Moving to South Carolina from Connecticut (Fort Mill, Lake Wylie: homes, high school, taxes)

[csinnett]

Hi Glimmer380.

We were recently stationed in Connecticut and then moved back to Summerville. I was born and raised here. We have been stationed in other places and I loved them too! Each place is a new adventure with pros and cons. When looking at moving here there is North Charleston, Summerville, West Ashley, James Island, and Moutn Pleasant. Yes, I have excluded some other areas and picked the main affordable ones for the most part.
I live in Summerville. I liked Summerville for a couple of reasons. My husband works in Goose Creek and I work in Mount Pleasant. Our neighborhood Weatherstone is right off of the interstate so it is very convenient for quick access to anywhere. Also, we like Berkeley County Schools. Yes, some will argue that but here is the deal: Dorchester County has awesome schools but the housing for that area can be cumbersome for commute times, Mount Pleasant has excellent schools the area is a little pricey, North Charleston has good and bad areas and I will say it and hopefully not offend but lately to me there has been too much crime! I like the Berkeley County schools because my daughters are not the minority or the majority. I like my neighborhood because there is a main shopping center at the entrance with a Movie Theatre, Best Buy, Dicks, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target, Lone Star, Zaxby's and more. I like as a mom being able to get whatever I need whenever without driving far. Also I like the parks and movies locally. Plus our neighborhood has a nice community with a Junior Olympic Size pool and sidewalks. Also, they have a brand new fire department being built at one of the entrances. Lastly, I know they have been talking about building a new community called the Sheep Island Project in years to come that will help with property values. There are plenty of houses in Summerville just do not go in to deep into the rural areas as traffic is picking up but honestly I can;t think of one area in the tri county area that is not. Oh, I have a degree in Environmental Management and used to work for MUSC and Alumax which is now Alcoa. With your husband in the environmental field there are plenty of jobs here looking for the experience. Good Luck.

[Glimmer380]

CSinnett, Thank you so much for your response. You've been very helpful. It's a bit scary to think about leaving everything we know, but an adventure I guess. It's important to me to hear from people like you, from Connecticut, to help decide whether or not to take the plunge.

[janrey]

Originally Posted by Glimmer380

Thanks so much for the info. Summerville has come up in many conversations, my husband has friends there and just came back from scouting it out. That looks like a good bet.

I love New England and it kills me to leave, but it's so expensive here, we can't afford a home without mortgaging us to the hilt.

I've heard alot of good things about going South, like the fact that it is more affordable and still growing. But I've also heard alot of horror stories about racism, lower income and brutal weather. (Not to mention the fact that mountain hiking trails are not as accessable as they are at home). But I guess every place has its trade offs.

Good Luck!

I think you'll find Summerville to be familiar, especially if you drive down Main(?) street. My friend lives in North Charleston on the Summerville line I live if the upstate and come from Massachusetts. The weather, yep. Down at the coast will be somewhat brutal in summer months but hey everyone everywhere has A/C (air conditioning). So, you stay in much of the time (peak sun times) during the really bad days much like you would in Connecticut during the dreaded winter. Hiking. Nope won't get that in Summerville but if you want a weekend trip upstate SC and/or the mountains of North Carolina (Asheville area) aren't that far. Lower income, yep but housing is (usually) cheaper and taxes are lower. I haven't heard much about racism at least those who are overtly racist. I think you'll find Summerville to be pleasant. FYI Charleston is to me like Boston with a southern flair.

[peephole]

Don't move to South Carolina. It has got to be one of the most racist and culturally ignorant places in the country. Most of the white people live in trailer parks and are happy about it. It's pretty backwards.

[GJM]

[QUOTEDon't move to South Carolina. It has got to be one of the most racist and culturally ignorant places in the country. Most of the white people live in trailer parks and are happy about it. It's pretty backwards][/quote]


That is a broad statement to make about an entire state! I will say it isn't like that where I live in SC.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by peephole

Don't move to South Carolina. It has got to be one of the most racist and culturally ignorant places in the country. Most of the white people live in trailer parks and are happy about it. It's pretty backwards.

Stop trolling and get a life.

[baylovers]

one of the most racist and culturally ignorant places.... white people live in trailer parks

Jeez, that was a fine example! Obviously hasn't been around the state much.

[ljkbsb]

I moved to Orangeburg and have only been to Summerville to go shopping. It seems much more progressive than Orangeburg. The cost of living has to be less than the northeast, but there are some cultural issues here that I hadn't even considered before moving from the Midwest. I naively thought most of those issues were resolved in the 60's.

[South Florida CS]

Last year I bought some property in the Orangeburg area, Rowesville actually, and this July I made a trip up there. I was amazed at how beautiful the area was and how nice everyone was...everyone, everywhere..it was a a shocker from South Florida. I think that as more and more areas continue to build up, SC will begin to see an influx of people - which may or may not help with the clultural issues. As for me, I can definately see myself moving up there in a few years. No matter where you go today you are going to run into cultural clashes. South Florida is one for sure, everywhere you go there are bilingual signs and English seems to not be a requirement for living here!

[transplantct]

Have you decided on moving yet?

I think SC has a lot to offer, but it isn't for everyone.

I'm from CT and moved four years ago. I live in Columbia. It's a good town with a little bit of everything. People are nice, and for the most part, I have nothing to complain about.

Do I miss CT? Yes! I love a lot about New England and if I had the choice again, I would not have moved. I think a lot depends on what you enjoy doing and the type of environment you prefer to live in. I miss being in a more urban setting, the diversity, and the proximity of a lot of things from hills and mountains, to beaches, and cities. (I'm talking about 2 hours and under from many locations in the north.)

If you love New England, really think about.

Also, affordability can be decieving. Yes, a lot of the housing is affordable, but if you're not used to living in a subdivision, it can be quite a change. There are older neighborhoods that are more like the ones in NE, but tend to be pricier and sometimes are the same or more expensive than housing up there.

I would say visit a lot before you make a big move in order to really know if it's a good fit for you and your family.