A great

To Dropping Out:

We're all terribly impressed. What great class it shows for you to share your income with the rest of us.

I suggest you buy a Yacht, sail around the Greek Islands while throwing money to the poor peasants, then return to this forum and cry about your sad situation.

Northeasterner

Clearly some of you aren't aware of how the real estate market is around NYC. If you live within 45 minutes of the city your small home on 1/3 acre can be worth up to 400,000. I know because we move away from the area and made a fortune when selling our home. Those lucky enough to own larger homes will do even better. The trade offs are obvious. Thats why we left. Since when do we penalized hard working people who are living the American dream? Good luck Droppingout. I hope you find your dream town.

Roquefort

To Dropping Out:

I have the perfect cheese for that whine.

Huh?Did I miss

Look ....

You have to have A LOT of money to contemplate retiring at the age of 45 with kids still in middle school who still have college, and the possibility of living (and paying for) another 40 years. If they have that much money saved, they are already millionaires - so they can live anywhere they want. What's the problem?

xxx

to Braindead Dropping Out:

Hello???? You get the job first and THAT determines where you live.

xxx

You know alot of people do not realize if you have a home worth $600,000 it is only on paper. It is not like cash in your pocket. Also one can go through money quite rapidly and dropping out may think they can retire at 45 but in reality alot of planning needs to go into that thinking in order to make it work out especially with school aged children, and perhaps college costs down the road. Also I did on Monster.com that real estate comparison to MB and the cost of living there was higher than the NE. At least where I live. (philly burbs.) I was surprised!

Miss Grammar

Please,xxx, it's "a lot", not "alot".

Droppingout

Thanks for all the replies. I'll try and answer some questions. First of all, I don't want oceanfront, just near the ocean. I realize oceanfront is going to cost quite a bit more.

I don't think I listed our income, nor would I. I also don't recall whining, but people like to put their slant on things. I also don't want to find a job first. That's the whole point. I want to move somewhere that doesn't require us finding jobs. We can do that most places comfortably, but not where we currently are. And no, all our savings are not in our house, we've already got college and retirement taken care of, and our current house is worth well over 600K. We want to downsize considerably so that we have a nice cushion and can choose jobs because we will enjoy them, not because we have to earn a paycheck.

I do appreciate all the helpful replies, and have been busy researching. I'm liking the looks of Daniel Island (I LOVE Charleston), but I need more info on the schools and surrounding area, and of course we'll visit first. Thanks to everyone thoughtful enough to respond seriously.

Beckett

Droppingout, you will love living in the Low Country if you decide to move here. Our mayor, is beloved. One thing to keep in mind is that southerners don't rush and we are at a much slower pace than you are used to. Good luck!

xxx

Oh PLEASE Ms. Grammar, forgive me!! you are so right! Thanks ALOT!! (smile!)

xx

Is the job in jeopardy because he can't make decisions?

Droppingout

xx, No. He's great at making decisions, I'm terrible. His job is in jeapardy because his company's bread and butter clients were dotcoms. Need I say more?

Sarah

I am soon to be laid off and I am trying to save up for some kind of skiing this winter. I don't care if I have to eat gruel. YOU CAN'T TAKE MY SKIING AWAY FROM ME!!!

Susanna

Hi Dropping Out I'm sorry that you got so many insolent replies; they surprise and discourage me each time. Is W. MASS to close for you? The house prices are stil low relative to your area and I "dropped out" here from Calif with great success. Plenty of culture and wonderful,friendly, progressive people, too. Good Luck.

sandra

dropping out, it sounds as if we may be neighbors. Also in same situation , also in fairfield county, although no kids here. We are thinking of going to Dallas/Ft. Worth area. NIce place to live, have to do without the ocean but theres always a pool. I know it's hard as we too live on the beach here and i grew up on the water in greenwcih.
But since 9/11 husbands like ours have been beat up, mine is also 45 and it Financials/computer end. Company downsized and now we are serioulsy thinking of Dallas.

Carol

Hi Droppingout...

Can't believe some of the "anger" that is generated in these posts! YIKES...

Anyway, we have lived on Isle of Palms, SC for the past 7 yrs. Fortunately, got in when prices were relatively reasonable. Charleston is such a wonderful place to live - slow pace, polite people, great restaurants, etc... BUT, the schools are NOT good. We're like 48 (low end) out of 50 in the nation in many rankings. Can honestly say that if I had kids in school I probably wouldn't move here.

On the other hand, the Mt. Pleasant area (of which Daniel Island is included), has the best schools in the Chas. County school district. Many people I know send their kids to private schools.

We do have a great medical facility in the way of MUSC. Our beaches are just "okay". I grew up in the northeast (NJ), and have visited many beaches around the US - Isle of Palms and Folly are fun, but the sand and water aren't as great as many others.

Can honestly say, though, that I hope I never have to leave this fantastic place. The LowCountry is truly wonderful and I'd recommend everything about it except for the schools.

Best of luck with your decision!

Charleston Resident

Dropping out, are you still watching this board? I've lived in Charleston for 10 years and work on Daniel Island. I'd love to help answer any questions you might to help with your decision.

Are you interested in a Catholic School? Bishop England High School is a great private school and located right on Daniel Island, an easy walk from most of the homes. www.behs.com. Charleston has several other really good private schools (including Ashley Hall and Porter-Gaud).

I don't know a whole lot about the public schools - Hanahan Middle and High School, but I have friends who live on the island and can ask around. I don't think Daniel Island kids go the Mt. Pleasant schools.

I think you'd like Daniel Island. It has a nice small town feel. There isn't any ocean front property, but beautiful marsh-front and river-front views.

I'd also recommend that you take a look at Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms. I love Folly Beach, but am not sure it's what you are looking for.

Let me know if I can help answer other questions! Good luck with your search!

as

I'd move to a swinger colony. It would be the life!!! And I'd order pizza every day.

as

I'd move to a swinger colony. It would be the life!!! And I'd order pizza every day.

SA

If Nan actually has first hand knowledge of all the places she mentioned - I'm thinking she is just miserable anywhere. Way to back us up Austin. I would suggest the Brunswick Islands in NC. Much more inexpensive than the prior places mentioned in SC. Sunset Beach, Holden Beach, etc. In close proximity to Wilmington as well. a fellow Charlottean (Yankee transplant).