CHARLESTON NEIGHBORHOODS
JAMES ISLAND
James Island is a quick five minutes from downtown Charleston, across the Ashley River. Island residents enjoy one of the shortest commutes in the area, which is why many James Island residents work in the city. James Island is ideal for homebuyers who want proximity to the city and the affordability and space of the suburbs. Houses on the island are mainly spacious traditional lots developed in the last decade, but also include charming brick ranchers built in the 1950s. Some enjoy lovely waterfront views of the Wappoo Creek, Charleston Harbour, and Stono River. James Island has something for everyone and it’s also my favorite piece of Charleston!
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NEIGHBORHOODS: Bayview Farms, Clearview, Cloudbreak Court, Country Club, Eaglewood Retreat, Eastwood, Fort Johnson Estates, Fort Lamar, Harbor Place, Harbor Woods, Jamestowne Village, Lawton Bluff, Lawton Harbor, Ocean Neighbors, Parrot Bluff, Parrot Creek, Riverland Terrace, Seaside Plantation, Stiles Point Plantation, Westfield Place, Wexford Sound, Whitehouse Plantation, Willow Walk
JOHNS ISLAND
Johns Island, South Carolina’s largest island, is located to the west of James Island and to the east of Wadmalaw Island. Originally a farming community, the island’s history dates back centuries as the site of several plantations that produced much of the area’s rice, indigo, and cotton exports. The island is 10 minutes from downtown and its beautiful scenic property makes it a prime location for development. It’s also home to the Angel Oak, a famous 1400 year old Southern live oak tree, which towers 65 feet high and has a 25 foot circumference which offers 17,000 square feet of shade.
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NEIGHBORHOODS: Barberry Woods, Brownswood Farms, The Cottages at Johns Island, Gift Plantation, Headquarters Plantation, Kiawah River Estates, The Preserve at Fenwick Plantation, The Retreat, St. John’s Crossing, Summertrees, Staffordshire, Swygerts Landing, The Villages in St. John’s Woods
WEST ASHLEY
West Ashley is named for its location on the banks of the Ashley River and the Intracoastal Waterway. It is Charleston’s acknowledged birthplace, having been settled in 1670. Nearly 350 years later, people looking to settle in the Charleston area can look forward to affordable homes with views of the waterfront, marshland and towering oak trees, near the hustle and bustle of downtown Charleston.
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Neighborhoods come in varying styles and types, from brick ranch style homes situated on nice sized lots with no covenants and/or restrictions, to new construction neighborhoods a little further out from Downtown. Also available are plenty of waterfront communities with deep water access. West Ashley is home to many of the most beautiful historical plantations in the South, like Magnolia, and Middleton Place.
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NEIGHBORHOODS: Avondale, Bolton's Landing, Brynes Down, Carolina Bay, Charlestown Estates, Grand Oaks Plantation, Hunt Club, Shadowmoss Plantation, South Windermere, Wappoo Heights, The Crescent
DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON
Downtown is what people think of when they picture "Charleston" in their minds - narrow streets, the Battery, King Street shopping, Rainbow Row, art museums, historic homes and churches, hidden gardens and some of the best restaurants on the East Coast. And yet downtown - called the Peninsula - is not just a tourist destination. It is also full of active neighborhoods. South of Broad, Harleston Village and Ansonborough are living history, where historic homes and gardens are part of truly walkable communities. The neighborhoods surrounding MUSC and the College of Charleston mix students with young professionals. Entrepreneurial shop owners and investments of infrastructure have transformed pocket neighborhoods into stylish destinations for homebuyers.
NEIGHBORHOODS: South of Broad, French Quarter, Hampton Park / Wagener Terrace, Westside, Harleston Village, Cannonborough/Elliotborough, Radcliffeborough, North Central, NoMo (East Central / North Morrison Drive), Eastside, Mazyck-Wraggborough, Ansonborough, The King Street Historic District
MT. PLEASANT
Mount Pleasant is the largest suburb of Charleston and the fastest growing. The Ravenel Bridge, an eight lane highway that was completed in 2005, spans the Cooper River and links the town of Mount Pleasant with the City of Charleston. Many people choose to live in Mount Pleasant because of the town’s proximity to the area’s beaches and excellent golf courses, as well as its opportunities for new construction. Picturesque Shem Creek (pictured) bisects the city and is host to several popular restaurants and one of the last fleets of local fishing boats in the area. Residents take advantage of the fresh off-the-boat seafood sold on the docks.
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NEIGHBORHOODS: Old Village, Old Mt. Pleasant, I’on, Cooper Estates & The Groves, Seaside Farms, Hamlin Plantation, Watermark, Hobcaw Creek Plantation, Belle Hall, Longpoint, Snee Farm, Brickyard Plantation, Dunes West, Rivertowne, Charleston National, Park West.
THE BEACHES
Charleston boasts five barrier islands within minutes of downtown: Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island. Each beachfront community has a unique feel and vibe for the residents who call it home. From famous artists, writers, and poets to surfers or industry tycoons, there is a fit for everyone.
Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island
