Living on a barrier island in a community deeply tied to nature, filled with luxury new homes, sounds like a perfect culmination of hot post-pandemic trends—it’s also a reality in Charleston. The planned agrihood community of Kiawah River, located on one of Charleston’s barrier islands, reported record breaking sales numbers for the first quarter of 2021. The National Association of Realtors says agrihoods are a growing movement where communities are created around a farm, perfect for food- and conversation-minded buyers. Kiawah River features multiple farms, a goat dairy, agriculture program, trails, and more, reports Forbes. Its popularity may point toward an emerging trend for communities.
So what exactly is an ‘Agrihood’?
A growing movement in real estate, the National Association of REALTORS® describes agrihoods as “agriculture-based communities constructed around a farm, with the idea of having access to freshly grown produce nearby.” These planned but not cookie cutter-style developments are attracting “food- and conservation-minded buyers” according to NAR. In fact, The Urban Land Institute states there are currently well over 100 agrihood developments across the U.S., with more on the horizon in the coming years.
In the case of the Kiawah River agrihood, buyers are embracing the opportunity to experience aspects of authentic Lowcountry life, as the development includes 2,000 acres of land, including multiple working farms, a goat dairy, and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. In addition to working farms, the community’s natural amenities include a trail network along a maritime forest, 20 miles of shoreline, ample open space for exploration and community gathering along the Kiawah River. According to the official Kiawah River Instagram account, community events include Saturday Social Oyster Roasts, horseback riding outings, and outdoor picnics.