West Ashley Real Estate

Great location with a charming mix of old and new homes

West Ashley is one of the most affordable areas to live within Charleston County which is surprising considering how close it is to Downtown and Folly Beach. West Ashley is a great area for buyers who want the lower home prices of the suburbs located further inland but don't want to sacrifice location in order to get the home they want. You'll also find plenty of shopping, independent restaurants, the Citadel Mall, and an IMAX movie theater. Some of the best West Ashley neighborhoods are Carolina Bay, Avondale, The Crescent, Magnolia Bluff, and Grand Oaks.

West Ashley Statistics

Total Listings: 126
Average Price: $690,559
Highest Listing Price: $4,950,000
Average Days On Website: 53
Average Price/SqFt: $347

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West Ashley Pros:

  • One of Charleston's most affordable suburbs
  • Close to Downtown Charleston & Folly Beach
  • Lots of shopping and restaurants
  • Charming historic houses just over the Ashley River Bridge from Downtown

West Ashley Cons:

West Ashley Real Estate by Price

Price, High to Low
126 Properties Found.
Page 1 of 14

13 Johnson Road

$4,950,000
MLS® #24005749

The Crescent
West Ashley, SC
5 BR, 7 BA, 8180 SQ FT, 0.57 ACRES
Built in 2007
House

Nestled in the exclusive neighborhood of The Crescent lies a meticulously crafted lakefront residence that epito…

545 Towles Crossing Drive, Lot 7

$2,875,000
MLS® #24001498

Opti Isle
West Ashley, SC
4 BR, 4½ BA, 3281 SQ FT, 0.42 ACRES
Built in 2024
House

Welcome to Kingfisher Island, eleven waterfront homesites overlooking Rantowles Creek that set the standard for …

546 Towles Crossing Drive

$2,750,000
MLS® #24001493

Opti Isle
West Ashley, SC
4 BR, 4½ BA, 3196 SQ FT, 0.35 ACRES
Built in 2024
House

Welcome to Kingfisher Island, eleven waterfront homesites overlooking Rantowles Creek that set the standard for …

Photo of Listing #24006480

1596 Spinnaker Lane

$2,490,000
MLS® #24006480

Ashley Harbor
West Ashley, SC
5 BR, 3½ BA, 4932 SQ FT, 0.69 ACRES
Built in 1991
House

Custom home with private Deepwater Dock and Covered Boat Lift on Bull Creek off the Ashley River. This three sto…

3531 Old Ferry Road

$2,000,000
MLS® #24003824

Shell Point
West Ashley, SC
3 BR, 3 BA, 2269 SQ FT, 0.54 ACRES
Built in 1965
House

Imagine sitting on your deck under the spreading oaks at dawn, all that's between you and the rising sun is the …

185 Wappoo Road

$1,850,000
MLS® #23024653

Isle De Nemours
West Ashley, SC
2 BR, 1 BA, 864 SQ FT, 11.02 ACRES
Built in 1950
House

This picturesque property with stunning views of the Stono River and marsh, consists of approximately 11 acres o…

363 Confederate Circle

$1,499,999
MLS® #23027313

South Windermere
West Ashley, SC
4 BR, 3½ BA, 3070 SQ FT, 0.38 ACRES
Built in 1959
House

This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, custom-designed home underwent a comprehensive renovation replacing all electric, …

105 Folly Road Boulevard

$1,475,000
MLS® #24003551

The Crescent
West Ashley, SC
4 BR, 3½ BA, 2610 SQ FT, 0.49 ACRES
Built in 1965
House

Discover your dream home! This 4BR, 3.5BA traditional brick masterpiece seamlessly blends timeless elegance with…

1039 Teracotta Drive Lot 23

$1,324,369
MLS® #24006182

The Settlement
West Ashley, SC
4 BR, 3½ BA, 2523 SQ FT, 0.22 ACRES
Built in 2024
House

4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath with great flexibility for entertainment- living space. The guest bedroom or office with fu…

West Ashley Homes and Real Estate

real estate west ashley sc

As one of the closest suburbs to Charleston, West Ashley appeals to buyers wanting to live within minutes of the city. However, the large size of the suburb lends itself to all the conveniences needed for everyday living. Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, an IMAX movie theater, Costco, Roper Hospital, and a very long list of shopping and restaurant options are all within an easy drive of most West Ashley homes. So residents have just about everything they need without leaving the suburb, yet Downtown Charleston and Folly Beach are easily accessible for more entertainment options.

West Ashley gets its name because it's the Charleston suburb located directly west of the Ashley River, which runs along the west side of the Charleston Peninsula before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. West Ashley has acted as a suburb for greater Charleston since the mid twentieth century. However, its history dates much further back, since Charles Towne was among the first of the southern colonial settlements in the late 1600s. Today West Ashley is a progressive and transitional area of Charleston County, and one with a wide range of home styles and prices.

Best Neighborhoods in West Ashley, SC

Having lived in West Ashley and worked 17+ years in real estate here, these are consistently the favorite neighborhoods among buyers. You can also search West Ashley neighborhoods with amenities on our website!

best neighborhoods in west ashley sc

Carolina Bay is the largest community and offers the best amenities (pool pictured above). With 2 swimming pools, covered pavilion with outdoor fireplace, a kid friendly playground, dog park, miles of walking trails, and plentiful green spaces, Carolina Bay impresses even the pickiest buyers. Lowcountry style home designs and easy access to Interstate 526 also add to its appeal.

Magnolia Bluff is a smaller community off Hwy 61. Mungo Homes developed these 93 homes, and the double front porches here are classically Charleston. Located on a bluff overlooking the Ashley River, residents can enjoy the community dock and outdoor pavilion with brick fireplace.

The Crescent is West Ashley’s most prestigious community for its historic estates and prime location. Situated between the Wappoo Cut and South Windermere Shopping Center, The Crescent is just 5 minutes from Downtown Charleston. One of South Carolina’s best private schools, Porter Gaud, is within walking/biking distance as well.

Avondale has become a trendy hotspot in recent years because it’s so easily walkable to restaurants, pubs, and revitalized storefronts along Hwy 17 and Magnolia Road. For buyers who are willing to make renovations and can make do with smaller square footage, these charming homes offer a unique character that is hard to find with newer construction

Grand Oaks is a large community established in the early 2000’s. Residents can drive their golf cart to the neighborhood pool/clubhouse or to the Harris Teeter and Starbucks conveniently located inside the community entrance. Nearby you’ll also find the Bee’s Ferry Recreation Center for tennis and gym facilities.

Condos and Townhouses in West Ashley

west ashley sc condos at albemarle

As West Ashley real estate prices climb, condos and townhouses are more popular than ever for buyers balancing the tradeoff of affordability and location. Centrally located, Concord West of the Ashley is walkable/bikable to Avondale and has easy access to peninsular Charleston via Hwy 61/St. Andrews Blvd. Here you’ll find 2 pools, tennis, and a fitness center.

Seagate stands out for its boat slips on the Ashley River, dock facilities, and fenced boat storage. The pool also makes Seagate popular among West Ashley condo buyers who are willing to make some cosmetic updates to these homes built in the late 1980s.

Arboretum is further out in West Ashley with good access to I-526. A pool and assigned covered parking are big pros for this community.

For a townhouse style setup, check out Ashley Park, Bolton’s Landing, Radcliffe Place, and Grand Oaks.

You’ll find luxury condos in Albemarle (pictured) which boast a pool, elevator, parking garage, and phenomenal views of the Ashley River and Downtown Charleston. Ripley Light Marina is another higher end option, but these listings rarely come onto the market due to their enviable setting overlooking the marina and Charleston Harbor.

Living In West Ashley: Lifestyle and Things to Do

west ashley sc citadel movie theater

West Ashley Shopping - Although West Ashley has several large chain grocery stores like Harris Teeter, you'll also find smaller chains like Whole Foods and Earth Fare which specialize in organic and natural foods. The South Windermere shopping center has a wide range of outdoor and healthy living options such as Urban Nirvana, Halfmoon Outfitters, and Holy Cow Yoga. Here you'll also find the West Ashley branch of the Charleston Public Library. The Citadel Mall is one of the few indoor malls in Charleston, and it has stores ranging from Target to Belk to Loft.

Restaurants in West Ashley - This suburb has plenty of good restaurants to choose from, and most are independently owned or small, local chains. Some of our favorites include Boxcar Betty's, Mellow Mushroom, Triangle Char and Bar, East Bay Deli, and Kickin' Chicken. There are also several great large chains, like Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Firehouse Subs, and Moe's Southwest Grill.

IMAX Stadium 16 Movie Theater - Located just across from the Citadel Mall, this theater shows all of the big blockbusters and is one of the nicest and largest movie theaters in tri-county Charleston.

The West Ashley Greenway - Stretching 8 miles through neighborhoods, wetlands, and commercial districts, this greenway offers a range of scenery. The site was formerly a railroad bed located between Albemarle Road and Main Road. Many home buyers look for real estate near this greenway so that they can have easy access for running, biking, or walking their dogs.

Northbridge Park - Located at the base of the Cosgrove Bridge in West Ashley, this park boasts a very nice dock for launching your kayak or paddleboard directly onto the Ashley River. Beachcombers also enjoy searching for shells brought in by the tide.

Historic Sites in West Ashley

Charles Towne Landing

charles towne landing west ashley sc

Charles Towne Landing was the first permanent European settlement in South Carolina. This state historic site is a great way (for kids especially) to learn about what original settlers in 1670 might have encountered in establishing their home in Charleston.

Explore a life-sized reproduction of Adventure, a 17th-century cargo ship. Or, at the natural habitat zoo, see animals such as bison, elk, puma, and otters that populated the area during the time Charles Towne was settled.

The site's 80 acres of gardens and preserved woodlands are a great way to spend a day in Charleston since there's so much to see and do here.

Founders Hall is a popular venue for weddings and parties (pictured). The glass walls in this sleek, modern design showcase the beauty of the surrounding Lowcountry.

Drayton Hall

drayton hall west ashley sc

Drayton Hall stands out as a preservation icon, which is remarkable in a city like Charleston that's known for its historic preservation. Construction for the home began in 1738, and it housed seven generations of the Drayton family.

In 1974 the home was sold to the National Trust for Historic Preservation which has kept the house in near-original condition. Even modern conveniences like running water and electricity have never been added.

While most of the historic homes open to the public boast about silver or art collections that reflect the grandeur of the time, Drayton Hall has taken a different approach that showcases the details of the home (such as paint and mouldings) as they were originally made instead of altering or refurbishing.

The house is also the oldest Georgian Palladian architecture in the country that is still intact.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

magnolia plantation west of the ashley sc

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family. During the Revolutionary War, the plantation was occupied by both British and American troops. After the Civil War, the plantation's focus shifted from agriculture to the gardens, which helped keep the plantation afloat during great shifts in the economic restructuring of the South.

The gardens were opened to the public in 1870, making them the oldest public gardens in the United States. Travel + Leisure has named Magnolia among America's Most Beautiful Gardens. Perhaps the best time to visit is during spring when the azaleas are in full bloom.

Magnolia Plantation has also been recognized for the educational programs associated with its Cabin Project, having won awards two years in a row for the preservation of its cabins. Their tour, From Slavery to Freedom, teaches four distinct time periods in African American history: the 1850s time of enslavement, the 1870s covering Emancipation and Reconstruction, the 1920s time of Jim Crow laws, and the 1960s Civil Rights movement.

Historic Middleton Place

middleton place west ashley near charleston

Middleton Place is one of the most popular plantations in Charleston and has been filmed in movies such as The Patriot. Today, only one building remains of the three that were originally built overlooking the Ashley River. This South Flanker house (pictured) is open for tours but was actually used as a gentleman's guest quarters when it was built in 1755.

The other two buildings (the main house and a library/conservatory) burned down in 1865, just two months before the Civil War ended. After the fire, the Middleton family moved into the South Flanker and lived there until the house was turned into a museum in 1975.

In total, the Middleton family lived on the rice plantation for over 300 years.

West Ashley, SC Schools

West Ashley public schools tend to not rank as well as the neighboring suburbs of James Island and Mount Pleasant. However, one of the best private schools in Charleston, Porter-Gaud, is located off Albemarle Road in West Ashley.

porter gaud best private school charleston sc

Porter-Gaud has produced outstanding leaders, including perhaps the most notable of their alumni, Stephen Colbert. Porter-Gaud is an Episcopal, co-ed school with over 100 years of experience in Charleston and just over 1,000 students enrolled in grades 1-12. The school is also notorious for placing graduating seniors with some of the top colleges and universities in the country. Several West Ashley neighborhoods are located within walking distance of the school, including The Crescent, South Windermere, and Albemarle.

Addlestone Hebrew Academy is also a highly sought after private school in West Ashley, and it enrolls kids aged 18 months to 8th grade. As Charleston’s largest Jewish, co-ed school, Addlestone focuses on small class sizes and a STEAM curriculum. Founded in 1956, Addlestone is considered one of the pillars of private education in Charleston, SC.

The best public schools in West Ashley include Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary (K-5th grade), Orange Grove Charter (PK-8th grade), and St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science (PK-5). For middle and high school, many West Ashley residents opt to apply for public charter schools in nearby James Island and North Charleston.

Buying Real Estate in West Ashley

The older section of West Ashley is the closest to Downtown - located just over the Ashley River bridge - and real estate in this area is an eclectic mix of residential homes and mixed-use businesses. The homes may seem modest, but prices are comparatively high because of their prime location. These homes offer an unbeatable location and also a charm that's hard to find with new construction homes today. These homes are ideal for buyers looking for houses with brick exteriors, larger lots, and mature landscaping (old live oaks are scattered throughout this area). Although many of these homes have been updated, you'll still find plenty of homes for sale that needs a good bit of work (mostly cosmetic). The majority of these homes were built from the 1930s to the 1970s.

west ashley sc golf community

Most of the newer homes in West Ashley are located past Hwy 526, so they're about a 20-minute drive from Downtown Charleston and 25-30 minutes from Folly Beach. This section of West Ashley is ideal for buyers wanting newer houses with more square footage and neighborhood amenities like swimming pools. The newer section of West Ashley is known for having some of the lowest prices per square foot in Charleston County.

The only golf course in West Ashley is at Shadowmoss Plantation, located off Hwy 61. Shadowmoss Golf Club is a great option for buyers wanting affordable golf real estate close to Charleston. This neighborhood was mostly developed in the late 1980s and 1990s, although you'll find a few newer construction homes in the subsection Middleborough Estates. Other amenities in Shadowmoss include a pool, tennis courts, clubhouse, and fitness center.

As one of the larger commercial centers of Charleston County, West Ashley is connected to Charleston's other suburbs by several major highways. Running due west from downtown is Highway 17 (Savannah Highway), and heading northwest from that same starting point is Highway 61 (St. Andrews Highway/Ashley River Road). Intersecting these two major highways several miles out is Interstate 526, creating a triangle of commerce and development within West Ashley.

A Short Video About Living in West Ashley, SC

Looking to Buy or Sell in West Ashley?

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The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Carolina One Real Estate are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.

The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.

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