Home on Daniel Island SCPeople often ask us, “What’s it like to live on Daniel Island?” While the first response is always something along the lines of, “It’s wonderful – there is nothing better than waking up to views of Smythe Lake!” I imagine that the answer can be vastly different for everyone who is lucky enough to live in this small resort town just a few miles from downtown Charleston SC.  Because my Daniel Island lifestyle – our kids are grown, with an active dog that loves to walk, a “downsized” house we bought to retire in, and our desire to ride our bikes everywhere – is just one of the many kinds of lifestyles that Daniel Island has to offer. 

Developed on 4,000 acres amid a breathtaking lowcountry landscape formerly owned by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, Daniel Island is indeed a special place.  Set in a spectacular coastal setting, where the Cooper and Wando Rivers meet, surrounded by the rivers, creeks and stunning marsh views, this idyllic setting provides a backdrop where people live and work, children walk or ride their bikes to school and where opportunities for enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle are limitless.  And the best part? It’s all within just 15 minutes of historic downtown Charleston. 

Daniel Island was designed to offer a lifestyle that matches exactly the way that YOU dreamed it … and how I dreamed it too.  Young urbanites who desire trendy, apartment or condo living in the heart of Daniel Island’s busy, downtown district, perhaps the technology-centric teams at software giants Blackbaud and Benefitfocus that are located here on the island, there are plenty of lifestyle options for them.  Daniel Island’s compact, walkable downtown continues to grow, with hip coffee shops like Blondies Bagels & Cafe,  the wine bar Bin 526, and the newest brewery + restaurant concept Dockery’s which is quickly becoming a popular music venue and gathering spot on the island.  There are plenty of great options here for dining, shopping, fitness clubs, even gourmet pizza delivery, and a Starbucks.  But really – we’re just getting started.

For young families with children, Daniel Island just might seem like the closest thing to paradise.  With Daniel Island School, the award-winning K-8 primary school centrally located in the heart of Daniel Island’s close knit neighborhoods of Center Park, Etiwan Park, Pierce Park and Smythe Park, kids from all over the island can safely walk or ride their bikes to school – and they do – by the hundreds!  “Carpool” most days, means a line of golf carts at the drop-off side of the school, for those too little to walk or bike.  With three distinctly different swimming pools tucked among the neighborhoods, you can be sure that the bike racks are full all summer long. Overlooking the Wando River near the Daniel Island Pier is Children’s Park, another popular spot for young families to walk or bike to, with it’s quirky climb-on sculptures of over-sized loggerhead turtles and a whimsical boat.  And the sports fields at Governor’s Park are home to a plethora of youth sports teams.

And the outdoor enthusiast? Well, your lifestyle might be the most highly prized one of all. This is, after all, exactly the lifestyle that the developer’s had top-of-mind when they planned this “Mayberry-meets-Charleston” community.  Daniel Island is breathtaking precisely because of the meticulous care that they gave to preserving the awe-inspiring lowcountry landscape and making it all blend together seamlessly.  With hundreds of acres of parks and greenspace and more than 25 miles of trails to explore that wind through maritime forest, along marsh and the water’s edge of both the Cooper and Wando Rivers, and through the island’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods providing a safe and convenient route for runners, walkers and cyclists.  The private Beresford Creek Boat Landing, located in Codner’s Ferry Park, offers water lovers access to boating, fishing, kayaking and stand up paddleboard. And should you want access to some of the top golf or tennis in the Charleston area, there are clubs available that offer both. 

Along the northernmost edge of the island, offering deep-water boat access along Ralston Creek, is the exquisite community of Daniel Island Park, home to some of Daniel Island’s most discerning addresses and wrapped around the island’s two award winning golf courses. The residents of Daniel Island Park enjoy a membership at Daniel Island Club, with state-of-the-art pool, tennis and fitness facilities. This exclusive neighborhood offers estate-style homes and larger lots, and showcases houses designed by some of the finest lowcountry architects. Some consider this neighborhood to be the jewel of Daniel Island.  

NOTE: It’s a rare opportunity that blends the historic charm, and southern elegance of an iconic Charleston landmark with the discerning address of Daniel Island Park. 

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