James Island

Minutes from downtown and Folly Beach (otherwise known as “the edge of America”), James Island greets you with towering, 100-year old oak trees draped in Spanish moss. James Island, the birthplace of the Civil War, presents potential residents with both high-end and more moderate real estate options.

For upscale living on James Island, look no further than Country Club Estates II. Large lot sizes, carefully landscaped yards, and grand houses characterize this quiet neighborhood.

Eastwood, located on the Charleston harbor and adjacent to the May Forest Convent, is an established neighborhood with homes built anywhere from the 1950s through the 1990s. Because of the extensive period of time over which these homes were built, there are a wide range of home styles in this subdivision. Melton Peter Demetre Park is only a short walking distance away, and has a fishing pier, kayak dock, two sandy riverfront beaches, and stunning harbor views.

Stiles Point Plantation, another popular subdivision of James Island, encompasses over 200 homes, many with views of the harbor and marshlands. Named after Benjamin Stiles, the owner of the cotton plantation built on this site in 1741, the neighborhood features the original Stiles-Hinson plantation house at the end of Old Plantation Drive. Tennis courts, a private recreation area, ball fields, and picnic tables are some of the amenities available here.

Harbor Woods is a family-oriented subdivision of James Island, as it is located within walking distance to several of the area’s schools. Homeowners are often found tending their lawns or wandering the neighborhood on the sidewalk-lined streets. While the homes were constructed mostly in the 1970s and 1980s, the majority have been updated since they were built. 

In addition to its diverse neighborhoods, James Island is well-known for pleasure boating, shrimping, fishing, and other water activities. The area offers public boat landings, playgrounds, assorted dining, and a variety of shops scattered mainly along Folly Road and Maybank Highway.  One of the biggest attractions on the island is James Island County Park, which includes 643 acres of nature trails, a climbing wall, pedal boats, kayaking, fishing and crabbing docks, picnic areas, and Splash Zone—a water park located within the County Park. During the winter season, the County Park is transformed with decorative lights into a display known as the Holiday Festival of Lights.