Help, what are planned communities? (Myrtle Beach, Lexington: fit in, skateboarding, condos)

[PupStylist]

Hello, I am contemplating a move in 2 years from the North to the South. Please try not to cringe I honestly don't fit the stereotype of the pushy, rude, wealthy, cold northerner which is why I feel I need to move for my own sanity and that of my kids! Now on to my question. What on earth is a planned living community? I ask because I visited carolinaliving.com and now I am being bombarded with DVD's and pamphlets about planned communities. Are they good places to live or are they snooty communities where the relocating northerners live? (just kidding!) I looked up some of the house prices and they seemed pricey to me but I did like the idea of a community of like-minded people living together and being able to walk or bicycle to places instead of hopping in the car to get anywhere. But I don't know if I can afford it.

If you have any recommendations for me I would be thankful as I am completely lost as to where to begin looking and if I should even bother pursuing these planned living communites. I have two middle school aged children and am looking for a safe place to raise them. Will be able to afford $225K and under, We're a bit of a free-spirited family. I'm a dog groomer, husband is a musician and does IT computer work, kids are into skateboarding and dancing but are not into organized sports (at all). We're looking for a friendly place that is dog friendly and a place we'd fit in and be able to be a useful part of the community. Thanks

[southerngentleman]

"Planned Communities " is the new Buzz word, Developments use to say they have a bit more than a subdivision. Most planned communities will have extended amenities, Pools sidewalks,parks.... The true Planned communities are like small towns, they will have a village with shopping,a club house with pools and fitness. Planned divisions inside the community ( houses, townhouses, different price ranges etc) There are several thru out the coastal area that I am familiar with, most notable is Danial island which is a WHOLE NEW TOWN basically and is done very well with schools,liabrary offices,shopping, hotel and more. I like a lot of the planned comunities, but it is an individuals taste!

[T166ERR]

HI,

I live at The Market Common - the newest one of those planned communities being built in Myrtle Beach.

It is a bit pricey but I definately dont think that it is snobby.. typical demographics on my lot are: school teachers, accountant, lawyer, small business owners (many of the houses are built with a business premises below and a home above). Not that many families with kids yet - our daughter is one of the only on the square.

That said, it is exactly what you would hope in terms of community feel.. people know their neighbours and all help each other out - and that has been fantastic, also the facilities are great and will only get better - they are opening the refurbished gym in a few months.. olympic sized pool and modern gymnasium..

Looking at your budget I would suggest the best value for you would be to look at seagate village.. it is immediately adjacent to the market common, sandwiched between State Park and the beach on one side, and the Market Common down town and Grand Park on the other... the houses are almost half of what you would pay in the MC as it is an older community and maybe not quite as "trendy".. it is more family orientated with larger front yards and a dog park with a lake and walking trials. Also it is likely to be one of the most robust areas in terms of house prices.. although Myrtle Beach is suffering - like a lot of places - with an overbuild of condos, effects of the credit crunch etc.. Seagate village has decent family homes that are likely to hold value well and, more importantly - borders an area with $600 million of development this year, including new roads, cycle paths, parks, lakes, sports facilities, shops, restaurants etc.. and a lot more to come. Also, the urban centre at the MC has generated approx 1000 local jobs, mostly in retail and customer services..

We were originally looking at moving to Florida (from OK), but we just felt very uncomfortable with the gated communities and this divide between "us" and "them".. SC manages to avoid that with places that - whilst not everyone may be able to afford to live in - everyone can enjoy. the MC is a classic case of this, with the ball parks being used by teams from all over the town.

I hope that is of some help, I am sure that plenty of other folks on here will have other places in mind.. good luck!

[Tommy1981]

I don't like the idea of a single devleoper putting together a small town. I suppose its easier to plan if one "person" has control over everything, but it seems very cookie cutter oriented. If you like the shape of their cookie cutter then get in line for your piece of paradise.

I prefer the diversity you get from having a normal town. There are different subdivisions by different builders that gives a sense of variety. Like you're not just a number on a page.

I just bought a house in a neighborhood that has sidewalks and is very friendly. There is no HOA, but everybody generally keeps up their yards. Most folks have a pet of some sort (plenty of Dogs). Its fairly close to the downtown Lexington area, so if you wanted to bike there it wouldn't be more than 2 miles one way, going right past the library and a park. There are plenty of places to get the same kind of amenities of a "planned community" with out paying too much, or having everything look the same.

[southerngentleman]

I agree with Tommy,on the tendency that most planned comunities do tend to be very cookie cutter. That is why the few that are not stand out. The best have a master plan for the development,but no preplanned homes,just a Style! Say european,or coatal carolina! then individuals and builders build from that idea! The ones where you see the same house over and over would drive me crazy!

[waccamatt]

I agree with the above; I'd rather live in a real city than a planned community where everything is so "perfect" and sterile.

[southerngentleman]

Well, with that said I am moving into Ion. which is a planned community,but not one that everything looks the same. In fact I don't think there are two houses in the place that are the same.

[rrufast]

Master planned communities with an Architectural theme seem to be gaining popularity, and for a number of reasons...

Greater flexibility for 'individuality' in home construction while still being within the 'style' or 'theme' of the community.

Bigger and better amenities, from community clubhouses, fitness centers, walking trails, planned activities (or not), and generally, more for the residents to do to 'come together' if that makes sense.. which only promotes Community unity and adhesion..

At least that is my take.. and is what I'm hearing from owners in our Planned Communities.

One thing to keep in mind.. there is a SIGNIFICANT difference between the traditional tract built (Nat'l builders) and actual custom built planned communities...

[PupStylist]

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. I'm guessing I can find everything I need without moving into a planned community but they do sound nice. There is one, I believe, called Harris Preserve which is being built near a river near Asheville that looks very quaint and lovely and starts at $260K. I may be able to sell my house for that amount but I was looking for something less so I could have some extra cash to relocate and start up a small business. I looked at seacost (online) and though I love the ocean I don't like huge crowds surrounding me all the time. I'm more of the earthy crunchy type who dislikes big commercial areas (shopping is my least favorite thing to do) and would like a place to raise the kids, the dogs, grow some veggies and maybe keep a few chickens. I also would like to open a small holistic dog grooming business which is why some of these new planned communites with housing/business property caught my eye. Any ideas on a good location?

[Skyliner]

In the Upstate, I recommend at least checking into these few neighborhoods for starters:

• Acadia
• Verdae (more)
• Griffin Park
• Blue Ridge Plantation
• Carilion
• O'Neal Village
• Other communities by The Randolph Group