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I'm not Beth, but hopefully can help. I initially answered your question about DI. DI elementary/grade school is suppose to be good, but will have problems with overcrowding very soon (if not already). There is some talk about restricting the school to island residents - I think this may happen as more families move in. I do not have children old enough to attend the school, so my opinion is based on general consensus. DI feeds into Hanahan high school (off island). I have heard so-so comments regarding this school. My understanding is that it is not as "good" as Wando High School. I suspect there will be a public high school built on the island in the next decade. Your other option for high school is the private Catholic school - Bishop England, located on the island.
My neighbors are laid back but definitely upper middle class. We live on the south side of the island (less extravagant homes). Under 400k, you will be in a "starter" home. There are a few homes in the 1400-2000 sq ft range around 400k now. Avg cost per sq ft varies from $150-250 - avg close to $200. You pay at least a 20% premium to live on the island - from what I have seen (builders put up the exact same home here as in some Mt Pleasant subdivisions).
It's not Mercedes, BMWs and Range Rovers - it is more like Mercedes, BMWs and Volvos. But, you would get the same with some MtP subdivisions.
DI is just a ten minute drive from MtP. You should at least drive through it when you are here. I think it would be easier to answer your questions once you have a few communities in mind, rather than trying to compare 10-20 communities at the same time. You'll drive yourself crazy. Some issues may not be relevant (high school) at this time unless you plan on staying in the same house for 10-12 years.
Hi *G* and thanks for the feedback.. it all is helping a great deal !
Our son is not exactly ready for high school or any school though we wish we could send him now to catch a break... he is 7 months. So the buidling of any schools, be it middle or high school would be welcome, no interest for any child to travel off island.. but of course nothing to count on building wise.
As you said, best bet is a drive through to catch a feel and more than one time of course and the drive will be through our price zone areas.
One big point is the lack of proximity or less so than MP to Charleston. No we will not be there daily or weekly (except for work perhaps) but MP being much easier to come and go is a plus.
DI does not offer the diversity right now, price range wise... and we would be tucked into our niche at 400K for perhaps less than we want for a home there and the thought of 20% higher than MP is not tasty
Seems more diversity in MP and closer to the beaches and downtown Charles.
A drive through has to be done as well as more questions here and comments and feedback from all of you about DI... thanks of course.
Would be nice to see a Volvo again.. I never see them anymore !
Almost purchased a 240 wayyy back, but went with a Mazda 626 and put on 135K miles on it and happy for the choice.
James Island is the only place that is closest to downtown; more affordable with older neighborhoods from where you actually have PRIVACY and aren't right on top of your neighbors--- and if that isn't enough, you are minutes from Folly Beach closer thatn most Mt. Pleasant residents are to Sullivan's island PLUS from the northern coast of James Island you have a BREATHTAKING VIEW of downtown Charleston's Battery, the Ashley River and the Cooper River including all BRIDGES as well as Patriots's Point, the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant and and Sullivan's Island with the entrance to the harbor and Ft. Sumpter to your far right. Nowhere else in Charleston will you get such an awesome view of the Harbor. This view can be had from the park next to the James Island Yacht club where a new fishing dock has recently been built. Additionally while you won't find fine clothing shoppes on James Island like you will in Mt. Pleasant, you will find everything else from Lowes to Earth Fare (a smaller version of Whole Foods)- (just over the ICW in West Ashley) to Harris Teeter, an upper scale "regular" grocery store.... and a variety of restaurants both chain and local.
So if you want a country feel that is close to the harbor and ocean that isn't too remote and is a stone's throw from historic downtown besides being close to the highway and airport, James Island is the only place that fits the bill.
In Mt. Pleasant you'll get the finer clotheirs and Whole Foods is located there. But you are farther from downtown; father from the beach; views from the beach aren't nearly as nice; neighborhoods are more cookie cutterish.
Regarding schools, go by the test scores and the way you can do that is to go to www.greatschools.net and look up each scool and see what percentage of kids achieved grade level in English and Math.
The thought of hurricanes may scare you BUT hurricane don't sneak up on anybody. Unlike a tornado that, if your lucky, gives you 5 minutes notice, a hurricane usually gives you 2-3 days. If it looks bad, you have plenty of time to pack up and leave. Even with a baby. Hurricans generally come here bewtween Sept and Oct although the season is officially Jun - Oct I think. When you buy a house, get federal flood insurance if you think you need it. Home owners generally only pays for water damage but not "flood damage" ie anything caused by rising water. And insure for replacement value and not a set price if you can. There are plenty of folks out there who are lining in older home insured for 100k or 200k who could not rebuild what they have now withthat amount of money.
As for public school, the areas you are looking a should all be okay I think. In the neighboorhoods you are looking at price wise I don't think there will be a problem with conditions. After that, well public school is I believe what you make of it and parental involvement makes a giant difference. The school districts do run differently with Charleston County offering alot of charter school and magnet school and many public school requiring uniforms. Personally, I'm Berkeley County and my son's elementary school has Smart Boards in all classrooms and 3 pc's available in each class to students as well as 2 computer labs.
I'm neutral. I live in Hanahan and it is not convienent for you. I think Mt. P and JI are both good options for you with Mt P being more "organized" and JI more "rural" feeling although it is not really rural.
As a side note, Harris Teeter is also a grocery chain here and while currently small in Chas (4 stores) there are more slated to open in the next 3 years in West Ashley (this June 10), Mt. P on Hwy 41 (jan/Feb 10), Carnes CrossRoads in Goose Creek (June/July 10) as well as yet another a summerville store (trolley rd/dorchester area) (Jan/Feb 11)and even a possible Johns Island store and yet another Mt p store ( four a total of 4 in Mt P). Harris Teeter - Pharmacy Careers
okay I work there. If you want me to, I'll get the corporate pharmacy specialists name when I go back on Monday. We actually have 187 stores now i think.
hope this helps. Just 2 more cents. I think your way past a dollar by now........
Gee Emily........ what you wrote about James Islands.. make me want to take another look at it !!
Sounds lovely and you hit some very nice points, very nice.
We are concerned over schools.. though our son is wayyyyyyy off from school.. being a total of 7 months now
But be prepared for the long term as we see it as living there !
I looked at high schools and see it as James Island Charter School (according to greatschools.net)
Yes I know it is dumb perhaps.. as high school for him is like 15-16 years away.
Excuse me but 'charter' means please ?
Reason I negated JI was because of the school system. People wrote me that you either send the child to private or bus him to another island/locale...neither holds interest for me, sorry.
As I said he is 7 months and wayyyyyyyyyyyyy off from school and yes you make the best of school by taking an active part at home etc etc
So any comments on the school system..
People wrote a high school might be built as the population builds etc etc
Build all you want... it is the integrity that counts.
Anyway some more points, comments, please and thank you if you have the time.
Thanks
Michael
Quote:
Originally Posted by emilybh
James Island is the only place that is closest to downtown; more affordable with older neighborhoods from where you actually have PRIVACY and aren't right on top of your neighbors--- and if that isn't enough, you are minutes from Folly Beach closer thatn most Mt. Pleasant residents are to Sullivan's island PLUS from the northern coast of James Island you have a BREATHTAKING VIEW of downtown Charleston's Battery, the Ashley River and the Cooper River including all BRIDGES as well as Patriots's Point, the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant and and Sullivan's Island with the entrance to the harbor and Ft. Sumpter to your far right. Nowhere else in Charleston will you get such an awesome view of the Harbor. This view can be had from the park next to the James Island Yacht club where a new fishing dock has recently been built. Additionally while you won't find fine clothing shoppes on James Island like you will in Mt. Pleasant, you will find everything else from Lowes to Earth Fare (a smaller version of Whole Foods)- (just over the ICW in West Ashley) to Harris Teeter, an upper scale "regular" grocery store.... and a variety of restaurants both chain and local.
So if you want a country feel that is close to the harbor and ocean that isn't too remote and is a stone's throw from historic downtown besides being close to the highway and airport, James Island is the only place that fits the bill.
In Mt. Pleasant you'll get the finer clotheirs and Whole Foods is located there. But you are farther from downtown; father from the beach; views from the beach aren't nearly as nice; neighborhoods are more cookie cutterish.
Regarding schools, go by the test scores and the way you can do that is to go to www.greatschools.net and look up each scool and see what percentage of kids achieved grade level in English and Math.
Again, from what I've seen... blown = popcorn. I wouldn't exactly call it "easy" to remove. I anticipate a huge mess and lots of aggravation when we tackle this, lol. However, there is no way that stuff is staying up there, so be it.
If you don't know what popcorn is... well, stucco from what I remember in NY is "hard." If you touch popcorn, the stuff can flake off. Another concern is, if the house is older (70s and prior) the popcorn might have asbestos in it, which means asbestos abatement. You can't do this yourself, and to pay to fix it can be pricey - so, if you do find a house you like, you should send a sample of the celiing to a lab.
I've removed it before and it isn't hard as long as the ceiling has not been painted over the popcorn. If it hasn't, all you need is a plastic bottle of water with a spray nozzle and a wide spackle knife. Spritz the ceiling a few times and scrape with light to medium pressure and it easily falls off. You can put a tarp down and let it fall to the floor or catch the popcorn with a tray covered in plastic and periodically dump it in the trash which is what I did and is less messy.
I've removed it before and it isn't hard as long as the ceiling has not been painted over the popcorn. If it hasn't, all you need is a plastic bottle of water with a spray nozzle and a wide spackle knife. Spritz the ceiling a few times and scrape with light to medium pressure and it easily falls off. You can put a tarp down and let it fall to the floor or catch the popcorn with a tray covered in plastic and periodically dump it in the trash which is what I did and is less messy.
Be careful here, popcorn ceilings can be made from asbestos, test it and read about how to do it safely.
Gee Emily........ what you wrote about James Islands.. make me want to take another look at it !!
Sounds lovely and you hit some very nice points, very nice.
We are concerned over schools.. though our son is wayyyyyyy off from school.. being a total of 7 months now
But be prepared for the long term as we see it as living there !
I looked at high schools and see it as James Island Charter School (according to greatschools.net)
Yes I know it is dumb perhaps.. as high school for him is like 15-16 years away.
Excuse me but 'charter' means please ?
Reason I negated JI was because of the school system. People wrote me that you either send the child to private or bus him to another island/locale...neither holds interest for me, sorry.
As I said he is 7 months and wayyyyyyyyyyyyy off from school and yes you make the best of school by taking an active part at home etc etc
So any comments on the school system..
People wrote a high school might be built as the population builds etc etc
Build all you want... it is the integrity that counts.
Anyway some more points, comments, please and thank you if you have the time.
Thanks
Michael
Yes James Island Charter's test scores certainly aren't anything to sneeze at. They are great! However if you want to give your child a more sheltered private country day school experience if money is no object, right over the ICW from James Island i s the Porter Gaud school which I'm sure is excellent as well as very expensive.
There are all sorts of extremely nice neighborhoods on James Island and nearby West Ashley. The Crescent is one in West Ashley; The Country Club; Stiles Point and then there are certain streets on the harbor or the ICW or the Stono River where you could be right on the waterfront such as Wampler Drive which goes right be the James Island yacht club and has the gorgeous views I mentioned. There are some other streets which also have harbor or river views. Riverland Drive; Stono Drive; Wappoo Hall Rd. Old Point Rd, Country Club Drive and White Point Blvd.
There are other neighborhoods near these with less snob appeal with as good or better locations and smaller homes.
Here for example are homes for sale on Wampler Drive on James Island. The first home, near the Yacht club has a picture of the view from the front porch (which does not do justice to it). Real Estate Listings - Charleston MLS+
This home isn't on the waterfront side of the street but right at the end of the street is the golf course and the country club which have really pretty views of the harbor. Real Estate Listings - Charleston MLS
Also the trees are very old and very pretty on James Island which adds to the charm.
Hi,
My name is April and here is my thoughts on Charleston. I have grandparents and many other relatives in Mt. Pleasant. It is beautiful with more police, less crime than Charleston. The cost of living should be within your means, though it was too much for us(Nurse Salary) and the travel to Downtown or James Island is MUCH easier today thanks to huge bridge over the Cooper River and the bypass to James Island. Plus you have Sullivans is. and Isle of Palms for beach access. My grandparents lived on Pelzer Dr.(Street right before Shem Creek Bridge Coleman Blvd) There areplenty of neighboorhoods if you drive down Pelzer and it leads back to Hwy 17 where there are plenty more. Townhomes and Individual lots are present. Also there is Olde Towne(Coleman Blvd side, veer to small rd on right when you cross Shem Creek). Alhambra Park is a very nice childrens park on the beautiful harbor with bike trails located in this neighboord. Lots of Oak trees and history to be discovered. Moultrie is another neighboorhood on Coleman Blvd side just north of Olde Towne. The newer subdivisions will probably be on Hwy 17 side. Traffic on James Island full time would drive me insane. The roads are under construction right now and it is a mess, especially if a wreck is involved. My grandfather talked us out of moving to James Island, summers are probably worse b/c of vacationers and the homes not that much value for your money.
My step-grandmother is Nell Postell(you can google her) and she is the leading Real Estate Lady for Charleston area. Maybe she can help you find a home or help you get started looking shortly after you arrive. Her motto is "Nell sells Charleston". She is a delightful person. I hope this helps you decide on where to go. Oh, I almost forgot, We did move to West Ashley, my husband worked for Roper and I couldnt find a job. We hated West Ashley(High Crime), and he was able to come home(We are from Coastal Ga) and make more$ here as a nurse. If we could have afforded Mt. Pleasant I would not have moved!!! My family has a huge plantation on Edisto Island named Brick House Plantation(1778) if you are at all interesed in Southern Civil War History. You can find it in Tales of Edisto, documentaries of islands, or google. The historical society visits every other year and my grandparents are quoted in several books. We do let visitors come check it out. Good Luck, definitely do the carriage tour of downtown and Ft. Sumter, the 4th of July at Patriot Point(Mt. Pleasant was AWESOME last year, our kids had a blast.
My name is April and I am here to sell you on Mt. Pleasant. It is absolutely worth the extra dough it costs to live here. If you have 400k to spend on a home, then you are well within reach of cost of living here. My grandparents have lived there since before 1980 and it is the part of Charleston I have come to love. The traffic is not as bad to downtown or James Island now that the Cooper River has a new wider bridge, and a brand new bypass was built to James Island straight from downtown. I know traffic would terrible rush hour to downtown from James Island in the mornings and vice versa evenings as the roads are currently under construction, so it is worse. My grandfather talked me out of James Isl. Although parts may be beautiful (Maybe with your salary your home could out wiegh traffic problems, but it would have to be a million dollar home to let me be aggrivated with all that, plus if a hurricane warning comes you will learn another name for Patience-lol.
Travel the Coleman Blvd side of Mt. Pleasant 1st, it is where you will find Shem Creek, a popular river shopping, dining area. Just before shem creek is Pelzer Dr. If you take this street it will lead you back to several town home and individual home sites. Old Town is a subdivision just Past Shem Creek. Veer to right at convenience store. It goes back toward Alhambra Park, a beautiful neighboorhood with a gorgeous view of the harbor!! Great walking neighboorhood and a brand new children's park
Just north of Old Town and you will come to Moultrie subdivision, still very nice size lots with old style feel. I will try to find the name of some more particular neighboorhoods in that range. Also, my step-grandmother is a real estate agent for Charleton. Her motto "Nell sells Charleston", she is also on board of realtors. You can google her for info. She works for Prudential and she is delightful.
If you decide to go down Pelzer Drive, the first I mentioned. It will lead from Coleman Blvd back to Hwy 17 (1-2miles back) to plenty more newer subdivisions(everything on Hwy 17 side is pretty new, stores, restaurants, etc.. And this is the way to the other islands(sullivans and Isle of Palms) which are very nice. Folly is packed, over crowded even in the summertime.
I am from GA, although we recently tried to live in Charleston. My husband is a nurse and we thought he would make more money up there and I could be closer to my family. We had to move to West Ashley b/c of salary range and we hated it over there, the crime is scary high too. The hospital didnt offer over time which is where nurses make a lot of money and the cost of living was higher than we were used to. But, I wish things could have been different, if we could have afforded Mt. Pleasant I would have made him stay in Charleston!!! I love Mt. Pleasant's feel and vibe. We moved to Savannah, Ga which is 1 hour closer to Mt. pleasant than I lived before ever moving there, so I still wanted to be closer for visiting.
p.s. if you are into history check out readings on Edisto Island Plantations of Civil War Era and you will find Brick House Plantation (1798), which belongs to my family. It is one of 5 plantations left today with direct decendants still on site(although just for deep-water fun and temporary living only) and it is recognized by historical society. You definitely should check out Edisto Island when you are visiting(Just for fun, of course not to home shop) There is a serpenterium open in summer if your fam is into reptiles(It is neat) and there is the Beach if that is out.
Hope this helps a little.Good Luck in S.C. April
Sorry I did not know 1st one went thru!!! lol
Last edited by Love Mt. Pleasant; 05-18-2009 at 12:54 AM..
Reason: already posted one reply
Hi FM.. and thanks for the great feedback and comments !
If chance of a hurricane we can wait it out nearby in a motel etc... flock inland as people do.. though I was in Maryland and actually hung out as the hurricane waring wanted people to leave the island.. we stayed and it did not hit... basically we got lucky but with a family now... we scedaddle outta there... can also go to Raleigh as I have family there.
Thanks for the head up on Kahal Kadesh Beth Elohim ... looks beautiful and wowwwwwwww been around for a few years
Will contact them soon and plan to visit them when there as well as other congregations... as I am conservative.. but hey reform might work.. what ever is best for the family
As I noted schools are primary for us... and MP is looking more and more like where we would wind up.
Deciding upon where is a vast choice.. but will rent for the 1st lets say 6 months... while driving and examining whether west of 526, or between 526 and 41 or east of 41 ??
Sure give me the info for Harris Teeter.
I will be speaking with and meeting Rite Aid (who I work for now in NYC) and CVS as well as Publix probably (I like their stores,, well in FL that is) and welcome more people to speak with.
Thanks FM !!
It is all very appreciated
Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzmama
The thought of hurricanes may scare you BUT hurricane don't sneak up on anybody. Unlike a tornado that, if your lucky, gives you 5 minutes notice, a hurricane usually gives you 2-3 days. If it looks bad, you have plenty of time to pack up and leave. Even with a baby. Hurricans generally come here bewtween Sept and Oct although the season is officially Jun - Oct I think. When you buy a house, get federal flood insurance if you think you need it. Home owners generally only pays for water damage but not "flood damage" ie anything caused by rising water. And insure for replacement value and not a set price if you can. There are plenty of folks out there who are lining in older home insured for 100k or 200k who could not rebuild what they have now withthat amount of money.
As for public school, the areas you are looking a should all be okay I think. In the neighboorhoods you are looking at price wise I don't think there will be a problem with conditions. After that, well public school is I believe what you make of it and parental involvement makes a giant difference. The school districts do run differently with Charleston County offering alot of charter school and magnet school and many public school requiring uniforms. Personally, I'm Berkeley County and my son's elementary school has Smart Boards in all classrooms and 3 pc's available in each class to students as well as 2 computer labs.
I'm neutral. I live in Hanahan and it is not convienent for you. I think Mt. P and JI are both good options for you with Mt P being more "organized" and JI more "rural" feeling although it is not really rural.
As a side note, Harris Teeter is also a grocery chain here and while currently small in Chas (4 stores) there are more slated to open in the next 3 years in West Ashley (this June 10), Mt. P on Hwy 41 (jan/Feb 10), Carnes CrossRoads in Goose Creek (June/July 10) as well as yet another a summerville store (trolley rd/dorchester area) (Jan/Feb 11)and even a possible Johns Island store and yet another Mt p store ( four a total of 4 in Mt P). Harris Teeter - Pharmacy Careers
okay I work there. If you want me to, I'll get the corporate pharmacy specialists name when I go back on Monday. We actually have 187 stores now i think.
hope this helps. Just 2 more cents. I think your way past a dollar by now........
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hurricanes
If you want me to, I'll get the corporate pharmacy specialists name when I go back on Monday. We actually have 187 stores now i think.
Good Luck in S.C.
