How is West Ashley? (Charleston, North Charleston: salons, for rent, houses)

[KarynO]

I've seen some cute houses for rent in West Ashley. How is it as far as family friendly neighborhoods, schools, parks, safety, recreations etc...?

I'm comparing it to quality of life vs. Mount Pleasant

Thanks.

[wildwoodflower]

before we moved we also looked at houses in west ashley online. and after getting here, i am so glad we did not end up in one. west ashley has some cute areas, cute shops, nice places to eat, cute parks...but in general, it has alot of traffic and some really NOT nice areas. overall i would feel safer and less stressed out in another area like james island or mt p. i am am not saying west ashley is bad or anything, i go often for stores, etc... but no, i woul dnot choose to live there over other areas. i think mt p is much cleaner, less traffic (although it has it's fair share!) and the stores are newer and cleaner too. but west ashley has some up and coming areas... but also more crime, more noise, more cars, etc too.

[carolinajack]

West Ashley is lovely and very homey, but the traffic on 17 omgosh! there is a great shopping plaza with Earthfaire and Starbucks, a Japanese restaurant, hip shops and a nce library branch.

Check out Windermere neighborhoods, my wife and I were checking it out when we were back home in January. very nice lovely old homes, too much money for the size and state of the home but i guess there are people willing to spend that kind of money in this economy. ( i dont think there is much of a economic Crisis in that area, since they can get the same price for a small home as one could get for a mcmansion in other places) But W.A. is lovely esp on the marsh

[wildwoodflower]

yes near earth fare in windermere is nice. it's practically james island it's so close to it.... band the neighborhood before the drawbridge from james island is nice right there to the left. i forget what i t is called. pricey though i bet. near the charleston crab house. but most of WA doesn't look like that...

[pcamps]

Wildwoodflower you seem to talk down everywhere around the Charleston area apart from James Island and Mt Pleasant .
Yes you are entitled to your opinion , but my opinion is James Island is nothing to shout home about .
The traffic going through there is bad , the main route you drive through to Folly Beach looks no different to Rivers Ave in North Charleston.
The only part that i like about James Island is the area where you are almost leaving it and entering Folly Beach .
There's areas in James Island i would not feel safe in at night .

[wildwoodflower]

me either. there are areas on james island i would not consider safe either. and no, i would not live on folly road either, lol. i have been here ust a few months..and first impression is i like james island/folly beach and downtown the best. do i expect everyone to feel the same? no.

i am not talking down west ashley. i go often for shopping and such. but overall the vibe is alittle to stressful for me, so i would not want to live there. but i am sure others find it desirable.

they are just opinions. like everyone elses. so lets not try to start another debate. what is your point here?

and if you actually listen, i have started i would not live in Mt P either, lol. so pick your battles.... not everyone is going to like the same thing. and htere is nothing wrong with that. that is why this forum is so useful. to get lots of opinions from lots of kids of people.

[OrangeCountyGirl]

Well, I love West Ashley.

I think many parts of it are fun and funky. Great shops, salons, restaurants and cute little cottage style homes in many of the neighborhoods. Also you'll find some older more stately homes in the area too. But like ANYWHERE (INCLUDING MtP) there are areas that you would probably not want to live in.

[pcamps]

I just want to know why you post more negative things than positive things about the areas around Charleston ? . lol.
You are certainly in the minority when it comes to your opinion , don't you think it's time you had a reality check ? . lmao

You have been here just a few months and you talk as if you are the last word on the area. lol.

I am not picking a battle with you lol , i am merely pointing out you clearly no nothing about the area , and what a joke it is for you to talk up James Island like it's something that it certainly is not . raflmao

[KarynO]

Hey...this thread is supposed to be about me...ha, ha, ha...I don't mind if a community has a pulse, but how are the schools?...in control? Are the neighborhoods family friendly with kids running about?...Do the neighborhoods have community pools etc?...I'm renting ($1000) 2/3 br...looking for alternatives to MP incase I can't find something in my range...need to be in proximity DT Trident & the beach.

OK I'm old school so what is "imao" & "faflmao" ?

[wildwoodflower]

i don't know either. i lnow a few though. lol.

and of course i don't think i know everything about the area. i have mentioned several times these are my first impressions of different areas. i have gotten alot of great info here form people... their opinions...explored some and then formed my own opinions. seriously, you are looking to put words in my mouth because i said i don't like north chas and you are offended. well relax. lots of people may like something, lots may not. go find something better to do then respond on everything thread i post on. it's getting old. i don't think i am negative about everything. for awhile i was really bummed about being in charleston. lots love it yes...but it is not for everyone. i did not pursue coming, it just happened. but i am learning to be open and explore and some areas are growing on me... some areas i will never get used to or want to. to each is own. (although i don't think i am in the minority about not liking most of north chas!) why can't you just leave it at that and move on. i am not talking up james island at all. just like any area aorund here...there are good neighborhoods and bad ones everywhere. you need to actually read what is being discussed instead of assuming you have htings figured out.

ok, done with your foolishness...


karen back to your thread. i hope it stays that way. i am sure someone here can give you a better ideas about the schools and neighborhoods in west ashley.