Charleston, SC: Best Areas to Live for New Homes

In a city that dates back more than 300 years, home buyers often have trouble finding new construction options in the Charleston area.  However, if you know where to look, you can find new houses in a range of prices throughout the Charleston tri-county area.  These three suburbs will be some of the best places to start your home search since they offer the largest selection of new neighborhoods to choose from.

Mount Pleasant is one of the most sought after suburbs because it has an upscale feel, tons of shopping and restaurants, some of the best public schools in Charleston County, and many newer neighborhoods with full amenities.  Two of the best beaches, Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, are located just 5-15 minutes away from most Mount Pleasant homes, and downtown Charleston is 15-25 minutes away.  High demand from home buyers has driven up prices in Mount Pleasant, so expect to pay $200-300K for a starter home.  Some of the favorite neighborhoods in the under $400K range tend to be Carol Oaks, Linnen Place, Laurel Grove, and Park West.  In the higher ranges, you’ll find great new construction homes in Hamlin Plantation, Dunes West, Rivertowne, Ion, and Darrell Creek.

Daniel Island is the newest suburb of Charleston since development didn’t begin until the mid to late 1990s.  Daniel Island is ideal for home buyers wanting an exclusive, country club feel.  Its Beresford Creek Golf Course was designed by Tom Fazio, and its Ralston Creek Course was created by Rees Jones.  Daniel Island’s amenities are top notch and include a tennis pavilion with the only grass court in Charleston and a club house with multiple dining rooms as well as a ballroom.  Most of the current new construction homes are located in the Smythe Park and Daniel Island Park subsections and range in price from $500K to just under $1.5 million.  Located in Berkeley County, Daniel Island is about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston.

Summerville is one of the most affordable areas of Charleston for buying new construction homes.  Summerville is known for its small town feel, great public schools, and new neighborhoods.  This suburb is located further inland (in Dorchester County), so downtown Charleston is about a 40 minute drive and the beaches are about an hour away.  Most of the new construction homes right now are in the neighborhoods White Gables, The Ponds, Pine Forest Country Club, Myers Mill, Legend Oaks Plantation, Branch Creek, and River Birch.