Traveling out of Mt. Pleasant on Highway 17 North, the next stop is the small Charleston County town of Awendaw (zip code 29429). Nestled within the confines of the Francis Marion National forest and on the marshy shores of Bulls Bay, the rural fishing town is a natural gem of the area. Just like other rural areas in the Lowcountry, Awendaw is growing to accommodate those looking for a home a little bit off the beaten path — but still close to all the amenities of Mount Pleasant and Charleston, SC, and the beaches of the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island.
Incorporated as a town in 1992, Awendaw is about a 15-to-25-minute drive from Mount Pleasant (depending on where you’re coming from) and a 45-minute drive from downtown Charleston. The Isle of Palms Connector, which provides access to area beaches, is just 20 minutes from Awendaw. The fragmented incorporated parts of Awendaw measure 8.28 square miles, but the entire 29429 zip code covers a whopping 107.9 square miles.
Although it is small, as the home of both the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, Awendaw provides plenty of recreational opportunities for active health-enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike. Awendaw is also a favorite spot for cyclists, thanks to its quiet, rural roads. The fishing town hosts the annual Blue Crab Festival, which spotlights freshly prepared Southern delicacies, homegrown music and goods form local artisans. Awendaw’s newest addition is the Bulls Bay Golf Club development. The 18-hole Bulls Bay course is one of the most beautiful around, and it features state-of-the-art amenities right in Awendaw.
Housing in Awendaw is somewhat limited, and most homes come with at least an acre of land. The market includes many wooded, waterfront and marsh-front lots for custom-home building. Because of the open acreage, the area is also popular for equestrian enthusiasts. Lots on the Intracoastal Waterway can run around $475,000 for 1.5 acres, but farther away from the water, 4-acre lots sell for around $400,000. Large country retreats with a full range of amenities are also in the $400,000 range. Lots that average about an acre in the Bulls Bay Golf Club development can run anywhere from $275,000 to $475,000.
Awendaw jobs providers are limited to construction, agricultural, government, marinas, restaurants and other miscellaneous small businesses. The best bet for employment in Awendaw is commuting to Mount Pleasant. Several rural Charleston County public schools serve the Awendaw area, including St. James-Santee Elementary School, McClellanville Middle School and Lincoln High School.
