Folly Beach

About Folly Beach

Folly Beach is Charleston's most accessible barrier island and its most eclectic beach community. Known locally as "the Edge of America," this six-mile stretch of sand has a distinctly bohemian, laid-back personality that sets it apart from the more refined beach communities of Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms. Center Street, the main drag, is lined with surf shops, taco joints, dive bars, and ice cream parlors — and the Folly Beach Pier at its end is a local landmark for fishing, surfing, and sunset watching. The Washout, at the island's east end, is the Lowcountry's most popular surf break.

Real estate on Folly Beach is limited by the island's small footprint and strict building regulations. Most properties are either single-family beach houses (many elevated on pilings) or small multi-unit buildings. Prices range from around $500,000 for smaller inland homes to well over $2 million for oceanfront properties. Many homeowners on Folly Beach use their properties as short-term vacation rentals when not in residence, which helps offset the higher costs of island living. The island's compact size means everything is within biking distance, and most residents embrace a car-optional lifestyle once home.

Living on Folly Beach full-time is a lifestyle choice — groceries and most services require a drive to James Island or West Ashley, the island can get crowded with tourists during summer months, and flood insurance is a significant expense. But for those who want to wake up to the sound of waves, walk to the beach every day, and live in a community that values authenticity over polish, Folly Beach is hard to beat.