Coastal SC Towns (Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach: to rent, insurance, low crime)

[Amanda63]

Hi everyone,
My husband and I currently live on the Gulf Coast of Florida, but we are back and forth between the NE coast of FL and somewhere along the coast in SC. Any information on nice coastal towns & neighborhoods with low crime rates? Thanks so much!

[anonymous]

Pretty much everything on the grand strand (Cherry grove, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach all the way south to Georgetown) is a tourist area. Insane traffic in the summers, expensive housing and cost of living, high taxes & insurance, hordes of people from April until September.

McLellanville is a nice rural little fishing town, but it's pretty isolated. Since it's in the middle of a national forest / coastal reserve, it's somewhat difficult to find property there, I believe. But the locals there have traditionally resisted having new housing developments in that area. And it's also a very poor area.

Charleston is a great city, but if you're looking for a town, that wouldn't qualify. Hollywood and Ravenel are small towns outside of Charleston. I've never visited either, but I've heard good things.

Edisto Beach is a fairly isolated beach town south of Charleston. If you're looking for a quiet beach, that's your best bet.

Bluffton, south of Beaufort, is a nice community. I've heard good things.

[Kacy]

Try Hilton Head Island or the growing Bluffton area.

[sjvagott]

anonymous.
Would you say then, not to even consider any shore towns except those mentioned? Also, would i be able to rent a home for $800-1000/month at any of these shore towns? if so, which? thanx for your help. info is valuable.

[anonymous]

sjvagott, I wouldn't nessecarily limit myself to those towns. As far as rent goes, it varies of course, but that amount should be enough. I'm actually not certain, but I think you can get a decent place for that amount.

(You might want to get out the map for this) Basically, in the north you have a solid single development (The "Grand Strand") from the NC/SC border until Pawleys Island. That's all developed beach area. Debordieu is an expensive gated resort, and pretty much marks the south end of the grand strand.

georgetown is a pretty decent town. I don't think there are any beaches, and it's not a very clean town. There is a paper mill there that creates a 24/7 stench. they say you get used to it.

Mclellanville is south of georgetown, but like I mentioned, it's impossible to buy land there. It's pretty out-there, I don't think most people would want to live there. It's far from everything, there's not much to do. not a beach town. I've always heard that McLellanville locals are very defensive about their area being developed.

below that is the greater Charleston area. it's a small city, that's very popular. somewhat crowded and touristy, and fairly expensive. it's a great place, though. there are other threads about charleston. folly beach, sullivan's island and isle of palms are good local beaches.

edisto beach is below charleston, it's quiet and nice. not super-developed, not much to do there. it's sort of a 'relaxing' beach - the beach of choice for lots of south carolinians. it's pretty small, but it is definitely a beach.

below that is beaufort. it's a medium-sized town, growing pretty fast. not very touristy, but a good place to live. i don't think there are local beaches, but I am not sure.

below beaufort is the hilton head/bluffton area. Hilton head is ridiculously expensive, but bluffton is pretty reasonable.

[sjvagott]

anonymous, Thanx so much. Your response is the most important info that I've learned about SC Coast. It is VERY helpful. Thank you again.

[appleblossom]

Originally Posted by Amanda63

Hi everyone,
My husband and I currently live on the Gulf Coast of Florida, but we are back and forth between the NE coast of FL and somewhere along the coast in SC. Any information on nice coastal towns & neighborhoods with low crime rates? Thanks so much!

Go a little further inland and check out the town of Conway. It is 25 miles west of Myrtle Beach, close enough, has a large river, but yet still away from the maddening summertime and easter break crowds. I just moved here from Cocoa Beach, and LOVE It. I work in Myrtle and live in Conway.
Traffic can be insane, but if you are able to take the bypass, it is not so bad commuting from Conway.
This area is such a lovely area..... Maybe you would even like to check out the sunset beach/calabash area of NC.

www.sciway.net has been a very useful tool for me before I moved here.
Conway also has their own web site.

[Rapture]

Originally Posted by appleblossom

Go a little further inland and check out the town of Conway. It is 25 miles west of Myrtle Beach, close enough, has a large river, but yet still away from the maddening summertime and easter break crowds. I just moved here from Cocoa Beach, and LOVE It. I work in Myrtle and live in Conway.
Traffic can be insane, but if you are able to take the bypass, it is not so bad commuting from Conway.
This area is such a lovely area..... Maybe you would even like to check out the sunset beach/calabash area of NC.

www.sciway.net has been a very useful tool for me before I moved here.
Conway also has their own web site.

I'm also looking in the Conway area - can you offer any tips? I've been there twice to check it out and I seem to always likes something towards the area of 78. Thanks

[salatheel]

I spent time in Conway checking it out. It is not a bad little town. Close to everything.