West Ashley is the geographic area known by locals as one of Charleston, S.C.’s oldest suburban residential communities. The name is derived by its proximity to the Ashley River, one of the major waterways forming the downtown Charleston peninsula. Home ownership options are diverse in West Ashley, from modest to exclusive. Neighborhoods such The Crescent, Shadowmoss, Edgewater Park and South Windermere feature homes on expansive wooded or waterfront lots, only minutes from the heart of historic Charleston.

A variety of shops and businesses and schools are found along the two main corridors that feed traffic to and from West Ashley: Savannah Highway is referred to as the Auto Mile because of the abundance of car dealerships, but the revitalized Avondale five points is home to retro/upscale furniture and clothing stores, as well as popular restaurants and night life. The scenic U.S. Highway 61 corridor in West Ashley, flanked by the Ashley River and famed plantations, is dotted with national historic landmarks and world-famous destinations. Magnolia Plantation and adjacent Audubon Swamp Gardens features a dazzling display of color and wildlife. Middleton Place Plantation is famed for its terraced colonial gardens, renowned Middleton Inn and restaurant, and host to living history events. Drayton Hall National Trust Historic Site retains one of America’s finest examples of colonial architecture, and is a popular West Ashley tourist destination as well.

West Ashley is also home to the site of Charleston’s original colonial settlement in 1670, Charles Towne. Today, newly renovated Charles Town Landing state park features replicas of the old Charles Town and is host to many local events as well as weddings on the picturesque grounds looking over the Ashley River.

There are a multitude of shopping options located West Ashley, with many national clothing, home improvement, and furniture chains, as well as popular Citadel Mall. The majority of the City of Charleston’s area schools are found West Ashley, in the St Andrews School District 10. The recently built Bon Secors Hospital off I 526 is a major West Ashley employer. Real estate selections, minutes from downtown Historic Charleston, in diverse West Ashley feature a variety of neighborhoods, home and lot styles, from wooded interior to river, creek and intra-coastal waterway.

West Ashley Real Estate

So far in 2012, there have been 47 closed sales of single family homes in West Ashley areas 11 and 12.  The median sales price was $201k, $109/sqft.  12(24%) of the 47 were listed as short sales/foreclosures. The highest sold price was $435k.

Information provided by Behren Kitrell, Broker In Charge, Charleston Flat Fee Real Estate