where in 'Charleston' would you winter?
 

Hi: Where would you live in Charleston during the colder winter months? An island? Mount Pleasant? Historic district? How do you avoid the college students and the chance of renting next to Animal House? Buy or rent? What say you, Charleston forum? TIA

I would not winter in Charleston. We are talking 40 - 50 degrees and I doubt many college students take spring break there. They want warm, beach weather.

Wherever you want. The cd poster isn't familiar with bowsprit and his/her interest in Charleston over the years. It's not a spring break question!!

I think bowspirit is talking about the college students in Charleston, right? I have friends who own rental homes in the HD. They stay in one of them in summer (when they rent out their front beach IOP home) and DO have Animal House problems. It's gotten a little better since C of C instituted the 3 strikes you're out rule. But that's kind of a hassle.

As you all know I enjoyed Mt P for decades. It might be harder to find a winter rental there though. Winter rentals are easier on one of the beaches than in Mt P.

Look at Folly Beach. There are some houses out there tha aren't mansions that might be available.

Winter can be a little gray and it's certainly not tropical. But the sun is strong. I didn't own a coat until I had to go to Germany for work in October. It snowed once in the 19+ years I lived there.

Let us know what you decide. I'll be done there some this winter too. It actually gets really cold here in NC. Glad I bought that coat. Have fun planning!

How timely! We just spoke yesterday with a retired couple who spend 5 months of the year on an island (?) just off shore from Beaufort SC and they really love it. They said if the opted to buy a house in the area that they would prefer not to buy on the island (shifting sand) but to buy a bit up country, closer to Charleston.

Winter temps are not perfect, but they are certainly much better than the midwest. The couple told us they had ice one time, but no snow at all. Sounds good to me!

We spent Christmas on Isle of Palm and loved it. We went to Folly Beach in February and loved that also.

Mt. Pleasant is pleasant (hehe) but found the islands more interesting and less hectic.

And I absolutely would spend winter there.

Wonder if anyone here has information on developments with heated swimming pools, which are a must during winter months.

I have visited Palmetto Bluff, outside Bluffton, several times; although quite pricey, PB is a model of thoughtful development, with lots of land set aside in the natural state, although they plan to expand very soon...

Daniel Island is closer to Charleston, and of interest to friends from the NorthEast.

Is there anywhere else that would be similar to Palmetto Bluff, along that coast?

Does not have to be as "upscale" as PB, but heated swimming pool is a must, for me.

Apologies for slight diversion/expansion of original subject..

We live on Seabrook Island and love it all year, but especially during the "winter" months. Beautiful weather for outdoor activities. There are definitely no loud groups of students. It's actually a rather calm peaceful place since it is completely residential. The island has a heated indoor swimming pool in it's main gym/swimming/community center. Check with the rentals, most have island amenities included. Some rentals are short term, others can be lengthy.

I don't care about a heated pool, ekscrunchy does. We just came back from Charleston after staying 5 nights at the Wyndham Mills House. We loved our stay. After the winter we had in CT, we're ready for a snowbird destination but I don't want to go to Florida.

We stayed a night in Wilmington, NC. Not our thing. Not much there for us. Same with Beaufort. Not for us.

Anyway, Charleston is a bit of a draw because of the restaurants, beaches, theatre, etc. Just not sure if the weather is warm enough to winter. We will visit the area in February and see how it feels. We visited Mt Pleasant; felt like any other suburb in the coastal U.S., but that's what makes for convenient living. I'd buy something in the Historic District if I won the lottery but we'll be consigned to one of the islands, I reckon, if we decide to make a move.

Which area, outside of the peninsula, affords the best access to downtown (HD) Charleston for theatre, restaurants, shops? Thanks a lot!

Last Jan and Feb, we stayed on Sullivan's Island, which we loved. Very walkable, with a nice (but small) string of restaurants near the center. Easy trip into Mt. Pleasant and downtown Charleston. We could let the dogs run loose on the beach in the AM and it was a dog fest.

I think rentals have to be monthly, so I imagine that would cut down on student groups. But prices to buy there are very steep.

We could not find a rental to suit us next year (we have two dogs), so we are headed to Isle of Palms, the northern end. I don't think we will be able to walk easily to shops, restaurants.

The temps were much better than Central PA, but we did experience a few days when we had to keep the water running to prevent pipes from freezing. Some days down into the 30s, which everyone said was unusual. The Ravenel bridge was closed a few days due to ice, so to get into Charleston required going the long way around. By the end of Feb, though, we could dine outside.

If we continue to rent, I would stay on the islands. If we buy, I would probably look at Mt. Pleasant or Daniel Island. The prospect of losing a house to high water or hurricanes on the islands is just too troubling to me (I'm obviously not a risk taker).

Thanks, mama_mia. Prices have become very steep and there seemed to be a lot of new construction going on on Mt Pleasant. Yeah, I don't want to deal with a bunch of kids. I know the temps can be low, but the winter is SHORT in S.C.! We just got totally beat up in CT this past winter, cold, dark and never ending winter season has once again turned our attention to the future when we retire. Thank-you, all, for your input.

We stayed a night in Wilmington, NC. Not our thing. Not much there for us. Same with Beaufort. Not for us.

Just to make sure you are talking about what is not for you--NC or SC Beaufort, since you put it in the same sentence with a NC destination.

My SD and her husband bought a home on James Island. She works downtown and it is less than 5 minutes to her office from her home.

Thanks, Kathleen..will take a look at Seabrook.

We've been renting for two winters now in Florida but looking for an alternate with moreo of an intriguing local culture, and better food scene; heated pool makes weather not as important.

Count me as among the lovers of the sea islands from near the Fla border north along the coast up to and including the Charleston area.

I'll keep checking back to see if anyone elese has info in those heated pools!!

Many thanks, again.

Historic district.
If you are going to be in Charleston, BE in Charleston. A family member owns a house there and decided to not sell it after graduation. You can drive out to walk on the beach if you want, but I'd prefer to be in town.

starrs, I do agree but to buy there would be cost prohibitive. I'm worried about renting next to college kids. What's your next best location suggestion?

I don't have one.

Downtown Charleston is very expensive. SD & SIL considered it when they were home shopping (and they had a reasonable budget) and found what they wanted was going to be much more than they wanted to spend.

Yes, it is.

So, Daniel Island and Mt Pleasant might work. How about James Island in the winter? Too desolate?

James Island is a bedroom community with a lot of families.

Bowsprit, The best areas outside of the peninsula that would give you the easiest access to downtown Charleston for urban events--theatres, shops and restaurants, would be Mt Pleasant across the Cooper River or West Ashley (James Island) across the Ashley River. To some extent, Daniel Island would also work. Stay on one of the barrier islands if you want more outdoor activities, with the beaches as the main draw. Really depends on what you want to do with most of your winter days.

We have friends who live on Seabrook Island year round and other friends who spend the winter there after visiting the first set of friends. They both seem to love it.

I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't LOVE living in Seabrook!! Unlimited budget certainly works well!!

If you can afford to buy into the more exclusive island communities, that would be very nice indeed. But based on years of reading NYC posts, I think you would be bored silly on an island in the winter. I'm not sure how much you'd enjoy your southern neighbors.

I'd definitely rent before buying. If you are not going to live IN charleston and Beaufort is out too, then maybe alternate renting places up the coast until you find a combination you like. You can drive into C'ton for "culture" as needed. You may want to consider Hilton Head. Although it's not my favorite place, it could offer a sense of community next to the beach. I think you may be bored stiff in another island community in winter. I wouldn't but southern/ isolated/ winter/ beach island may be a very tough transition for you.

I'd definitely rent before buying
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I agree.

Well, I absolutely agree with you Starrs. I've been able to find beautifully furnished short term rentals in the Historic District. They're under 5k a month so do-able. I'm also interested in mt pleasant.

I'm baffled why Beaufort is often suggested as a retirement spot. Anyway, it's not on the list.

If HD is doable, do that.
Mt Pleasant would be a suburb choice.
Suewoo's advice re MP is second to none.

Suburban

"I'm baffled why Beaufort is often suggested as a retirement spot."

If you are "baffled" then coastal SC in the winter may not be a good fit for you.

Have you considered south Florida?

I'm all set. Thanks again.

If you can find a place for $5,000 in the Historic District (assuming that this rental is legal, of course) why don't you take it for a winter or a year, and see if you like living there? Seems like you've found what you want.

Sure. Will do!

James Island is not desolate.

If I were doing this, I'd find a nice carriage house in the HD. On nice days you can go to the beach.

suewoo: You are absolutely right!

I think I hear an echo :-)

And to think that I was berated, slammed, and almost caned when I spoke of suspicious ringing in my ears a long time ago!

Not by me ;)

Not by you!