Welcome me to Mount Pleasant ;) (Charleston: new home, schools, quality of life)

[brasqo]

So after a about a year of research and trips, our family is officially making the big move from Long Island to Carolina Park in Mount Pleasant.. Needless to say, we're both extremely nervous yet excited at the same time. But I'm confident these feelings are the norm with a venture of this magnitude.

Just want to thank everyone on this board who took the time to answer any question I had. We can't wait to get started with our new home!

To those who are also looking into or are planning on making the leap to join the great city of Charleston, feel free to shoot me a line. I'm more than willing to share my experiences and research.

Thanks again "ya'll"! Hope to meet you soon in the real life!

[maltomario]

welcome! I relocated here in November, from upstate NY (syracuse region). we have relatives living on long island and also in orange county (middletown). I think you will enjoy the change.

lot of helpful people on these forums if you have questions before and after your move. Good luck with everything and PM me if you need help with anything.

[brasqo]

Thank you maltomario... How is everything thusfar? Anything weird that's been unexpected? Has your experience overall been positive? One of our main reasons for relocating was for the schools (I have a one year old).

Thanks for the feedback.

[maltomario]

I moved here via an out-of-the-blue job offer, otherwise I probably never would have considered SC as a potential home. Not because its SC, but its so far away from where my wife wanted to remain.

After being here for 6 months, and after the novelty of the area has worn off, I find myself happier here, and when i fly to visit family I look forward to coming back to SC more each time.

the most challenging thing for me is to leave my family and friends in NY. Of course, I also haven't been through a summer here yet, so I may change my answer come July. Ask me again in a few months LOL.

As a married adult with 2 young children it is more difficult than I originally imagined to meet new people. By meet I really mean "establish meaningful, deep, long lasting relationships" as opposed to "hey, its that lady who cut my hair last month". I don't have people went to grade school with and have known all my life living in the same town. I never run into people i know while out doing errands. that will change with time, of course, but its definitely a bit awkward during this transitional phase.

I will say, relocating has been a great learning experience and forces you to really step back and evaluate your life and what you really want out of it. My goal was to improve our work-life balance, get healthier, do more outdoorsy stuff, have more job opportunities in our respective fields. All of those goals were met, with the additional bonus of better weather, lower taxes, more affordable living, etc.

it is also nice to look back and say "we did it. we successfully did something most people can't or won't do (for whatever reasons)". Upstate NY has a lot of problems and I did not see it turning around in my lifetime. Rather than cry and moan I did something about my situation to improve things, though at times I feel guilty for becoming part of the "brain drain" statistic for NY.

The area has much to offer, great schools, nice weather, lots of outdoor activities if you're into that sort of stuff (I am). Way better medical care here, IMO. I went in for a initial consult / meet-n-greet with a new primary care Dr and was impressed by how they treated me. My first dentist visit, I was blown away at the cutting edge tech they used and also the way in which I was treated.

Overall, I am happy with the move as it gives my family a better quality of life, more 'family time' around the dinner table, good memories for the kids. they already love the beach (we go 1-2x a week). I almost didn't take the job but in hindsight, I am glad I did.

Good luck fellow future Mt. Pleasant neighbor!

[moneill]

Welcome and good luck!

[lady katie]

Awesome!! I grew up on Long Island and live in Syracuse now. We're *trying* to sell our house so that we can move down to Mount Pleasant as well! Open house is next weekend, cross your fingers for us

[IsNull]

Welcome home.

[Ind-limey]

We are moving to DI in about three weeks time. Huge upheaval for the family never the less exited about the move.
Thanks for your post Maltomario that was so encouraging to hear from some one further along in the journey,

[Sprouts]

Maltomario, nice post. We feel very similar.

[2nd-part-of-life]

Lady Katie
How has the weather been in Syracuse