topic Re: Beaufort SC in Community Chat

Beaufort SC

Elom — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 17:56:25 GMT

I am recently widowed and in the process of selling off "our" home. I am 67 years old and considering moving to Beaufort SC. We lived in middle GA and the coastal areas were our favorite.

Can anyone that lives in that area and my age group give me insight on how senior friendly it is. Living alone it is hard to say the least. Any Real Estate info would help.

I thank you in advance.

Re: Beaufort SC

151949 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:03:55 GMT

Some very dear friends of ours moved to Sun City when they retired and they are very happy there.Their home is beautiful.

Re: Beaufort SC

riley1 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:08:10 GMT

Hi - This is a brief list of things I found on Beaufort which is almost 4 hours south of where I am:

It is a primary city within Hilton Head Island-Blufton-Beaufort Metropolitan Statistical ARea. Located on Port Royal Island in Lowcountry and Sea Islands. Has scenic location and historic character with antebellum architecture. Has military establishments being in close proximity to Parris Island and is the home of the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Has a downtown historic district. It is a tourist destination for the history - Major festivals and arts events include the Home Water Festival (2 wks in July), and a Shrimp Festival along with other things.

Just keep in mind you might need different insurance if you are planning to live closer to the coast. I would also check flood zones and evacuation routes - especially during tourist season when the roads are especially crowded.

Re: Beaufort SC

MaggieMack — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:10:58 GMT

@Elom, I know nothing about the area you are considering, but have been widowed for eight years and just wanted to encourage you to go for your heart's desire. It is a journey to find yourself in your new life, but you will be fine!

Re: Beaufort SC

Elom — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:46:27 GMT

Thank you MaggieMack. It is a journeyI never thought I would be doing alone. My biggest challenge is selling our home in TN which is an area that I am not connected to.

Re: Beaufort SC

millieshops — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 18:49:10 GMT

@ElomI know very little about that area, but I do know about living alone as a senior - and I think you are making your move at a very good time. Too young and we really don't fit into senior activities although most of the groups would welcome you, but if you wait until you're an older senior, you may not have the energy and zeal to search out new friends. That we have to do if we move to an area away from friends and family.

Good wishes as you move forward.

Re: Beaufort SC

ECBG — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 19:05:15 GMT

You will be very close to Emerald Isle which has some beautiful condo communities, but the water IMO is rough. Beaufort is a lovely seaside town and I loved to shop the boutiques there

Just a note-Personally, I prefer the water in the Calabash area of SC. Much, much calmer water. We changed our vacation spot because of that.

Re: Beaufort SC

riley1 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 19:34:04 GMT

@ECBG - I think you meant Calabash, NC? Yes, the water that way is very pretty.

Re: Beaufort SC

riley1 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 19:41:13 GMT

@Elom - I would also mention, places you vacation are far different when you live there full time. What is nice and fun on vacation becomes not so much fun during the summer months. My suggestion would be to rent a place from June-August and see how you do with the heat/humidity and other things that would be of interest to you, i.e. shopping, dining out (gets expensive), medical, etc.

Re: Beaufort SC

ECBG — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 19:47:21 GMT

Another thought: Little River, N C, just over the SC/NC line is very nice, you can get to anything and it's small.

Re: Beaufort SC

Dawnie — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 20:37:02 GMT

We spend a lot of time at Hilton Head Island. Our family lives on island. The island gets very very crowded during summer. The residents tell me they try to stay within their communities at that time and don't venture out. We visit in the spring (not heritage golf time) and rent for the month of October. If I were you, I would rent until I am sure that's where I want to live out my life. Friends i.e. Full time residents...have said we should have rented instead of buying. Beaufort is a pretty town. I personally would rent to learn the lay of the landscape!

Re: Beaufort SC

gabstoomuch — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 20:49:15 GMT

Parris Island being there, I wonder if the constant rotation of bootcamp groups (every 13 weeks) in and out, in and out, brings lots of traffic problems?

Every graduation is a BIG thing, and friends and family make whatever haul they need to make to be there for the graduating Marines.

Then add the Hilton Head people going through to get to their beach homes.

That is just my own thought, I hate traffic. I went to a graduation at Parris Island and it was pretty busy on the roads, and that was 8 years ago. Parris Island stays the same, but I would think Hilton Head has built up more, so more people influx in the summer.

It really is beautiful down there though. I flew in and out of Savannah, one day to walk around. Such history, the buildings etc, so beautiful.

I wish you strength as you go through this major life change.

Re: Beaufort SC

doxie1 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 20:51:27 GMT

Beaufort is a beautiful place. I have spent time there. There are nice restaurants and shops and it has nice arts things to do. It is not a bustling city with a ton of things to do. People travel to /charleston or Savannah for different activities. It is made up now of a lot of people from different parts of the country. There is a strong military presence. The culture and history is rich. It is sometimes different to fit in with the beanyeahs. I think it is mostly due to the variety of people and you can be there a while without really meeting them. I highly suggest to anyone to research and visit a place before making that jump. There may be another place tha tsuits you better. It depends on what you like and are looking for. It does make a lot of top lists for retiring but it may not be for the things that are important to you. The Big Chill was also filmed there. Think about what activities you like to do. It is humid in the summer.

doxie

Re: Beaufort SC

jackthebear — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 22:11:02 GMT

maybe rent in the town/area that you are interested in before buying

Re: Beaufort SC

riley1 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 22:14:55 GMT

@doxie1 - I wholeheartedly agree with you about renting before you buy anywhere. You really do need to see either the hottest/coldest months combined with tourist time/traffic. We venture out very little in the summer months and do stay closer to home. Good advice

Re: Beaufort SC

Elom — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 22:41:51 GMT

Thank you all for the kind words, information and suggestions. I most certainly will rent first. What an adventure!

Re: Beaufort SC

KathyPet — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 22:44:43 GMT

Obviously if you want a senior friendly community then Sun City Hilton Head is where you want to be. They have a web site where you can get lots of information.

Re: Beaufort SC

concal — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:02:52 GMT

I live 50 miles away. Actually was in Beaufort today! Beautiful place. I think you would like it. Traffic not as bad as Hilton Head or Sun City Area.

Re: Beaufort SC

maestra — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 12:58:32 GMT

Be prepared for the mandatory Rain and Wind insurance annually, that costs about $2200-. States make it mandatory if you have a mortgage. Also, are you prepared to get through hurricanes, esp. Cat. 3+ by yourself , or evacuate?

Sorry, but I did feel the need to act a devil's advocate here. I'm sure you are aware of this having already been by the SC coast.

It came as a shock to my DH when he was househunting. We're from New England.

Re: Beaufort SC

riley1 — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 13:07:36 GMT

@maestra - and, thank heavens we did have that insurance - we had a freak hail storm a couple of years ago and it wiped out almost every roof in our community. Our insurance did pay for it after having someone out to inspect the roof. Otherwise, that would have been a hefty bill.