Blythewood, South Carolina, is a suburb of Columbia and is conveniently located about 20 miles Northeast of the City of Columbia. Blythewood has served as a "last stop" before the 75 mile drive to Charlotte, NC on Interstate 77, as it did in the mid 1800's for the railroad. Locals pride themselves on the towns quaint setting and charming neighborhoods. Just recently the Town of Blythewood created a new master plan to construct a multi million-dollar community park to service residents and maintain the country-like reputation that Blythewood is known for.
New developments are becoming popular in Blythewood and offer a variety of amenities and unique characteristics that keep this small town consistent to its original landscape. Many business parks and commercial real estate developments, such as Montgomery Ridge, have maintained the beauty of large estates while incorporating the ongoing changes within the community. Residential real estate developments in Blythewood have also tried to maintain low-density country living. Much of the Real Estate for sale in Blythewood consists of large parcels, equestrian farms, waterfront properties and golf course lots. In relation to homes for sale in Columbia, Blythewood has many differences that Columbia Neighborhoods may not offer. Here are a few that are popular and well known:
Longcreek Plantation
Neighborhoods like Longcreek Plantation offer 1-4 acre homesites with resort style amenities such as golf, swimming, horseback riding, fishing and tennis within the community. Although Longcreek is broken into several neighborhoods, it began as one development in the mid 1970's. The focal point of Longcreek Plantation is Lake Columbia. This is the lake that splits Windemere Golf Course and the Columbia Country Club. Longtown Road, which is the outer band of Longcreek Plantation, consists of a mix of older and newer homes with restrictive covenants prohibiting lot sizes to be split into less than 2 acres. Many of the traditional and contemporary homes in this section contain 4-10 acres and are now in high demand. With the proximity to Northeast Columbia and Fort Jackson, it is no wonder that this is a popular destination for visitors and locals. Neighborhoods that fall within Longcreek Plantation neighborhood include Windemere, Runnymede, Fox Meadow, Westlake Farms, Westlake Woods, Club Colony, Club Cottages, Crescent Lake and The Greens. Home prices have a broad range and homes listed today average just under $400,000.
Cobblestone Park
Originally called The University Club, Cobblestone Park has become a new sensation for Blythewood. Located in the heart of Blythewood, this 700-acre + development offers a plush living environment. The main difference between Longcreek Plantation and Cobblestone Park is that it is filled with new construction of custom homes and small lot sizes. The golf course is the main attraction of this area spanning across the entire improved development and once was home to "Monday after the Masters". There is still an abundant supply of lots for sale on the golf course with some interior lots that have fallen as low as $20,000. Today the average lot price is around $80,000(of the 75 listed on the MLS today) and of the 23 MLS home listings, the average is just above $400,000. In addition to foreclosed lots, there are also a few high-end custom foreclosed homes in this golf community.
Crickentree
Crickentree is another Blythewood neighborhood that is a diamond in the rough. Initially developed as Blythewood Plantation in the 1980's, Crickentree has undergone several exchanges of ownership. It is now officially named The Golf Club of South Carolina at Crickentree and is owned by the same company that owns The Country Club of SC in Florence, SC. In Crickentree you will find custom homes from about $375,000 to nearly $2M in this ongoing development. The challenging 18-hole course also offers some golf front property for sale. Amenities fall slightly short of other developments in the area, but with the new YMCA and the residential development of Lake Carolina neighboring Crickentree, you'll likely find anything that you need minutes from the entrance gates of Crickentree. Crickentree offers more of a traditional neighborhood setting with the benefits of golf.
Ashley Oaks
Ashley Oaks is quite different from the other neighborhoods because it is not geared toward the golf community. I would say that it is a highly desired community with modest homes. A well-known local developer created this neighborhood in a similar high-quality fashion that his other developments in the area known for. His reputation for upholding a "Suburban Blythewood" standard may be one of the contributing factors of Blythewood's popularity. He incorporates quality and affordability for buyers of a median income. Ashley Oaks is filled with a handful of local builders that have been involved in the Blythewood Community throughout the years. The lot sizes here are probably more comparable to that of neighborhoods in Columbia, SC. The design of the neighborhood and the minimal, yet logical, greenspace makes for an inviting environment. Homes for sale in Ashley Oaks today are listed on the MLS starting around $250,000 and up to $545,000. Many of the homes top 3500 SF and are constructed of brick with a crawl space foundation. The neighborhood is located off of Fulmer Road and is truly one of the hidden treasures in the community.
This is just a few of the neighborhoods that are in Blythewood, SC. There are plenty of other small neighborhoods in this area that most buyers are not aware of. I have lived in the Blythewood community since 1985 and know the history and reputation for most of the Blythewood and Columbia, SC area. As a real estate agent I provide a service to the public to help them in real estate transaction as a buyer or sellers agent.
This opinion/article was written on June 15, 2009 and the information of market data reflects this date.
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