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Hi all
I started this post back in March. Still researching... and boy is it exhausting! Hoping to take another trip down there next month to look around some more and to talk to more locals.
As far as schools, the Carolina Forest and Forestbrook schools rank high; but test scores don't tell the whole story. I'm still trying to figure out what the best location for us would be... and if it's even in MB area at all :/ I was reading a site that ranked MB #15 as the MOST DANGEROUS CITY in the whole US!! What's up with that?? That is pretty alarming...
If anyone has any more advice on family oriented areas and towns surrounding MB I would appreciate it!
There are those on this forum who will disagree, but most of the crime is tourists being stupid. Probably at least half the newspaper crime stories I see are about someone being out by themselves at 2am and getting robbed or having something stolen from their rooms because they left the sliding glass door to the patio open. Most people wouldn't dream of walking around at 2am by themselves in their home town...but somehow they think nothing will happen to them just because they are on vacation.
Is there crime in MB...absolutely. If you leave your car unlocked with your GPS in the seat, it will be stolen. If you walk on the beach or a city street at 3am by yourself, you're probably going to get approached by someone looking to take something from you. If you invite someone that you just met drinking at a bar back to your room at 3am, something bad is probably going to happen. But, if you subtract out all of the tourist related "leave your brains at home" related crime, it's probably no worse than other similar sized towns.
Finally, there are only a couple of places in MB that I would not want to go walking during the daytime hours. That contrasts starkly with the city from which I moved where the entire north side was a place I wouldn't even want to go with a police escort. For me, MB is a place where I feel safe, but I also take the normal precautions of locking doors, being aware of my surroundings when out during the evening...just like anyplace else.
Thank you CT for clearing that up for me!! I figured it was mostly tourist related, "spring breaker" related stuff. That makes me feel better for you to say that.
What parts of MB would you not want to go even in the daytime?? I'd like to avoid those areas as well!
Also, what do you think of Market Commons? Seems nice, from what I've researched. How is the MB school district? The ratings aren't good; however, test scores don't tell the whole story about a school so it's not much to go by.
The primary area to avoid is Greens Blvd and it's ironic because it's very near Broadway at the Beach which is perfectly fine. Just don't take a wrong turn when visiting Broadway...
Market Commons is nice...kind of like a city within the city of MB...upscale...lots of younger, urban types in the "downtown" area of Market Commons. I haven't spent much time in the nearby housing areas...we visited them but you pay extra for living that close to the Commons. We found we could get more for our $$ in other areas. So, I don't know the demographics of those developments...whether retirees, families, singles, etc. Also, keep in mind that you'll pay significantly more for homeowners insurance for anywhere east of the Intercoastal Waterway (which the Commons are).
I don't know much about the city of MB schools as our kids are all grown and out on their own. Ratings are on the Horry County schools web site. I haven't read much of anything about student violence in the MB schools and they do get recognition for some very good students from time to time. Overall, I'd say I have a positive view of the schools based on strictly observation from afar.
The primary area to avoid is Greens Blvd and it's ironic because it's very near Broadway at the Beach which is perfectly fine. Just don't take a wrong turn when visiting Broadway...
Market Commons is nice...kind of like a city within the city of MB...upscale...lots of younger, urban types in the "downtown" area of Market Commons. I haven't spent much time in the nearby housing areas...we visited them but you pay extra for living that close to the Commons. We found we could get more for our $$ in other areas. So, I don't know the demographics of those developments...whether retirees, families, singles, etc. Also, keep in mind that you'll pay significantly more for homeowners insurance for anywhere east of the Intercoastal Waterway (which the Commons are).
I don't know much about the city of MB schools as our kids are all grown and out on their own. Ratings are on the Horry County schools web site. I haven't read much of anything about student violence in the MB schools and they do get recognition for some very good students from time to time. Overall, I'd say I have a positive view of the schools based on strictly observation from afar.
You mention Greens Blvd. I made that turn once trying to get over to 501 as the traffic was backed up.
I guess I did not notice anything that I should be weary of. Please let me know as I thought most all the area around broadway was fine. Thank you for your input.
Unless I am totally missing something the areas I kinda was worried about were the Socastee area, a couple blocks between MB and NMB and out 501 close to Conway.
Crime is a worry to me but looking at the stats I see a lot of petty crimes and was thinking like you most tourist related.
I've been in MB for the last 7 years, and I really like it. Our realtor tried to talk us into buying in Carolina Forest when we moved here, but we ended up in a neighborhood called The Lakes (right at 17 bypass and Glenn's Bay Road/Homestown Rd). After seeing the traffic nightmare around Carolina Forest and HWY 501, I am soooo glad we ended up here. We are close to everything: the beach, shopping, Murrells Inlet with the awesome Marsh Walk, Brook Green Gardens, etc. Since we are on the west side of 17, our taxes and wind/hail (aka hurricane) insurance are MUCH cheaper. This neighborhood is awesome and very safe too. We have several lakes with swans, geese, and ducks everywhere. The houses have nice size lots (1/3 - 3/4 acre) and most were custom built in the 1990's, so they don't all look exactly the same. I have two children under six, and we live in the back of the neighborhood on a dead end, just steps from the pool, so my kids can ride their bikes in the streets, and I never worry. Houses range from $175-400,000 on the highest end. Most are in the $200k range, though. We are in the St. James School district too, with which I am very happy.
In my opinion, this neighborhood is one of the hidden gems in MB.
Marko11--Greens Blvd is a high crime area...lots of drug activity, muggings, some shootings, etc. None of it spills over into Broadway that I'm aware of but the Greens Blvd area is in the newspaper crime reports frequently and even have had some spotlight articles about trying to clean it up. It may not look bad during the day, but it's not a place you would want to spend any time.
We live near Socastee and, while parts of it look a little run down, there doesn't seem to be much real crime....I see some domestic violence reports from time to time, but overall, it seems pretty normal.
I agree with otis987...The Lakes community is very nice...we looked there as well. We were a little concerned about being so close to 17 bypass but I'm sure it's manageable and there must not be much noise based on otis987 comments.
Location: Lakewood NJ/Murrells Inlet SC/ N. Naples FL/Swainton NJ
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When I take my vehicle for service at Hyatt GMC, I also do my daily walk. I walk from Frontage to Broadway At The Beach, walk around there three times and then back up Greens Blvd. to Frontage. Aside from all the small business sites on the side streets (and a whole row of tatoo palors), I have never seen anything that would make me worry about walking around there. Of course this is in the daylight. Perhaps at night I would feel different.
otis, I will definately look in to The Lakes; it sounds great! Which area of MB is it considered? Forestbrook? And I've heard a little about St James school district; is it one of the best around there? I have to say, I'm most concerned with picking a great school district for my children first and foremost. Any information about the school districts, good or bad, that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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