Hollywood offers peaceful living and budget-friendly waterfronts
While the Charleston County town of Hollywood is nothing like the famous one in California, for many, it’s just as exciting. Sarah Kozlik, a Realtor with The Boulevard Company who has lived in Charleston for 20 years and sells throughout the county, says she always looks forward to selling a house there. “It gives me an excuse to go out there,” she says with a laugh. “It’s so beautiful.” The rural enclave is home to roughly 5,300 residents and sits near the Stono River, a draw for those looking to save money on a waterfront home. “It’s one of the last stretches where you can get land on the water for substantially less than in West Ashley and Charleston,” Kozlik says.
New Traditional and ranch-style homes in a wide range of prices
Most of Hollywood is rural, with a few suburban subdivisions scattered throughout. In the upscale Poplar Grove and Stono Ferry subdivisions, New Traditional homes are priced between $600,000 and $800,000. Larger estates are typically priced between $1 million and $2 million, due to their size, custom features or waterfront views. Kozlik says Stono Ferry is a standout. “There are a lot of magnolias and oak trees, and they have an equestrian center there, so you see the horses when you pull into the neighborhood.” The Oaks at Center Station is a newer subdivision with three- and four-bedroom DR Horton homes in a mix of floorplans. Prices range from $290,000 to around $420,000. Outside of the neighborhoods, traditional ranch-style and Minimal Traditional homes on multiacre lots are filled with mature trees. These properties typically range from around $300,000 to $500,000. Land is also available. Most lots range from half an acre to nearly 2 and are priced between $85,000 and $800,000, with higher priced properties sitting along the water.
Zoned schools earn C ratings and offer career-focused programs
Charleston County School District serves the area, rates an A on Niche and offers school choice. The schools zoned to Hollywood are C-plus-rated E.B. Ellington Elementary and C-minus-rated Baptist Hill High. The high school offers career and technology education, which includes classes in business management, construction, barbering and digital art and design.
Outdoor fun includes boating, birding, golf and horseback riding
The Stono River runs along the town’s northeast side and offers boating and fishing. During the hottest months of the year, residents cool off at the West County Aquatic Center, an outdoor pool with competitive swimming lanes and wheelchair accessible chair lifts and picnic tables. Golfers tee off at the nearby Links at Stono Ferry, which is open to the public and sits among centuries-old live oaks. Old Wide Awake Park, also known as Serenity Park, was once part of Old Wide Awake Plantation and is now a waterfront green space with swings, picnic tables and a dock for fishing and crabbing. Birders and nature lovers hike the trails at Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve. Lindserton Equestrian provides riding lessons, training and horse boarding. Folly Island and Kiawah Island’s beaches are about 30 miles away.
Local shops and restaurants line Highway 162 in Hollywood
Residents pick up groceries at Piggly Wiggly and essentials at Dollar General. A few boutiques, specialty shops and convenience stores dot South Carolina Highway 162, one of the town’s main thoroughfares. One of the more popular restaurants in town is Pane E Vino, a hip local spot serving classic Italian dishes. “It used to be located in downtown Charleston, but they recently relocated to Hollywood,” Kozlik says. Pizza A Modo Mio and Café is another local favorite for its pies made with New York-made dough. More shopping and dining options are about 20 miles away in West Ashley and about 30 miles away in Charleston. The closest hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis, is also in Charleston.
Two highways connect Hollywood to Charleston and beyond
TriCounty Link buses stop along Highway 162 and South Carolina Highway 165, the town’s other major thoroughfare. Both highways lead to nearby cities, including Charleston. Charleston International Airport is less than 25 miles away.
Residents should be aware of possible weather threats
Flooding is possible. Hurricanes are also possible. Charleston County’s official website offers a comprehensive guide for residents to help them prepare for hurricanes.
