$
1.6 million will buy you a 20‑acre private island in Beaufort County, listed at 40 Steady Gittin It Lane. The property is only reachable by boat or a sturdy timber bridge that can handle 24,000 lbs per axle, giving RVs and heavy vehicles easy access. No homeowners association or recurring fees apply.
The island is zoned for a seven‑bedroom house, though no structure currently stands. Infrastructure is already in place: a septic system with a secondary line for an RV hookup, electric service, and a reverse‑osmosis water purification unit. Three acres are set aside for turkey and wildlife conservation, and the deep‑water dock features a boat lift and a floating dock that opens onto Jenkins Creek or the Atlantic.
Because the island is isolated, it offers a secluded retreat or a solid investment opportunity. It sits just 15 minutes from Beaufort and is surrounded by marshes that provide a natural buffer against storms.
For comparison, $1.6 million in downtown Charleston can secure a 3‑bed, 1,945 sq ft townhome. On Johns Island, the same price buys 5 acres for a 3‑bed house. In the nearby Saint Helena area, a 20‑acre parcel with similar infrastructure is also listed for $1.6 million, though it currently lacks a residence.
Other South Carolina options at the same price point include:
* Mount Pleasant’s Old Village: a 1,300 sq ft, 3‑bed, 2‑bath cottage from the 1920s, recently updated.
* James Island’s Creekside: 10 luxury townhomes under construction, starting at $1.6 million for 3‑bed, 2‑bath, 2,112 sq ft units.
* Irmo: a 6,403 sq ft home with 7 beds, 8 baths, and an in‑law suite at 1,053 Jones Road.
* Blythewood: a 5,000+ sq ft house with 4 beds, 5 baths, a pool, and views of the 18th hole on McConnell’s Golf Course, recently reduced by $200,000.
* Augusta: a 6,000 sq ft mansion for $1.6 million, or a 1,680 sq ft, 2‑bed, 2‑bath house on 149 acres (about $925 per sq ft).
* Greenville: homes ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft, plus a new 1,800 sq ft condo two miles from Main Street.
These comparisons illustrate how the island’s price aligns with other sizable properties in the state, yet offers unique advantages: complete privacy, ready infrastructure, and no HOA obligations. In a market where real‑estate values keep climbing, the island presents a rare chance to own a substantial, self‑contained parcel without the typical urban constraints.
