Coastal SC or coastal NC? (Charleston, Myrtle Beach: transplants, real estate, new home)

[paxquest]

We're planning another trip to figure out a good retirement spot. Wilmington, NC seems to have a lot going for it. We've been to Charleston and Mt Pleasant. Can anyone provide provide some insight on living in the two states' coastal areas, particularly Wilmington and SE NC versus HH, MB or Charleston areas. Not sure OBX meets our needs for healthcare and cultural activities.
Thanks.

[baylovers]

I am unable to compare the two states for you, never lived in NC. We moved from Long Island to Pawleys Island 3 years ago and have really made a nice life for ourselves here. It is about 30 minutes to Myrtle Beach and the attractions, airport, doctors & other conveniences of a moderately large city. To the south is Charleston/Mt Pleasant, about 1:15 away for more upscale cultural activities and major medical amenities.

What specifically do you consider cultural? You certainly will not find opera & ballet in MB, but they do bring in different varieties of shows to the Palace Theater, House of Blues & other venues.

[Akhenaton06]

What exactly are you looking for in a place to retire?

[Ceezer]

I spent 6 years on the Crystal Coast and enjoyed every bit of my time there. However, according to friends that I have who still live there, Wilmington is nowhere near what it was when I left 10 years ago. It used to be a cool little town to hang out in with a bit of a cultural vibe due to the beaches & UNCW, but now (this is according to others; I've been meaning to get back to see for myself but haven't had the chance yet) it's blown into a complete cluster-eff of retirees and is super crowded.

As far as BBQ goes, nobody in the state of SC has anything on Eastern NC.

[paxquest]

Thanks for the replies.

We like classical, jazz, opera but could drive occasionally over to Charleston if Pawleys Island is where we settle. As far as what we're looking for ideally: quality healthcare 10 - 15 minutes away, relaxed, coastal pace, progressive and tolerant people welcoming of artsy and creative types, conscientious environmental management, limited strip malls and good zoning.

Supposedly Hilton Head scores pretty high in environmental and zoning, but we're not golfers which is huge there. While it may be more crowded now, Wilmington is very small compared to other mega-cities we've lived so that isn't a real concern. Wilmington seems to be good choice but we haven't been there yet, and their cost of living, primarily taxes, might be higher. What really scares me about SC is the politics. I'm concerned we may not meet a lot of like-minded people and I don't want to feel isolated which some have suggested on other posts.

I know BBQ is big in NC, but we eat more fresh seafood. When we ate in NC, the seafood was good but fried. Nearly every meal I've had in SC was really good, but I hear Wilmington is a foodie town.

I'm hoping that those of you familiar with both the Crystal Coast and the SC coast can give me an idea of how life differs in the two areas as it's so hard to judge just based upon a few days as a tourist. Even if you're not familiar with NC, it'd be great if you can let me know if anywhere in SC seems like a good choice for our new home.

Cheers!

[Akhenaton06]

Somewhere along the coast of SC seems ideal for you guys, particularly somewhere within the general orbit of Charleston which has great healthcare (the Medical Univ. of SC is located there) and it hosts the notable Spoleto Festival every year. And of course, you've got the seafood-based cuisine which is wonderful. As population as coastal SC is among retirees, particularly for those who are from points north, you'll be fine in terms of finding others who are more like-minded.

[lumbollo]

I grew up in Myrtle Beach and have relatives all over the coasts of both states and I would say that for most practical purposes there isn't a lot of differences between the areas. I think the question is do you want to live in a more "authentic" setting or a development catering to a couple of demographics. There is a lot of both in the Carolinas and I suggest that you will need to go and sniff it out to see which would be preferable.

I personally don't care much for Hilton Head and would head to Wilmington over it. Charleston is nothing more than a tourist trap these days as the "real" Charleston disappeared after the huge real estate boom in the late 90s and 2000s. This is personal preference however and others will certainly feel different.

I would also say that one place that is pretty nice, has not been messed up by too much development and doesn't get mentioned alot is Edisto Beach. You might want to check it out, but it is pretty slow. The biggest thing going on there is when the fishing boats come in. It reminds me of the beach towns that used to line the SC coast in the 60s and 70s before so much bad development took them over.

[Akhenaton06]

Good call on Edisto Beach; very quaint and pristine. Haven't been there in years though.

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by paxquest

Wilmington seems to be good choice but we haven't been there yet, and their cost of living, primarily taxes, might be higher. What really scares me about SC is the politics. I'm concerned we may not meet a lot of like-minded people and I don't want to feel isolated which some have suggested on other posts.

A choice based on state politics seems very shortsighted. There might be some merit to choosing a place based on its local politics, though, since that gives you a feel for the area.

Wilmington is going to be slightly more liberal, slightly less black, and less educated. It has a more entreprenurial economy, with a lot of really cool small businesses. It does not have the economic diversity or stability of Charleston.

as far as people go - Charleston, although it gets transplants from all over, it is seen as a mecca for southerners. You have people visiting and relocating from not just Ohio and New Jersey, but also Atlanta, Tennessee, Alabama, etc. Wilmington is different - it is almost exclusively northerners from big cities, and people from Charlotte or Raleigh.

I know BBQ is big in NC, but we eat more fresh seafood. When we ate in NC, the seafood was good but fried. Nearly every meal I've had in SC was really good, but I hear Wilmington is a foodie town.

The BBQ is identical, save that South Carolinians don't eat Brunswick Stew and North Carolinians don't eat hash and rice.

Both cities have excellent restaurants, but Charleston has a far superior culinary tradition.

Charleston tends to lead, Wilmington follows, and not just in food, but in almost all cultural matters.

Wilmington pretends that She-Crab soup is local, it is not.
Wilmington pretends that Shrimp & Grits are local, they might be, but I am skeptical.
Wilmington claims to be the land of the "Gullah", who were driven out of the area over 100 years ago.
Wilmington occasionally calls itself the "Lowcountry", which is blasphemy.
Wilmington magazine stands sell "Charleston" magazine; Charleston newstands do not sell "Wilmington" magazine.
Wilmington real estate agents & developers build "Charleston style homes" (which are not actually Charleston-style homes, by the way). Charleston agents/developers do not build "Wilmington style homes".
Wilmington area developments & streets are occasionally named after Charleston landmarks. I am skeptical that the opposite occurs.

Other factors -

Charleston gets FAR better musical acts than Wilmington. I listen to jazz, probably not the type of jazz you listen to.
Charleston has superior fine art, compared to Wilmington.
Charleston has better boating access, compared to Wilmington.
Charleston has better, and far more comprehensive universities than Wilmington.
Charleston's downtown is "the place to be". Wilmington's downtown is photogenic, but ultimately an afterthought behind Wrightsville Beach.

Wilmington gets the edge in terms of beaches. Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight, Topsail, are all superior to Charleston area beaches. Crystal clear water, and no pluft mud.
Wilmington has a stronger, more established film industry
Wilmington is in North Carolina, which IMO carries some benefits as a state over SC.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by rubber_factory

The BBQ is identical, save that South Carolinians don't eat Brunswick Stew and North Carolinians don't eat hash and rice.

Don't forget that SC does mustard-based BBQ, which is (unfortunately) considered blasphemous in NC.

Wilmington claims to be the land of the "Gullah", who were driven out of the area over 100 years ago.
Wilmington occasionally calls itself the "Lowcountry", which is blasphemy.

Technically, the Lowcountry region does stretch up towards the Wilmington area (and as far southward as north Florida), but you will find very, very, very few people who consider or call that the Lowcountry.