AboutSharon Wilkerson Expertise I can answer questions on residential real estate whether they concern buying or selling, 1031 exchanges, or investment property/vacation property. I can answer some questions on South Carolina law concerning the aforementioned property type sales. I cannot answer questions concerning commercial property.
Experience I am a realtor in the Charleston, SC, area which is an historic seaport town on the coast located between Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. I have serviced both buyers and sellers from those looking to purchase their very first home to those looking for a place to retire. I have a network of realtors around the South Carolina area with whom I am in touch concerning the South Carolina real estate market.
Organizations The Charleston Tri-county Association of Realtors; The South Carolina Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors; Women at Work; The National Conservancy; Daughters of the American Revolution
Education/Credentials BA degree in Business and BA degree in Theatre Arts
Expert: Sharon Wilkerson Date: 5/16/2008 Subject: Moving to the Grand Strand
Question QUESTION: My family and I are thinking very seriously about moving to the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is an option, but it is not the only option on the Strand in my opinion. My question to you is what are some of the best beach communities for raising a family on the Grand Strand? Good schools, low crime rate, reasonable real estate, and job market are all important. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Ryan
ANSWER: Well now, that is a great wish list...good schools, low crime rate, reasonable real estate, and good job market. Let's start with the schools.
The two main counties of the Grand Strand are Horry County and Georgetown County. Horry, www3.hcs.k12.sc.us, has 42 schools within the Grand Strand area and Georgetown, www.gcsd.k12.sc.us, has 17. South Carolina has a school report card system that will tell you how good the school actually is, https://ssl.sc.gov/SchoolReportCards/. That's about all the information I can give you on the Grand Strand schools. You may want to contact a realtor that services all of the Grand Strand; however, you should know that legally realtors are not suppose to tell you which school areas to go to although many of them will do so anyway.
Reasonable real estate - well, the farther you are inland, the better the prices. I would say that Conway just inland from Myrtle Beach would be your better choice.
Job market - I'm not sure what your area of expertise is, so I can't advise you there. Most of the jobs along the Grand Strand are in the hospitality and entertainment industry.
RECOMMENDATION: If you're not set on the Grand Strand but still desire a beach area, then I would recommend you look over Mount Pleasant, SC, just east of Charleston. Great schools, one of the lowest crime rates in the state, super job market, and close to the beaches (especially the tony Isle of Palms). Real estate prices, well, depends on what your idea of reasonable is; however, in this market, I'm sure you could find something to suit your tastes and pocketbook. There is always something going on in Charleston...plenty to do and see...and delightful people. It is a two hour drive south on Hwy 17 from Myrtle Beach.
I hope this helps somewhat. Let me know if I can be of any further service to you.
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QUESTION: I can't tell you how good of an answer that was...I have never gotten that much good info in a response! Thank you so much. I am very much interested in Mount Pleasant, if you have any other information on it please let me know. I am doing a Google search on it right now and I have already looked at the geography in "Google Earth". Thanks so much.
Answer You've probably found several websites concerning Mt. Pleasant, but don't forget to Google Charleston as well. The visitors' bureau site is a good one, http://www.charlestoncvb.com. James Island is another good choice. It is to the west of Charleston, and the real estate prices are a little bit lower. The crime rate is low and I know this because my daughter is engaged to a Charleston Police officer, and the schools are good. James Island is ten minutes from downtown Charleston and ten minutes to Folly Beach. If you want to search real estate, go to my website, www.SharonWilkerson.com. If you would like to email me personally, my email address is sbw@comcast.net.
