Since someone pointed out fodors is great for relocation advice, I thought I'd ask if any posters live (or vacation) on Hilton Head Island, and if so, what do you think of the area?

I'm planning to invest in a vacation property along the southern East Coast and so far Hilton Head is coming out on top. It seems like a nearly year-round place to visit and kick back.

thanks

topping, thanks.

flygirl,

I read a NYT article a couple weeks ago in the Real Estate section (I think the Havens section) about buying second homes in Hilton Head. I have a good friend whose great aunt owns on Hilton Head and has seen her property appreciate significantly in the last 15 years.

It is expensive (i think the article said that starting at at least $1 million) but it is probably a good investment. You might want to post where you'd be coming from since that is a major factor in determining whether you'll get enough use out of a property.

Here is the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/28/re...e/28haven.html

Hilton Head is overdeveloped. The traffic, particularly on Fridays and Sundays, is terrible. There are many other places along the East Coast that are not as developed and will see greater appreciation in value than HH.

thanks, mah and padams. great article. very informative!

padams, which areas were you referring to? I also considered Nags Head, as I have a number of friends with second homes there and like it there (it's still in consideration) but I'm not convinced it hasn't peaked. I don't know if HH has peaked or not. I plan to go down in a few weeks and start scouting.

Hilton Head is overly developed, IMO. However, it has it's pluses. I have a friend who has a house in Sea Pines. It is a very nice area. As far as future appreciation that depends I think. If you buying as a long term investment you'll probably do well. If your buying thinking you'll sale in a year or two and make alot of money I'd say that's VERY risky. I do know that prices there have increased dramatically just in the past 5 years. To think that it will continue at the same rate in the near term is probably unwise.

There are SO SO many places more attractive than HH on the SE coast. And don't be held to the million dollar price quote. There are plenty of far less condos BUT away from the beach. Beach access in HH is restricted also.

The standard answer is: "It depends."

What are you looking for: Hustle-bustle? Solitude? Golf? Bird-watching?

My advice is to rent there for a while (if you haven't already) and get a feel for whether or not you're going to like the area. We bought on the East Coast in an area we'd been visiting for 10 years, so we knew we were going to like it.

I'll spare you my long-winded lecture about the folly of banking on appreciating property value, but I will ask a question:
What does the history of appreciating property have to do with the future? (A: nothing.)

thanks everyone - good information.

prices are going down a little, which may be a "fall/winter slump" or may portend something else.