Mt. Pleasant or Summerville?? (Charleston, Mount Pleasant: transplants, homeowners insurance, house)

[momto4boys]

Okay, I previously posted a threat about relocating, but I had a few questions as that post was mainly about relocating from FL to SC. My mom's fiance lives in Daniel Island. He's given us a lot of info about the area, but we just can't afford it there. Can anyone tell me how the 2 cities compare, differ, etc...? How do the schools compare? I know Mt. Pleasant has a larger population. Is the traffic worse? I've also noticed that the housing is cheaper in Summerville. Is it the old saying "you get what you pay for"? Or, is it just because it's farther away from Charleston? We want to spend $300-350k on a 4/2 + house in a safe neighborhood with good schools in a family friendly area. Is that possible? I just want to get the low-down on the crime, schools, etc... before we make a final decision. Sorry for all the questions, but I just don't want to make a blind move. We're going to be visiting either in March or April and would like to have a little info before we come. Thanks so much for any feedback, I really appreciate it!!

[carolinajack]

MP MP MP mp is great but if housing prices is the issue I would suggest summerville

[scjj]

The entire Charleston area has traffic issues. Any of the coastal areas around Charleston you will pay more for housing. Summerville is roughly 25 miles inland from Charleston. You can get the same kind of home in Summerville by the same builders that you can in Mount Pleasant, but you will pay more in Mount Pleasant for the location of being closer to the ocean and the land being more expensive. Your insurance will run higher too being closer to the ocean. Housing in Summerville isn't exactly cheap, it just seems that way when comparing it to areas near the Charleston coast. Summerville housing compared to other areas around the state is considered expensive.

[theflynns]

Don't forget your homeowners insurance should be cheaper in Summerville (inland) than Mt. Pleasant (coastal) as well...right?

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by theflynns

Don't forget your homeowners insurance should be cheaper in Summerville (inland) than Mt. Pleasant (coastal) as well...right?

Exactly! Mount Pleasant is gorgeous, you are right by the ocean. But the homeowner's insurance is going to eat your alive. (hurricanes).

[momto4boys]

Thanks for your replies. Hopefully we'll be making the move sooner than later. At least now I have something to go on!!

[carolinajack]

mom,

I dont know where you are coming from but the homeowners insurances isnt that bad. Still cheaper than living in NJ, CT, MASS, VT, NY, PA, Cal,or DC area.

So have a look at both areas and decide on Mtns or Ocean. Good hunting

[marker126]

Originally Posted by carolinajack

So have a look at both areas and decide on Mtns or Ocean.

Do you really mean this? Summerville is a little more than 30 minutes from the beach. Still part of the lowcountry.

I would recommend Summerville over Mt. Pleasant. I personally get a weird feeling when I'm in Mt. Pleasant. It seems a lot of people there are fake, and obsessed with their image. Just my 2 cents.

[carolinajack]

no my faux pas, i was thinking spartanburg closer to the mountains.

My hometown is Mt Pleasant and family has been there since before the Revolution so, to me it is perfect but the transplants are coming from the North and Some(not all) bring with them very bad habits like they will not look you in the eye, they are rude and only think about themselves.

real mt pleasanters are a delight with great southern hospitality

[baylovers]

Jack, whar do you pay for homeowners insurance in Mt. P? I am in Pawleys, exactly 1.5 miles from both the ocean & intracoastal and pay a little over $3500 a year with USF & G. I may have gotten lucky even getting a policy at all from some of the horror stories I've read about and Farm Bureau quoted me $7K a year. As a comparison I was paying less than $2K a year for waterfront on Long Island.