When you are moving to the Charleston, SC area and looking for real estate, you'll have a lot of decisions to make. You'll be trying to find a good value for your money, enough space for everyone, quality school systems, and many other things. However, the first thing you'll have to consider is whether or not you want to live in the city or in one of the many suburbs. If you have kids, don't like being kept up at night by loud city noises, like to garden, or appreciate fresh air and breathing room, then a suburb is the way to go.
But which one? There are many suburbs around Charleston, each with its own unique personality and advantages. At Carolina One, we want you to make an informed decision when choosing a new home. In this blog, we'll go over the pros and cons of four of the most popular Charleston suburbs to help you narrow the search.
Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant has a lot going for it. It's a large town of over 60,000 people (big enough to be considered a city itself), most of whom commute to Charleston – and for good reason. Mt. Pleasant is the closest to Charleston of any of the suburbs listed here, at only about 3 miles at the shortest point (though it can be ten miles or more, depending on where you work in the city and what side of Mt. Pleasant you live on).
As such a large town, the area has many amenities and attractions, and offers easy access to the beach through smaller adjacent towns like Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms. However, the ease of commute and the fact that this town was named one of the top places to live in the U.S. does mean that it costs a bit more. The median home value here is about $382,000*, the most expensive of the four locations that we are detailing here. However, if you have the money, the varied community and ease of access are well worth it.
Goose Creek
Goose Creek is about 20 minutes northwest of North Charleston and about 30 minutes northwest of the downtown area, depending on traffic of course. It is a little over half the size of Mt. Pleasant, population-wise, at 36,000 residents, and offers a quaint, small-town vibe that it has retained despite its burgeoning population. The home values in this town are among the lowest of any Charleston area suburb, at a median of about $171,000, so if you are looking for an affordable place that's not too far from the city and offers a vibrant local community, Goose Creek is a great option! They also boast a highly-rated school system and a number of festivals and activities for residents and visitors alike.
Summerville
Summerville is known locally for its beautiful flowers and pine trees and, in the past, was a well-recognized summer retreat and spa town for city dwellers looking to escape the mosquitoes and heat. It's located just a bit further away than Goose Creek – taking about 35 minutes to get to from downtown Charleston – and has about the same population as well (about 3,000 fewer). The town boasts loads of historic buildings, easy access to plantations and gardens, and lots of shopping in picturesque village areas. Summerville is also similar to Goose Creek in terms of home value, as the median here is roughly $184,000, making it a good choice for new families or couples.
Johns Island
Johns Island is the least populous of the suburbs on our list, at only about 20,000 people. However, this lack of buzz means that the island is peaceful and has retained a great deal of its natural beauty. Many of the vistas are of tidal creeks and backwater, with the homes here nestled among them.
All of this is surprising, since Johns Island is located at a cozy ten to fifteen minute drive from the downtown area of Charleston. Again, however, the closer you are, the more you pay. While the median home values here are a little lower than those of Mount Pleasant, at about $227,000, they exist in less abundance. In other words, there are simply fewer homes here, but if you can nab one for a reasonable price, you will always love the view! Also, with a number of empty lots available here, the island is an ideal location in which to build your dream home.
If you want more information on these or the other suburbs of Charleston, contact us today at Carolina One Real Estate! Our expert real estate agents will guide you towards the right property for your budget and preferences.
*All median values as of 2013.