We stayed at the Omni Resort - right on the beach. What we learned from our realtor is that all HH beaches are public - it’s just a matter of finding beach access. He gave us numerous maps - one of which showed all of the bike paths and beaches with car parking. Easier options by bike for sure. Summers will always be very crowded - for beaches, restaurants, etc. We walked on the beach every day - no crowds whatsoever. A few people sitting, walking, biking. Dogs can be off leash and we saw some great frisbee action. I think HH needs to be explored - lots of hidden gems.
I will have to give it another look, with some advance planning next time (& hopefully no disasters to upset our plans). We changed our route home from visiting our son in Charleston to give it a quick look and liked the initial lol of the place but the only beach area I saw was Coligny which quite horrified me! Hoping to be in the Charleston area in May when my brother & SIL visit so hopefully can pay a visit.
http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ourisland/beaches.cfm?menuheader=0
Some info on beach access. Like any coastal beach resort area, summers will be busy. Our community has beach access through one of the oceanfront resorts and we’ve never had a problem getting a good spot to spread out and enjoy the beach and ocean.
There is much to explore on Hilton Head but I would advise anyone who is truly interested to spend some time there and to work with a realtor. You will not be able to get into any of the gated communities without a realtor. Do your research ahead of time on the hiltonheadmls site. It’s a great resource for finding a condo or a home. Comprehensive listings with good photos. Each community is different and has different amenities and level of security.
I can imagine Coligny in the summer is quite a zoo! We did not see the beach there - but nice shopping and dining.
@swimcatsmom - beach access info:
http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/ourisland/beaches.cfm?menuheader=0
We are hoping to purchase in Palmetto Dunes - with easy beach access. If we ended up buying elsewhere on HH - we would buy the pass - I think it is $30/year - and bike to beach.
@alwaysamom - we did meet with realtor while there - one of the top agents on HH and he has lived there with his family for 30+ years. You are right that with all of the gated communities - you cannot just drive around and see houses for sale very easily.
We are still a few years away from seriously doing this. I want to see where S2 settles after graduation and my 80 year old mother is another complication. Just in the idea stage right now - we are already planning another visit for next fall.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach in the summer between 10 and 5.
There is free parking at Chaplin park and places to shower off too. It is nice to be older and be able to bike to the beach and not have to bring along piles of stuff!
Love the idea of being able to bike to the beach!
Right on the dogs - I meant that when we were there this past week - dogs were allowed on the beach - and were allowed to be off leash during certain times - which was fun.
@rockvillemom, what is it about Palmetto Dunes that appeals to you? Do you want to buy a condo instead of a house, and/or do you want to be able to rent it out short term?
We are unsure between condo and house. If my mother moves with us and that results in a larger budget - would prefer house so we all have plenty of space. Maybe an in-law type suite for her. Otherwise, a 3br condo would be goal.
I strongly want to be able to walk to the beach. Bicycling distance would make it impossible to walk dog on the beach.
Not purchasing as a rental. We would have to sell our MD house to have the funds to buy the HH house. I kind of envision paring down stuff and freshening up MD house as step one. Sell house as step two. Move to HH as renters first - so we do not have to rush into a purchase - step 3.
I like the Palmeto Dunes location along the beach. We liked the shopping, restaurants and biking in Palmeto Dunes and Shelter Cove. Any store we might need is right there. Loved the greenery and the friendliness of everyone we met.
We drove around Sea Pines a bit - just felt too upscale for us.
Hilton Head Plantation was also recommended by our realtor. It has water - but not ocean. More affordable housing prices - so we will look there.
Folly Field also an ocean community - but we had no oportunity to see it on this trip.
For those not familiar - HH is shaped like a foot - with the Atlantic Ocean bordering the sole of the foot. We are looking along the coastline.
Brief description of communities:
http://www.hiltonheadisland.com/real-estate/communities/
Map showing communities:
http://www.hiltonheadplantation.com/MapsDirections/IslandMaps/tabid/61/Default.aspx
Congrats!!! Enjoy.
alligators.
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@VaBluebird - yes! DH took photos of them at the golf course!
Did you ask about flood insurance in the different areas? Not being in a flood area was a big priority for my son in the Charleston area because flood insurance is so high.
You’re gonna love SC!
Renting first and going condo might be a good idea. My inlaws spent a lot on the maintenance on their house. Torrential rains meant re-roofing more often than usual. And property taxes are high if you’re not a full time resident. They also had the cost of maintaining a sea wall along the lagoon.
There are plenty of condos and townhouses. Also, the market seems a bit slow there. MIL’s house was on the market for 2+ years since it was older.
The realtor explained that the need for flood insurance depended on the elevation of the house and the neighborhood - not all homes will need it. And yes - property taxes are twice as high for a non resident. We presently pay $6000/year for property taxes and $600/year for insurance for our MD house. From what we understand - taxes should be much less (using full-time resident rate) and insurance will be more - but the total should be less than $6600 - even if we have to purchase flood insurance. We also pay $520/year for a HOA fee now - for nothing much - so factoring in a higher fee but with more substantial amenities.
We are coming from an expensive area - so HH should not equal sticker shock.
Also hoping to downsize to one car. We presently own 4 cars - 2 of which are driven by our sons. Part of this transition will be they each get their own car insurance. Hoping to shed numerous expenses as we embark on this transition.
One of the reasons I am so focused on this is that DH and I have been arguing - serious arguments - on how to handle his desire to partially retire soon and my need to care for my mother. I felt very caught in the middle. I was basically going to have to abandon my mother or face serious consequences with DH. He’s not the bad guy in this - he just cannot continue to handle his present level of commute and stress. He desperately wants to move.
So now - we have a plan we both love. Move to HH in 2-3-4 years, he can get a less pressured job with his present employer in HH - just enough to have some income and insurance. And we can move Mom with us. So - I feel very relieved to have a solution in sight - and now that I have agreed to move - he seems less stressed.