It just so happens.... we moved to Georgia, after living for 30 years, in Summerville. Our grandchildren reside in GA, and that was a contributing factor for the move. If that weren't the case, I would still be in SC. It's a great place to live. Small town feel, even though the figures don't look like it. 22 miles from the coast.
I often get "homesick" for the place.
Goose Creek is a nice town, but does not have near the things Summerville has to offer. There are a lot of new, and older neighborhoods to consider. Shopping is convenient, and good restaurants too. S'ville has a nice "downtown" area. We went to Charleston about once a month for various reasons, but, often just went, and played tourist. Summerville is called "Flowertown in the Pines", for a reason. March and April are amazing when the azaleas, dogwoods, etc. are blooming!
Great place. Let me know what you think. It's different, having spent a large portion of my life there, and someone who's never been. Curious to know what your impression is, bad or good.

Thank you so much for your response! We have been looking at houses online. Can you tell me about Moncks Corner or Knightsville? There is so much information available now days on the internet & all things I have read about Summerville have been positive. We are looking for a large (.50 ac or more) lot. BTW~~we are in VA, so tired of the cold winters and snow!

I've lived in Summerville for more than 30 years. I love it here. I grew up in southern IL, out in the middle of nowhere. The nearest town was pop 450. That said, I can't stand crowds, but like the convenience of nearby shopping, restaurants and medical services. We live in town, but have an acre lot, so we aren't on top of each other and we have room for a garden as well. However, lots of this size aren't the norm. There is a fairly new development up the road from Goose Creek that is considered to be in Summerville that has a Del Webb neighborhood. I've met three gals who live there and they love it. It is geared towards retirees, and they say you can do has little or as much as you like in the neighborhood. However, be aware that any retirement community will have HOA issues because so many residents have so much free time on their hands! The weather here is wonderful, although it does take some time to get used to the humidity and heat in the summer. But everywhere you go is air conditioned, so it isn't as bad as you might think. Compared to the north, the taxes are low. Summerville isn't crime free, but I think we enjoy a relatively low crime rate. We always lock our doors and are careful about leaving anything in the car, etc. It isn't like living in the country where no one locks their doors. Summerville has one of the premier southeastern arts and crafts festival every year. This year it is March 30, 31 and April 1. We have year round golfing, the ocean, fishing in the lakes, and numerous historical areas of note. The mountains are 3-4 hours up the road. We have great hospitals and a state medical university in Charleston. I think an important requirement for retirement is being near to good medical care. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them or find out what you would like to know.

Moncks Corner is more country than Summerville. More hunters and fishermen live there, and there is more of a country feeling in the town. Also, there isn't a lot of shopping, restaurants or groceries. Knightsville is a suburb of Summerville. Basically, an area that is being developed on the edge of town. The only issue I have with that area is the water. Most of Knightsville has county water which is well water that has a lot of flouride and sulphur in it. Most people think it tastes awful, and it makes etching marks on your drinking glasses. Any homes in the town limits of Summerville would have city water which comes from a large lake and tastes good.

Agree with above poster. Summerville would be like a big city, compared to Knightsville or Monck's Corner. However, if you want a large lot, those areas should be considered. You'd have to travel farther for shopping, etc.

I have relatives, and close friends living in each of those areas, except Knightsville. Haven't been down there for a long time though so I know there are changes.

I would choose Summerville.

Sue

I'll bet that if you visit Summerville in the early spring (March/April), it will make your decision a lot easier. Azaleas, dogwood, wisteria, and every other spring flowering plant will be at their peak. It's a feast for the eyes and nose!

My ex participated in an art show during the Flowertown Festival (big event) one year when we were living in Blacksburg, Va. He came home and informed me that we would be moving to coastal SC as soon as possible, lol.

We ended up in Beaufort, SC (south of Summerville...on the coast) where I lived for over 20 years.

rhizo...my oldest daughter graduated from VA Tech, so we were in Blacksburg some doing her college years. We are planning a visit to Summerville, Goose Creek etc sometime this winter/early spring. DH was in the Marines, so he is familar with Beaufort & we vacation in Hilton Head every summmer, we love it there too. I am 48 & DH is 53, he will have a pension, but we plan on working some but nothing too intense. How is the job situation there? What effect is the Boeing plant having on the home sales/community etc?

One of my friends talked to her realtor about listing their home the other day, and she said the Summerville area is still about 20 percent undervalued. So you can get a really good deal. Especially if you look at Freddy Mac repos. We have one in our neighborhood that foreclosed and they fixed it up (owners stripped it), repainted, recarpeted and it looks new again. Altho no warranties. (The Fannie Mae repos, I'm told, are just sold 'as is'.) The Boeing plant doesn't seem to have affected the home sales as far as I can tell. I think a lot of the Boeing folks who came in are leasing. The job situation isn't that good. Unless you have skills in the health care industry, aircraft or computer network security. There are a lot of military contractors here, but they may be getting ready to cut back because of the military downsizing. We both retired two years ago, and neither of us have any desire to go back to work.

bump

Jeanne,
Can you recommend neighborhoods (subdivisions) to check out when we visit? I have a realtor that sends me a list of properties every week. We are still a few years away and we want to visit the area extensively before we make a definate decision to move. Most of our family live in the area we are now, so I am a little apprehensive about meeting new people.

Do you know what type of neighborhood you would prefer? Such as smaller (50 homes or less), larger (300+ homes), seniors only, senior duplexes, in-town (some very cute cottages - up to huge homes). There is a gated community that is, in my opinion, in the absolutely best location you could ask for. It is half way between uptown (by the interstate where the shopping mall is located) and Oakbrook (where we do a lot of our shopping as well). The builder is a local builder with a very good reputation. We used to live in a nearby neighborhood, Gahagan East, which was a wonderful location. The only downside is that the lots are small. As far as I know, there is no one building right now on .50 acre or larger lots, except for The Summit, and they go for around $450K+. Everyone is very friendly in Summerville, and you won't have a problem making friends. The smaller subdivisions seem to have more parties, etc. If you want a big lot, you'll probably have to buy an existing home. We have an acre, but there are only 13 houses in our neighborhood. We love it, and we are all friends in here. Our house is 7 years old.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pines at Gahagan

Jeanne,
Have you heard of Pine Forest Country Club? I have seen online several homes that are in our price range w/.50 to .80 acres. Some of the road names are Butternut Rd, Pecan Dr. I don't think we are ready for any kind of seniors only type place, but we don't want to be empty nesters in a neighbor hood of young families either. I am 48, DH is 53. We are planning a trip in late Feb/early March. The homes in North Charleston are even less, but the area has alot of negative comments on a few forums I frequent.
Again, Thanks.

Pine Forest is a nice upscale place. If were you, I would look at Legend Oaks. It has a golf course. It's a very nice neighborhood.
Walnut Farms is nice too. A little pricey, but big lots.
I believe they are on the west side of Summerville.

King's Grant is an older neighborhood, off Dorchester Road. Very large.
Ashborough,and Ashborough East, are very nice, larger homes. Tree lined streets. Friends live there, and love it.
Those are all good places to look at.

Yes, it is a very nice subdivision. It has a wide range of home sizes and prices. Also nice amenities, including the golf course. If you are interested in it, then you should also check out a new development called The Ponds. It is a planned community that has a YMCA and a fire station within the development. As far as I know, neither Pine Forest nor The Ponds are within the city limits.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Ponds

Jeanne & Rhizo,
Thank you so much. Walnut Farms looked very nice. I also saw some very nice homes in Goose Creek as well. Kind of exciting & scary too, thinking of moving away from family & friends.
Thanks again!'
Magoo