Ravenel is 30 miles from Charleston and has room to grow
Those looking for a little more room, while also dodging Charleston’s high prices, are increasingly gravitating toward Ravenel, a small, rural town about 30 miles from the popular tourist destination. In Ravenel, homes often sit on sprawling, multiacre lots backing up to scores of trees. “It’s kind of like a secret area that no one really knows about,” says Sarah Kozlik, a Realtor with The Boulevard Company who has lived in Charleston for 20 years and sells throughout the county. “When I’m selling out there, I’m so happy I get to go there. It’s paradise.”
Ranch-style, Cape Cod and manufactured homes are most common
Most of Ravenel is rural, with manufactured and ranch-style homes sitting on multi-acre, tree-filled lots. A few subdivisions, like the upscale Shilelagh Oaks Farms and Refuge at Ravenel, offer custom homes on similarly large lots. Meanwhile, the growing Hillcrest neighborhood has three- and four-bedroom houses in New Traditional styles.
Home prices here range from around $300,000 to around $425,000. Some homes can be priced between $500,000 and $900,000 due to their large sizes, multi-acre lots and custom upgrades. Land is also available. Most lots are around a quarter acre and range from $35,000 to $50,000.
Children attend Charleston County School District schools
Charleston County School District serves the area, rates an A on Niche and offers school choice. The schools zoned to Ravenel are C-plus-rated E.B. Ellington Elementary and C-minus-rated Baptist Hill High. The high school’s music department partners with Rock N Roll Rescue, an area nonprofit that provides donated instruments to Lowcountry schools.
A playground, wildlife habitat and beach within reach
Kids play on the small playground at the old Ravenel Train Depot on the town’s south side. The Caw Caw Interpretive Center is nearby and a draw for birders or anyone who loves walking through nature. The wildlife habitat was once a rice plantation and now home to bald eagles, American alligators, and Swallow-tailed Kites. Golfers tee off at the nearby Links at Stono Ferry, a semi-private course among centuries-old live oaks. Beach goers are just 30 miles from the popular Kiawah Island. “You can usually get there in 30 to 35 minutes,” Kozlik says. “It’s a really natural, pristine beach.”
Essentials in town, but most services in Charleston and West Ashley
Residents pick up groceries at Food Lion and essentials at Dollar General and Family Dollar. Additional shopping is limited to car and RV dealers, auto supply shops and CVS. Of the few restaurants, local favorites Ravenel Fresh Seafood is loved for its garlic crab and Harvest Moon Lowcountry Grill is a go-to for classic Southern dishes. West Ashley is about 20 miles away and Charleston is about 30; both offer many more shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The closest hospital is Bon Secours St. Francis in Charleston.
Resident shop for fresh produce at the farmers market
The Ravenel Train Depot doesn’t see train travel anymore but instead hosts the town’s farmers market, which takes place on the first and third Saturday of each month between May and November.
Highway access and public transit support local commuting
TriCounty Link buses stop along South Carolina Highway 165 and Savannah Highway, the two main thoroughfares in town. Both highways lead to nearby cities, including Charleston. Charleston International Airport is less than 25 miles away.
Ravenel is in a moderate flood zone with hurricane risks
Flooding is possible, but according to FEMA’s flood map, Ravenel is in a moderate or minimal zone. Hurricanes are also possible. Charleston County’s official website offers a comprehensive guide for residents to help them prepare for hurricanes.
