Reviews & Comments
Hilton Head Island, SC
Viciously Intolerant Right Wingers -
7/27/2013I have watched HHI change remarkably in the 40 years I have lived there. Development really started in 1979 and the early residents were explorers and drop outs who were very mellow and very much environmentally aware and concerned. Today it is a fiercely judgmental and intolerant population of republican right wing zealots, and worse. If you can't preach Rush and Coulter 24/7 you will not like it here and you will be actively disliked. As the right wing now has control the negatives are predictable. Everything is about growth and tourists. Concerns for low density, limited night lighting, abundant green space, and an understated resort have been forgotten and abandoned. Public education in South Carolina is viewed by the conservative state as unnecessary. The schools are poor. The HHI economy is relentless tourism and it is annoying to even drive the streets as they are flooded with out of town bike riders who are heedless of others. Being tourist dependent, it requires a large number of service industry workers. No attempt has been made to provide decent and affordable housing for these people. As a result trailer towns and shack towns are prevalent and with them is an increase in serious crime. Homicides are increasing, armed home invasions are not unheard of and shots being fired reports come from inside some of the best gated communities. Crime is so bad that the County Sheriff declared three areas of Hilton Head including the major tourist areas to be high crime sites. And the place is now getting tired and seedy both in the commercial areas and the homes. No urban renewal plan has been created. Getting off and on the Island is a nightmare as only one out of date bridge exists...unlike other barrier islands...only one. And off the Island the problems are worse. HHI is now a mean, ugly, worn-out, dangerous venue. I finally realized this and left after 40 years.