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

View more

Is West Ashley, SC A Good Place To Live? 5 Neighborhoods Under $500k

West Ashley, South Carolina is a suburb of Charleston, South Carolina located west of the Ashley... Ashley River! Consequently, it also lies west of the Charleston peninsula. But, is West Ashley a good place to live? In this post, I'm listing my top 5 neighborhoods in West Ashley for homes under $500k. West Ashley's first neighborhoods were developed in the 1950s lining Highway 17, also known as Savannah Highway. The area saw a great deal of growth from the '70s to the 80s but, experienced its fastest growth in the 1990s when development offered access to larger plots of land for retail and residential use that was previously unavailable. Most of West Ashley is located within the city limits of Charleston and therefore falls under its governing bodies with some small unincorporated areas remaining in Charleston County. 1. Carolina Bay Carolina Bay is a large neighborhood in West Ashley featuring multiple subsections with a variety of living options. This newer development features over 1900 homes spread over 1,000 acres situated between Savannah Highway and Bee's Ferry Road. The Neighborhood This popular neighborhood offers a wealth of great amenities that include two swimming pools, children's play areas, tons of beautiful walking paths, and covered pavilions with an outdoor fireplace. The neighborhood is also dog-friendly with a shaded and fenced dog park easily accessible for your furry friends. The neighborhood is also connected directly to Glen McConnell Parkway and West Ashley High School. Because of its location, Carolina Bay offers easy access to hospitals like Bon Secours St. Francis and to I-526 which provides access to anywhere in the Charleston area. In Carolina Bay you're only 3 miles from Boeing, a 7-mile drive from downtown Charleston and 12-16 miles from three charming beach towns depending on your desired destination. Great shopping and dining are also nearby so make sure not to miss great spots like Southern Roots, Miyabi, or the Angel Oak Restaurant for great eats. If the great neighborhood amenities for outdoor activities aren't enough, you're also a short drive away from parking for the West Ashley Greenway just across the Savannah Highway. The Homes The median purchase price for homes here is around $369,000 but ranges are currently between $415,000 to $534,900. Condos, townhomes, and lofts are available in addition to single-family homes built between 2007 and 2019. These homes feature between 3-5 bedrooms and 2-5 bathrooms within spaces ranging from 1,443 to 3,656 square feet. Highlights Great amenities Dog park within the community Conveniently located Considerations HOA neighborhood May be TOO popular for some tastes     2. Shadowmoss Shadowmoss is the only golfing community in West Ashley featuring 9 distinct subsections and varying price points for around 1,100 homes. While some homes built within the community are over 25 years old, new construction homes are still being added. The Neighborhood Located near the intersection of highway 61 and Bees Ferry Road, the Shadowmoss neighborhood is home to many fields, woods, ponds, and streams you'll find its homes tucked within. Only 20 minutes to downtown Charleston and 15 minutes from the Charleston Airport, the community is conveniently situated for easy access to other parts of the Lowcountry. However, you don't have to go far to enjoy shopping, restaurants and more. The Charleston Coffee Exchange is a short drive away located on Ashley River Road and just a bit further down is Sunflower Cafe for great breakfast and lunch options. In the other direction down Ashley River Road are three historic plantations Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, and Drayton Hall. And of course, as this is West Ashley's only golf community, I can't forget the Russell Breeden-designed golf course complete with pro shop, driving range, full-service snack bar, and lounge. If that wasn't enough, tennis courts, gym, pool, and spa are also featured. Golf and pool memberships are available and while memberships are also available to the public, these amenities are mostly used by residents. You can read more about the golf program HERE. The Homes While Shadowmoss is the only golfing community in West Ashley, it's also one of the most affordable. The median purchase price for the homes is $306,250 with price ranges spanning $155,000 to $725,000. Both attached and single-family homes are available within the community aging back to 1979 up until new construction being built today. Options range from 3-5 bedrooms and 2-6 bathrooms in 1,238 to 4,234 square feet. Highlights Great golfing Tons of amenities Considerations Some subsections are managed by HOA May not be the best choice if you're not a golfer     3. Hunt Club The Hunt Club neighborhood is known for its large lots and large, more modern homes. Most homes are a quarter-acre or more and have lots of nice features giving them a more custom-designed feel.  The Neighborhood A newer but well-established community the area features ponds, wooded lots, and newer, yet affordable homes while still being close to downtown. In 20 minutes you're in the heart of Charleston and I-526 is only 5 minutes away giving you access to the rest of the Lowcountry.    Neighborhood amenities include a neighborhood pool, park, and children's playground with ample walking trails. If you'd like to venture out of the neighborhood though, you're a short drive to the Stono Market and Tomato Shed Cafe. Plus, you're right around the corner from the new Harris Teeter and wonderful shopping. The Homes Median purchase price is around $424,950 with ranges from $227,000 to $614,500. Attached and single-family homes available being newer in age constructed between 2002 and 2020. 3-6 bedrooms and 3-5 bathrooms within 1,486 to 4,363 square feet. Highlights Large Lots Modern homes Great Amenities Considerations HOA Neighborhood Not as well-established as others on the list     4. Sandhurst Sandhurst is a well-established neighborhood featuring large, mature lots. Most homes within this community are brick ranch-style homes built between the 1960s and '70s. These are some of West Ashley's most affordable homes and, some even offer expansive views of the marsh and Ashley River. Some of West Ashley's most affordable homes. The Neighborhood Immediately you'll notice Sandhurst's wide streets to accommodate bikes, dog walking, and evening strolls. As it's a more established neighborhood, you'll be able to enjoy the mature landscaping featuring beautiful azaleas, camellias, and live oaks. Easily walk or bike to school, parks and playgrounds, tennis courts, and baseball fields. Or walk or bike to brunch at several restaurants like Ms. Roses or Red Orchids with short drives to area shops. There are also two nearby pools available for fun or exercise. And a short 10-minute drive will put you in the heart of Downtown Charleston while easy access to I-526 puts you 20 minutes to the beach. If you like to fish, you're a short distance to the Northbridge Dock or a short walk to Sandhurst Lake, a small lake located within the interior of the neighborhood.  Sandhurst does not have an HOA but does have a voluntary Sandhurst Association whose fee covers the cost of their directory. The Homes The median purchase price on homes in Sandhurst is currently $430,000 and typical prices range between $315,000 and $740,000. There are no townhome or condo options with single-family homes being what's available offering between 3-4 bedrooms and 2-4 bathrooms. Home sizes range between 1,564 to 3,078 square feet in homes built between 1959 to 1980. Highlights Wide streets Mature landscaping Well-established Considerations No HOA Older homes than most on list No neighborhood amenities (aside from Sandhurst Lake)     5. Parkwood Estates Parkwood Estates is another well-established community with large, mature lots. With the first homes being built in the early forties, this is the ideal neighborhood for contemporary living, but it certainly IS for cozy, established homes in a great location. The Neighborhood The neighborhood features ranch-style homes in a smaller-sized neighborhood with the West Ashley Greenway running through for easy access to outdoor activity. While the neighborhood doesn't offer amenities like pools and clubhouses, it makes up for it with its proximity to Whole Foods, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme and great dining options like my favorites The Glass Onion and Swig & Swine. You're also just a short drive from the Avondale area, one of the most happening spots in West Ashley for great shops, dining, and distilleries. If that's not enough, just hop on Highway 17 and you're minutes from downtown Charleston as well. The Homes    The average home price for homes in Parkwood is $397,000 ranging from $245,000 to $540,000. Single-family homes are the only options within this community aging from 1943 to 1964 and square footage coming in between 888 to 2,441 square feet. With those dimensions, you'll have your choice between 2-4 bedrooms and 1 to 4 bathrooms. Highlights No HOA Close to great shopping and dining Minutes from downtown Charleston Considerations No HOA No neighborhood amenities Oldest homes on the list   So? Is West Ashley, SC a good place to live or what? Although these are just five neighborhoods of many in West Ashley - they're my top picks for homes under $500k, giving you the most bang for your buck. I love this area for its great access to so many outdoor activities, shopping, and dining in the Lowcountry and I'm sure you can find a place to call home here. If you have any additional questions about the area, get in touch! I'm always happy to talk, and if you're interested in doing some more research on your own, try checking out the available homes for sale in West Ashley.  

View more