Seabrook Island versus Kiawah Island - The Big Debate

On the south side of Charleston South Carolina, two of the best neighborhoods in Charleston SC are a stone's throw apart. Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island also two of the top South Carolina destinations. 

Charleston South Carolina was named the Top City in the U.S. by Conde Naste Traveler in October 2011. Baby Boomers are taking notice of the best beach communities with resort amenities when owning a second home or at retirement. Beyond downtown, The Islands of Charleston include Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Daniel Island, Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island. For today's discussion, we will talk about the two major islands to the south; Seabrook and Kiawah Island.

While helping buyers find the right vacation or second home, we're frequently asked to compare these two gated communities. Here's a quick recap:

SEABROOK ISLAND                     KIAWAH ISLAND 

2,200 acres                                      10,000 acres 

3.5 miles of sandy beaches          10 miles of sandy beaches

2 golf courses                                      7 golf courses

3 clubhouses                                        5 clubhouses

1 tennis center                                    2 tennis centers

equestrian center                             The Sanctuary Hotel & Spa

marina access                                      Village Market 

POA Dues: $  1,995                             1,358

Golf Initiation: $ 24,000                    150,000 

Golf Dues: $  8,556                               14,544

Social Initiation: $ 12,000                50,000

Social Dues: $  3,408                           5,820

When you visit these two best neighborhoods in Charleston SC, you'll find they differ in many ways. Kiawah Island Golf Resort attracts a larger number of vacationers owning a second home from around the globe seeking to play world class golf, enjoy fine dining and a great beach to bring the kids. The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort makes this possible, a five star hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Guests of the resort have golf access to The Ocean Course, Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point and Oak Point golf courses and eight restaurants. Between the two tennis centers at Kiawah Island, guests have access to 23 Har-Tru tennis courts at the #1 ranked tennis resort in the country. Kamp Kiawah is the children's camp open during the summer time and spring break. Kiawah Island exhibits southern hospitality year round hosting festivals, live entertainment and tournaments.

Affluent families and celebrities continue to build beachfront and golf course homes, some valued over $ 7 million at one of the top South Carolina destinations. Celebrities include Dan Marino, George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Bruce Willis and more. Owning a second home on Kiawah Island reflects presitge and oppulence.

Seabrook Island Charleston is more quaint and intimate. Although some homes are available on a seasonal basis, more residents live year round at Seabrook Island than Kiawah Island. We think of Seabrook Island more like a gated community filled with "The Millionaire's Next Door". These are identified in the popular books as average American's who saved well and don't care if they have Armani logo's or Gucci purses.

The Seabrook Island Racquet Club recently enhanced its tennis facility and is now home to 15 clay tennis courts. Seabrook Island golf courses are private and not available to the public. Seabrook Island has a full service equestrian facility providing boarding and oceanfront horseback riding in Charleston. At their gated entrance, Bohicket Marina and Market has 200 deep water boat slips and 90 dry storage slips for Seabrook Island boat owners. Kiawah Island is close enough to access this marina too.

Seabrook Island has an equal mix of homes for sale under $500k, homes between $500k and $1 million and homes priced over $ 1 million. Kiawah Island is unquestionably a larger gated community, has more amenities to offer and annually will cost you more. Is bigger better? Your checkbook can answer this question rather quickly. With the 2012 PGA Championship on the horizon, we expect home prices to continue to climb at Kiawah Island and Seabrook as interest in one of the top South Carolina destinations is further stimulated.

Now is the time to make your move purchasing in one of the best neighborhoods in Charleston SC or we suggest waiting until the hype settles down in 2013. Ask us for our hot list of properties in Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island you may not find on MLS.

Write us at info@communityfinder.com for a property list.