A Word From We…The Invaders

I remember the day Diane and I said to each other…”this is where I want to retire”. We fell in love with the History, Architecture, Climate, Beaches, Walkability, Food and the People.

I often tell native Charleston residents that we are here to assimilate. We want Charleston to remain the charming city that drew us here.

To help hold onto the Charleston we fell in love with, we share all things “Local”. Let’s all strive to live like a Local…Gator!

Click here to share any local events or businesses you would like to see featured.

SUBTLE SOPHISTICATION

West Ashley or, as it is more formally known, West of the Ashley is actually not its own city, but rather a vibrant district of Charleston located on ‘the other side’ of the Ashley River. In fact, its residents account for almost half of the city’s 120,000+ residents. West Ashley is flanked by the scenic waterfront vistas and marshes of the Ashley and Stono Rivers and colored by its famed ancient moss draped oak trees. Its initial neighborhoods were developed in the 1950s with its largest growth occurring throughout the 1970s and 80s. Its commercial and residential popularity exploded with the building of Interstate 526 the early 1980s and the Glenn McConnell Parkway in the 1990s. Today, it boasts inviting neighborhoods and funky retailers and restaurants as well as big box retailers and its own ‘auto mile.’ West Ashley is also home to great natural beauty and a large slice of history. Middleton Place, Ashley Hall and Magnolia Plantation are situated there as is Charles Towne Landing.

Restaurant Scene Exploding

The West Ashley restaurant scene offers a diverse range of dining experiences, from casual to upscale, with numerous options for both local and visitor dining

Check Out:

The Glass Onion - The Glass Onion is one of Charleston’s original Southern home-grown, locally focused, all natural restaurants. Owner and Executive Chef Chris Stewart brings his love for Southern comfort food to every dish, supporting local farmers and organizations. His menu is inspired by his roots in Alabama and experiences in New Orleans and the Lowcountry.​

Palmira Barbecue - Palmira Barbecue’s name is an homage to Hector’s grandmother, who grew up on a sustainable cattle ranch. It all began with the idea to create wood-fire barbecue using only local meats and serving carefully crafted sides to create a unique barbecue experience.

R Kitchen - Our five course tasting menu is recreated every day by combining seasonal ingredients with the inspiration and imagination of our chefs.

Click Here for an interactive map of restaurants in West Ashley.

Real Estate - West Ashley

West Ashley real estate offers something for everyone…from affordable condos and townhomes to multimillion dollar waterfront estates.

Click Here for listings in West Ashley

More About West of the Ashley

Click Here to discover more things to love in West Ashley!