this and that - OT from wls

Jess, Depending on your budget, there are a few lovely areas to live in on the SC coast. My favorite is Mt. Pleasant. Although real estate can be quite steep (I haven't found anything under 200K), it is really worth the money. It's very close to downtown Charleston and only about 5 minutes from Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island. Both of which have beautiful beaches. A little more on the affordable side, is the area of James Island. It too is only about 5 min from downtown Charleston, but is closer to Folly Beach. If you like to surf, it is the place for you. James Island is a little more homely and laid back than Mt. Pleasant. If you love history mixed with great southern charm, the Charleston area is definitely the place to be. I have grown up in the Charleston area all of my life, and I really can't imagine me living anywhere else. I love it here. I hope you will give it a chance. Good luck with making your decision!

Hi Iris, Thank you so much for your time. I am not in the market (at this time anyway) to purchase. I hope one day to be able to buy, but for now I am only able to rent, so I need to go to an area that there are a lot of options for affordable rentals in safe areas that I can get to a job also. I live on a check to check life and hope that getting out of the Northeast I can turn that around. Maybe making a move to the South will help me? I figure, I have nothing to lose here (in the Boston area, so why not?!) I just need a little bit of good luck and some savings.... lol J.

Welcome Jess I was born and raised in this town like another poster. I live on James Island and I love it. There is another area you might want to look at. It is the West Ashley area. It is part of Charleston City but not the historic area. Prices are relatively affordable. The problem I am finding with James Island is that it is getting just as expensive as Mt. Pleasant and just as busy, so is West Ashley. We are growing down here by leaps and bounds. And we are getting the problems associated with it, ie traffic. I feel the best bang for your buck would be the Summerville/Goose Creek area, but you are looking at a 45 minute to 1 hour commute into the "Charleston" area depending on the time of day. All the areas around Charleston are growing, I think no matter what are your chose you will be happy. Me personally, when I start looking for a place of my own, I am staying on James Island or going out to the West Ashley Area. FYI, the West Ashley area, if you are looking at a map of the area it is west of the city, zip code 29407/29414. Another area to look at is John's Island, growing faster than they would like but a nice rural, for now, area. I hope that helps. Julie

Hi Julie, Thank you so very much for the long and thought out response! I am finding all of you to be so kind and helpful! WOW. I knew I was interested in the area for a good reason! I need this move for so many reasons, and I wish I could do it sooner than later. First I need to have some surgery done, in a follow up to my GBS, then I need to get my finances in order a little better, and then I need to really get down to the area and scope it out. I dont know if I can afford to live as close to the coast as I want! I do not currently own property so I dont have that in my favor and I am doing this on my own.. so its all a bit scary... just like life, I guess, right? I will be renting an apartment and living off of a salary that I am sure will be less because I have been at my current job for a long time. Life should be fun and adventurous. I really need a good sum of $$ and a big lump of courage. !!! I will continue to research and I appreciate EVERYONE here who has given their input. Thank you. J.