What am I gonna do with Grandma? (Charleston, Mount Pleasant: house, neighborhoods)

[cirnick]

I have a strange question for you Charleston area experts. I plan on moving to Charleston area with my wife and 3 little kids. I want to bring my mother with us but she does not drive and does not want to leave the city area we live in now because she walks to the food, drug, etc stores.

Do the communities that I hear about (like Dunes West, Shadowmoss, etc) have stores within the community that a 70 year old lady would be able to walk to??

I like the idea of living in a community to have access to pools, trails, etc for the kids...if communities are a bad idea, please let me now that also.

Thanks for the help.

[dch123]

Hi, I'm not able to offer much advice since we're not there yet (relocating in June). But we also have young children (ages 5 and 3) and my mother will also be relocating! We have narrowed down our choices to Park West, Dunes West & Rivertowne. We really want our kids to go to Mt Laurel/Pinckney/Cario. These subdivisions also offer a lot of amenities that are great for the kids as well as my mom! And I believe that she will be able to buy a home in the same subdivision but in a different neighborhood/section since we have different needs/budget. But she can still take the kids to the pool without having to worry about guest passes or having to drive far to come over or vice versa. I know Park West had stores in the beginning of the subdivision, however, that being said, I do think a car would still be necessary because the place is HUGE... unless your mother would be living in one of the neighborhoods that is very close to the entrance... I forget how far away that would be to the shops. When are you moving? How old are your kids?

[SCBeaches]

No, I would not say that your mother would be able to walk to shop from any of these subdivisions. Unfortunately, in the Lowcountry, most of the residential areas are not in walking distance to any stores for a senior citizen. Now, if you lived in town in Summerville she could but then you wouldn't have the amenities. Sorry, wish I could help more.

[southerngentleman]

Look at Ion or Daniel Island,Both have shopping areas in the development

[deeni]

I don't have much input but I wanted to say that I hope you find what you are looking for! I would love to bring my 64 y/o mom down here but I don't feel like this area is very "older people" friendly. Driving over the bridges alone would freak my mom.

Now when I lived in Florida...I could totally see her down there....

[Jim3310]

Need more info first. Price?

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by cirnick

I have a strange question for you Charleston area experts. I plan on moving to Charleston area with my wife and 3 little kids. I want to bring my mother with us but she does not drive and does not want to leave the city area we live in now because she walks to the food, drug, etc stores.

Do the communities that I hear about (like Dunes West, Shadowmoss, etc) have stores within the community that a 70 year old lady would be able to walk to??

I like the idea of living in a community to have access to pools, trails, etc for the kids...if communities are a bad idea, please let me now that also.

Thanks for the help.

There are older neighborhoods in both Mount Pleasant and James Island and West Ashley where you probably could to find a home within walking distance to grocery stores and restaurants and shopping, but they might not also include also being within walking distance to a pool or playground. The Groves section of Mount Pleasant for instance or South Windermere or Old Windermere in West Ashley are all close to good shopping and restaurants.

[cirnick]

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.

My kids are 1, 3 and 5 and the house price range is about $375 - $400 range. If that helps anyone with more suggestions I will investiage any lead. Thanks.