Johns Island

THE LOWDOWN

Johns Island is back on my recommended list. I had to take it off for a couple of years because of traffic woes, but the new lane has opened getting on to the island from James Island and it’s fantastic, takes away the previous 30 minute backup on the bridge.

Johns Island was agricultural and ‘out there’ until about ten years ago, until developers figured out it was one of the last land banks close to Charleston. All the other areas were running out of land, while Johns Island had acres and acres of land, so they started buying up land and building. I’m sure the old timers don’t like it, but it’s given thousands of people the chance to get an affordable home that is within commuting distance of the city.

Johns Island still has a really laid back feel to it, there’s only a couple of grocery stores and nothing even resembling a big box store. You’ll see a gun store next to a brewery across the road from a hardware store. It’s that kind of place. A lot of the produce at the area farmers markets is grown on Johns Island or neighboring Wadmalaw Island.

Johns Island even has its own executive airport, which is mostly used by the VIPs en route to their Kiawah Island vacation homes.

There are a lot of new developments out here, with prices some of the lowest in the area (but getting higher). When I first started selling out here, it was mostly houses in the 100s and people moved here for the value. Now though, it has become a popular place to live because of the communities that have been built and the vibe of the area, so there are are new houses selling in the 300-600k range.

If you like your privacy and don’t want to be governed by neighborhood association rules, then this is a good spot too. There are plenty of houses with some land for sale.

If you want waterfront, there are some stunning waterfront homes and lots out here.

I’d suggest stick as close to the bridge from James Island as you can if you buy out here, I think that has the best opportunity to retain and grow value. It’s all location, location even out here in the more rural spots.

Note : At some point, I-526 will be extended for Johns Island. It’s a bit like a hurricane, there’s a lot of predictions but nobody knows where it’s going to make landfall on Johns Island for sure. Take that into consideration when buying your home here.

PRICE RANGE

Single Family Homes : Median Price $340,000

Condos & Townhomes : Median Price $181,000

PROS

  • The feel of the area. It’s only 20 minutes, but a world away from the city of Charleston.

  • Buy your food from the farmer on the farm it was grown on. Can’t beat that.

  • There are some beautiful drives around the area, check out Rockville and pick up your shrimp direct from the trawler at Cherry Point.

CONS

  • You have to drive to do some serious shopping, but you’ll pass through those areas anyway during your commute

  • A lot of the neighborhoods are new and are still growing into themselves, they don’t have the mature landscape yet

  • If you work in the North Charleston area, where a lot of the industry is, it’s a longer commute with some traffic points to cross.

AREA FAVORITES

  • Seanachai Irish Pub - Ok, I’m a little biased here and full disclosure that my friend owns it, but it is genuinely the most authentic Irish pub in the US. I’ve been in many of them, but when you’re in Seanachai, you’re in Ireland. Chat to Gerry or Adam behind the bar and they can tell you a few stories. It’s so Irish, they don’t even serve Guinness !

  • Angel Oak - It’s featured in every tourist article in Charleston but it’s for a reason.

COMMUTE TIMES

Airport/Boeing : 30 minutes

Downtown Charleston/MUSC : 15-25 minutes

Closest Beach : 25 minutes to Folly Beach or Kiawah Beachwalker Park

SHOPPING

Part of the charm of Johns Island is that is still has that rural feel and with that comes a lack of stores. There are a couple of grocery stores out here now and a coffee shop (that is not from Seattle). Buy your groceries direct from the farmers on Johns Island, you’ll get to know a shrimp guy too. Johns Island is very small business orientated and I love it for that.

BEACHES

The good news is that there are many beach that are close enough, but they are all about 30 minutes drive away.

Folly or Kiawah’s Beachwalker Park are your closest options.

STATS

Johns Island Real Estate Statistics August 2018
Johns Island SC Median Sales Price