James Island real estate is offered in a wide selection of housing from comfortable, older neighborhoods to fresh, newly developed areas. Many real estate developments are centered around the abundant natural beauty. James Island, an established island community, is bounded by Charleston Harbor to the east and the Clark Sound to the south. The Stono River borders the western side of the island. James Island is located west of peninsular Charleston. Driving over tidal creeks and marshes on the James Island Connector offers spectacular views of Charleston's harbor and peninsula. Shopping on James Island can be found on Folly Road (SC 171). Due to the convenience and accessibility of downtown, the island has seen an upsurge in residential development.  James Island is served b the  Charleston County School District .

For those people who like to fish, living in the Charleston area is a dream come true! Many different fish are available to inshore fishermen and include spotted seatrout, red drum, black drum, flounders, whiting, Spanish and king mackerel, sheepshead and crevalle jack. Summer fishing is slower compared to spring and fall and is better at dusk and dawn when temperatures are a little cooler. During this time of the year, estuaries and coastal waters are filled with a variety of bait fishes and shrimp which are preyed upon by game fish. As a result, live baits will catch more fish than artificial lures at this time. Offshore fishing yields an infinite variety, including everything from sea bass on the reefs to blue marlin in the Gulf Stream.