Couple questions on neighborhoods (Charleston, Myrtle Beach: rentals, HOA, crime rate)

[safak]

I have been to M.B. many times but always as a vacationer, I'll be heading down for scouting purposes in November and possibly moving(either M.B. or Charleston area) down the road sometime between next summer-end of 2012. Just trying to get as much information as I can to make my trips easier since I won't have tons of time to randomly drive around.

1. For you long time residents..If you were to move there knowing no one, where would be your top places with the following criteria:
~250k-300k budget for house, 4 bedroom and the rest is negotiable. Gladly would move a mile away from the beach for significant drop in house price.
-looking for residential neighborhood with as few vacancies and 'rentals' as possible
-2 young kids, would like neighborhoods with younger families/kids instead of a lot of retirees and 2nd homes.
-safe and decent school district. Don't have to be listed on any great-school rankings, I'm a firm believer in the parents and child themself playing the biggest part in education..but I don't want a dangerous or totally neglected school district.

been looking at houses everywhere from Little River down to Murrels Inlet and its hard to really grasp any difference from silver-lined descriptions and pie charts.

2. I have been looking at market commons but prefer more single-family type areas. Is that Emmons Preserve by Lennar part of the 'town' of market commons or is it basicly just planted near it and you would have to drive to restaurants/shopping? I guess, could I take a walk with the kids down to a town type setting for lunch or whatever.

3. I have been looking at commute times with traffic and it seems pretty much anywhere in the area would be at worst a 40 minute commute. (Little river to M.B., Murrels Inlet to Conway). Are there major traffic problems that would push this up to levels I wouldn't want to deal with, like hour+ commutes etc. Normal work hours for me aren't usualy during rush hour.

[blueherons]

The best place for families with few retirees would be either Pine Lakes or The Dunes Club but I'm not sure the latter would be in your budget.

I know there are quite a few families in Carolina Forest but there are also tons of retirees which can really make a HOA a miserable thing.

I live in Market Commons and love it but there aren't a lot of families that live out here. Mostly empty nesters and professional 30 somethings.

The single family homes seem to be quite empty at the moment.

I personally think it would be a great area for families because of the huge amount of parks and recreation out here and our extremely close proximity to the ocean.

[safak]

thanks for the info. not exactly what i wanted to hear, but good to know the facts. (not much of a golfer)

[GJM]

I live in Carolina Forest and my neighborhood has tons of families but some retired, it is mixed. Close to schools, they are almost done building the library and recreation center.

[Hmsquared]

My family is looking to relocate also and are looking at the Carolina forest area. I have read many great things about that area. However, some sites are saying they have a high crime rate. Is this true?

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by safak

thanks for the info. not exactly what i wanted to hear, but good to know the facts. (not much of a golfer)

There are so many golf courses down here, it's hard NOT to live on one. It doesn't have the cache of living on a golf course elsewhere.

[GJM]

The city of Myrtle Beach crime rate is high because of all the people coming & going with tourists. Carolina Forest is very safe - I have been here 4 years and no problems.