There’s no denying that Charleston is one of South Carolina’s top destinations to live, work, and visit. It’s a city rich in culture and has a history that dates back to the 17th century. Today, Charleston attracts dozens of people each day that decide to call the city their home.
As with any thriving metropolis, Charleston boasts an array of suburbs and neighborhoods that attract new professionals, couples, and families. So if you’re looking for the best area to live in Charleston SC, where should you consider?
It’s hard to name a single location because there are so many possible neighborhoods that are safe, packed with amenities, and where jobs are plentiful. However, the following gives a few examples where buying Charleston SC real estate will offer excellent value for money:
Downtown
If you’re looking for the best real estate in Charleston SC, and you want to live in the city’s beating heart, it makes sense to look for properties in the downtown area. It’s undoubtedly the epicenter of business, leisure, and entertainment.
Downtown features a rich mixture of architecture influenced by early European styles, such as cobblestone streets, churches with prominent steeples, and a myriad of hidden alleyways mixed in with modern construction.
As you can imagine, living in the downtown area means you can easily access a vast array of retail stores, restaurants that offer the best culinary experiences, and the excellent nightlife that attracts visitors from far and wide.
Of course, if you want to live in the heart of the action, you should expect to pay a premium for the privilege. For example, properties in the South of Broad area seldom dip any lower than $500,000 and can sometimes reach as high as several million dollars. You would certainly sell your house fast in Charleston SC with such a low price.
Harleston Village
When looking at houses for sale in Charleston, you’ll have likely come across properties in Harleston Village. Located above South of Broad, it’s a close enough neighborhood to the downtown area but far enough to enjoy a quieter pace of life.
Harleston Village is home to many famous points of interest, such as the College of Charleston, the luxurious Wentworth Mansion hotel, and the Colonial Lake. Other attractions include the Old Marine Hospital, Cannon Park, and William Blacklock House.
The area boasts quiet residential streets, is attractive to families and students alike, and features many different property styles, ranging from antebellum homes to Italian and Greek-inspired mansions. Prices range from $300,000 to $5 million.
Grimball Gates
If you’re looking for the best real estate in Charleston SC, and you don’t mind living outside of the city, you should consider one neighborhood in particular: Grimball Gates. It’s a gated community located on Johns Island, located around 12 miles southwest of Charleston.
Johns Island is South Carolina’s largest island and was named after the first English colonial settlers in the 17th century. The Grimball Gates neighborhood boasts quintessential Lowcountry appeal and is perfect if you prefer a laidback lifestyle.
There are over 90 acres of beautiful natural landscape in Grimball Gates and offer residents opportunities to go kayaking, crabbing, and fishing. Additionally, there is also an array of walking and hiking trails if you’re a big fan of outdoor activities and love to go exploring.
Grimball Gates also boasts eight ponds and boating from the community docks. Homes in Grimball Gates attract families and retirees, and family properties in the area have a median price of $450,000, with large sprawling mansions costing $5 million on average.
West Ashley
One of the great things about Charleston is there are properties available to suit all requirements, including all budgets. So whether you’re moving within Charleston or South Carolina or are moving from another state, you can find a low-budget home to buy.
West Ashley, bordering downtown Charleston, is a friendly neighborhood and ideal for individuals or couples looking for an affordable solution, such as a condo. The prices of condos in West Ashley are around $100,000 to $200,000 on average.
There are larger properties that are better suited for families, for example, but the cost of houses in West Ashley will be higher than condos. As with other areas of Charleston, there are several amenities and points of interest in West Ashley.
For instance, did you know that West Ashley has the only public zoo in the whole of Charleston? Plus, there are many historical attractions to visit, given that West Ashley is the site of the first European settlement in the whole of Charleston.
Summerville
If you’re planning to move near Charleston with your family in tow, and you’ve got one or more young children, you will undoubtedly want to live in an area with access to an excellent educational system.
One final neighborhood to consider is Summerville. It’s well-known as one of the top school districts in Charleston, and it’s also famous for its high school football teams. Many homes in Summerville’s quiet streets date back to the Civil War era, along with period stately homes.
Another reason you may wish to consider Summerville is how it’s ideally placed for commuting. You can easily access the I-26 from Summerville, making it perfect if you work for one of the area’s top employers like Google, Boeing, or Volvo.
As you can imagine, there are many historical attractions to visit within Summerville. What’s more, it’s only a half-hour drive into downtown Charleston, making it reasonably close to the city and its many attractions, shopping districts, and its culinary delights.
Prices for homes in Summerville range from $120,000 for an apartment to $300,000 for a three-bedroom house.
Buying a property in Summerville could be right for you if you’re moving to the area with a family and want a home that offers excellent value for money but is still reasonably close to central Charleston.