville and Charleston both have fairs that you'd enjoy. See
http://www.summerville.sc.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={98AAF9CB-51F0-477E-89BC-DD1F0CBDD599} for community events in Summerville.

[waccamatt]

I would recommend Camden; there are visitors from all over, it is close to Columbia when you need more shopping, etc. and it isn't far from the beach. Best of all, it is a beautiful and historic small town with a number of people that spend winters there from elsewhere, so newcomers are welcome..

[Coasters]

Some of the pretty towns in the piedmont are struggling from loss of industry, tobacco, cotton and seemingly everything else that they had in the past. I would suggest Conway, Summerville, old Mt. Pleasant. Georgetown is worth checking out too. They are larger but perhaps more resilient. Further south, Beaufort and Bluffton are nice if you like lowcountry.
Fairs and festivals are big in the Carolinas. You might check out Hendersonville, NC and even the Asheville area and Black Mountain, NC.
Aiken also comes to mind but again is a bit larger but more vibrant. They all have good websites and also checkout these:
Southern Festivals-List your Festival
Site Map: South Carolina Parks & Tourism (http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/events.as - broken link) http://www.sciway.net/calendar.htmlpx/southcarolina.shtml (broken link)

[scyogi]

I second checking out Aiken. Cute, good downtown, horse community, good public schools, variety of churches, close to major cities and a short drive to the beach. Zip codes are 29801 and 29803.

[kadams1965]

Thank you everyone, I will be looking at all your recommendations! Karen