Thank you, and yes... my husband and I know the area fairly well. I saw on another thread you live in Sun City. Bluffton and/or Beaufort is one of the areas we are thinking of moving to in (probably) a couple of years. We're also looking in St. Marys, GA and northeast Florida.
We haven't been to Sun City specifically, but have toured many of the new construction gated and non-gated communities in that area, and have been very impressed with the choices. Do you happen to know why home prices in some parts of Okatie have been dropping? Maybe because there are so many choices of homes...?
My heart is definitely in SC, but the only possible downsides we found were lack of a nearby airport, and we're not sure about the medical care in the area. (St. Marys, GA and NE Florida have great medical care and airport in Jacksonville, FL.)
I've "heard" that Hilton Head Hospital is the best hospital, and that Beaufort Memorial hospital isn't as good. That's word of mouth from some nice folks in the area, not hard evidence.
How would you rate the medical care in your area?
Sorry for all the questions, but you're the first FReeper I've found who lives in the specific area we've been looking. Inside info is invaluable! :-)
We need to find a good real estate agent in Bluffton/Beaufort. We met with one in May, but he pretty much wasted our time.
I went back to Naugatuck Ct for my 50th high school reunion. The town looked like a war zone by in comparison.
I know what you mean. I don't know Naugatuck well at all, but as it is now November, pretty much all of CT looks pretty sad and depressing. Which is what the last election here in The People's Republik of Connecticut was of course. It's the final nail in the coffin for CT, IMO. We *have* to get out of here.
Hey Nugmeg,
Maybe I can answer a few of your questions about the Bluffton area:
Do you happen to know why home prices in some parts of Okatie have been dropping?
I’m not aware of property values dropping. My house appreciated $50k in the last 5 years. There is a lot of new development in the area. Foremost Margaritaville just up the road.
My heart is definitely in SC, but the only possible downsides we found were lack of a nearby airport,
Savannah airport is 30 minutes away from Sun City and easy to get in and out of. Charleston is 90 minutes away for direct flights unavailable at SAV.
..and we’re not sure about the medical care in the area.
Many people I know have their serious ailments treated in Savannah or Charleston. Local health care choices are good. I have had a few minor dings that were well taken care of.
The best thing about the Bluffton area is that it is centrally located. Bluffton is 30 minutes from the middle of HHI, 30 minutes from SAV and 90 minutes from Charleston. It easy to find a wealth of things to do. Ten miles west of HHI, is open rural, low density, beautiful countryside with little communities resembling the old south. SC is a big vacant state. I like that.
Glad to help with questions and such. Feel free to contact me.