Military families and first-time homebuyers favor Laurel Bay
Laurel Bay is a coastal South Carolina town that is defined first and foremost by its relationship with the United States military. “It’s close to the bases at Beaufort and Parris Island and to the Naval Hospital, and size-wise the homes are perfect for first-time buyers,” says Realtor Blake Gruel of EXP Realty, who has over 5 years of experience in the Beaufort area. “It’s a pretty straightforward community out there, very fitting for the military.” On-base housing in Laurel Bay is reserved for enlisted personnel; however, there are civilian neighborhoods just outside of the base that offer the same convenience to Beaufort and come at a similar price.
Smaller homes on shaded, spacious lots
Homes in the civilian neighborhoods of Laurel Bay are often smaller Modern Traditional builds. Tall pine trees line the residential streets, offering shade to the lots in the throes of summer. Some homes have single-car garages, and lots are often large enough to accommodate backyard swimming pools. However, given the nature of military life, renters are more common than homeowners. Mobile and manufactured homes in the area can cost anywhere from $140,000 to $275,000, depending on build year, square footage and property acreage. Stick-built houses range in price from $280,000 to $351,000.
On-base students attend DoDEA schools through middle grades
Off-base students in Laurel Bay are zoned for the Beaufort County School District, which receives an overall A-minus rating from Niche. Whale Branch Elementary School scores a C, and Whale Branch Middle earns a C-plus. Whale Branch Early College High School is rated B and offers students the opportunity to earn college credit in conjunction with their high school diploma. Families in Beaufort County may apply to magnet schools and other specialized programs outside of their zoning. Acceptance depends on capacity, with lotteries employed when applications surpass program limits.
Children who live on base may attend Elliott Elementary and Charles F. Bolden Elementary Middle Schools, which are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity. However, as there is no high school on base, these students would attend high school in the Beaufort County School District.
Burton Wells Park offers an extensive selection of amenities
Just down Joe Fraizer Road is Burton Wells Park, a massive county facility that has multiple baseball diamonds, a pair of outdoor batting cages, a pickleball complex and an Xtreme ninja course. There are also several miles of walking trails, a fishing pond and a dog park. The Broad River, a popular destination for boating and fishing, is also nearby. Within the housing complex, residents have access to the area’s Youth and Teen Center, which offers an outdoor swimming pool, several baseball fields, a pair of tennis courts and a playground. Civilian residents can enter the nearby Parris Island base to make use of The Legends, an 18-hole golf course.
Civilians shop in Beaufort, while military families can shop on-base
The Food Lion on Laurel Bay Road is the main grocery store outside of the complex. On-base residents have access to a mini-mart exchange within the complex, but the main commissary and the Marine Corps Exchange are about 30 minutes south on Parris Island. Civilian residents can also opt to head into town when stocking up the pantry. “Most people come down to the old Publix in Beaufort, honestly,” Gruel says. Beaufort also hosts the nearest Walmart Supercenter and the Lowe’s Home Improvement, along with many of the area’s eateries. These include the popular pub Bricks On Boundary and Saltus River Grill, a fine dining restaurant on the waterfront.
U.S. 21 links Laurel Bay to medical care and military bases
Laurel Bay Road gives the community its name and connects residents with U.S. Highway 21, the area's major commuter lane. “Route 21 goes around to all the bases, so most people take it to get to work,” Gruel says. This road also provides access to the town of Beaufort, the naval hospital and the Port Royal Medical Center. Limited flights from Hilton Head Island Airport are provided to destinations such as Charlotte and Washington, D.C.
