Sullivan’s Island

THE LOWDOWN

29482 is Sullivan’s Island (SI) zip code and it is one of the 50 most expensive zip codes in the US. It might surprise you when you drive through it, especially if you’ve come from Isle of Palms, which is a lot more manicured, but it’s the shabby chic, we’re rich and don’t care if our yard isn’t edged that makes Sullivan’s so appealing.

There’s a laid back ease about Sullivan’s that you don’t find even at the other beaches. While there are some waterfront homes that have graced the pages of the NY Times, there are also some shacks on an island with a median price touching $2Million. Those shack dwellers are the lucky ones, they’ve been there their whole life and didn’t just discover it later in life like the wealthy newcomers.

For the lucky 2,500 or so who live on the island, they are gracious enough to tolerate the influx from across the Ben Sawyer bridge, since Sullivan’s is the locals beach for those who live in Mt Pleasant or downtown. The bars are packed all Summer with people enjoying Charleston beach life. I’m over on Sullivan’s most days myself, either kiteboarding at Station 28.5 or walking my dog on one of the most dog friendly beaches around.

Take a drive down to Fort Moultrie, park your car on the street just past it & walk out onto the beach at sunset for most stunning sunset view over downtown Charleston, you may even catch a few dolphins taking in the view too. It’s probably my favorite piece of Charleston right there.

I do love downtown life, but if I was offered the tiniest sliver of SI dirt to park a tiny 200sqft house, I’d be there tomorrow. Don’t just take my words for it, look at the stats below. Even though there have been 10% more listings ytd which you would expect to increase the amount of time for a house to sell, the days on market has dropped by 43% while prices are up 17%. They are some serious data points. Sullivan’s is no secret anymore.

If you have the means, stop your search right now and hyper focus on Sullivan’s Island.

PRICE RANGE

Single Family Homes : Median Price $1,982,000

Condos & Townhomes : Median Price $487,000

PROS

  • It doesn’t matter how tough your day has been, once you drive over the marsh onto the island, the stress all goes away

  • It’s a community, people know each other, there’s neighborhood events and parties on all the time

CONS

  • I can’t think of a single one

AREA FAVORITES

  • The annual fire department oyster roast.

  • New Year’s Day polar swim, the streets are blocked off for it.

  • Watch the kiters at Station 28.5.

COMMUTE TIMES

Airport/Boeing : 25 minutes

Downtown Charleston/MUSC : 20 minutes

SHOPPING

If you like ice cream cones, there’s an ice cream shop, otherwise head back to the mainland to do your shopping.

BEACHES

Right on your doorstep.