New Construction, New Neighbors: Building Community in Charleston
Finding Your Community in the Lowcountry
When you first walk into The Pickle Bar in Summerville, SC, it can feel a bit intimidating.
As I mentioned to owner Alisa Tolliver in our recent Pelican Podcast episode, driving by the place, I saw this big structure with people everywhere and honestly couldn't even tell what it was at first. "It looked like there was a shield on it," I told her.
But sometimes… the things that seem most overwhelming at first become the places where you feel most at home.
The Pickle Bar started as Alisa’s COVID project when tennis courts were literally chained shut. Initially apprehensive about the whole venture (she admitted thinking "nobody plays pickleball"), she bravely took the leap anyway. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Now it's where neighbors meet for Tuesday night leagues, families gather for weekend dinners, and yes, where we're hosting our Giving Tuesday real estate seminar next week (maybe we should start a Pelican Pickle league?).
That initial feeling of“what am I getting into?”- whether it’s walking into a new pickleball venue or touring your first model home - is completely normal. In fact, it's exactly how many first-time buyers feel when exploring Charleston's booming new construction market.
Charleston’s New Construction Market 101
Here's a fun fact: while you're reading this blog post, someone just moved to Charleston and called the “Holy City” home. The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce reports that the population grows by at least 34 people every day.
(And another fun fact within the fun fact: Charleston earned the nickname "Holy City" because of its historic skyline dotted with church steeples and its early religious tolerance).
In recent years, Charleston has been steadily attracting a steady stream of new residents. Charleston issues as many housing permits as metro Boston, which has four times its population. As economic forecaster Steve Witte noted, "This speaks to the fact that people want to live here, they want to relocate here... That is continuing to grow the amount of housing stock we have available."
To keep pace with the high demand, builders are launching new subdivisions across the Lowcountry at an unprecedented rate. Approximately 10 brand-new communities are opening this year alone, offering everything from starter homes to master-planned developments.
What You Need to Know About Charleston's Newest Communities
First-time homebuyers, rejoice. You'll be glad to know that starter homes and new builds dominate today's market. Builders are apt to target entry-level buyers with affordable models and incentives. And most of these new constructions aren't limited to the city alone, but also extend to areas beyond the city center like West Ashley and Johns Island.
Here are a few more interesting areas with new builds:
Nexton
Considered one of Summerville's best mixed-use and the nation's top master-planned communities, there are houses here that start from around $350k-$400k. Should you decide to buy a house here, you won't need to drive into town for essentials, as commercial areas like shops, restaurants, and medical facilities are built directly into the community.
Point Hope
As Charleston's largest master-planned development within city limits, this 9,000-acre community on the Cainhoy Peninsula has plans for up to 12,000 homes.
Nearly half the land will remain preserved as natural space, including 1,000 acres of parks and trails. Similar to Nexton, Point Hope also embraces the“live-work-play”concept, aiming to create a self-contained neighborhood where residents can live, shop, and recreate without the long drives everyday.
Carolina Park
Carolina Park in North Mount Pleasant is basically a magnet for families with school-age kids, thanks to its location within the highly-rated Mount Pleasant school district. The community offers everything from townhomes to single-family residences, plus amenities like the Wando Library branch and Saturday farmers markets.
And for the digital nomads and remote workers out there, here’s yet another fun fact for you: Built in 2011 with fiber-optic internet to every home, Carolina Park was among the first Charleston communities to make high-speed connectivity a standard utility. Even back then the community knew that working from home would be so common one day.
Popular Amenities in Charleston, SC Neighborhoods
Most home buyers today are pretty young. We're talking about millennials and Gen Zs here purchasing their first homes, and these demographics place a high value on experiences and conveniences.
As such, most developers have responded with amenities that go far beyond traditional pools and playgrounds, and the communities' residents themselves have set out to build these lifestyle-focused neighborhoods.
Fitness and Wellness
As we mentioned, Point Hope includes 1,000 acres of parks and trails, but it's just one of the many Charleston-area communities prioritizing outdoor access. Many neighborhoods connect to regional greenways or feature pocket parks throughout.
And if you're not an outdoorsy kind of person, of course there are many facilities like The Pickle Bar dotting the Lowcountry, offering indoor pickleball courts, and social spaces to people who want to workout without battling through the South Carolina heat and humidity.
Pet-Friendly Features
New neighborhoods in Charleston recognize pets as family members. Nexton features Brighton Park Dog Park with separate areas for large and small dogs. Communities include dog-waste stations and pet water fountains along trails.
Remote Work Support
Carolina Park isn't alone in catering to remote workers. Nexton recently opened a 28,000-square-foot co-working facility at its town center, complete with professional workspace and meeting rooms just minutes from home. Across Charleston's new communities,high-speed fiber internethas practically become the standard.
Making That Decision
Okay, as we all know, it's not really as simple as ticking off whether a neighborhood has all the amenities you want. There's still a lot involved in finding the right fit for you and your family, so here are a few things to keep in mind:
Most of the builders in Charleston range from national companies to regional builders with strong local reputations, and usually they have years of completed projects you can evaluate.
Tour communities during "real" times, like rush hour, to better understand actual commute times. Spend time in the neighborhood beyond the home tour schedules and try to observe whether residents are out and engaged in the community.
Understand the trade-offs. If it's a new community with a 10-year build-out, you may live with construction activity for years. Some first-timers accept this for lower prices and better lot selection.
Take advantage of new construction benefits. Most Modern builds mean energy efficiency, updated hurricane codes, and builder warranties. And to attract buyers, Many builders offer promotions like covered closing costs orrate buydowns for first-timers.
The Professor Pelican Hatchling program helps first-time buyers navigate Charleston's new construction market. Our December 2nd event at The Pickle Bar offers an opportunity to learn about new communities, meet builders, and connect with neighbors – all while supporting Lowcountry Orphan Relief.
Your first home purchase in Charleston is a chance to join a growing community in one of America's most desirable cities. Take time to explore your options, understand the full costs, and choose a neighborhood where you can see yourself thriving for years to come.
Ready to experience The Pickle Bar yourself? Join us on December 2 for our Giving Tuesday event. After listening to our podcast with Alisa, I’m even more excited to host our real estate seminar there with David Weekley Homes.
Please bring diapers (sizes 4-6), pull-ups (all kids' sizes), or wipes - your donation brings comfort and hope to a child in need.
Can’t make it? Listen to our full conversation with The Pickle Bar’s owner, Alisa Tolliver, on the Pelican Podcast. We talk pickled shrimp, chef stories, and why it takes just 15 minutes to learn pickleball.
