Habersham - Southern Living

Laurey Glenn

Beaufort, South Carolina

Imagine strolling a street lined with live oaks draped in Spanish moss, stepping into a coffee shop for a morning pick-me-up, and crossing the street to wander through a grassy park near the marsh, all without leaving your neighborhood. In Habersham (www.habershamsc.com), you can enjoy these pursuits and more just steps from your front porch.

Laurey Glenn

Lowcountry Living

We picked a site in the Lowcountry because it typifies an easy, laid-back lifestyle that our readers love. Sugarberry Cottage is a traditional clapboard cottage with shed dormers constructed on brick piers that are commonly found in coastal Carolina. The home can comfortably sleep six and makes a great retreat.

Laurey Glenn

Best Neighborhood Design

Habersham, recently recognized as the "Best Neighborhood Design in America" by the National Association of Home Builders, takes its cues from the architecture of a bygone era. Porches rest close to the streets, encouraging residents to stop and chat. The town center is small, but it has everything a family needs within walking distance. Parks are sprinkled throughout the development to provide places to breathe in the fresh coastal air.

John Tee

Vital Stats

Location: Habersham, just outside of Beaufort, South Carolina
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths
Favorite feature: The wraparound, partially screened front porch is the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by, while offering protection from no-see-ums.
Choose this house: If you want a small-town feel close to the shore with an abundance of arts, culture, and dining options nearby.

Laurey Glenn

What You Might Not Know

Habersham is a community planned in the New Urbanist tradition (www.cnu.org). As a result, Habersham evokes the size and character of an old Southern town. Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) began appearing more than 20 years ago as a partial solution to limiting suburban sprawl. Today, neighborhoods that promote small-town values, great architecture, and a sense of community are continuing to spring up. TNDs offer their residents a great quality of life, well-built and -designed homes, and stable property values.