Hello all,

This January I will be out in Charleston SC for up to 3 years (maybe indefinite) , Im not sure what month I will officially be moving all my stuff out there. I will be looking at renting a house with a garage for most likely a year or more depending on work. Can anyone give me some information of good areas of Charleston and kinda of what they have to offer also what the bad areas are to stay away from. I will be out at the Air Force Base if that helps for regions. Im really looking forward to this and hopefully I can beyond the 3 years. If anyone happens to own rental property and may be open to renting to myself please let me know.

Thanks!

 

im moving to myrtle beach december 13th was wondering the same lol. i wonder how far you are from me

 

Welcome to Charleston! I've been here since 1995 and like it a LOT. The only things missing are curvey roads and hills, but the beaches are first class.

If you are working regular hours, stay away from Summerville/Goose Creek. The neighborhoods are nice and prices are reasonable, but traffic is as bad as the DC area in the mornings and evenings. Mount Pleasant has serious traffic problems too, but is otherwise a good area. James Island is south of town and would be a good place to look. You will be commuting against the traffic up I-26. Folly Beach is close to any place on James Island. There are some good areas on Johns Island too and the beach isn't far from there either. It's easy to get to the the base on I-526 and you are going against traffic during the usual commute times. West Ashley is closer to the base, but some of the neighborhoods are shakey. The high rent district is Daniel Island, but it's a great place to live.

One thing to look out for here is elevation. Many of the newer neighborhoods are only a couple feet above sea level. If a hurricane comes in at high tide, you will be flooded. I'm at 26 feet on Johns Island and have never had a problem, but have seen the roads onto the island under water, which is very hard on your car!

If you can listen to internet radio in hte morning, both WTMA and WSCC have local talk and traffic reports. That would help you get a feel for the place.

My office mate was the base IG before retiring. If you have any questions about what's going on over there, drop me a line (becka(at)saic(dot)com) and I'll get him to give you a call.

 

Welcome!

I live in Columbia (bout an hour and one half away) but am in Charleston every other weekend. I'm stationed out @ Shaw AFB in Sumter myself (be glad you got the better SC base). How far away is too far of a commute for you? The base is on the North Side of Charleston right off I-26 and there are many established communities both North and South of it.

Just a quick bit of info for you about this Community:

-We have a ton of people that attend the Dragon Events, you should definitely try to work your schedule to go in April. It's a blast!

-In the Columbia area, we try to throw a meet generally once a month. There have been a few of recent in the Charleston area, we are trying to add more there.

-Cars & Coffee in Charlotte (1st Saturday of every month) is HUGE. We have a pretty big group that shows up out there.

- Being that we are 2 states split into one community, there is ALWAYS some type of event coming up.


Again, welcome to the Carolinas and let us know when you get settled in!


-Scott

 

Thanks everyone this is alot of good information so far. Once I get out there I can start looking. Im excited that its closer to the dragon Ive been going since 02-03 time frame. I also looking forward to more community involvement and events to go to. Im just ready to get out of Altus....Im currently converting from C5's to C17's.

Thanks

 

I'm in for pics of the planes you fly! Post em!

Charleston is a beautiful area, and my vacation experience with Folly Beach/James Island was top notch. Never lived there, but I would imagine the spring/summer months would just be awesome.

 

I have been in charleston since 04. As everyone stated, you will most likely love it here. There is ton's to do and the mountains are not that far away if you need to get your fix of the twisties.

As far as where to live. West Ashley and Johns Island are good locations for where you will be working. Drive is easy and it's fairly close to most everything. I would stay away from James island, Mt Pleasant and Downtown. All are pricey and traffic is horrible during peaks times. Summerville and Goose Creek are great value but you definitely have to deal with the traffic during rush hours. I actually have a rental property in Summerville. It's about a 30 minute drive from the base during rush hour (about 15-20 in normal traffic). Although it's occupied right now. I will let you know if it becomes available.

Good luck and welcome!

 

Not long ago I was driving around the base parimiter (top down), and noticed a sound that made me wonder if the diff had dumped it's oil and was about to sieze. About the time I got seriously concerned, a C-5 went over!

 

Awesome! It will be to see you at events again.

 

Yes please let me know if it becomes available.

Everyone loves the the sound of the TF-39's but the ones upgraded with new engines are as quiet as a commercial its alot more powerful but its doesn't do the jet justice sound wise lol

Hell yeah man Im defiantly looking forward to a larger car crowd!