SC native ... will answer questions (Charleston, Florence: high crime, townhome, buyers)

[sandyart]

HI kat2k,

If you could answer our post that would be so great and helpful. My husband and I are early 50's- -he is retired (licky guy!) and I work for a large corporation in NJ. I am lucky and will be able to get out of my job in two year and then will find some p/t job in semi-retirement- -whatever that means today. Anyway, we have lived in the northeast all our lives, but in my corporate travel I have done business in NC- - Wilson, to be exact and did not care for it.
Was wondering if Charleston might be somewhere that we could look for retirement. We have looked at Sarasota, Fla and will be visiting Austin, Texas this summer. We are moderate to liberal in our thinking- - I would like to call it progressive. We shop at Whole Foods like a lot of culture- - While I know the south is conservative, was wondering if Charleston might be somewhat more in what we are looking for? Oh- - we are animal lovers, 4 dogs and three cats! Any reply would be great!
Thanks
SC

[MB2]

Originally Posted by kat2k

Thought I'd jump in on the discussions and start a post of my own ... SC native and I have lived in Beaufort, Greenville, Irmo, and for a short while stayed in Aiken. I have visited every city just about in SC [Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Spartanburg, Aiken, Anderson, Florence, Sumter, Laurens, ect, you get the idea...big road trip taker here], and with my jobs in Greenville and Columbia, heard many of the dislikes and likes of the newcomers and people moving away, so maybe I can help some of you that are moving from another state, already in SC and moving somewhere else, or just visiting the state for a vacation. Moved to Brunswick, GA over 2 years ago for career reasons, but still keep up with all of the cities as much as possible and visit family a lot. I know my SC stuff.. I may not be able to help with neighborhoods and exact things like that, but can help with more general things.

Anyway, if anyone has a question about any of the cities in South Carolina, feel free to ask me and I'll try my best to answer.

Oh and ... I'm not a real estate agent or trying to make sales, just trying to help people out and share the information I know.

Thank you for your offer...I appreciate it, and take you up on it.
My husband and I lived in PA, moved to FL, moved back to PA on May 4th, and have realized, we do not want to stay here. My husband is very familiar with Mooresville/ NC, but after visiting and doing research came to realize that we can't afford the homes there (Up to $200K, maybe with 1/2 acre or so...somwhat older home perhaps).
So, we went further "down" near Charlotte, since my husband will be the main breadwinner, and he is a bartender/ barmanager. I came across several posts about Rock Hill and Clover, as well as Lake Wylie area. More "tax friendly" ? Tell me, what is the housing market like, the mentality of people there, and what really has us concerned...are there jobs there for my husband? (he's got 23 years experience!)
Is the idea of living in SC, and working in Charlotte a crazy idea, or common for people there?
Thank's for the info!

[Pookeber]

I didn't check all the other responses, but you can you tell me a little bit about Florence? My husband has a possible job offer there. I would like to know about schools, home prices, anything you want to tell me.

We were looking to move to the Myrtle Beach area, but Florence is pretty close.

Thanks,

Jen

Originally Posted by kat2k

Thought I'd jump in on the discussions and start a post of my own ... SC native and I have lived in Beaufort, Greenville, Irmo, and for a short while stayed in Aiken. I have visited every city just about in SC [Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Spartanburg, Aiken, Anderson, Florence, Sumter, Laurens, ect, you get the idea...big road trip taker here], and with my jobs in Greenville and Columbia, heard many of the dislikes and likes of the newcomers and people moving away, so maybe I can help some of you that are moving from another state, already in SC and moving somewhere else, or just visiting the state for a vacation. Moved to Brunswick, GA over 2 years ago for career reasons, but still keep up with all of the cities as much as possible and visit family a lot. I know my SC stuff.. I may not be able to help with neighborhoods and exact things like that, but can help with more general things.

Anyway, if anyone has a question about any of the cities in South Carolina, feel free to ask me and I'll try my best to answer.

Oh and ... I'm not a real estate agent or trying to make sales, just trying to help people out and share the information I know.

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by sunnyhelena

I have a general question about Myrtle beach- havent been yet- but some have mentioned its overcrowded, etc.

Also- I have visited Greeneville and Spartanburg- but if I were to consider the eastern part- what type of jobs are available? I have heard nice things about Charleston, but is that also primarily retirement/tourist?

thanks for any info-


sunny

Hi,
MB does seem to be rather overcrowded, mainly in the summer/peak months. It's not that bad the rest of the year.

Greenville is a WONDERFUL city. So much to do and lots of prosperity...there are quite a few different kinds of jobs available, it's rather lacking in IT/tech jobs I hear but that field is growing in the area. BMW, Michelin, Bi-Lo, and GE provide many jobs to the area.

Spartanburg has jobs, but I'm not as familiar with the job market there. It is not as prosperous as Greenville, in my opinion. It's sort of declined some.

Charleston does have a lot of the tourism stuff going on, but if you look hard enough you'll find something. There are a lot of retirees in some areas but it's not overloaded with them.

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by andeem625

I re-posted my questions because I think I got overlooked and lost in the shuffle. Thanks again!

Sorry about that..


For a rural area, I suggest areas outside of Aiken, Edgefield, Saluda (a good ways out), Johnston, etc. They are all 'rural' areas with nice drives to the coast, have land around them and are far from the big cities, but not that far to get to. These areas may be too small for you though.

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by wilmygirl

What is the Aiken area like? Augusta?

The area is alright. Augusta has some ROUGH areas ... I suggest the Evans area. Crime is pretty high in the area and when I've been there mainly on business there were a few gangs in some of the areas. One of the areas is full of gypsy houses ... that city isn't a favorite of mine. It seems like it's missing something. The mall has its share of crime also from what I've read.

Aiken is nice - some of the towns and areas outside it are rough, but the city itself is nice and clean. Some nice shopping centers and things. Augusta isn't far off for the other things.

Both areas are unbearably hot in the summer, but it IS SC and Georgia!

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by wildcourt

We are looking at buying some vacation property, but not sure which state is best--north carolina or south carolina. I mean in terms of re-sale value, beauty, proximity to water, etc.

The Wilmington, NC area is really booming, it is probably best in resale value. Charleston SC, probably next best. Both areas are gorgeous and right on the water. Wilmington is a gorgeous place!

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by jay2007

Hi, for over age 50 communities, is north myrtle beach better and cheaper the myrtle beach? Any input on difference between north myrtle beach and myrtle beach would be appreciated.
Thank you

Here is a website that will help you with that: http://www.myrtlebeachretirement.com/

NMB is newer and really growing. Myrtle Beach is more 'tourism' and has more tourists coming and going. I don't really know much more about the area, I'm sorry I cant help more.

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by MovingBack2PA

Thank you for your offer...I appreciate it, and take you up on it.
My husband and I lived in PA, moved to FL, moved back to PA on May 4th, and have realized, we do not want to stay here. My husband is very familiar with Mooresville/ NC, but after visiting and doing research came to realize that we can't afford the homes there (Up to $200K, maybe with 1/2 acre or so...somwhat older home perhaps).
So, we went further "down" near Charlotte, since my husband will be the main breadwinner, and he is a bartender/ barmanager. I came across several posts about Rock Hill and Clover, as well as Lake Wylie area. More "tax friendly" ? Tell me, what is the housing market like, the mentality of people there, and what really has us concerned...are there jobs there for my husband? (he's got 23 years experience!)
Is the idea of living in SC, and working in Charlotte a crazy idea, or common for people there?
Thank's for the info!

Rock Hill and Fort Mill are great places and REALLY growing (mostly overflow from Charlotte) and tons of people commute from those areas to Charlotte every day. Ft. Mill is a little closer to Charlotte. New homes are everywhere and the people are really nice. I have often wondered about tax differences between NC and SC, but have never heard anything one way or the other. Let me know if I can help more.

[MB2]

Originally Posted by kat2k

Rock Hill and Fort Mill are great places and REALLY growing (mostly overflow from Charlotte) and tons of people commute from those areas to Charlotte every day. Ft. Mill is a little closer to Charlotte. New homes are everywhere and the people are really nice. I have often wondered about tax differences between NC and SC, but have never heard anything one way or the other. Let me know if I can help more.

Thank's so much for responding so quickly
Really appreciate it,and will check out the tax situation. I guess it is really worth checking into....