The downtown peninsula area is one of the most historic cities in the United States with most of the buildings and houses dating back to the 1800's. But while steeped in culture, and tradition, the city remains extremely functional and desirable.

The classic architecture plays host to today's modern businesses and luxurious residences. With strict ordinances in place to keep downtown true to its original form, its investment quality has always been second to none. Values have steadily climbed year after year.  And remain safe even in a tough market.  The Peninsula is home to the College of Charleston, shops, restaurants, pubs, theaters, churches, yacht clubs, marinas, parks, and even a baseball stadium. The downtown Charleston area is truly the beating heart of the Charleston real estate market. But don't be mislead, this is no metropolis… Charleston is the perfect blend of action and relaxation. Sure, the sidewalks of King Street and the Market will often be alive with the traffic of pedestrians but relief and exclusivity is always just a few of blocks away….

The “Peninsula”  as Downtown Charleston is often referred to by locals is divided up into boroughs. 

“South of Broad” refers to the area, (oddly enough) located South of Broad Street and is typically the most expensive and desirable real estate in Downtown Charleston.  Most of this area as at one time part of the original walled city of Charleston.  These homes are often large and traffic is extremely light.  The Battery and Waterfront Park are at the southernmost tip of the Peninsula and offer a site packed with history as well as a beautiful spot to relax, jog, or take in some views.  Prices typically start over $1 Million and range up higher from there.  Occasionally there are some great deals in need of some TLC that can be had from less.

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH SOUTH OF BROAD MLS LISTINGS

Ansonborough – This area is located north of Broad but South of Calhoun and entirely east of King Street.  This is another great and extremely desirable section of Downtown Charleston.  There are some great larger homes as well as many very old, classic row houses.  The east bay dining and shopping corridor is in this borough so there is always something to do close by and walking is usually an option.  This is probably the most convenient place to live in on the Peninsula.  Prices range from $600Ks (for condos) and up from there.

Harleston Village – Located in the corridor south of Calhoun, north of Broad, and West of King St, is this extremely great place to live.  Also home the College of Charleston, this are has changed quite a bit over the last 15 years.  Once home to many college rental homes, Harleston Village is now mostly owner occupied with prices ranging from $700’s and up.

Radcliffeborough – This is perhaps Charleston’s most changed neighborhood over the last ten years.  Located, north of Calhoun, South of Morris St, and west of Meeting St, is this upscale, mostly residential neighborhood.  Once prices forced owners to stop renting to College Students in Harleston Village, most kids moved up to Radcliffeborough.  Well the cycle continues and today less then half of Radcliffeborugh remains rental units.  Now mostly owner occupied this section of Downtown, offers some great deals, and an excellent place to live that still walking distance to King St.  Prices here range from $500K’s and up.

Elliotborough – Located north of Morris St, West of King st. and South of the Crosstown.  This area used to be riddled with crime and run down houses but in the last five years, has changed completely!  There are some excellent investment opportunities here now and it’s also become a great place to live or to rent out to students.  There are some great renovation projects here as well.  Prices range from $300Ks and up.

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH NORTH OF BROAD DOWNTOWN MLS LISTINGS

Wagener Terrace and Hampton Park Terrace – Located north of the “Crosstown” (HWY 17), North of Sumter St, West of Rutlege St.  This is an area that has been “up and Coming” for the last few years.  Now home to some excellent places to live, these adjacent neighborhoods feature large yards and different architecture then the South of Crosstown neighborhoods.  Also, Hampton Park, is smack in the middle of Hampton Park Terrace.  This giant park features acres and acres of greens space, a lake, gazebo, jogging trails, and even a separate dog park area!  Prices start in the $200k’s for condos and $300K’s for houses.

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH NORTH OF CROSSTOWN DOWNTOWN LISTINGS

MOUNT PLEASANT

Just east of the Cooper River lies the suburban town of Mount Pleasant. Centered around a small historic village that overlooks the City and the Harbor, this area has grown significantly over the past few years. With some of the area's most desirable subdivisions, schools, restaurants, golf courses, and shopping, real estate prices in Mount Pleasant have sky rocketed over the years. Is it still a good place to buy? Absolutely. With a brand new bridge that is a true marvel of technology, that connects to Downtown, things are only looking up for Mount Pleasant and its property values.

Mount Pleasant is known for a few things.  Great neighborhoods, proximity to Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms beaches and Great Schools.  Neighborhoods range from the extremely upscale and award winning Ion, (with prices from the $700k’s) to great starter neighborhoods with prices from the $200k’s.  There are even some condos in the mid to low $100k’s. 

Mount Pleasant is also home to the Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. www.mtpleasanttownecentre.com
This massive outdoor shopping mall has become a real commercial hub of the Charleston area.  You can find almost anything at the Towne Centre including stores like Banana Republic and Chicos and even a massive multiplex move theater! 

The MLS divides this area into two sections.  North of HWY 41 and South of HWY 41.  HWY 41 is about 30 minutes or so from downtown so neighborhoods outside of that are a little bit of a drive.  Not too bad though and the trade off is more house for the money.

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH MOUNT PLEASANT LISTINGS SOUTH of 41

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH MOUNT PLEASANT LISTINGS NORTH of 41

Barrier Islands (Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach)

Rumor has it that they stopped making ocean front land… Based on that little tidbit of information, you can safely bet that beach town real estate will always be among the safest and most enjoyable investments on this planet. Charleston's closest three beaches have lots to offer buyers of all types. Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms lay East of Charleston Harbor and protect the shores of Mount Pleasant from the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Sullivan's sandy shores are the backyard for some of this country's most beautiful homes. You won't find any high rise condos on these beaches; only houses. The historic lighthouse has been warning mariners for years and remains active today. Casual and eclectic restaurants and shops line Center Street and the Intracoastal Waterway runs along the back side of the island.

Isle of Palms is connected to the east side of Sullivan's Island via a short bridge that spans Breach Inlet. Real Estate prices are similar to those of Sullivan's but the island differs just a bit. Home to just a few condos, IOP, is still mainly populated by houses but also adds some of the nations best golf courses. The beaches are larger then Sullivan's and the surf is the best that you'll find east of the Cooper.

Traveling back across the Cooper River, through Downtown, across the Ashley River, and over James Island will take you back in time to a place called Folly Beach. While only about 10-12 minutes from the Peninsula, Folly Beach is a time machine that takes you back to a simpler time when beaches were places for surfing, killing time, and getting tan. The architecture is low and old fashioned. The commercial section of Center Street is lined with independent surf shops and small café's and restaurants. The shore is lapped by some of the best surfing waves that you can find in the South East. The atmosphere is as casual as they come. Flip flops are the footwear of choice no matter what time of day it is.

As far as investment quality goes, Folly Beach has appreciated faster then almost any other area of Charleston over the past few years and the sky is the limit for this priceless little town. Values are still quite a bit lower then Sullivan's and Isle of Palms but the word is out and the time to buy Folly Beach is now.

JAMES ISLAND AND WEST ASHLEY

Just west of the Ashley River from Downtown, lay the suburbs of James Island and West Ashley. With some of the best appreciation in the Southeast, these suburbs are host to a great deal of commercial and residential development as well as a solid base of original architecture from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Most of these suburbs are extremely convenient to the downtown area and, as a rule of thumb, quite a bit less expensive then the Peninsula or Mount Pleasant.

JOHNS ISLAND

What was once a sleepy part of the outskirts of Charleston, is quickly becoming a well developed and highly desirable suburb. With brand new supermarkets, restaurants, and shopping joining the original Johns Island landscape, a new area is taking shape before our very eyes. Johns Island has long been home to horse farms, plantations, and classic southern estates. They still remain today, but are now being joined by modern construction and architecture that is designed to embody the old southern feel of the area. This is an excellent area to enjoy all that makes Charleston what it is and what it was. Live Oaks line most of the roadways and Charleston’s many rivers surround it's marsh covered shores. There is some deepwater property here as well with easy access to the harbor and ocean. Like all of Charleston, Johns Island's real estate prices rise daily. Now would be an excellent time to purchase your own piece of old fashioned Charleston Real Estate.

NORTH AREA (SUMMERVILLE and GOOSE CREEK)

About 20-30 minutes north of the peninsula is where you'll find the suburbs of Summerville, Goose Creek, Ladson and Hannahan. With some of the areas most affordable prices and also one of the best public school districts, (Dorchester II in Summerville), these areas are growing incredibly fast. Newer construction combines with a beautifully historic downtown village of Summerville, to form a very rapidly growing area of Charleston. While only about 20-30 minutes away, these areas have a feel that is all their own. This is an excellent place to get a lot of house for your money.

NORTH CHARLESTON

Home to most of the areas industrial and commercial enterprise, North Charleston also encompasses a massive amount of residential real estate. With newer construction, affordable houses mixed in with some waterfront and upscale neighborhoods, this area is as diverse as any you will find. The Park Circle area is one particularly trendy and desirable section with a circular park surrounded by a radial assortment of smaller homes built in the 60's. Many of them have been lovingly restored and renovated. With many of today's most popular stores and restaurants opening locations along the main strip of Rivers Avenue, North Charleston is experiencing a time of rapid growth and appreciation.

Kiawah and Seabrook Islands

One of the most beautiful resort islands in the world lies just south of Charleston. Kiawah Island has long been the place for anybody wanting to live near Charleston, but also craving the utmost in privacy and exclusivity. Home to some of the world's most beautiful golf courses, this ocean community plays host to many of the worlds most successful and famous people.

The majestic links of the Ocean Course played host the prestigious Rider Cup of Golf not long ago. It was a fiercely contested match but the United State pulled out the victory at the very end. Prices average a bit higher on these islands but always seem to climb, year after year.

Daniel Island

Imagine and entire town that has been carefully planned and designed to function seamlessly and enjoyably. It's a town that feels old fashioned and friendly while enjoying all the benefits of modern construction and infrastructure. The main area of town is centrally located and convenient to almost all of the homes in the area. In fact, many people prefer traveling via bicycle within the Town of Daniel Island.

Each year, Daniel Island plays host the Family Circle Cup; a professional women's tennis tournament. It takes place within a special outdoor tennis stadium that was constructed specifically for this event. Tennis isn't the only professional sport that stops in Daniel Island however, Charleston's own major league soccer team, the Battery also make their home in Daniel Island.

With a centralized location that's convenient to most areas of Charleston, Daniel Island has quickly become one of the hottest markets in a city full of hot markets