Old Mount Pleasant Becomes Hot and New Again

As the “Gen X” generation of Americans those defined by those born from 1965-1979 “becomes of age” when marriage, family and responsibility is what resonates with their goals things begin to change. How does that apply to our lil ole’ town of Mount Pleasant SC?

As a Gen X’er myself and real estate broker in the Charleston SC area I am forever trying to keep my eye on the pulse of what’s happening in my town, and what’s evident more than ever is buyers are falling in love with the Coleman Blvd “corridor” as some put it, all over again. What used to be considered the old and dusty side of Mt Pleasant when the shiny new developments and PUDs like Dunes West, Charleston National, and Rivertowne Country Club began to spring up in the 90s north of the Isle of Palms connector has now become the hip and most desired area to live. Those of us who don’t have children and want to be close to the action of Shem creek and downtown are finding these once great neighborhoods appealing again.

Neighborhoods like Brookgreen Meadows behind Okra Grill are seeing a huge resurgence in investment by developers to buy, renovate and even build new construction which appeals to younger buyers.  Other neighborhoods that are seeing investment with newer rehab offerings are Bay View Acres and the neighborhood called “Old Mt Pleasant“. One would and could include The Old Village but that neighborhood has never had a shortage of desirability and demand and thus it has always had people buying, selling, and renovating. Whereas the others are just now starting to see new reinvestment. Since Shem Creek and Coleman Blvd has developed so have the surrounding neighborhoods that were once the only neighborhoods in Mt Pleasant in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Now those old neighborhoods are coming back into favor. 

Although the Mount Pleasant SC housing market and Charleston in general are booming so the lack of good available homes for sale has driven a lot of this many of my buyers have expressed significant interest in staying in and around Coleman Blvd. These younger Millennial and Generation X buyers are trending towards more urban areas where they can bike and walk to things to do vs being in the suburbs and although Mt Pleasant is a suburb the Shem Creek area offers fun and convenience. 

Over the last 5 years or so the town of Mt Pleasant has invested millions in redevelopment of Coleman Boulevard with fixing the flooding problems, adding a new park and walking trail, expanding the road, and adding a parking garage to name a few. Nicer and more restaurants and dining options have also moved in like Tavern & Table, Saltwater Cowboys, and Shelter all of which are packed full in the height of tourist season.