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Charleston dates back to 1670 when settlers established Charles Town Landing and today its amazingly well preserved history reminds us all what is wonderful about the southern style of living. The beautifully preserved historic downtown reflects centuries that have passed with its stately antebellum homes and churches, 18th century storefronts, the Battery, city market and other historical structures that remind of us of a bygone era. The combination of beauty, history and culture make it one of most desirable coastal cities in which to live. Charleston has grown into a thriving metropolitan area that encompasses parts of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. The natural beauty of Charleston’s coastal location with nearby white sandy beaches, fresh and saltwater lakes, tidal marshes, rivers, and pine forests provide residents with unlimited recreational opportunities.
City of Charleston
www.ci.charleston.sc.us
Charleston County
http://www.charlestoncounty.org
History of Charleston
http://www.historiccharleston.org
South Carolina History
http://www.southcarolinahistoricalsociety.org
Spoleto Festival
http://www.spoletousa.org/
Schools
http://www.ccsdschools.com
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Daniel Island represents one of the Charleston's fastest growing family communities. Daniel Island is located just minutes away from downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, the Charleston International Airport and other points of interest.
Located on 4,000 acres along Interstate 526, Daniel Island is home to a number of distinctive neighborhoods which feature a mixture of real estate, home styles and prices. Traditional landscaped streets lined with sidewalks encourage evening walks and interaction among neighbors; while tennis and soccer facilities draw families to participate in these popular sporting activities.
The island’s private country club is home to two remarkable courses designed by golf’s leading architects—Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The Family Circle Tennis Center, home of the Family Circle Cup professional tennis tournament, features 17 courts in a waterfront park setting. A state-of-the-art soccer stadium is home to Charleston’s professional soccer team. Access to hundreds of acres of parks, miles of rivers and creeks with fishing docks and boat ramps, over ten miles of leisure trails for bicycle and jogging and a private in-town club provide Daniel Island residents with additional social and recreational opportunities.
Downtown Daniel Island offers residents a variety of businesses and services within walking distance of their neighborhoods. Shops, restaurants, office buildings, medical centers, a spa and fitness center and a modern supermarket, as well as two of the area's largest employers call Daniel Island home.
Some of Charleston's best schools are located in Daniel Island. Bishop England, one of South Carolina's finest private high schools, is within walking distance of residential neighborhoods. The public schools are part of the highly rated Berkeley County school system, which is noted for its physical facilities, low student-teacher ratios and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.
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Edisto Island is an unspoiled rural island reminiscent of a bygone era where time stands still. This scenic barrier island rests about halfway between Charleston and Hilton Head Island. The Edisto Island community includes historic plantations, large state and county parks, condominiums, and a variety of home styles that reflect its commitment to moderate, well-planned growth focused on retaining the island experience.
Edisto Island has retained its southern heritage and Lowcountry character perhaps because it is isolated by miles of salt marshes, wide rivers, creeks and bays; and was essentially landlocked throughout history by old southern plantations. The residents of Edisto Beach have long fought to preserve their southern traditions in their secluded paradise. Edisto Island features a laid back family atmosphere, with shrimping, crabbing, fishing, biking, sailing, boating, skiing, and beach walks filled with pelicans and porpoises.
The Edisto Island Club designed by Tom Jackson, is ranked one of the top 25 courses in South Carolina by Golf Illustrated magazine. Set among palms, palmettos, and oak groves, the course is laced with creeks and lagoons. Wildlife is abundant and the course has more than one resident alligator.
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Just 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, Folly Beach is the closest beach community to the city. The island’s natural beauty, rare birds, fishing, surfing and an unparalleled climate attracts those desiring a sunny, seaside retirement community with close proximity to all that downtown Charleston has to offer. This seaside village has its own laid-back pace and rich culture. Folly Beach offers a perfect blend of family beach homes, some new and some reminiscent of a by-gone era. All of the island's homes are accentuated by six incredible miles of sandy beach, and the swimming, surfing, sunning and sea breezes that go with it. Folly Beach County Park, located on the west end of the island, offers over 2,500 feet of ocean frontage and 200 feet along the river to be enjoyed by one and all during the hot lazy days of summer. Residents can walk to Center Street for dinner, dancing, and shopping; or steal some quiet time strolling along the public pier that stretches a quarter-mile into the Atlantic. The east end of Folly Beach affords a magnificent view of the Morris Island Lighthouse, one of the area’s most favorite landmarks.
Website:
http://www.cityoffollybeach.com
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Fifteen minutes northwest of Charleston, the city of Goose Creek is a place where families and individuals can work and play in an area steeped in history and natural beauty. Goose Creek has become one of Charleston’s premier residential areas. The natural beauty of the area is enhanced by 13 community parks, a national forest, scenic lakes, miles of rivers and coastal sounds. Just a short drive away are the beach communities of Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms with their miles of beautiful white sandy beaches. Many of Charleston’s historical sites and plantations are just a short drive away. Winters are mild, while the summers are warm.
Website:
http://www.cityofgoosecreek.com
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Isle of Palms has earned a reputation for being a classic family-oriented beachfront community with a complete selection of retail specialty shops and restaurants. It offers the seclusion and charm of a sea island with the comforts and amenities afforded by its convenient location just 12 miles from historic Charleston. Housing options include spacious modern homes, traditional beach houses, beachfront villas and clusters of cottages overlooking a variety of views. Wild Dunes Resort offers golfers two courses designed by Tom Fazio. The Links ranks among the top 40 golf courses in the country, while The Harbor Course features holes that follow the Intracoastal Waterway.
Website:
http://www.isle-of-palms.sc.us
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During the 19th century, plantations were built on James Island, along with the village of Secessionville, a summer retreat for plantation owners. The first shots of the Civil War were fired from the island's Fort Johnson onto Fort Sumter in 1861. Today James Island is a family-orientated community, offering a wide selection of housing, from comfortable older neighborhoods to fresh, newly developed areas. With the completed James Island Connecter, a bridge connecting the island to downtown with four lanes of express traffic, James Island has seen an even stronger surge in residential development recently. The large marshes and tidal creeks found throughout the island are well known for fishing and shrimping. Restaurants abound, offering everything from a quick deli sandwich to an elegant evening dining experience.
James Island County Park is a 643-acre park that offers biking, nature trails, a climbing wall, an elaborate playground, pedal boats, kayaking, 16 acres of lagoons, fishing and crabbing dock, and picnic areas. There are 10 vacation cottages and a campground. Splash Zone, located inside the park, is a well-rounded water playground offering two 200-foot tube slides, a 500-foot lazy river with an adventure channel featuring sprays and a waterfall, a leisure pool, and a Caribbean play structure with interactive elements.
Website:
http://www.townofjamesislandsc.org
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Just west of the Charleston peninsula, a patchwork of natural waterways separated by farmland, residential property and commercial development, John's Island has always served as the agricultural heart of the area. Much of the produce that distinguishes the unique flavors of Lowcountry Cuisine is grown on John's Island. Spinach, sweet corn, broccoli, collards, okra, melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, strawberries, brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, blueberries and a variety of different lettuces abound in this rich agricultural community. John's Island is the largest tomato producer in the country with varieties from the traditional and heirloom varieties to the new designer varieties. The island offers a traditional quiet, country lifestyle only minutes away from downtown Charleston.
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The Town of Mount Pleasant has developed into a modern suburb of Charleston, while retaining the look and feel of a small southern town. Mount Pleasant's schools rank among the finest in the state. The charming Mount Pleasant Old Village, a National Register district, features beautiful homes from both the colonial and antebellum periods along with many surrounding newer communities that provide the ultimate in modern family living. Soccer fields, swimming pools and baseball diamonds, all filled with the sounds of active children, form the center of many neighborhoods. Mount Pleasant's schools rank among the finest in the state. The Palmetto Island County Park with its 943 acres, provides a multitude of seasonal recreational activities in a natural Low Country setting. Two of the coastal area's most popular white sandy beaches are located a short drive away. Golfers can take advantage of four magnificent courses in close proximity. Towne Centre, the area's hottest new upscale shopping area, is the perfect place to enjoy lunch and an afternoon of shopping.
Website:
http://www.townofmountpleasant.com
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With exceptional choices for home buyers with discriminating taste, North Charleston's sprawling neighborhoods offer a wide range of amenities including golf, fishing, tennis, playgrounds, nearby schools, day care, shopping, dining and recreational opportunities. As part of the area's boom, many developers have integrated fitness centers and jogging trails into the communities. Many municipal parks and community centers also add to the beauty of these complete, carefully planned neighborhoods. Historical plantations, gardens and parks are nearby and the area is home to some of the country's finest cultural events. There is access to museums, theatre, art galleries, and much, much more.
Website:
http://www.northcharleston.org
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Casual Sullivan’s Island is one of the most relaxing and family oriented beach communities in the Lowcountry. Residents enjoy the white sandy beaches and charming seaside neighborhoods. The Town of Sullivan’s Island, a barrier island north of Charleston Harbor is unique in that the beachfront lands which have accreted over the years, are owned by the Town and held in a perpetual easement by the Lowcountry Open Land Trust protecting the natural environment along the Atlantic Ocean. The Commercial District is filled with quaint shops and fine restaurants. Sullivan’s Island has a small southern town feel yet it is conveniently located just 20 minutes from downtown Charleston.
Sullivan’s Island real estate ranges from traditional beach cottages to luxurious mansions.
Website:
http://www.sullivansisland-sc.com
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Located on a pine forested ridge approximately 20 minutes from historic downtown Charleston, Summerville SC exemplifies all the best that is associated with a southern style of living. In the late 1700’s, Summerville was the summer vacation spot for Charleston socialites seeking respite from the summer heat. Today there are more than 700 buildings and homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The “low country cottages” with their distinctive tin roofs situated along quiet streets lined with Spanish moss draped live oaks give this wonderful community a true southern ambience.
Summerville’s residential housing both in well planned affordable neighborhoods as well as areas of luxurious executive homes on spacious lots make it a wise choice for discriminating buyers of every income level. Excellent schools, fine restaurants and many recreational opportunities make it the choice of both families and retirees alike looking to relocate to one of the most desirable communities in South Carolina
Website:
http://www.summervilletourism.com
Schools
http://www.dorchester2.k12.sc.us
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West Ashley, along the banks of the Ashley River is home to many of South Carolina’s most outstanding natural and historic parks. Among West Ashley's most well known historic treasures are three of the area’s most visited plantations, Drayton Hall, Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. West Ashley is also a thriving urban community. Many of the neighborhoods near downtown Charleston feature charming brick cottages. Older established neighborhood wind through hundred year old Spanish moss draped live oak trees and some even feature sweeping views of the marsh or access to the Ashley River. Modern neighborhoods with the latest amenities offer a range of home options suitable for most budgets. West Ashley has convenient access to all the rich historic, arts and cultural opportunities just across the bridge to downtown Charleston.
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