Living in Carolina Bay-West Ashley, South Carolina

About Carolina Bay

Carolina Bay is a master-planned community in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina. The family-friendly neighborhood offers some of the newest homes in the area having been completed in 2020 by Pulte Homes.

Conveniently located off Route 17, also known as, Savannah Highway and Glenn McConnel Parkway, Carolina Bay is one of the top-selling communities in the area because of its convenience, home features, and amenities.

You're mere minutes away from a variety of healthcare options like Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, West Ashley Medical Center, and more. And, the neighborhood is a great option for commuters as it's located just minutes from I-526 and from there you can easily access Charleston International Airport.

Schools in Carolina Bay

School-age children in the community attend schools in the Charleston County School District. The following are the main ones student-aged children in Carolina Bay would attend.

Oakland Elementary

Located about a 9-minute drive from Carolina Bay, Oakland Elementary serves elementary-age students from Pre-K through 5th grade. The 593 students have a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 and get an overall "B" rating from Niche.com.

C.E. Williams Middle School (North Campus)

Formerly West Ashley Middle School, the north campus of C.E. Williams serves around 450 students in grade 6 with grades 7 and 8 being served at the C.E. Williams South Campus. North campus is located about 7 minutes away from Carolina Bay.

C.E. Williams Middle School (South Campus)

The south campus of C.E. Williams Middle School is a newly constructed building serving students in grades 7-8 and is the counterpart to North Campus. South Campus is also located around 7 minutes from Carolina Bay.

West Ashley High School

Just 7-minutes away from Carolina Bay is West Ashley High School serving grades 9-12 and consisting of over 1,769 students. These high school students have a student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1, also with a "B" grade from Niche.com.

Dining options in the Carolina Bay Area

There are plenty of great spots to eat near Carolina Bay, here are some of my top picks.

Ko Cha Korean Restaurant

Ko Cha is a hidden gem tucked away in an Exxon gas station in West Ashley just off Glen McConnell Parkway. Ko Cha serves Korean and other Asian offerings in a no-frills setting. The food is delicious and the folks that run the place are kind and attentive which is frequently mentioned in the reviews.

Betty Lou's Bistro

Touting "Southern Influenced Cuisine" - one look at Betty Lou's menu and you immediately see what they mean. With dishes like Pimento Goat Cheese, Flounder Sandwiches with remoulade, and fried pork chops with butterbeans - you're bound to leave there with a smile on your face.

The Mason Jar by Fatboy's

The Mason Jar is a diner from the folks at the Fatboy's Lowcountry Cooking & Catering company. Their Facebook page advises you to "Wear your stretchy pants" when you come, and with a menu that sticks close to their southern roots like fried oysters, red rice, and chicken livers - I'm planning to pull mine out of the dresser right now.

Bear E. Patch Cafe West

This no-frills cafe serves great breakfast all day long along with great sandwiches, burgers, and their in-house-made desserts.

Early Bird Diner

photo by Early Bird Diner

A Charleston staple for just about forever, Early Bird's been featured in shows and articles all over the country. Of course, their regular menu is always good but the Sunday Brunch is what folks line up for. Try the chicken & waffle of their amazing pancakes.

Taste of the Islands

If you're craving some Caribbean flavors, this is the place to head and fill your belly. Oxtail stew, jerk chicken, Callaloo, Acki - they have it all!

Angel Oak Restaurant

A frequently changing but delicious menu, Angel Oak offers lunch, dinner, and brunch. They offer a catch of the day, burgers to seasonal house-made ravioli, and Osso Bucco using seasonal ingredients. Their "Piggy Mac" is to die for...

Outdoor recreation in the Carolina Bay Area

Stono River County Park

photo by Stono River County Park

Located just a short drive from the community,  Stono River County Park is one of the newest county parks to open. The park features 1.5 miles of paved, boardwalk, and natural trails, with restrooms, a picnic area, bike racks, a bike repair station, and restrooms on the 85.5-acre site. Close by is the trailhead for the West Ashley Greenway.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

A 15-20 minute drive from the community brings you to Charleston's most visited plantation. Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, this site has been around through the American Revolution and the Civil War to the present day. The oldest public gardens in America feature multitudes of flora and fauna that are a joy to experience anytime. Tour the grounds yourself or enjoy guided tours then grab a bite to eat at the Peacock Cafe. 

Shadowmoss Golf & Country Club

Golf enthusiasts have one of the best values in Charleston right around the corner at the Shadowmoss Golf & Country Club. This semi-private country club offers an 18-hole course, driving range, chipping and putting greens along with pools, a fitness center, and a full-service grill. You can pay per tee time or choose from various affordable golf, pool, and fitness memberships. 

Real Estate

Offering single-family and attached home options, the floor plans feature square footage between 1,476 and 3,800 square feet, 3 to 6 bedrooms, and 2 to 5 bathrooms. The median home price comes in right around $505,000 and the current active listings range from $450-$769k. 

Amenities for residents

Residents of Carolina Bay enjoy a wide variety of amenities within the community including:

• • Several green spaces
• • Ponds with canoe/kayak launches
• • Hiking & biking trails
• • Neighborhood parks and playgrounds, including a children's playground
• • 2 Community pools
• • Shaded and fenced dog park
• • Covered pavilion with fireplace

Thinking of buying a home in Carolina Bay?

Hopefully, this guide has convinced you that Carolina Bay in West Ashley is a wonderful place to live! As one of the most popular spots in the Lowcountry to buy a home, it's certainly convinced others. If you'd like to know more about homes for sale in Carolina Bay or are interested in viewing a specific home in the community, get in touch today!

Ashley Melton, Realtor® | 843-670-2333 | Ashley.Melton@AgentOwned.com