Good point Del. Although, we also love HHI, and they rarely get hit. I believe Matthew (?) 2 years ago was the first major hurricane to hit and damage the island in decades.
OT: Considering retirement in North Carolina
- Thread starter WCSordill
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Have fond memories of Hilton Head...when we lived in Pittsburgh, it was one of our favorite family vacation destinations.
Love Charleston too. There recently for a wedding.We have close friends who live in Greenville , SC and as others have noted, it’s also a very nice area- we were there last July...hot as blazes. Great place to stay for the Pitt/ Clemson games.
In sum, as others have said, you almost have to spend a full year or so somewhere to make an accurate assessment as to whether you’d be happy living there year around.
We have zeroed in to HHI for either a retirement spot or maybe a second home. It's so expensive on that island though!!
Hard to pull the trigger without knowing where our kids will land. I'd like to be "somewhat" close to them if possible.
Charleston is a great town. I think of The Battery, when I think of Charleston, and this image comes to mind.
I think of Charleston as a great destination point for a visit, more than a place to call home.
Agree.Charleston is a great town. I think of The Battery, when I think of Charleston, and this image comes to mind.
I think of Charleston as a great destination point for a visit, more than a place to call home.
As a retiree for 6 years, I have some useful help. You must consider the location based on a place to live, not a place to visit. Near a reasonably large city like Charleston, Greenville etc. gives you several things to consider. Cost of living is always better near a city than in a vacation spot. Near a city gives you good transportation for you as well as visitors. If you have to drive 1-2 hours to pick up your guests, not a positive. Also consider the ease of driving to your location for you and guests. As you get older make you need to have good medical care close to you and make sure your insurance will cover you wherever you are.
Most important to consider is what interests hobbies you enjoy. If you are a golfer, you need to make sure golfing is close and not so expensive that it is unaffordable.
Most important to consider is what interests hobbies you enjoy. If you are a golfer, you need to make sure golfing is close and not so expensive that it is unaffordable.
Democrats should retire in North Philly or Camden NJ so they can enjoy the results of the liberal policies they support.
ruh roh
Cleavon Little pleased
"Look what we done found here...A genuine, 100%, die-in-the-woods bigot!"
yep, should leave the politics out of it here...but just wondering what did he say that was bigoted?
HHI had 2 hurricanes, in 2 years, but you are correct...very rare. My wife and I bought a condo, while on vacation there, last year, and plan to move next year when we retire. I'm in Shelter Cove, Palmetto Dunes. 10 minute bike ride to the beach. Fabulous place for us...It really is our "Happy Place". 4 hours from Charlotte...Hope the OP finds his happy place, too....
None of my kids live in, or near the Burg, so we can live anywhere near an airport, or when we retire, just drive...Baltimore, Cincy, and Austin...Lots of places to visit...Nice thing about HHI. They will definitely come to us...
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Certainly a to each their own situation, but I can't even fathom how much more someone would have to pay me to live in Columbus, OH over any of the SC/NC cities discussed here. AT LEAST double.
We have friends who live just off HHI not sure of the name of the place but it's really nice. They recommend a location just off the island if you intend to live there year round.
The island is really great! Mrs Buffett and I used to go there every year for a particular tennis training camp. It's primarily a tourist destination and it's expensive. Many years ago it was overbuilt and very reasonable but not now.
The areas just off the island much less expensive, just as nice, most of the areas are occupied by full time residents and they have access to all the great stuff HHI has to offer.
If you fly to Savanah, rent a car and drive to HHI beware of this place called Blufton. It's on the direct route from the Savanah airport to HHI and they know it! They have a speed zone that goes from 50 mph to 20 mph on the route to HHI and they man it constantly
Quaint Speed Trap and Parking Ticket Mill
Bluffton tries very hard to be a quaint little village for tourists to enjoy. There are some interesting little shops and galleries, and a few promising restaurants. But the real money-maker for Bluffton is a variety of clever speed traps and a police force that gives arbitrary $30 parking tickets to out-of-state cars. Visit at your own risk. Based on my interactions with police officers, they are neither caring nor courteous - it's all about the bucks, and they know you won't come back to court to defend yourself if you are from out of state. The few nice places in Bluffton are not worth the hassle of dealing with the police. For real history and interesting shopping visit Beaufort or Savannah and give Bluffton a pass. Nothing to see here - move along - and don't forget to drop the fine in the mail.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUse...d_Town_Bluffton-Bluffton_South_Carolina.html#
"it's five o'clock somewhere"
Signed: Mr Buffett
Go PITT & CSU Rams!
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Oh yes - we know all about the Bluffton po-po.
I would only disagree with the fact that HHI is so expensive not just because of location but also the limits on housing growth. They have very strict housing, zoning and signage (is that a word?) laws there. One of the reasons why we love it so much.
We have two 31 and 29 and our theory is they will find you if they need you no matter where you are.
Mrs Buffett and I are the "keep our distance" parents but we're here if you need us.
We're looking at Myrtle Beach area, Murrells Inlet SC area, and HHI area.
"it's five o'clock somewhere"
Signed: Mr Buffett
Go PITT & CSU Rams!
I like that part of South Carolina. The only negative is the traffic at certain times of the day during tourist season.
We considered buying a townhouse down there - and on second thought, I wish that we would've. When we were considering it (about 25 years ago), the prices were so much better than they are now.
I wish that Pitt would schedule some games with Coastal Carolina. It would make a nice, drivable road trip for those of us in the Pgh area.
Oh yes - we know all about the Bluffton po-po.
I would only disagree with the fact that HHI is so expensive not just because of location but also the limits on housing growth. They have very strict housing, zoning and signage (is that a word?) laws there. One of the reasons why we love it so much.
We started going to HHI with the kids in the mid 90's. At that time there were lots of unsold condo and townhouse units going for low prices. Mrs Buffett had a friend who picked up a bunch of units and made alot of money on them.
I believe they expanded and over built at that time and as you mentioned started to plan /zone better. Eventually the the supply of unsold properties decreased and demand increased and prices skyrocketed.
Even McDonalds in Sea Pines has signage that matches the community.
"it's five o'clock somewhere"
Signed: Mr Buffett
Go PITT & CSU Rams!
Funny, not to be contrary, but we have been to our Condo, 9 times now, and I have never seen a Bluffton policeman, in a speed trap. There is not a stretch of 278 that has a 20 mph speed limit, and also, they just opened the Bluffton expressway, which has relieved a lot of traffic on 278. I set the cruise at 45 on HHI, because they will watch there...I am newer to the Island as a part time resident, and things might have changed, but its safe to say that when I set the cruise at the posted limit, we have no worries...I purchased my Unit in Shelter Cove last February, and closed in April...So my experience is very recent, other than an occasion family timeshare...When we were there in March, with the kids and grandkids, we went to the Bluffton farmers market...It was awesome, and Bluffton has a very old fish market on Wharf street, on the May river....spend a lot of afternoons there...Oh yes - we know all about the Bluffton po-po.
I would only disagree with the fact that HHI is so expensive not just because of location but also the limits on housing growth. They have very strict housing, zoning and signage (is that a word?) laws there. One of the reasons why we love it so much.
Congrats @Pitt1975. I kind of feel like I'm turning into my parents (shocker!)...they had a chance to buy a 3 bdrm/3BA condo on the ocean on Sanibel Island in the mid-70's for $75K. That unit now is upwards of $2MM.
At the time we were younger and they were hesitant to part with the cash.
We looked at a home in Sea Pines in the late 90's. It was about $200K. It is now quadruple+ that price. We didn't want the risks with carrying 2 mortgages and I had left my work to raise the kids. I don't regret that decision (staying home), but we could've swung it.
That's life I guess!
Agreed!!!!!!
Throw in Detroit Baltimore Newark and every other northeast liberal democrat ruled shit hole.
I realize this over simplifies things but thats why you have homeowners insurance for disasters like hurricanes.
If it's a second home keep what you have there to nice basics just in case.
If it's a primary residence hurricanes pose a different problem.
All I know if I lived in a shore community and I see on the news that a hurricane is on its way Mr Buffett and I are gassed up and driving out days early to beat the rush.
I'm amazed at the people on the news waiting in gas lines not even gassed up a day away from a hurrican landfall???
A day away from a hurrican landfall and Mrs Buffett and I are sitting by the pool of a Hyatt or Marriott inland with drinks in our hands.
"it's five o'clock somewhere"
Signed: Mr Buffett
Go PITT & CSU Rams!
Thanks. There are some deals out there. Foreclosures, and must sales. We looked at a couple foreclosures, and then found a unit that was on the market for a while. Through negotiations, we made the deal. There are plenty of nice properties $250-$450k that are on the island. I’m not handy, so I paid a tad more, for an updated unit. Couldn’t be happier.
You understand that plenty of beachfront property isn’t insurable, right?
So essentially it will be a total loss if hit by a hurricane?
Having grown up at a Long Island, NY beach I went through several hurricanes through my grade school and high school years. It was more exciting than scary when you are a kid. Of course, that far North, hurricanes lose much of their power and I don't recall winds higher than about 90 MPH in the worst one we got. We never were asked or instructed to evacuate and the worst event was a flooded basement (an unfinished one) that resulted in parents needing to replace the motor on the oil furnace and a washer and a dryer due to salt water damage (which the flood insurance policy conveniently did not cover--it would have for a fresh water flood).. Many folks who had their cars parked on the street (parents cars were in a driveway 4-5 feet above street level) had their cars submerged to the door handles in salt water--serious corrosion damage.
As you may imagine, I am personally biased against moving to a Southern U.S. coastal community--and especially beachfront property A much more powerful (than I ever personally experienced) hurricane hitting or missing you is merely a crap-shoot. Even if you personally evacuate to safety, Insurance is of utmost importance to protect your property and may not even be available at reasonable cost--or even at all. Insurance companies don't like the risk. Maybe you can get State subsidized insurance, however. In the end, you have a reward vs risk decision to make--being at or near the beach is lovely except when there is a hurricane.
Just my two cents.
Wow. You just echoed the same concerns re: why we didn't buy in Myrtle when we had the chance. There were great property options available at really nice prices, but we just didn't have it in us to pull the trigger on such a deal. The decision to save more for retirement, to make improvements on our base home, and to sock money aside for our children's college educations won out.
In the long run, we made the decision that we could live with at the time (as you did), and it's worked-out. And who knows - maybe if we would've bought in the Carolinas, that investment would've "guilted" us into spending all of our vacation time there, and we wouldn't have done the traveling that we've done.
With all the East coast hurricane hits most properties were covered. Story after story in the news of residents rebuilding in areas that have been total losses more than once.
Between FEMA and private insurance you can get reasonable coverage for beach or close to the beach property. There are maps that real estate people have which show what's covered and what' not.
This is a pretty good summary:
FLOOD INSURANCE FAQ
What is flood insurance?
The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) provides federally underwritten insurance for physical losses suffered as a result of
- the overflow of inland and tidal waters;
- the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any surface;
- sewer backup due to flooding;
- freezing of flood waters;
- mudslides.
The necessity for flood insurance is determined by factors such as the elevation of your land, the elevation of your house, and the history of rising waters in your area (as displayed by federal flood maps). Since different zones have different base flood elevations as well as varying susceptibility to flooding, be sure to ask your insurance agent which factors apply to your individual property.
When can I be required to buy it?
Flood insurance is only required by a party with an insurable interest, primarily lenders. You must have flood insurance on any property located in a special hazard flood area that has a federally backed mortgage, such as VA, FHA, or Farmer's Home. You may be required to have flood insurance by any other lending institution as a condition of your loan if the property is located in a special hazard flood area. Some lenders require flood insurance even if the property is significantly higher than base flood; the determination is up to the lender. An individual offering owner financing may also require flood insurance as a condition of the loan.
Can I buy flood insurance even if it is not required?
Absolutely, if you are in an eligible community with flood zones. The great majority of the Outer Banks has been determined by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to be eligible for federal flood insurance because of our management policies and construction standards.
The exceptions are a few areas designated in the "Coastal Barrier Resource Act" where there was very little construction. Flood insurance is not available through NFIP for properties built after October 1983 in certain areas north of Ocean Hill in Currituck County. Your insurance agent will have maps designating the ineligible areas.
Is there a maximum amount?
Yes. Maximum coverage for a single family dwelling is $250,000 on the building and $60,000 on the furnishings. You may purchase supplementary private policies for additional flood coverage.
How are premiums established?
The federal government determines the rates, and they should not vary between agents or companies. Rates depend on the base flood elevation and the flood zone as determined by FEMA. In certain areas, a ground level utility room will make a difference in the rate and may determine whether or not the entire property is eligible. Since so many factors are involved, be sure to give your insurance agent detailed information on the individual property so he or she can determine the applicable rate. If you are going to build, get the appropriate information before you build.
What does it cover?
Coverage for the structure includes the building. It also includes fixtures, machinery, and equipment forming a part of and servicing the building as long as they are enclosed within the insured building.
Furnaces, water heaters, clothes washers and dryers, food freezers, and heat pumps in the basement or in a ground level utility room are covered if enclosed within the insured building.
Clean-up is covered.
Does it provide replacement value?
Replacement cost is automatic if the property is owner occupied. All second homes and businesses get actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation, as determined by the adjuster).
Coverage for utility rooms depends on the year of construction. Coverage varies from property to property. Check with your agent to see how this applies to you.
Does flood insurance cover furniture and contents?
If the property is owner occupied, all contents in the main living area are covered at replacement value within the insured limit. If the property is not owner occupied, these contents are covered at actual cash value (replacement costminus depreciation, as determined by the adjuster.)
Limited coverage is available on furnishings in a utility room only for new construction. Check with your agent to see how this applies to you.
Does it cover outbuildings?
At the time of the loss and at your option, you may apply 10% of your total building coverage toward detached garages or carports at the described location. Keep in mind that if you decide to exercise this option, the rest of your building coverage will be reduced proportionately.
What if part of my house is insurable and part of it isn't? Can I just insure the upper portion of the house?
The house is looked at in its entirety. If the lowest level is below base flood or doesn't meet other underwriting requirements, the entire property will not qualify for flood insurance.
If you plan to enclose the downstairs after the purchase and after the issuance of your flood insurance policy, determine ahead of time that the enclosure will qualify. If it doesn't and if you finish the addition or enclosure without notifying your flood insurance agent, you may not be eligible to collect any money at all in case of a loss.
What if my property doesn't qualify for federal flood insurance? What are my options?
There may be some private companies that provide flood insurance. Research your options carefully to be sure you select a reputable and stable company. Unlike the federal program, however, private companies are not required to renew their policies automatically.
What things are not covered in a flood insurance policy?
- septic systems or wells
- any part of the heating or cooling system that is outside the house
- underground equipment, such as sprinkler systems
- contents in the open, such as yard furniture or bicycles
- recreational vehicles, such as mopeds or trailers
- automobiles, motorcycles, or other motorized equipment
- property of others
- driveways or site improvements
- landscaping
- land
So, I'm assuming you're proud to have a Pitt degree hanging on your wall from a university that for 200 hundred years originated in and is currently literally in a liberal democrat ruled shit hole?
Most Universities are in one of those locations since most are in or around cities and big cities.
Some aren't but most are!
Get your degree from the best regardless of where it is and go out and do your world's work!
"it's five o'clock somewhere"
Signed: Mr Buffett
Go PITT & CSU Rams!
Graduated,from Fairmont St in WV. I think it was mostly Democrat back then, now the have realized democrats abandoned the unions and working man and are now for immigrants and transgenders. They have finally come around, I was telling them this 20yrs ago, better late than never.
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