Kiawah Island is a town and island located off the southeastern coast of South Carolina, situated in the region’s Lowlands. The island gets its name from its first known inhabitants--the Kiawah Indians, who were hunters and fishers on the island for nearly 4,000 years. Upon the arrival of European settlers in the 17th century, the Kiawah population diminished, and in 1675, they relinquished the territory to the English Lords’ Proprietor, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftsbury. Throughout the next three centuries, the island would pass through the hands of rumored former pirate Captain George Raynor, wealthy indigo planter and cattle rancher John Stanyarne and his daughters, and finally Charles Clarence “C.C.” Royal, who in 1950 purchased the island and subdivided it into 65 lots, all of which he sold to his friends, including the Governor of South Carolina.

Today Kiawah Island has a population of just over 1,000 people, and is considered a premier resort community that seamlessly blends an air of sophistication with casual island living. The natural beauty and climate of Kiawah lends itself to outdoor recreation, offering an array of opportunities including biking, hiking, boating, bird watching, and swimming. The island has 123 acres of parks and 10 miles of sandy beaches to enjoy, but perhaps what Kiawah is most known for is its golf courses. Kiawah Island is home to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, comprised of 5 amazing courses; all designed by golf’s highly acclaimed athletes and golf course architects. Kiawah’s famed Ocean Course, featured in the film The Legend of Bagger Vance, has hosted both the Ryder Cup and Senior PGA Championship tournaments.

With so much to offer, Kiawah is not only a wonderful place to vacation, but also to live. Real estate on Kiawah Island varies from one bedroom villas, to cottages, to grand oceanfront estate homes, in a wide range of prices from $300,000 all the way up to $18,000,000. With over 15 neighborhoods, and nearly 20 villa and cottage areas, the Kiawah real estate market has something for everyone. The neighborhood of Cassique features English-style hedgerows, beautifully landscaped ponds, and low-level street lighting. Homes in Cassique feature 19th century English country design, and a community homeowner’s association provides landscape maintenance and security. The community of Maritime offers luxury villas located within a majestic oak forest. The villas have the feel of shingle-style architecture, featuring requisite porches, eyebrow windows, and shutters. Residents are within walking distance of many Kiawah Island amenities, including the Turtle Point golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The prestigious neighborhood of Vanderhorst Plantation, named after one of the island’s wealthiest 19th century residents, features luxury living at its finest. The stunning homes in Vanderhorst Plantation offer a variety of views, from ocean, forest, golf, marsh, lagoon or river. The private Kiawah Island Club is located in this area, along with three of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s courses—Osprey Point, The River Course, and The Ocean Course.

No matter in which area of Kiawah you choose to live, you are choosing to live luxuriously. Whether you are looking for a quiet oceanfront villa, or a plantation-style estate, the real estate market of Kiawah Island has your next dream home.

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