This sunny South Carolina town has much to offer. Here are a few reasons locals love calling Summerville home.
1. Proximity to Local Beaches
Living in Summerville means being less than an hour away from some of South Carolina's most popular beaches. Whether you’re looking for an active beach scene or a peaceful stretch of sand, these locations are a short trip away.
**Isle of Palms**: Less than an hour from downtown, this public beach offers accessible parking, restrooms, showers, a sand volleyball court, a playground, and picnic areas with grills.
**Kiawah Island**: Just over an hour away, Kiawah Beachwalker Park features seasonal beach chair and umbrella rentals, dressing rooms, restrooms, outdoor showers, a snack bar, and picnic areas with grills.
**Folly Beach**: Less than an hour away, Folly Beach offers seasonal beach chair and umbrella rentals, restrooms, outdoor showers, a picnic area, and a seasonal snack bar.
**Sullivan's Island**: Only 40 minutes away, Sullivan's Island beach offers three miles of serene beaches but lacks public restrooms, showers, and parking lots.
**Seabrook Island**: A little over an hour away, this beach caters to local vacationers and island visitors, with no public restrooms, showers, or picnic areas.
2. Employment Opportunities
Despite its small size, Summerville offers a variety of employment opportunities. Growing sectors include IT, marketing, advertising, automotive, and science, with tourism boosting hospitality job prospects. Additionally, proximity to Charleston expands career options for Summerville residents.
3. Gorgeous Views and Outdoor Activities
Summerville truly earns its nickname, The Flower Town in the Pines. Each spring, tourists flock to enjoy millions of blooms in Azalea Park and other public and private gardens. The annual Flowertown Festival, typically held in early April, celebrates this beauty with entertainment, food, and local arts and crafts.
Residents can take advantage of Summerville's scenic environment through numerous outdoor activities like walking, jogging, and cycling in the town’s expansive public parks, many of which offer picnic areas and playgrounds. For waterfront fun, the Ashley River is perfect for swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking.
4. Lowcountry Cuisine
Summerville boasts delicious Southern food at every turn. Lowcountry cuisine combines fresh seafood with comfort food favorites such as crab cakes and seafood boils, alongside sides like mac and cheese and fried cabbage. Classic dishes like fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits can be enjoyed at Oscar's. For an upscale experience, Halls Chophouse Nexton offers exemplary dining in an elegant setting with live music.
5. Southern Charm'd
Summerville is known for its relaxed atmosphere and abundant Southern charm. Visitors and new residents are greeted with friendly smiles and helping hands. The town’s location provides easy access to Charleston's amenities while offering a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle. Downtown Summerville features locally-owned shops, and numerous annual events bring residents together for fellowship, entertainment, and delicious food.
3 Things You May Have to Work Around While Living in Summerville
No place is perfect, and Summerville is no exception. Here are a few things locals wish they could improve.
1. Limited Nightlife
As a small, residential town, Summerville lacks a bustling nightlife. Most businesses focus on retail, dining, and outdoor or cultural activities. While this is a bonus for some, it might be a drawback for young professionals seeking a lively social scene. Luckily, Charleston’s vibrant nightlife is just a short drive away.
2. Weather Concerns
Summerville, like much of South Carolina, has a warm and humid climate. This can lead to higher cooling costs in the hot summer months and the potential for hurricanes and tropical storms. Since 1930, 78 hurricanes have been recorded in Summerville. Although not every storm causes significant damage, these risks should be considered when purchasing home insurance. Coastal cities are at a higher risk for storm damage and flooding, but Lowcountry neighborhoods are also affected.
3. Traffic Congestion
Historically, Charleston attracted most new residents, leaving little need for updates to Summerville's infrastructure. However, the town’s population has nearly doubled in the last 20 years, leading to local business growth but also straining the infrastructure. This results in traffic backups and slower commutes, especially when heading to popular beaches during the summer or commuting to Charleston.
Making Summerville Your Home
Those planning to move to Summerville will find a wide range of attractive housing options, from older Victorians to modern builds and contemporary homes. Large luxury estates are found in residential areas and master-planned communities, while smaller dwellings like townhomes and condos are scattered throughout local neighborhoods.
When searching for a new home, consider what you want most from a neighborhood. Some areas offer larger homes or easy access to downtown Summerville shops and restaurants. Others are planned communities with various amenities to enjoy. To find a home that meets all your needs, working with an experienced local neighborhood expert/real estate agent is a MUST!
Connect with The Buy from Ry Team to Find Your Summerville Dream Home
The advantages of living in Summerville far outweigh the drawbacks. If you plan to make Summerville your home, you need a real estate agent with extensive knowledge and how to move here! The Buy from Ry Team is an established real estate agency that has helped hundreds of out of town families relocate and find their dream homes in the greater Charleston area. Ryan and his experienced team specialize in the Charleston and Summerville areas and can help you find your perfect Summerville home.
Get in touch to learn more about how the experienced real estate professionals at The Buy from Ry Team can help you find your ideal home in Summerville.
Call or Text: 843-226-5535 - BuyfromRyTeam@gmail.com
