Relocating to Charleston from Seattle (neighborhood suggestions?) (North Charleston, Ravenel: apartment complex, home)

[macalan]

If you are going to be working on Daniel Island, I would definitely live on Daniel Island. Traffic in this area is bad and getting worse by the day. I live in Mt Pleasant and work on Daniel Island, and there are some days it takes me almost an hour to get home. A normal day is 45 minutes. I can make it to work in 30 minutes IF I leave early - out the door by 7:10 at the very latest. Otherwise it's 45 minutes, or an hour. An forget it if there's an accident. The Don Holt bridge often gets jammed up, and then jams up the Wando bridge which you have to go over to get to Daniel Island. Why spend your valuable time in traffic? Especially since you have a dog that needs to be walked.

Daniel Island is a walker's paradise. It doesn't matter where you live. There are over 23 miles of paved trails that interconnect the whole island. And the island isn't all that big. We lived on Daniel Island for 2 years and rented before we moved to Mt Pleasant and we loved it. It is the safest town in the Charleston metro by far. As a woman walking my dog alone, I never was concerned early AM or late at night. Daniel Island is very dog friendly, and has a great natural pet store Lucia's.

Daniel Island has become very vibrant with the new apartment complexes and other things that have recently been built. There's tons of young people, and things going on. There are also many families and seniors so it's a good demographic mix. It may be light on the diversity you seek though, I'd waive that in favor of safety, convenience and no commute.

The thing I liked most about Daniel Island is that it is compact and pretty much self-contained. There are doctors, dentists, eye doctors, an office park, restaurants, shops, a grocery store, pet store, banks, pharmacy, tons of parks and green space, library, police, fire, brewery, open air stadium that hosts a women's pro tennis tournament and great concerts in the summer, Smythe park, and a ferry to downtown Charleston. It's also a great location. 15 minutes to the airport, 15 minutes to downtown Charlestown, 15 minutes to the hospital, and 15 minutes to Mt Pleasant.

I would look at the following apartment complexes -

1) Central Island Square - this is by far the nicest in my opinion. It's the newest and has the most amenities and the best location. Smack dab in the middle of the action. Beautiful free gym, package service, dog spa with washing station, dog park, beautiful pool, great club house with planned activities - cooking classes, wine tastings, etc. Valet trash, inside entrances, guaranteed parking. They also have townhouses. This complex is right next to the brewery/restaurant - Dockerys - where there is live music all the time. You can also walk from here to the grocery store and shops/restaurants, as well as to the stadium for concerts.

2) Wharf 7 - these are the 2nd newest. Very nice, but different. The parking isn't guaranteed, and the entrances are outside, so more opportunities for critters. The layouts also I didn't find as nice. Personal preference. Kind of tucked out of the way, so not quite as convenient. Nice gym, planned activities.

3) Simmons Park - these are in a really great location, but are fairly old. They really are in need of an update, and are kind of dark inside and in the common areas. The pool is also VERY small. Gym is ok, kind of old. Some planned activities I think.

4) Daniel Island Village - this is where we lived. Great management and comfortable apartments, but one of the oldest complexes. I have heard they have renovated a lot of the units though. The nicest thing about this complex is it is surrounded by greenery and ponds and is right next to a walking trail, but is also a really easy walk to town. I used to walk out dog either on the trail or just in the adjacent neighborhoods. Much more walking opportunities for a dog vs Central Island Square, Simmons Park or Wharf 7. They also have a small gym and planned activities.

5) Talison Row - Similar to Daniel Island Village. I think they may be a bit newer. Not as much green space around the complex. Right next to DI Village, so walkability is the same to town.

Best of luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. We moved here from the Boston metro, so it was a big change culture wise also. Where will you be working? Blackbaud is right next to Central Island Square - one of the biggest employers on the island.

[FiveLoaves]

That's great information macalan !! Do you have a ballpark idea what the Rents might be in those units ?? Kelly's dog might be an issue for some rentals.

I'm glad you didn't bring up the crime thing.....some think that all crime stops at the town line and you won't see so much as a parking ticket in Mt P.

[macalan]

The dog is not an issue at any of those apartments. They are all pet friendly/dog friendly. Not sure of the rents.

[LocalHero]

Macalan sums up everything good about Daniel Island and I agree, if you're working there, you're going to really appreciate living there. I have clients who have moved there (from MN) while they look for a house and they're loving it. You might have a different perspective as a single, 20 something, but you can always go to Park Circle or West Ashley or Downtown for a more hipster vibe.

[mrpeatie]

While I agree with Macalan- and Jordn social assessment- I think there are a couple of other wrinkles.


The commute in and out of West Ashley is entirely dependent on location. Avondale/close in West Ashley has a lot of what you want and you are not that far from 26 via the Northbride. So you would revers commute the WA and 26 portion of your commute and then hit 526 to head into Daniel Island.

I actually think Park Circle might be the closest to what you want. Wagner/Terrace/Hampton Park could be an option- especially now that West Edge and NoMo are adding so many food/beverage options. Again that is on the peninsula but literally right off of 26.


Look closely at Daniel Island itself. It really seems to be one of those love it or hate it places with fewer people in the middle.

[kellymac13]

Originally Posted by FiveLoaves

Don't sign a long-term lease until you get a feel for this area.

How big is your dog ?? Some Rentals put a limit on pet size.

24 lbs, so he's not usually a problem. The lease advice is a great point; I'm just not sure how much flexibility I'll have.

Originally Posted by jonrd463

Be prepared for a bit of culture shock.

Maybe I should clarify that I'm not native to the PNW. I've lived outside the West Coast "bubble" before (lived in Ohio for a while). But this will be my first time living in the south, so yes, I'm expecting culture shock

[kellymac13]

Originally Posted by macalan

Why spend your valuable time in traffic? Especially since you have a dog that needs to be walked.

Hahaha so spot on! Thank you so much for all the information in your post and for thoughtfully looking at the various complexes. REALLY appreciate it!

[FiveLoaves]

Originally Posted by kellymac13

24 lbs, so he's not usually a problem. The lease advice is a great point; I'm just not sure how much flexibility I'll have.



Maybe I should clarify that I'm not native to the PNW. I've lived outside the West Coast "bubble" before (lived in Ohio for a while). But this will be my first time living in the south, so yes, I'm expecting culture shock

Good Dog....what breed ?? The Leases I've seen with Dog Clauses typically want to exclude 25 lbs and up so keep the kibbles at a minimum -- HA.

The nightly traffic reports give driving times on the regular rush hour routes -- Daniel Island to West Ashley can run around 50 minutes. Your search should focus on the DI/ MT P side of our little big town.

Another word to the wise -- downplay the Ohio thing when you get here.

[LocalHero]

Originally Posted by mrpeatie

While I agree with Macalan- and Jordn social assessment- I think there are a couple of other wrinkles.


The commute in and out of West Ashley is entirely dependent on location. Avondale/close in West Ashley has a lot of what you want and you are not that far from 26 via the Northbride. So you would revers commute the WA and 26 portion of your commute and then hit 526 to head into Daniel Island.

I actually think Park Circle might be the closest to what you want. Wagner/Terrace/Hampton Park could be an option- especially now that West Edge and NoMo are adding so many food/beverage options. Again that is on the peninsula but literally right off of 26.


Look closely at Daniel Island itself. It really seems to be one of those love it or hate it places with fewer people in the middle.

I too think the side of West Ashley close to Northbridge side (route 7) would be a reasonable commute and generally going against rush hr traffic. It wouldn't be near as easy as living on DI would be though. It's a matter of balance between commute and culture there. DI has near zero diversity I'd think, while WA is one of the more diverse areas of Charleston.

As for Park Circle, put me in the camp of folks who think it's a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. It's a small pocket of hip surrounded by some pretty ugly territory. Probably getting better than I'm keeping up with, but I personally wouldn't choose to live there right now. I think that about a lot of North Charleston in general. Much of it is very nice but interlaced with the high crime/drug scene.
That said, more minor crime, like cars being broken into (especially unlocked cars) is becoming commonplace all around Charleston (with a possible exception of Daniel Island). It's a hard problem to stop.

[johngolf]

I agree that Daniel Island best meets your needs. You should be able to get a one bedroom for about $1,200 to $1,300 a month and a two bedroom for about $1,500. The lack of commute time and expense will be a big plus.