Family friendly

You don’t have to look far to find a great place to live in the Charleston area. But for families, finding just the right home requires considering many factors. Is it affordable? What recreational facilities are nearby? Are there other kids in the neighborhood? How are the schools? Is the location convenient?

West Ashley

West Ashley’s affordability and conveniences have made it a family choice for generations. Established neighborhoods near Charles Towne Landing have always been filled with kids but newer developments farther out are also luring families. Gina Walseman, a Hunt Club resident and mother of a 5-year-old, says, “We have a fantastic social committee, and upcoming events are announced on our Web site.” Walseman estimates that 75 percent of the homeowners in her neighborhood have children. “It was the right choice for us!”

So many families are relocating to this new hub that St. Andrew’s has plans for a 120-acre nature preserve featuring a two-mile trail and wildlife viewing areas. The city of Charleston is building the Bees Landing Recreation Center, a 25-acre sports complex and has constructed a bike path along scenic Ashley River Road, connecting several neighborhoods and the elementary school.

James and Johns Islands

Drawing families to James Island is its proximity to both downtown and Folly Beach. “The most popular price tag for family homes on the island is $300,000,” says realtor Lori Nolan. The county park, with its biking trails, a fishing dock, and an exciting water park, is enticing. The high school’s International Baccalaureate Program and the island’s recreational facilities, particularly for soccer, are also important.

Living on Johns Island has traditionally meant living in the country. But today’s families can have it both ways –amenities with a touch of country. In the Villages in St. John’s Woods, oak trees and a nature trail provide serenity. But a playing field, pavilion, and playground are all part of living in these Woods, located just 20 minutes from downtown or Kiawah’s beach. Jenny Honeycutt, mother of two, says, “The word that comes to mind is neighborly. And there’s a ton of kids.” Add in the Johns Island Park and Stono River Stable for horseback riding, and families can have it all.

Hanahan

Hanahan’s access to I-26 and I-526 offers an easy commute for many working parents like Tracy Smith, and its affordability is also a plus. Realtor Erin Smigocki adds, “Everybody likes Hanahan schools.” A new sports complex near town hall and a 41-acre park in Tanner Plantation, a mega-development straddling Hanahan and Goose Creek, ensures ample recreational space for kids.

East Cooper

Sports are important in Mt. Pleasant, but the real attraction is its schools. Residents of Mt. Pleasant’s new hub, Park West, can have these essentials without even leaving their neighborhood. Within this large community, there are three schools, a huge city recreational complex and two business areas. Realtor Stephen Carroll explains, “We brought the city to the suburbs,” alleviating the headache of fighting traffic.

Another alternative to traditional suburbia is the small village of I’On. Narrow streets keep automobile traffic slow. Front porches and sidewalks provide impromptu meeting places for neighbors. A complex of shops, offices, and restaurants offers conveniences, and a public Montessori school is an added bonus.

I’On may seem like a new concept but it is actually a return to Andy Griffith’s Mayberry. The original Old Village of Mt. Pleasant is the real deal. Kids riding bikes to the Pitt Street Pharmacy for an ice cream float are a common site. So is fishing off the “Old Bridge.” And the outstanding elementary school helps make the Old Village one of the most desirable areas around for families.

Moderately priced homes have come to Daniel Island, making the small town affordable for more families. Jennifer Colton, mother of two preschoolers, says its geographic isolation keeps the crime rate low, and having a town center with nearly every type of business means “you can live here and not have to leave the island.” The Daniel Island School’s K-8th grade configuration is an unusual concept in the public school system, and teenagers can attend private Bishop England High School on Daniel Island or public Hanahan High across the river. The Family Circle Tennis Center and the Charleston Battery both offer kids’ programs, and there are frequent block parties and family affairs.

North Charleston and beyond

The small town in both its old and new incarnations is not specific to the East Cooper area, however. “North Charleston was originally laid out as a small town,” realtor John Bourne explains. “With Park Circle at the center, you had a commercial district and residential areas. Everything was meant to be within walking distance.”

And in fact, it is – from its churches to the town center to the beloved “duck pond.”

“There are a lot of strollers out and about in the mornings and the evenings,” says new resident Liz Rennie. The area, with its charming brick homes and large lots, is experiencing an exciting revitalization, and new developments like Mixson, a venture of the I’On Group, are breaking ground nearby. Top it off with the nearby Danny Jones Recreation Complex, and Park Circle looks like an up-and-coming area for many young families.

Newer neighborhoods abound near the city’s border with Dorchester County, and it is often difficult to discern where North Charleston ends and Summerville begins. Many of those new residents are families looking to get the most house for their money and take advantage of the wonderful reputation of Dorchester County’s schools. But realtor Jim Bailey says, “There are always families looking to move into downtown Summerville, too.” One expectant mother says she loves living there because the town has its own personality. The residential streets around Azalea Park are in the thick of things yet seem a world away.

Fortunately a plethora of communities in the tri-county area are kid-tested and parent-approved. So regardless of your family’s idea of the perfect place to live, you’ll undoubtedly find it in the Lowcountry.

Mary Clark Coy is a freelance writer andauthor of several books of local interest. She can be reached at coym@comcast.net.