| People moving to Charleston, SC often have | | | | 5) Downtown Charleston is a highly desirable |
| questions about where to live (or where to | | | | place to live because it is so rich in |
| invest). As a real estate agent, I always ask | | | | history and culture. Downtown Charleston has |
| them, "What are you looking for?" In order to | | | | beautiful old houses, but they are much more |
| help people who are relocating to the | | | | expensive than some of the other areas in |
| Charleston area, I have organized my | | | | Charleston. Also, taxes have soared over the |
| suggestions into 7 answers. | | | | past few years - so take the taxes into |
| | | | consideration when comparing prices of homes |
| 1) Folly Beach is a great investment because | | | | in Charleston. |
| there will pretty much always be a great | | | | |
| demand of people who want to live at the | | | | 6) Mt. Pleasant has the best public schools |
| beach. Folly Beach is the most popular beach | | | | in Charleston County. There is also plenty |
| in the Charleston area, especially for | | | | of shopping and restaurants in this somewhat |
| college students and young professionals. | | | | upscale area. Mt. Pleasant also has a great |
| Add this popularity with its proximity to | | | | location - about 10 minutes to the beaches |
| downtown Charleston, and you will find that | | | | and about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown |
| Folly Beach is a great rental area. | | | | Charleston. The main drawback is price - Mt. |
| | | | Pleasant is more expensive compared to other |
| 2) James Island is a little more affordable | | | | non-beachfront real estate in Charleston. |
| than Folly Beach, and it is even closer to | | | | |
| downtown Charleston (about a 5 minute drive). | | | | 7) Summerville rivals Mt. Pleasant when it |
| James Island is mostly a residential area, | | | | comes to public schools, but Summerville is |
| but there are some restaurants (most of which | | | | much more affordable. It has a small town |
| are independently owned). James Island is | | | | feel, but real estate there has grown rapidly |
| very laid back, and many students from | | | | in the past five years and will continue to |
| College of Charleston and the Medical | | | | grow. The biggest drawback to buying a house |
| University of South Carolina live here. The | | | | there is location. Summerville is about 45 |
| young population and proximity to Folly Beach | | | | minutes from downtown Charleston and a little |
| makes James Island a great rental area for | | | | less than an hour to the closest beach. |
| investors. | | | | Summerville is less of an investment area |
| | | | compared to James Island or Johns Island |
| (3) Johns Island is ideal for people who want | | | | simply because of appreciation. However, if |
| more space - larger yards, less traffic, and | | | | you are looking for a place to live and have |
| fewer neighbors. Also, land in Johns Island | | | | a tighter budget, Summerville would be a good |
| is a great investment because there are plans | | | | area to consider. |
| to extend the Interstate to the area. Johns | | | | |
| Island will slowly become less rural and more | | | | Charleston has so many communities to choose |
| developed. | | | | from. The seven I discussed are some of the |
| | | | popular. If you are buying real estate as an |
| 4) West Ashley is more affordable compared to | | | | investment, be sure to get statistics on |
| James Island, Johns Island, and Mt. Pleasant. | | | | appreciation and possibly rental history. If |
| And, it is still very close to Folly Beach | | | | you are buying real estate as a primary |
| (about a 20 to 30 minute drive) and to | | | | residence, be sure to talk with someone who |
| downtown Charleston (about a 10 to 15 minute | | | | has lived in the area so that you can learn |
| drive). West Ashley has more commercial real | | | | about real estate specifically in the area |
| estate compared to James Island and John's | | | | you will be buying. |
| Island - there are lots of chain restaurants | | | | |
| and shopping centers. | | | | Search for homes and vacant land in |
| | | | Charleston, SC! |