South Carolina living?

J

jackknife

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Oct 2, 2004
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In about a week I'm going down to South Carolina, just outside Hilton Head, to check out a place to retire to. We're selling our home in Maryland and moving to warmer climes I hope, but i know nothing of life in S.C. The place we are looking at is in Bluffton, a community called Sun City.

I'd like to communicate with any South Carolinians, as I have lots of questions that a real estate agent may not give me the honest answer to. Things like climate, crime, medical facilities, how long it really takes to get to the V.A.hospital in Charleston, shooting ranges in the area. I don't play golf, but love to shoot. And while on the subject, how are the gun laws compared to the Peoples Republik Of Maryland?

Anyone here from around there?

What do I need to look out for?
 
I don't live near there but I'm somewhat familiar with the general area. You need to check out what the area is like during the high tourist season. My dad retired to the Myrtle Beach area several years ago and he couldn't stand the traffic and crowds during the high season so he ended up moving to a smaller community off the beaten path. There could be a world of difference between the off season (now) and the high season (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
 
jackknife, I don't know as much as I would like about that area of SC but I will say that the coast is more of a treat for retirees, Charleston is a mix of vast history and culture, alot of fun too! My father-in-law is retired Navy and likes the VA Hospital. The heat here in summer is very hot because the humidity levels are so high so be prepared to have a good cooling system in your new home and that is a MUST HAVE. Here are some links that may interest you. http://www.charleston.net/default.aspx
 
You are about 1 hour from the VA hospital which is not the best facility around. If you can survive two months of low temps (30's) and a few months of high temps (85-95) with a bunch of bugs in the mix, you will do ok. Most hurricanes tend to land further up above Charleston where I live. The closer you get to the ocean, the more expensive the real estate gets. Feel free to call me. Send me an email and I'll give you a number to call.

Bobby
 
jackknife said:
In about a week I'm going down to South Carolina, just

Anyone here from around there?

What do I need to look out for?
Click to expand...


Remember the military truism:
Get away from camp [read large city } & your dollar is worth much more. We live about 18 miles from Daytona & the savings are worthwhile. Your taxes could be 1/2 of city costs. Product & services are less because of cheaper operating costs.
Driving a few miles to buy major items can be an outing,knowing you will go back to peace & quiet .
All Southern states have liberal gun laws. If you want, a concealed carry license can be bought & ex-military do not go to safety classes.
Be prepared for "Southern hospitality" too . Neighbors ,for the most part,are helpful & friendly.

Enjoy your upcoming retirement !

Uncle Alan
 
Hi All-

There is great hiking, camping, and hunting in North Carolina right next door. Some of the best roads for driving sports cars and motorcycles can be found in Tennessee, which isn't too far away. Must have inspired the boys from AC/DC to write this little song:
"...Diamonds and dust
Poor man last, rich man first
Lambourginis, caviar
Dry martinis, Shangri-la
I got a burning feeling
Deep inside of me
It's yearning
But I'm going to set it free

CHORUS:
I'm going in to Sun City
I'm gonna win in Sun City
Where the lights are bright
Do the town tonight
I'm gonna win in Sun City

(Snake eyes)

Ladders and snakes
Ladders give, snakes take
Rich man, poor man, beggarman, thief
Ain't got a hope in hell, that's my belief

Fingers Freddy, Diamond Jim
They're getting ready, [Better get ready,]
look out I'm coming in ['coz I'm coming in]
So spin that wheel, cut that pack
And roll those loaded dice
Bring on the dancing girls
And put the champagne on ice..."
​
Have a great time there on retirement,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
As a former long time resident of Beaufort County I can answer a few of your questions.

Climate: Beaufort County has a 6 month Summer It usually starts in Mid April and ends round the first of October. Summers are very hot, and very humid. The frequent afternoon thunderstorms do little to cool things down (they just make it stickier). Spring, and Autumn are usually very nice (though short) and winter is probably much less intense than you are used too from Maryland (Snow is very infrequnet and then only a few flakes that usually don't accumulate (the last snowfall of note was in 1989.

Gun Laws: CCW permits are not to hard to obtain, and laws are generally more pro-gun owner. You are actually in the south and it shows :D I'm not sure of the specifics (though I could ask my Dad who still lives there), but it is somewhat comparable to Georgia (which is very pro-gun).

Time to VA Hospital in Charleston: Figuring traffic and distance, I'd say easily 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the time of day.

Medical care: Hilton Head has a fairly decent hospital and medical infrastructure focused towards maintaining a community of retirees, and Savannah GA which is very close has some very good hospitals.

Libraries: As a former Beaufort County Library employee, I must say that the community has a decent library system (Bluffton has a fairly new branch).

Bugs and other assorted fauna: I'm not sure what it is like in Maryland, but Beaufort is basically subtropical. The bugs get BIG and creepy (the exception being sandfleas which are rather thirsty). Local fauna consists mostly of raccoons, Alligators, and very productive Deer populations. Coyote are also begining to move into the county.

There's lots more I could tell you as a former native, PM me and I'll do my best to answer your questions about the area.
 
AmadeusM said:
Is Savannah any less expensive to live in (condos) compared to Charleston?
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I'm not certain, though I have heard bad things about Chatham County (savannah) taxes.
 
Hmmmm really seems to me that by the time I get to retire I won’t have a home to go back to. It will be full of folks that are not from there. I personally have always wondered why if a state was good enough to live your life there its not good enough to retire there. I think the biggest gripe is not that folks move in, it’s that they move in and want to tell you how great it was where they left. Then they want to start changing stuff because by god how they did it wherever they come from was better. I have to ask what’s wrong with western New York, its really pretty there; the folks were even nice I had several great trips up there. That’s my vote, SC sucks the mosquitoes are horrible and the humidity will kill you, I would look around Lake Champlain.
 
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