Two Affordable Suburbs in the Charleston Real Estate Market

The Charleston real estate market is on the upturn. Sales have increased, inventory has dropped substantially, short sales and foreclosures have slowed, and the average home price is coming up from 2012. It is a perfect year to be purchasing in the Charleston real estate market because interest rates are historically low, and home prices are the most affordable that they’ve been in years. If you’re looking for a good deal and want to get the most house for the money, Summerville and West Ashley are two of Charleston’s suburb areas that are known for their balance of quality and value.

Summerville is about 24 miles north of the City of Charleston located off Interstate 26, which is still within a reasonable commute to the city. There is a great deal of southern charm and hospitality in historic downtown Summerville. Quaint boutique shops and independently owned restaurants line Main Street. There are charming accommodations such as bed and breakfast inns. Also, there are many popular retail and fast food chains close to I-26, such as Lowe’s, Ross, Panera Bread Company, and Cracker Barrel. Summerville hosts many wonderful events like the Flowertown Festival and Sculpture in the South. These festivals are held in gorgeous Azalea Park, which is in the center of town and has 12 acres of paths, ponds, fountains, tennis courts, and a unique collection of sculptures. Summerville is proud to have over 700 homes and buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Summerville real estate is known all over for its historical significance and character. Southern hospitality gives a small town like Summerville its big charm.

West Ashley real estate has a desirable location just southwest of downtown Charleston across the Ashley River. The drive to downtown is between 5 and 25 minutes. Folly Beach is also about 25 minutes away. There are two basic divisions of West Ashley: old West Ashley (inside I-526) and new West Ashley (outside of I-526). Old West Ashley is comprised mostly of brick ranch homes built in the 1940s through 1980s. A few neighborhood examples are South Windermere, Moreland, and Byrnes Down. Homeowners enjoy the ideal proximity to downtown Charleston and the character of these older homes. New West Ashley neighborhoods that were built within the last 7 years are Grand Oaks, Carolina Bay, and Hunt Club, just to name a few. Most of the homes in the newer part of West Ashley are built within planned communities that have amenities such as a pool, play park, green space, jogging trails, and tennis courts. There is also plenty of history in West Ashley. You can find plantations such as Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, and Magnolia Gardens which are open to the public for tours. Also, Charles Town Landing is a gorgeous park to enjoy with your family. There is plenty of retail shopping and entertainment. For example, West Ashley has the Citadel Mall, a movie theater (including IMAX - pictured above), and a Costco Wholesale Store. Common green spaces include West Ashley Park, the West Ashley Greenway, and many more for residents to enjoy. The City of Charleston Recreation Department just built Bees Landing Recreation Center, which is an amazing a 25 acre outdoor/indoor complex featuring a gym, playground, and many athletic fields.

If you are looking in the Charleston real estate market to purchase a home and want to be in an area with charm and convenience – but don’t want to sacrifice the quality of your home in the process – take a tour of Summerville and West Ashley. These are two areas of Charleston where you can find affordability, quality, history, and southern hospitality. Home prices are steadily increasing and interest rates are still phenomenal, so there is no time like the present to make your dream of owning a home in Charleston a reality.