What's Wrong With Johns Island? (Charleston, Mount Pleasant: real estate, homes, neighborhoods)
Charleston areaCharleston - North Charleston - Mt. Pleasant - Summerville - Goose Creek
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Something doesn't make sense to me about Johns Island.
Not having seen it - seen only Charleston historic center, Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island - why is it that Johns Island is rarely mentioned?
It would seem also that this would be a prime location - albeit a bit further out than James Island - but not that far.
Obviously there are not the services and conveniences that MP has, perhaps not that James Island has. But not the traffic either from what I have heard.
Mention is made all the time of how "far out" Johns Island is, but if you track distances on Mapquest for North MP - Park West area - and Johns Island - to the historic center of Charleston, it comes out about the same.
Mention is also made about it being "far from the beach". Isn't Kiawah right next to James Island? Certainly it's closer to the beaches ) both Kiawah and Folly than Summerville is.
Summerville seems to be mentioned all the time as a lower-cost alternative for housing, but it seems Johns Island has some pretty reasonable housing also in Swygert's Landing, St. Johns Crossing, The Cottages at Johns Island, and Villages at St. Johns Woods, which seem all like pretty good locations near Maybank/River Rd. These are all pretty new and pretty nice developments from what I can tell. A new/newer home is very appealing, rather than the older homes "mostly" that James Island has.
Mention has been made that James Island is "turning into the hood". Is that the problem with Johns Island also?
So what is it that I am missing or that people don't want to say? What is it that's wrong with John's Island?
Something doesn't make sense to me about Johns Island.
Not having seen it - seen only Charleston historic center, Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island - why is it that Johns Island is rarely mentioned?
It would seem also that this would be a prime location - albeit a bit further out than James Island - but not that far.
Obviously there are not the services and conveniences that MP has, perhaps not that James Island has. But not the traffic either from what I have heard. These services and conveniences are something you have come across as being very interested in to this point.
Mention is made all the time of how "far out" Johns Island is, but if you track distances on Mapquest for North MP - Park West area - and Johns Island - to the historic center of Charleston, it comes out about the same. Also, you have stated that your husband can't stand being that far north in Mt.Pleasant...so why is being that far out (or further) on John's Island any different?
Mention is also made about it being "far from the beach". Isn't Kiawah right next to James Island? Certainly it's closer to the beaches ) both Kiawah and Folly than Summerville is. Kiawah is indeed next to "John's" Island, but there is only one small public beach just before the gate at Kiawah. It's a great park, but can get very crowded in a hurry.
Summerville seems to be mentioned all the time as a lower-cost alternative for housing, but it seems Johns Island has some pretty reasonable housing also in Swygert's Landing, St. Johns Crossing, The Cottages at Johns Island, and Villages at St. Johns Woods, which seem all like pretty good locations near Maybank/River Rd. These are all pretty new and pretty nice developments from what I can tell. A new/newer home is very appealing, rather than the older homes "mostly" that James Island has. Summerville is mentioned more than John's Island more because of the schools. The real estate prices may be similar, but the schools are different like night & day.
Mention has been made that James Island is "turning into the hood". Is that the problem with Johns Island also?
So what is it that I am missing or that people don't want to say? What is it that's wrong with John's Island?
You'd likely be very happy on John's Island. But be aware that much of it is as far, or much further, from Downtown Charleston as the northern areas of MtP. Also, all the conveniences you have been looking for will be much harder to come by on John's Island.
M, it's all in what you like and enjoy. I love Johns Island. For me, it represents everything good about coastal South Carolina. I'm a country boy at heart, my wife is not. Our compromise was to be way out in West Ashley. I can walk down the block and be right in the woods, and she can cross Bees Ferry and shop her ass off...okay maybe part of it . I can also be at or on the water in mere minutes.
Our next move will be to Johns Island, or (fingers crossed) right on one of the rivers.
Many many of the people in Charleston like the suburban lifestyle with strip malls and the like. I've lived with that near Chicago all my life and am waaaay over it. I'd rather live out where I can enjoy the country and make a short drive to the coolest downtown area I've ever been in...Charleston baby!
Johns Island is just different kind of living. The school system is not as well established and you aren't five minutes from five different kinds of grocery stores. Movie theatre, organized sporting activities for the young ones, etc....are more likely to be more convenient in the suburbs.
Johns Island will grow and there will be more development but if you have kids in a school system you need that school system to be established -- unless you go the private school route.
John's Island is not for everyone. If you want fast food, a 5-10 trip to the grocery, great schools, etc. you will not find it here. What you will find are two-lane tree-lined country roads, farms, and pocket neighborhoods, and peace and quiet
Having spent the first 9 years of my life in a farming community similar to John's Island, I swore I would never be a "country girl" again. Hmmm, 40 years later, and the country life has drawn me back in. It just gets in your blood I guess.
Sounds lovely. Don't like fast food and don't have kids. Will be retired. Love local farms, quiet, and having lived for the last 12 years about 5 feet between neighbors, ready for a bit of space. Just not isolation.
Yes, my husband did not like MP "North". But I think it was more the busyness of 17 driving up there that turned him off. In the end, price will dictate, and North MP or Johns Island or James Island will be what we can afford.
Would we have to drive to another community for everything if we lived in one of the developments on/near Maybank/River Rd? I'm not getting a sense what is available. Is there a grocery store? A pharmacy? We don't need 5 of each. And if we do, MP doesn't seem all that far.
Or....West Ashley doesn't look all that far from John's Island - or is it? What about James Island - are there other conveniences on James Island? I hear there is a nice dog park which is a plus.
There is a town next to ours - Newbury, MA - which is beautiful - lots of farm land, lot of marsh, natural beauty. Local farmstands, a vet, a couple of small convenience stores. Not much else. Used to be all farmland. But it's beautiful. And Newburyport (where we live) is only 5-10 min. for grocery stores, hospital, etc. Photos of Newbury MA | Newbury MA Photos
Sounds like this might be what Johns Island is like?? That would be fine. Driving 30 min on back country roads to get to the grocery store - not so sure.
I realize it's a trade off. Silversides, where in West Ashley do you live?
John's Island is really pretty, but I would never live there. It reminds me too much of where I moved from. After 10 years of living in a small town where I had to drive 40 minutes to get anywhere, I will stick with the strip mall areas. My other half would love John's Island because he is more of a country boy. I lived in the country for 10 years because that is what he wanted, so it is his turn to live where I want!
You really need to come down and visit, so you can see the areas for yourself. We all can give you our opinions of different areas, but you need to come and see and 'feel' an area so you can get a sense of what fits for you.
I adore John's Island, and the 'countryness' of it, though that's rapidly changing. With only 2 main roads out of John's Island, traffic can get pretty congested in the summertime. As other folks have said, it's a bit far for shopping and you don't have the choices close by, even for groceries, that you would have in other areas. One of our major concerns is that it's a bit of a hike to the hospitals, both in West Ashley and downtown Charleston. Because our son is a quadriplegic with many medical situations that pop up and lots of monthly doctor's appointments, we needed to be closer to medical facilities, and not just doctor's offices. If it was just hubbie and me, we would definitely have looked at John's Island.
So, when are you planning that trip down to look around?
Macalan,
You have to come down and see it yourself like Caili is saying.
But, you can get some facts here you will not even see on your visit.
John's island is a very large Island area wise (2nd biggest on East Coast). The Island is very different depending on what part you are on. The side of John's Island (mentioned above) right on the Stono River is different than the area out beyond the Main Road area.
One side is much more populated with new housing, is growing very fast, has more density, is close to downtown (10 mins) and 15 mins to the beach.
Furthermore, (and this is important), there will be several exit roads built on River Road, near Maybank (because the traffic backs up coming off the bridge. The 526 extension will be built with ramps off River road in the next few years. There will be a brand new Harris Teeter coming in 2016 to the corner of Maybank & River Rd. This denser part of John's Island is also part of the City of Charleston. It is the city of Charleston jurisdiction about 50 % of John's Island. There is also a Sports Bar, Pharmacy, Very nice Italian Restuarant, and U.S. Post Office within walking distance of this Intersection. It is also is very pretty driving down River Road toward Main Rd to U.S. 17. But, you will have to see this for yourself, but I wanted you to know these facts.
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. I can also be at or on the water in mere minutes.
