Mount Pleasant

Belle Hall offers convenient living in Mt. Pleasant’s interior, along Charleston’s Wando River. Buyers often turn to Mount Pleasant for easy living – the housing is new, shopping is close by, and the highway runs straight through town. Belle Hall, in particular, offers desirable proximity to many of the city’s most popular areas, from downtown Charleston’s hospitality haven to Daniel Island’s marshy parks and Isle of Palms’ sandy shoreline. “You are right in the center of everything everyone loves about Charleston,” says Jackie Scarafile, Realtor at Carolina One and long-time Charleston local. “It’s super highly sought after because there isn't a lot of room to build.” Belle Hall’s riverside location is full of homes with water views, attracting buyers seeking a scenic spot to set down roots. Belle Hall’s wide selection of turnkey homes contains a mix of updated sizes and styles. “It has tons of different subsections ranging in price points. Hibben is the most popular, and is still being developed,” Scarafile says. At the lower end of the market, buyers will find townhomes in sidewalk communities listed for $450,000 to $550,000. Detached designs start around $600,000 in contemporary ranch and two-story New Traditional designs. Much of the community’s newer developments sit near or on the scenic marshes of the Wando River and its smaller tributaries, where homeowners can enjoy a cup of coffee on the front porch of a Charleston Single or soak in waterfront views from a stately colonial-style flanked by Palmetto palms. These spacious waterfront estates range from $1.5 to almost $3 million. “Inventory is super low, so anything that’s move-in ready and gives you square footage gets a lot of attention pretty quickly,” Scarafile says. Getting outdoors is essential to life in this coastal community. With miles of walking trails, two swimming pools, tennis courts and a kayaking dock, it’s easy to stay active in the mild Lowcountry air. Palmetto County Park spans nearly 1,000 acres – plenty of space for a bike ride, a stroll along the boardwalks or a picnic on the windswept grasses. The parks and trails on Daniel Island are also a 5-mile ride from home. Walkers and bikers frequent the waterfront pathways of the Daniel Island Trail, and parents can take their little ones to the island’s water-themed Children’s Park playground. Boone Hall Plantation is around the corner, a famous historic homesite full of gardens and original 1600s structures. Many visit to meander among its old oaks, the crooked branches dripping with Spanish moss. Sun-soaked days on the beach are also less than 10 miles away at Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. The community is zoned for the well-performing Charleston County School District, which is rated A on Niche. Many local students attend Belle Hall Elementary, Laing Middle and Wando High, which all have A ratings. The middle school recently added STEM learning to its curriculum and has a well-known orchestra program that performs in states up and down the East Coast. There are also several private schools nearby for those seeking education alternatives. The community runs errands at the Belle Hall Shopping Center, a large outdoor complex with a lot to see and do. Locals can pick up daily necessities at CVS Pharmacy and Harris Teeter or sit down at a local restaurant like Dog and Duck for a meal away from home. Belle Hall homeowners also live minutes from the many shopping centers and restaurants lining busy Highway 17. Daniel Island’s Credit One Stadium is a short ride away, hosting thousands of visitors throughout the year for live music events and the Charleston Open, the longest-running professional women’s tennis tournament in the country. As is in most waterside communities, it’s important to be aware of flood zones and take preventative measures to stay safe in the event of a storm. Riverside properties are especially prone to water and wind. Charleston’s subtropical climate also means high summer temps. Belle Hall locals keep cool at the swim and tennis complex during peak season. Belle Hall is a relatively walkable and bikeable area. Sidewalks line most streets, and there’s infrastructure on many of the main roads for those getting around on wheels. It’s a 10-mile ride to the heart of Charleston, a daily commute for many who make their way over the Ravenel Bridge to the corporate offices downtown. Interstate 526 runs along the west side, connecting locals to the city and Daniel Island in the other direction. Most Belle Hall residents are drivers but can catch a Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) bus at the stops lining the highway for a car-free ride around town. The Charleston International Airport is 15 miles away for long-distance trips.

Homeowners enjoy acres of unspoiled nature in Brickyard, a scenic Mount Pleasant suburb highlighted by protected lakes, forests and marshy wetlands. Stylish Southern homes complement the area’s natural beauty, with second-story porches and outdoor patios overlooking the meandering Horlbeck Creek. The community’s namesake parkway connects each subdivision, winding alongside grassy valleys and towering moss-draped trees. Though these quiet cul-de-sacs feel secluded, Brickyard residents are minutes from some of the city’s most popular destinations. Highway 17 leads to downtown Charleston, making the once laborious commute a memory. “We used to be far out, but everything is so close now. We’re minutes from shops and restaurants and there’s always a lot to do,” says Leesa Northrup, Realtor at Carolina One Real Estate and 30-year Brickyard resident. It’s all about the outdoors in Brickyard, where parks, gardens and historic sites overlook slow-moving tributaries of the Wando River. Palmetto Islands County Park is the nearest getaway and a popular choice for a scenic hike with the dogs or a windswept bike ride along the marshy boardwalk trails. There’s also a playground for the kids and observation towers for great views of the Lowcountry landscapes. Laurel Hill County Park is known for its live oak-covered trails. Sports fields and courts are at Park West, alongside a small lake pavilion for fishing. Boone Hall Plantation is also in town, a well-known historic landmark full of gardens and original 1600s structures. Homeowners enjoy wide, quiet streets shaded by a mature live oak canopy. “There's one entrance in and out – you feel like you’ve gotten away from everything,” Northrup says. Each subdivision has its own personality – some full of one-story homes in New Traditional designs and others with more elaborate layouts. Brickyard’s most coveted addresses overlook Horlbeck Creek and feature custom builds with imposing front staircases and lavishly landscaped gardens. Properties start around $600,000 for a ‘90s-era ranch-style and quickly race past $2 million for spacious waterfront homes with a private dock. Some residents contribute to annual HOA fees. Retail hot spots are as close as the scenic wetlands in Brickyard. Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is a popular shopping destination, packed with familiar chain restaurants and a handful of local spots like SAVI Cucina and Wine Bar, a favorite for a night out. The outdoor plaza’s landscaped roundabouts lead to department stores and major labels like Lululemon and Arhaus. Harris Teeter is most convenient for weekly grocery shops, but there are several stops along the highway to take care of other errands. Students can attend Jennie Moore Elementary and Laing Middle schools, rated A-minus and A on Niche. The middle school offers a STEM-focused partial magnet program and is nationally recognized for its robust curriculum. Students later attend Wando High School, which has an A rating. There are private options within a few minutes of home for those interested in exploring education alternatives. It’s a 10-mile ride to the heart of Charleston, a daily commute via Highway 17. Interstate 526 runs along the west side, connecting locals to Daniel Island and the city’s northern reaches. Most Brickyard homeowners are drivers but can catch a Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) bus at the stops lining the highway for a car-free ride around town. The Charleston International Airport is 15 miles away.

According to Danielle Traverse, Realtor with Carolina One Real Estate, Carolina Park is "one of the most desirable communities in Mount Pleasant." This large-scale community is sequestered by hundreds of acres of preserved wetlands and the Wando River. But it's also under a mile away from big box stores, great restaurants, a hospital, and some of the best schools in Charleston County. Carolina Park's modern homes are split between two subsections, The Village, which is closer to the commercial part of the neighborhood, and Riverside, a more suburban, 545-acre section on the Wando River. Half the acreage is protected for conservation. "The neighborhood looks established," says Haley Cuzzell, the community sales manager for the Carolina Park subdivision. "The design review board has higher requirements than average for landscaping." But inventory could be better. "We're winding down," Cuzzell says. "We opened in 2012. There are only 25 lots left, and we'll be completely sold out." Available lots come in two types. Riverside lots are situated along the Wando River. Some have water views, and lot sizes range from a third of an acre up to an acre. Dellinger's Point lots are classified as "estate lots," says Cuzzell. "They're all private on lots between three and five acres." Riverside lots start at $1.5 million, and estate lots top out at $4 million. Bungalows, modern farmhouses, neo-colonials, and Charleston Singles occasionally come up for sale in the Village, starting in the $700,000s, but "prices are going up," says Cuzzell. Turnover, says Danielle Traverse, is "relatively low for the Mount Pleasant area." "Schools are a big appeal" to buyers, says Cuzzell. Carolina Park's winding trails allow kids to walk or bike to school without crossing major thoroughfares. Carolina Park Elementary School and Wando High School are adjacent to one another. Both received A grades from Niche. Because of Mount Pleasant's continued growth, Carolina Park Elementary School will add six new classrooms to accommodate more than 100 new students. The multimillion-dollar project is expected to be complete by the 2024-2025 school year. Students also attend Thomas C. Cario Middle School, which requires a longer commute about 2.5 miles west of Carolina Park. Residents walk or bike along Carolina Park's miles-long trail system. Paved paths lead to over 80 acres of green spaces, like Bolden Park, with its boardwalk and boat launch into 20-acre Bolden Park Lake. On hot summer days, residents frequent several Carolina Park pools, including a junior Olympic-sized pool at The Residents Club. The neighborhood's nautical-themed playground is a hit with kids. Those living in Carolina Park and the surrounding Mount Pleasant area use four lighted sports fields for fun and recreational league games. "There's a bunch of new commercial stuff coming" to the neighborhood, says Cuzzell. For now, homeowners head to The Bend at Carolina Park for groceries, grub, and goings-on. Costco is the place for groceries. The Front Porch Coffeehouse & Creamery is on several "Best of Charleston" lists for its Oreo waffles. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened in 2023 and has quickly become a local favorite for its generously portioned gyros and souvlaki. Cuzzell says the new Wando Mount Pleasant Library is a gathering place for kids and their caretakers. Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital is next to Carolina Park and surrounded by private medical offices. Plane sightings are rare, and there is no noticeable noise from the nearby private Mount Pleasant Regional Airport, where some residents keep private planes. Those in cars can take State Highway 17 to major freeways. "Most of the homes are in Flood Zone X," explains Cuzzell, "which is the lowest level of risk and means they're not required to get flood insurance." Carolina Park just gets better and better.

Charleston National’s suburban streets sit between the rolling fairways of a Rees Jones-designed golf course and the marshy banks of the Copahee Sound. It’s a quiet community on Mount Pleasant’s north side, roughly 13 miles from the heart of historic Charleston. Some homeowners step out the back door onto the lagoons and wetlands surrounding the Charleston National Golf Club, known for its views and wildlife. Others live along the scenic wetlands. Charleston National homeowners can join the neighborhood’s namesake club for a fee to sharpen their swing on the golf course and use the fitness center in the clubhouse. Residents also unwind outdoors at the neighborhood tennis courts, playground and pool. Laurel Hill County Park is nearby and one of the largest in the area. Locals live minutes from its grassy grounds, where they can visit for nature walks along lakeside trails that carve through swathes of meadows. The Park West Recreation Complex is next door, hosting kids for volleyball and soccer games, while pet parents set their furry friends free at the gated dog park. Lots here are uncommonly spacious—most well over a quarter acre—canopied by towering live oaks with moss-draped branches. Charleston National’s curved corridors also wind past palmetto palms, pine trees and crepe myrtles, filling out the neighborhood’s established landscaping. Home size and design vary depending on location, typically increasing the closer to the greens and the water. Architectural designs span styles ranging from New Traditional and Charleston Singles to custom waterfront builds. Prices start around $400,000 for a modest condo and reach $2.5 million for a large lakefront golf course residence. “Exterior Mount Pleasant price tags are lower because they are more removed from the activity in the interior areas,” says Jackie Scarafile, Realtor at Carolina One and long-time Charleston local. She anticipates more development in the coming years. “As Mount P. keeps growing, they’ll continue to build farther and farther out.” The neighborhood is zoned for the Charleston County School District, which rates A-minus on Niche. School pathways vary depending on the home location, but many students start at Charles Pinckney Elementary, continue to Thomas C. Cario Middle and finish up at Wando High. Each has an A rating from Niche. Laing Middle is a partial magnet school with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math. There are also several top-rated private and charter schools in town, like Oceanside Collegiate Academy, for those interested in exploring education alternatives. Publix Super Market is convenient for weekly groceries, and The Market at Oakland has a Walmart for other errands. “One of the nice things about living in Charleston National is that you can drive your golf cart to dinner,” says Marcia Wray, Realtor with Carolina One Real Estate. Locals can ride to Mex 1 Coastal Cantina for margarita pitchers and street corn queso or catch a game at Dog & Duck. It’s important to investigate flood risk when considering a move to any waterside community, and many Charleston National homeowners have raised residences to prevent flooding. Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital is one of Mount Pleasant’s top employers, situated right across the highway from Charleston National homeowners who have peace of mind in the event of an emergency. It’s a 13-mile ride along Highway 17 to downtown Charleston.

"Everybody loves Mount Pleasant," says Mary Stanley, an Associate Realtor with Charleston's RE/MAX Southern Shores. It was true in the 18th century when well-heeled Charlestonians began building summer homes on the breezy peninsula by the Charleston Harbor, and it's true now. Darrell Creek is one of the newer areas of what one might call Mount Pleasant's "northward expansion." There's nary an 18th-century home left, but what's replaced them are arguably better: near-identical 21st-century recreations of those Charleston-style Adam and Georgian Colonials and Classical and Greek Revivals. With beautiful homes, an excellent school district and access to Downtown Charleston and some of the loveliest beaches in the area, it's no wonder Mount Pleasant is in demand. Darrell Creek is "located a bit further out in north Mount Pleasant, which is booming right now with tons of new shops and restaurants opening up," says Danielle Traverse, Realtor with Carolina One Real Estate. "While it still provides easy access to all those things, most of the lots are a bit larger than the rest of the area, so it's perfect for people who enjoy a little bit of extra elbow room." Homeowners here delight in the suburban solitude, with an assortment of homes sitting on densely wooded lots ranging from half an acre to 1.5 acres along streets with new sidewalks shaded by eastern white pines and Palmetto palms. "You're not going to find a home there for under $800,000," Traverse says. "With the market as it stands right now, things continue to appreciate in that area." Prices range from there up to $2 million for palatial estates with waterfront views of the Wando River. "Some homes," says Andrea Sullivan, a local Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, "have direct access to the creek or the river, and you can keep your boat in back, depending on the tide." Residents with waterside property may paddleboard, kayak, go fishing or crabbing right outside their backyards, but those without will need to head to Highway 17, which runs through Mount Pleasant, parallel to the Atlantic. From there, drivers – or cyclists or golf cart drivers – may reach the Wando River and the beaches of Isle of Palms on access roads. The neighborhood pool and community cabana, however, are for everyone. "Darrell Creek has also been recently connected to the Carolina Park neighborhood," says Danielle Traverse, so residents may partake of Carolina Park's upscale amenities. One of these is the small dog park and nature trail of Park West Masonborough Park. Another is the Carolina Park Soccer Fields. Mary Stanley recommends the Dunes West Golf and River Club, 1.5 miles west of Darrell Creek. The Isle of Palms Connector is 4 miles west on Highway 17 from the neighborhood and leads 3 miles to some of the best beaches on the East Coast. Students living in Darrell Creek are typically zoned for Carolina Park Elementary School, Thomas C. Cario Middle School and Wando High School, all of which Niche gave an A rating. Plans are being made to expand Carolina Park Elementary School to alleviate overcrowding. If approved, the expansion will take effect in the fall of 2024. When students later filter into Wando High School, they can join a robust range of clubs ranging from sailing to cybersecurity. And for fans of Taylor Swift? Well, there's a club for them, too. Because Darrell Creek is more secluded, residents are about 5 miles away from the shopping and dining along busy Highway 17. Chain grocers, including Costco and Publix, along with local eateries line the main thoroughfare. The Front Porch Coffeehouse & Creamery is on several "Best of Charleston" lists for its Oreo waffles. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened in 2023 and has quickly become a local favorite for its generously portioned gyros and souvlaki. The new Wando Mount Pleasant Library is a gathering place for kids and their caretakers. Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital is next to Carolina Park and surrounded by private medical offices. Plane sightings are rare, and there is no noticeable noise from the nearby private Mount Pleasant Regional Airport, where some residents keep private planes. Highway 17 leads to all major freeways, but Mary Stanley warns that traffic has become heavy as new residents move to Mount Pleasant. Many of the homes in Darrell Creek aren't required to get flood insurance, but those on the river may be. The CAP Index reports that Darrell Creek's crime score is a 1, which is as low as it gets. Darrell Creek may be the perfect fit for those who prefer privacy over proximity to the hustle and bustle of a rapidly growing town.

Hamlin is an upscale Mount Pleasant development overlooking the banks of its namesake sound. The housing stock is diverse in style and price point, but all homeowners here enjoy clubhouse amenities and well-preserved natural scenery. Many residences back up to the marshy wetlands, while others are within walking distance of some of the area’s busiest shopping centers. The amenity-rich location appeals to a wide spectrum of buyers. “It’s a lot of fun for a variety of people, from retirees to families,” says Melissa Loy, Realtor at Carolina One Real Estate and 10-year local seller. These scenic sidewalks run beneath towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Properties fall into a handful of subsections, in styles ranging from 21st-century townhouses to classic Charleston Singles and large coastal estates. Prices start around $400,000 for a modest townhouse and climb to $4 million for extra-spacious custom builds with pools and water views. Most homeowners are also responsible for monthly HOA fees. Homes here are in high demand. “Inventory is almost nonexistent in Hamlin,” says Lauren Zurilla, Realtor with The Boulevard Company. “If a home is listed, it’s gone within one to five days.” The clubhouse is the community cornerstone, where the neighborhood gathers to lounge by the junior Olympic pool or play a pickup tennis match. Most events are held here, from holiday celebrations to outdoor live music shows on the weekends. From the clubhouse, locals can hop onto woodsy trails at Hamlin Park for a walk with the dog or an out-and-back jog toward the sound’s wetlands. There’s also a boat storage area on site for mariners who need a space to store their vessels. Part of Hamlin’s appeal is its proximity to Charleston’s beloved beach towns. “We are literally 5 miles from the Isle of Palms beach access and 3 miles to the beach itself,” Loy says. “And it’s just as easy getting to Sullivan’s Island.” Living in Mount Pleasant means having easy access to an abundance of shopping destinations. The Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is most convenient for Hamlin homeowners. Loy says locals can walk or bike to the busy shopping plaza to peruse a wide selection of name-brand clothing stores and chain restaurants like First Watch or CAVA. SAVI Cucina and Wine Bar is a local favorite for a night out. There’s a Harris Teeter and Home Depot on the way for weekly errands. Hamlin is zoned for the Charleston County School District, which is rated A-minus on Niche. Students here can start at Jennie Moore Elementary, rated A-minus, and continue to Laing Middle, rated A, before earning their diplomas from Wando High, rated A. Laing Middle is a partial magnet school that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math. Wando High is known for its stellar extracurriculars, and the marching band won its 15th state championship title in 2023. It’s important to investigate flood risk when considering a move to any coastal community, but this Mount Pleasant neighborhood is prepared for summer storms. Loy explains that progressive building strategies keep both the homes and the natural environment safe in the event of extra wind and precipitation. “Developers did a lot to make sure that we're not taking too much from the intercoastal waterways – we’re compliant with all the flood zone laws,” Loy says. “The possibility of flooding would be an absolute catastrophic category 5, and even then, your house will probably still be there.” Roper St. Francis and East Cooper hospitals are within minutes of home and two of Mount Pleasant’s largest employers. Many Hamlin homeowners commute to the city’s corporate offices and medical centers on workdays. Downtown Charleston is a 10-mile ride away, and Hamlin locals can hop on Highway 17 for a direct route into the city. Hamlin’s quiet, sidewalk-lined streets are linked and bikeable for a ride across the neighborhood, but most locals drive for longer trips.