Best Places to Live in Charleston, SC for Under $200K

As one of the priciest areas in South Carolina for buying real estate, Charleston can be a difficult market to navigate in the under $200K price range.  I’ve included below some of the best areas to consider, whether you’re looking for a single family, detached house or a low maintenance condo/townhouse setup.

Condos and townhouses will give you the best location possible with little to no upkeep, since HOA fees cover most of the maintenance required for these homes.  James Island is a top choice among home buyers because it has the closest proximity to downtown Charleston (5-10 minutes) and the beach (Folly Beach is also just a 5-10 minute drive).  James Island’s laid back atmosphere and independently owned shops and restaurants make it especially popular among locals.  Mt. Pleasant also has a great selection of condos and townhouses in this price range.  Most of these are about 15-30 minutes from downtown Charleston and about 10 minutes from the closest beaches (Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island).  Buyers tend to really like the upscale atmosphere of Mt. Pleasant, and its large scale commercial development provides tons of options for shopping, restaurants, and movie theaters.  Another popular area is West Ashley, where you’ll get a little more for the money.  When comparing similarly priced condos and townhouses, buyers often opt for West Ashley because they can get an extra bedroom or a garage for the same price as those in James Island or Mt. Pleasant.  Most of these homes in West Ashley are located about 15-25 minutes from downtown Charleston and 30 minutes to the closest beach, Folly.

If you’re wanting to buy a house in Charleston for under $200K, most of your options will lie further inland.  Summerville will give you the most house for the money, and this small town has seen enormous growth in the past 10 years.  Although it still has its quaint, charming downtown area, you’ll find many restaurants and shops (even a movie theater) located just off Interstate 26.  Summerville is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Charleston, and the closest beaches are about an hour away.  Summerville is by far the most affordable area of Charleston, and its increased demand has brought with it many new housing developments over the past few years.

At the top of this price range (say, $180-200K), you’ll find options for houses in West Ashley and also Johns Island.  These areas will put you much closer to downtown Charleston and the beach (Folly is the closest).  However, know that these are going to be starter homes.  Some of the older homes (which are closest to downtown Charleston) will need renovations.  Newer construction homes will have few to no upgrades.  But many buyers that we talk with prefer to have this closer proximity and – if this is a long term investment – the options to make improvements to their home over the coming years.