West Ashley Real Estate Prices

Single Family Homes - Median Price: $440k. Range: $300k-$2M

Condos & Townhomes- Median Price: $330k. Range $200k-$600k

West Ashley Pros

• Charming older neighborhoods close to downtown
• There’s water access and greenways hidden away.
• It has stayed affordable. Partly because of the cons below.

West Ashley Cons

• Parts are very commercial. Savannah Highway is full of car dealerships.
• Lot of older neighborhoods, some in good shape. Some not.

West Ashley Residents Say

Here are ten comments on Reddit from people live in West Ashley.

1. "Living in West Ashley is pretty cool. It’s like being in a suburb but still close enough to Charleston for easy access."
2. "The neighborhoods here are diverse. You’ve got everything from older homes with character to newer developments."
3. "Traffic can be a bit of a hassle, especially on Highway 17. But there are back roads you can take to avoid the worst of it."
4. "You’ve got all the essentials nearby—stores, restaurants, and parks. It’s pretty convenient for day-to-day stuff."
5. "Housing prices are more affordable compared to downtown Charleston or Mount Pleasant. It’s a good option if you’re on a budget."
6. "The community vibe is strong. People are friendly and there’s a real sense of community pride."
7. "There’s plenty of green space here. Parks like West Ashley Park or the bikeway are great for outdoor activities."
8. "It’s a quieter area compared to downtown Charleston, which some people really appreciate."
9. "You’re not far from the water either, which is nice for boating or just enjoying the views."
10. "Overall, West Ashley offers a laid-back suburban feel with easy access to Charleston. It’s a solid choice for families or anyone looking for a more relaxed pace."

Where is West Ashley?

It’s just over the bridge from Downtown Charleston and stretches out towards to more rural Ravenel. It’s connected to other parts of Charleston by I-526.

What is West Ashley in Charleston Like?

West Ashley is mainly a bedroom community for Charleston. It doesn’t have the charm of James Island or the perfectly landscaped areas like Mt Pleasant, but it does leave you close to everything in Charleston without crushing your budget.

You can separate West Ashley into two parts. Inside I-526 & outside I-526.

Inside is the old part, neighborhoods like Byrnes Down, Avondale, Northbridge Terrace. They were built mid 20th century and have a traditional feel to them which many love. Once renovated they’re charming, sit on lots surrounded by big oak. But they are short on amenities such as pools. They are closer to town though.

Once you get out past I-526, you find bigger, newer subdivisions like Grand Oaks & Carolina Bay which have the pools, trails, tennis, basketball and gyms. They are more cookie cutter but with convenience of walking to your neighborhood pool and getting more space for your money.

West Ashley’s prices haven’t risen as much as other areas. You could blame this on all the car dealerships and other ugly, but necessary commercial outlets needed in a city. Some of it can be blamed on pure snobbery based on image.

As houses prices go up in other areas, more people are looking to West Ashley, and renovating older houses & transforming neighborhoods.

Who Lives in West Ashley?

The usual mix of young professionals & people who work downtown like Avondale & the other areas near downtown. Families move further out to the big subdivisions. Smart boaters buy waterfront properties at a lower cost than other areas. I have had a number of clients who work at Boeing that decided to live in West Ashley because I-526 gives them quick access to the airport.

Food & Drinks in West Ashley

Avondale is a local alternative to going downtown. Get an Uber here and you can hop between the 10 or so bars & restaurants.

Shopping in West Ashley

Lots of strip malls with all the shops you’d need. I love Windermere shopping center, small independent shops here.

Parks & Recreation in West Ashley

The West Ashley Greenway is 10 miles of trail from West Ashley to Johns Island. Not everyone knows about it, but they should. I’ve played a lot of soccer at West Ashley Park & Ackerman Park.

The plantations of Charleston are along the river, Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place. You can go fishing at Ashley River Park. There’s at least 4 boat landings in WA.

West Ashley Drive Times

Airport : 15 minutes

Beach : 20 minutes

Downtown: 10-30 minutes depending where you are in West Ashley

Neighborhoods in West Ashley

I have 4 of my favorites inside I-526 and then 4 further out past I-526.

1 Avondale

I’ve already mentioned Avondale a few times, so you can tell I like it. Five minutes from downtown, with a small food district. Older cute homes here cost more than you would expect, but you’re paying for location. There’s some condo developments here too that are worth looking at.

2 Byrnes Down

Byrnes Down is Avondale immediate neighbor, so the same good things apply for it.

3 South Windermere

Just around the corner and even closer to downtown in South Windermere. This is a very sought after neighborhood. Some houses are on the water. Prices go over $1M in South Windermere.

4 The Crescent

Across the road from South Windermere, probably the most expensive neighborhood in West Ashley. Large lots. Minutes to downtown, boat landing and golf course. Prestigious Porter Gaud school is behind The Crescent.

5 Orangegrove

Another older neighborhood not far from town. I like the feel in there. Close knit community. Brick ranches. School very close by.

6 Grand Oaks

Now we’re out past I-526. So you're 20-25 minutes from downtown. In return for the extra driving time, you get newer homes in amenity filled subdivisions.

Grand Oaks is a perfect example. 1000 homes, 2 pools, basketball & tennis courts. A city recreation complex with baseball fields. Walking trails for miles. I like Grand Oaks a lot and have sold a ton of houses here. It’s ideal for families who want more space than the neighborhoods close to the city can offer.

7 Shadowmoss

Shadowmoss also has about 1000 homes. It has a golf course, the homes sit on large lots. Another good option in this area.

8 Carolina Bay

This is my favorite of the bigger subdivisions. More recently built, it has modern floor plans, it’s well thought and developed. Some higher end homes in Carolina Bay. It’s got a number of access points so you can get to wherever you need to go quicker. They maintained a lot of the natural landscape, so even though it’s newer, it feels live in. You’ll see Spanish Moss, not saplings.

Similar Areas To West Ashley

People who like West Ashley usually like James Island & Johns Island as well.