New Orleans Gal now in SWFL,Charleston seems a better choice

I moved to SWFL before Katrina. Can%26#39;t live in a landlocked city. Love water. Florida people are great, but area has no history, no roots. Miss NOLA mansions, people, %26amp; culture of an older city %26amp; southern ways. This forum about Charleston makes me miss home %26amp; feel so at peace. Considering moving to Charleston very soon.

Can a single female find a reasonable priced home within 15 min. of French Quarter, beach, %26amp; airport. I would love to walk on the beach everyday, but have no idea if finding an affordable home in those areas is possible. Please help. Others moving from SWFL are congregating in Greenville, SC %26amp; want me to move there.

Ma Cher`, I don%26#39;t need no textiles %26amp; perfer seafood!

Merci Beaucoup,

Susette Mare`

New Orleans Gal now in SWFL,Charleston seems a better choice

Based on what you are looking for, Greenville is not the place for you. Sullivan%26#39;s Island, Isle of Palms,some parts of west Ashley, James and Johns Island would be what you are looking for in the Charleston area, but walking to the beach from your home may be unobtainable, but you could be within a few miles of it.

New Orleans Gal now in SWFL,Charleston seems a better choice

Thanks so much for the input on where to find housing. It narrows down the wide choices. Perhaps I can rent first %26amp; keep watchful for a property in those areas. Sometimes a probate property also becomes available at a reasonable price. With this example of help %26amp; kindness, I%26#39;m much looking forward to moving to Charleston.

Much Gratitude %26amp; Best Regards,

Yo%26#39; Girlfriend

';Yo';, sorry you had to leave New Orleans. I lived in Kenner from 1978-79, then moved to Luling 79-83. No other place like it in the world, that being said, Charleston and Savannah will give you the same flavor of French Quarter, very historical cities. I lived in Spartanburg for 18 years and Greenville 1-1/2 yrs before moving to Myrlte Beach, so I have moved myself many times. I love South Carolina, there is no place like it. Charleston will probably give you more of a New Orleans feel than Savannah. You need to send off to chamber of commerce get as much info as possible. You will definitely find a higher cost of living on the cost than upstate South Carolina. Much higher, you will have to deal with high property values, which in turn cause higher property insurance and property taxes. AND you do run the risk of hurricane hitting the East Coast.

Nice to hear from a fellow, Greater New Orleanian. I was wondering about the Hurricane risk in Charleston %26amp; if homeowner%26#39;s insurance was becoming unobtainable. Yet I lived in New Orleans for most of my life %26amp; did know when it was time to move. Anyone that stayed atop of what the Corp of Engineers were doing or not doing %26amp; the political attitude of the Federal Government, knew the next major indirect hit was going to be real bad. New Orleans has never been directly hit be any hurricane. Can you imagine if it was, after seeing the impact of Katrina.

Anyway, I hear the lower part of John%26#39;s Island is protected by the barrier islands infront of it. Is that a safer bet %26amp; are the insurance rates lower there? I%26#39;m usually real good at watching %26amp; finding property reasonable in areas that others consider unaffordable. Hopefully, Charleston will have that same unusual housing aspect that New Orelans does. Found a toatlly redone property in Lakeview-New Orleans for under 100K. Person had to move immediately %26amp; their company made up the difference of her selling below market value. Don%26#39;t be concerned, I don%26#39;t expect to find a property in Charleston for 100K. That NOLA property was bought in 92%26#39;. Thanks for your input, I%26#39;ll be planning a scouting trip as soon as I get a sales contract on my carriage home. Hopefully soon, as I%26#39;m now one of those homeowners that have marked my property down below market value. Know of anyone wishing a trade for a SWFL vacation property. I%26#39;m 12 minutes from the beach, but 15%26#39; above sealevel %26amp; in a location that you can get homeowner%26#39;s insurance reasonable.

Hopefully you can sell your carriage house soon. You need to buy before or after hurricane season. We purchased in July, we moved here from upstate South Carolina, had no clue that 99% of insurance companies will not write a homeowners policy during hurricane season. Also, Allstate is pulling out of SC/NC coast unless you have multiple policies with them, if you only have homeowners you will have to find another company. Charleston suffered significant damage during Hurricane Hugo, you might research online just to figure out what parts flooded, etc. Mt Pleasant, Wild Dunes, actually bore the brunt of the storm, into Georgetown, Myrtle Beach. I can%26#39;t tell you about Charleston, but Myrtle Beach housing pricing are leveling out a little bit, which is very good. Anyway, I know you are anxious, I have moved many times and trying to sell a house is nerve wracking.

Try Folly Beach. You can check out listings on Craigslist. Good luck!