suggestions for rental close to Seaside

[pokey]

Over the last couple of years, my family has decided to spend our summer vacation on the gulf after 15+ years in Hilton Head. My kids (19 & 22) only want to be near Seaside and I am happy to do what they want. It won't be much longer that they will not join their father and I on this yearly vacation! Usually they will bring a friend, but as they have gotten older sometimes friends will drive down to visit for a few days and then a new friend will arrive.

I have not been able to find a map of Seagrove that includes streets and communities. I don't know where Summer's Edge is or any of the other newer communities. Sometimes I will see a home on VRBO but I have no clue where it is even if the owner lists the address. Might someone know of an online map that shows more detail?

We stayed in Rosemary last year and while the adults loved the area, the kids felt we were "too far away." They would be the happiest if we were in Seaside or Seagrove. We had a great house in the Sugarwood Beach community, but the owner decided to take the house off of the rental market. I think Seaside really won't have the house I want for the price I want. We have been spoiled by having a pool at the rental home as we tend to be more pool people than beach; I'm the only beach lover! We like coming in for lunch and then lounging at the pool for the rest of the afternoon. My first choice would be a home with a pool, but I would also consider a community like Seaside or Summer's Edge with a community pool. Are there any neighborhoods that are college kid friendly, with parents around of course? Summer's Edge tote itself as a family community; does that mean small children everywhere? The older child would love to be closer to the bars and nightlife, while the younger would be happy if there were more college kids and less babies.

Any suggestions for areas, neighborhoods, communities that would be the closest to Seaside? What is Watercolor like? The homes seem really far from the beach and pools but I love the homes I have seen online.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[shakennotstirred]

Here are some street maps for Seagrove. They may include only streets where the rental agency has properties but they might be some help......

http://www.emeraldsun.com/MAPSeagroveBeachEast.asp
http://www.emeraldsun.com/MAPSeagroveBeachWest.asp

It looks like there are other communities on there as well.

 

[Mermaid]

Pokey, if you google "sugarwood beach vacation rentals" you'll come up with a few hits for other rental opportunities, so perhaps you could still stay there, since you know it and like it. WaterColor and Seaside are great for kids the age you have. We have a 17 and almost 19 year old, and they like both. They like the good choice of restaurants and shops and things to do like the summer concerts. Summer's Edge is down by Eastern Lake, off Eastern Lake Road. You will find mostly kids far younger than yours there. Grayton Beach is another excellent choice for teens--the beach is so wide and many of the houses have private pools.

Also, if you see a house you like, simply ask the owner how far away it is from Seaside. Ask for actual mileage. And if you find something specific that looks really good, ask about it here. Chances are someone will know something about it. You can find tons of good info here. :clap_1:

 

[Miss Kitty]

Pokey...listen to Mermaid!!! And good luck on your search!

 

[pokey]

Thanks for the Emerald Sun link; I forgot I have their rental guide here at home, as that is where I rented the first home from! I wish I had a regular street map of 30-A. I have figured out how to get a street map on mapquest and can move the map in any direction; I just needed to use the correct zip code.

As I searched more, I found that a couple of the homes I have bookmarked have owners that post here. It is always nice to find owners that really care about their property instead of just being an investment property.

I wasn't to keen on the location of Summer's Edge; it just seemed that every house I clicked on for Seagrove was located there. It must be a large complex! I have also looked into Grayton Beach, but haven't found anything I love. If we end up at that end of the beach I'm afraid we will be eating every meal at the Red Bar; my kids favorite!!! I am really trying to stay in what I consider West Seagrove Beach (between Seaside and Andalusia Avenue.) What is the area between Seaside and Watercolor called, or are there any houses between the two to rent?

I need to quit being so obsessive about what I rent, it's only one week in my life a year; of course, it is my favorite week!

Feel free to PM me if you have a home that fits my location needs. I would love a 4 bedroom home with a private pool with a large enough area for the "kid" to work on their tans ;-) High speed internet would be nice as would several TV's and DVD players. As I don't have to deal with young children, the beach distances isn't a real big deal, but I would like it to be a comfortable walk.

 

[Paula]

I think online sites like VRBO are good because you can ask the owner questions about the pool, how far to Seaside, whether the beach accesses are open and within walking distance, whether there's any construction going on that could be particularly noisy or unsightly, etc. You could also ask the same questions of agencies in the area, though they may not have all the answers.

 

[Mermaid]

pokey, it would probably be helpful if you listed your maximum budget, since prices are all over the place (as are budgets ;-) ).

 

[Kurt]

Summer's Edge is in Eastern Seagrove near Eastern Lake.

There is no neighborhood between WaterColor and Seaside.

You can get a map mailed from the TDC, The Chamber, or the Assoc. of Realtors.

 

[pokey]

Kurt-I guess that is why I can't find any house there. :shock: I will check with one of the above for a map. I know Hilton Head backwards and forwards; I would like to know the same about Seagrove. I can't believe I was able to convience my family that the Gulf is better than the Atlantic; I have been trying for years. The kids have friends that go to Seaside which is why they have agreed; my husband is a bike rider and enjoys the riding around this area.

Mermaid-Sorry I didn't mention my max budget; that would depend on if you ask me or my husband. Truthfully, I would like to stay between $2500- $3000 for a week during the summer, but the homes that I like seem to be over $3000, closer to $3500. My husband has no clue what houses go for and would love to get a 3500sq. ft home with pool, internet, tv's galore, close to the beach and Seaside for $2000 He is always ok with a more expensive house at the time we are there, but complains later that it was expensive! Can you tell I have expensive taste? I looks so forward to my week at the beach that I want a home that is similar to my taste and nicer than my own home.

 

[pk305]

Hello Pokey,
I chuckled reading the part about not having many years left with the kids joining you on vacation! We thought the same, but ours Never want to miss out on a family get-together in Seagrove (ours are in their 30's with kids of their own!!)
Anyway, we LOVE Summer's Edge. It's very convenient. It is not a huge development at all, but is a nice size and has 2 pools from which to choose. Yes, there are lots of little guys there in the summer, however, our friends with a bunch of teens (12-18 yrs) stayed there this past year and their kids loved it.

I highly recommend

www.beachseekers.com

for Summer's Edge rentals. They rent a large number of the homes in there and do a wonderful job. Our family has rented in Summer's Edge a number of times. (I am very partial to this neighborhood....in fact we're building a house in there now....)
I don't think your family would be disappointed at all....by the way I think it is about 2 miles down to Seaside (It is east of Seaside).
Hope you'll check out beachseekers!
I would be happy to share any additional info.....just let me know!