best neighborhoods for tweens (Charleston, Myrtle Beach: new house, buying, magnet school)

[VinnyD]

We are looking at re locating to Myrtle Beach area. We have a very gifted 12 yr old girl, she is currently in a magnet school, so a really good school is important to us. She would also need a good PED GI DR. I would like to be somewhere I have access to a VA clinic/ Hospital.
My brother lived there a few yrs ago and tried to get us to move there when you can buy a new house for under 200,000 now they are getting out of control like every where else. My Budget would be around 350,000 but would like to keep it closer to 300,000. I am leaning more toward New Builds because I really don't want to get into a bidding war and pay way over for an older house. I am hoping to get down there in the next few months to look around again since soo much has built up and changed since last time and would like to have an idea where to go instead of driving all over the place like last time

[CTyankee54]

Finding a new build for $300K in most neighborhoods is close to impossible and buying a new build will not eliminate the bidding war situation. Last year, we were looking at new builds and the agent told us that we could select a lot/house that they would not be able to start on for at least 4 months and we would be put on a wait list. When the house was started, they would contact everyone on the wait list and ask them to put in their best offer (based on a list price that the builder would provide). Highest bidder would get the house when it was completed. So, you should not rely on new builds to avoid paying over asking price. The good news is that the housing market seems to be stabilizing some with the higher interest rates so competition might not be as intense.



As far as neighborhoods with good schools, Carolina Forest is where many families locate as there are more younger folks living there than most other neighborhoods and the schools are highly rated. St James schools also get good marks and there are many neighborhoods that feed those schools.



There is a new VA clinic in the Market Common area and if you lived in either Carolina Forest or the St James area, it would be easily accessible. Most people that I know that need access to a VA hospital travel to Charleston (2 hour drive) for surgeries, etc. It's actually not a bad drive. My wife needed eye surgery last year and we traveled to Charleston (not the VA) for access to a top notch surgeon and, other than having to get up at the crack of dawn to get there, it wasn't a bad experience.



Based on your needs, I suggest you focus on Carolina Forest and areas south of RT 501.



When you come down, I strongly recommend working with an agent to help you zero in on the right neighborhoods in your price range. Not every house within your price comes in a desirable neighborhood. PM me when you're ready and I can provide you with the name of an agent that I recommend (I'm not an agent).

[thebigboo]

I'd say Berkshire Forest, but it is getting CROWDED on that bus! ;-)