Top Neighborhoods
Summerville's 120+ neighborhoods range from historic Victorian charm to sprawling new-build subdivisions, making your choice the single most important decision for your lifestyle and budget. This guide cuts through the marketing to show you exactly where you should—and shouldn't—plant roots.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Summerville
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic District | Walkable, Touristy | $1,600-$2,400 | History buffs, empty nesters | ~68 |
| Nexton | Master-planned, Modern | $1,500-$2,100 | Young families, remote workers | ~45 |
| Cane Bay Plantation | Suburban, Family-focused | $1,400-$1,900 | Growing families, commuters | ~35 |
| Ashley Oaks | Quiet, Established | $1,300-$1,700 | First-time buyers, budget-conscious | ~42 |
| Legend Oaks | Golf Course, Mature | $1,550-$2,200 | Retirees, professionals | ~38 |
Historic District
Overview: The heart of "Flowertown" centers around Main Street's oak-canopied sidewalks and 19th-century homes. This is Summerville's original settlement, where tea plants were first grown in America.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,600 - $2,400/mo (1BR) | $2,200 - $3,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $420k - $550k (historic properties)
- 🚗 Commute: 28 min to downtown Charleston | 15 min to Boeing/Airbus campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~68 (Most errands doable on foot)
Local Intel: Parking is a nightmare during the Azalea Festival (March) and Christmas events. The best coffee is at The Corner Perk on Main Street—get there before 9am on weekends or you'll wait 30 minutes. Avoid renting on Main Street itself if you value sleep; delivery trucks and festival noise are constant.
Who Thrives Here: Retirees who want walkable amenities and young professionals who work at Boeing/Airbus but crave Charleston-level charm without the price tag.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Walkable to 20+ restaurants, Summerville Dorchester Museum, and The Summerville YMCA
- ✅ Strong appreciation rates (8-10% annually) due to historic designation
- ❌ Older homes = frequent plumbing/electrical updates (budget $5k-10k annually)
- ❌ Limited parking for guests; street parking rules strictly enforced
Schools: Dorchester District 2 schools. Summerville Elementary (8/10) is a top performer, but zoning is tight.
The Verdict: Move here if you want genuine small-town charm and walkability. Avoid if you need modern amenities, parking, or hate historic home maintenance.
Nexton
Overview: Summerville's flagship master-planned community off I-26 Exit 199, featuring 5,000+ homes, Nexton Parkway commercial corridor, and fiber-optic internet standard.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,500 - $2,100/mo (1BR) | $1,900 - $2,700/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $380k - $450k
- 🚗 Commute: 25 min to downtown Charleston | 18 min to MUSC Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent, but walkable within phases)
Local Intel: The Nexton Parkway traffic light at I-26 is gridlocked 7:30-8:30am and 5:00-6:15pm. Use the Carnes Crossroads exit instead. The Nexton Square shopping center has the best Publix in the county and Taco Boy (yes, the Charleston one) for weekend brunch—get there at 11am opening or wait 90 minutes.
Who Thrives Here: Remote tech workers with kids who need gigabit internet and top-tier schools. The community's Nexton Hall co-working space is legitimately useful.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Dorchester District 2 schools are among SC's best; Nexton Elementary is a 9/10
- ✅ Nexton Athletic Club and 30+ miles of trails; genuinely family-friendly
- ❌ HOA fees ($120-180/month) and strict architectural rules (no fences, paint colors pre-approved)
- ❌ 15-minute drive to any non-chain restaurant; feels isolated from Summerville's core
Schools: Dorchester District 2. Nexton Elementary (9/10), Gregg Middle (8/10), Summerville High (8/10).
The Verdict: Perfect for families prioritizing schools and modern amenities. Avoid if you want historic character or hate cookie-cutter subdivisions.
Cane Bay Plantation
Overview: Massive 4,000-acre development west of I-26, stretching from Cane Bay Boulevard to Dorchester Road. Mix of single-family and townhomes with on-site schools and shopping.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,400 - $1,900/mo (1BR) | $1,700 - $2,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $350k - $420k
- 🚗 Commute: 32 min to downtown Charleston | 22 min to Boeing
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Cane Bay Parkway extension to I-26 is finally complete (as of 2023), cutting 10 minutes off rush hour commutes. However, Dorchester Road between 5-6pm is still a parking lot. Cane Bay Square has a Harris Teeter and Dunkin' but zero walkable restaurants. The Cane Bay Plantation Amenity Center is legitimately impressive but packed on weekends.
Who Thrives Here: Growing families who need space and schools but can tolerate a 30-minute commute. Also good for military families at Joint Base Charleston (35 min drive).
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Cane Bay High School (opened 2020) is brand-new and excellent; Cane Bay Elementary is a 7/10
- ✅ More house for your money; 3BR townhomes start at $320k purchase
- ❌ Zero walkability; you'll drive for coffee, groceries, and dining
- ❌ Construction is ongoing (will last 5+ more years); dust and noise are constant
Schools: Dorchester District 2. Cane Bay Elementary (7/10), Cane Bay Middle (7/10), Cane Bay High (8/10).
The Verdict: Choose this for maximum space and new construction on a budget. Skip it if you value walkability or hate living in a construction zone.
Ashley Oaks
Overview: Quiet, established neighborhood off Ashley Ridge Parkway, 10 minutes from downtown Summerville. Built in the 1990s-2000s, mature trees, no HOA drama.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,300 - $1,700/mo (1BR) | $1,600 - $2,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $320k - $380k
- 🚗 Commute: 25 min to downtown Charleston | 12 min to Summerville Medical Center
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~42 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The neighborhood backs up to Sawmill Branch Trail, which connects to Summerville's downtown trail system—this is the hidden gem that makes Ashley Oaks special. Dorchester Road is the main artery and gets backed up 7:30-8:30am, but Main Street backroads are your escape hatch. Thai Elephants on Main Street is the local favorite for takeout.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers and young families who want Summerville access without the premium price. Also ideal for medical professionals at Summerville Medical Center.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ No HOA fees and mature landscaping; feels established, not new-build
- ✅ Sawmill Branch Trail access provides 10+ miles of car-free biking/walking
- ❌ Older homes need roof/HVAC replacements (common 2024-2025)
- ❌ Ashley Ridge Parkway elementary school is only a 6/10; you'll drive kids to better schools
Schools: Dorchester District 2. Ashley Ridge Elementary (6/10), but many residents opt for Summerville Elementary (8/10) via school choice lottery.
The Verdict: Best value for buyers wanting Summerville living on a tight budget. Avoid if top-tier schools are non-negotiable.
Legend Oaks
Overview: Golf course community off Central Avenue, developed in the early 2000s. Centered around Legend Oaks Golf Club and Summerville Country Club (different courses, same vibe).
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,550 - $2,200/mo (1BR) | $2,000 - $2,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $380k - $480k
- 🚗 Commute: 26 min to downtown Charleston | 14 min to Boeing
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~38 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Legend Oaks pool is the social hub but has a 300-person waitlist for membership. Central Avenue is the main cut-through to I-26 and gets slammed 7:45-8:30am. The Summerville Country Club (separate from Legend Oaks) offers social memberships that give pool/golf access without living in the HOA.
Who Thrives Here: Retirees who golf and want a quiet, mature neighborhood. Also popular with Boeing executives who want space and proximity to the airport.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Legend Oaks Golf Club is a legitimate 18-hole course (not a glorified putting green)
- ✅ Mature trees and larger lots (0.25+ acres); feels established, not suburban
- ❌ HOA is strict about exterior modifications and yard maintenance
- ❌ Summerville Country Club is in the same area but not part of the HOA—confusing for newcomers
Schools: Dorchester District 2. Flowertown Elementary (7/10), Gregg Middle (8/10), Summerville High (8/10).
The Verdict: Ideal for retirees and golfers who value mature landscaping. Skip if you want walkability or have young kids needing top-tier elementary schools.
Final Advice
For young professionals: Historic District wins for walkability and Boeing/Airbus proximity, but budget $200 extra monthly for parking and maintenance. Nexton is a close second if you work from home.
For families: Nexton dominates for schools and amenities, but Cane Bay offers more space for less money if you can handle the commute. Avoid Ashley Oaks unless you're committed to school choice lottery.
For retirees: Legend Oaks provides the golf-and-quiet lifestyle, but Historic District offers genuine community and walkable doctor appointments.
Traffic reality check: Every neighborhood funnels to I-26, which is a parking lot 7:30-8:30am and 5:00-6:15pm. If you work downtown Charleston, budget 35-45 minutes each way. The Dorchester Road construction through 2025 will only worsen this.
Counterintuitive pick: Ashley Oaks is the stealth best value—mature trees, trail access, and no HOA drama, but you'll need to budget for school transport.