Looking To Relocate from Konnecticut To SC

[Mike_Diako]

Hi all,

My name is Mike and my Wife and I are looking to relocate from Communist CT down to SC. We have been looking in the southern part of the state. My parents just bought a house in Walterboro and and my Brother bought in Green Pond. The biggest reason for our move is just a better quality of life. My Wife and I have great jobs however it's so damn expensive to live here comfortably. Ideally, we are looking for a place that's a good value for the dollar real estate wise and has good school systems for our daughter. We would entertain the idea of private schooling if that's an option. A property with enough acreage to shoot would be a godsend.

My wife is a Licensed Practical Nurse and I work in Property Management. We both understand that our salaries would obviously be lower but I am unsure of the job market in this area. The job market for LPN's is apparently pretty good in Savannah, GA which to my understanding isn't very far.

We are a younger family (just shy of our 30's) and I have been shooting for many years. My wife also has her carry permit in CT. In fact, I'm also an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor.

I guess to sum it up, we are looking for advice. I have always heard great things about SC and I think that this would be a great life decision for us.


Thanks,
-Mike

 

[Tigerstripe]

you will be welcomed if you move here. and glad i think.

 

[Bradley]

Charleston SC. LOTS of hospitals for the wife, LOTS of property management companies for you and trust me Charleston SC beats Conn in every imaginable category you can think to compare.

 

[fordnut]

Welcome to the Forum. We are glad to have you.

I live in Charleston. I would not go anywhere else...

I hope you find a place and can become a regular here.

Steve

 

[94formulabird]

Im originally from Walterboro...everything is basically an hour away from there...charleston, summerville, beaufort, savanah is a little farther but not by much with I95...its a small town with not much to do...

 

[Dave29461]

Welcome to The Forum. I am a native Charlestonian and have lived here for the last 60 odd years. I have a son in Norwich, CT. He would like to relocate sometime in the future, as well. South Carolina is a great place to live. We haven't been hit by the economic downturn as bad as other places. Your wife can turn the LPN into an RN at several schools down here. We have hospitals, home health and everything in between. Nursing pay is very good.

Dave

 

[Mike_Diako]

Thank you guys for the kind words and advice. When we finally make it there I'll owe you all a beer.

 

[PapaBear]

I agree on staying closer to Charleston.

Look hard in Ravenel / Hollywood / Johns Island areas. Rural enough to have some property to shoot on, yet close enough to Charleston for hospital work for the wife, and close enough to Kiawah and Seabrook Islands for property management work for you.....

GOOD LUCK, and hope you make it down. Wouldn't trade this place for anything.......

 

[Oliver2w1]

Welcome bud, I'm currently stationed in Sumter at Shaw AFB. We 're from Kentucky but have found a new home here. Head on down bud the water is fine

 

[Mike_Diako]

Does anyone offhand know the general rule of thumb for shooting on your own land? I'll do some research in the areas surrounding Charleston. Thanks!

 

[jfeenin]

Welcome aboard. Just moved here from NY myself last year.

 

[Bradley]

Does anyone offhand know the general rule of thumb for shooting on your own land? I'll do some research in the areas surrounding Charleston. Thanks!

Not sure I understand the question... My rule of thumb is as long as I am not putting anyone in harms way (shooting towards houses, threatening other people)... Its my land and I'll do what ever the hell I want.

 

[11B3XCIB]

Does anyone offhand know the general rule of thumb for shooting on your own land? I'll do some research in the areas surrounding Charleston. Thanks!

Not sure I understand the question... My rule of thumb is as long as I am not putting anyone in harms way (shooting towards houses, threatening other people)... Its my land and I'll do what ever the hell I want.

There may be some rule depending on how your house is zoned about firearms discharge, like if your place is considered within some town or city limits etc. My wife teaches high school in a semi rural part of SC and immediately next to the HS is a piece of land. It's not within town limits but I wonder the reaction if you routinely shot during the school day (the HS is only about 10 years old ... I'd argue the angle that I was shooting there before the school was built). There is a law on the books, 16-17-420 that's a miscellaneous offense titled Disturbing Schools:
1. (a) That the accused wilfully and unnecessarily interfered with or disturbed the students or teachers of any school or college.

Wonder if they could slap that misdemeanor on you if it was legal otherwise.

 

[andyb]

Sorry, the South is all full. No more room.

Seriously though, welcome to SC. I agree with what's been said already. Charleston is a great area, especially for a young family. You will find tons and tons of other relocated northerners in and around Charleston as well. If you like the coastal life and fishing in the salt, there's not much better place to be. The cost of living in Charleston will be the highest of anywhere in SC, although it will still be less than up north.

If you don't care about either of those two, don't overlook Greenville. Greenville is a great city as well and should have opportunities available for both you and your wife and will sustain a lower cost of living than Charleston.

 

[Mike_Diako]

Greenville does look nice however, it may be a little farther away from my family than I'd like. I also find the responses to the shooting on your own land humorous. It's hard to believe people are that laid back about shooting on your own land. Here in CT if I was to go shoot in my backyard, I would have the cops called on me in a heartbeat. It's almost culture shock (and that's a good thing!). So from what I gather, as long as you're not doing anything stupid, shoot at will.


The outskirts of Charleston look nice but I think we're looking for something just slightly more rural. Room for animals, good size garden, etc. We want to be in the "country" but not have to drive an hour to go to the supermarket.

Again, thank you all for everything. I will continue looking around.

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[Mike_Diako]

Also, to my understanding is the only way to obtain a carry permit to own land in SC? I would like to be able to carry when visiting my family but it seems like SC doesn't issue non resident permits unless you own land?

 

[andyb]

Also, to my understanding is the only way to obtain a carry permit to own land in SC? I would like to be able to carry when visiting my family but it seems like SC doesn't issue non resident permits unless you own land?

Correct, to get a nonresident carry permit in SC you have to own land here. At least that's how I understand it as well.

 

[NGIB]

Yup, must own land. I'm technically a GA resident but my home has been in Sumter since 1996. Last year I finally got my SC permit as I was way overdue. Anyplace in the South is better than anywhere in the North...

 

[ReloaderGeorge]

Welcome Mike. Consider the area around Moncks Corner. It's about 35 miles north of Charleston, but just a half hour ride to the city. Still plenty of land available and nothing is more than 15 minutes away. We moved here in 2010 and it's the best thing we ever did. The people are friendly and even the Lowes and Home Depots go out of their way to be helpful. You may have to learn to walk slower in the summer, but your first winter will feel like a little bit of heaven after the north. Good Luck.

 

[biganimal]

The Jedburg side of Summerville is also nice. Close to stores and a short commute to Cha rleston.