New in town: Isabella Adkins

The real estate professional and former college golfer traded Tennessee for the Lowcountry for a mix of opportunity and lifestyle.

Age:

23.

Status:

Single.

Current location:

Mount Pleasant, SC.

Moved from:

Bristol, TN.

Own or rent?

I’m currently renting. The process was pretty smooth, but the market moves fast here, so you have to be ready to make decisions quickly. It definitely gave me a good perspective as someone now working in real estate.

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What made you move to the area?

A mix of opportunity and lifestyle. Charleston has been growing fast, especially in real estate, and the quality of life here is hard to beat. The weather, golf, and being near the water all played a role.

Was this move planned or spontaneous?

It was somewhat planned. I knew I wanted to make a move that would set me up long-term, but I didn’t overthink it – I just went for it when the opportunity felt right.

Did you know anyone in town before moving? Were you able to make new friends?

I didn’t know many people coming here, but I’ve been able to meet a lot of great people pretty quickly. Between golf and work, it’s been easier than expected to build connections.

Cost of living here compared to your previous location:

It’s definitely higher in some areas, but I think it balances out with the lifestyle and opportunities here.

Community and culture here compared to your previous location:

Charleston has a really unique mix of Southern hospitality and a younger, faster growing crowd. It feels welcoming but also driven, which I like.

Traffic situation:

Traffic can be tougher than expected, especially during peak hours. Coming from a smaller town, I wasn’t used to traffic being an issue.

One thing you wish someone had told you before moving:

How quickly everything moves here in a good way. It’s a fast growing area with a lot of opportunity, so being ready to take advantage of that early on is important.

Advice for the town mayor:

Infrastructure, especially roads and traffic flow. Growth is great, but it needs to be supported the right way.

What/who would you bring from your old town?

Probably a few close friends and a favorite local spot (Mad Greek) from back home.

Do you call this place home?

I am starting to. Between the relationships I have built, the routine I have here, and how much of my day-to-day life is centered around Charleston, it already feels like home in a lot of ways. I think once you find your people and your rhythm in a place, it naturally starts to feel that way, and I can definitely see this becoming long term for me.

Favorite restaurants:

I tend to gravitate toward steakhouses and higher-end spots. Halls Chophouse and Grill 225 have probably been my favorites so far. Both have a great atmosphere and are the kind of places you can go for a nice dinner or take clients, which I appreciate. I am still working through a long list of spots around Charleston. There are a lot of well-known restaurants I have not tried yet, so I am looking forward to exploring more of the food scene and finding a few go-to places.

Hobbies:

Golf is a big part of my life. I played in college and still spend a lot of time on the course. Outside of golf I focus on fitness and staying active. I usually keep up with trending shows, and I like reading business and self-development books.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I would probably split my time. Charleston for the lifestyle and golf, and then somewhere out west or internationally for a different pace and environment.

What do you do for a living?

I work in real estate and I also caddy on the side.

Why did you choose real estate?

I like that it’s performance-driven and relationship-based. It gives you the ability to build something for yourself while helping people make big life decisions. Golf and caddying have also complemented that well since both are built on trust and relationships.

How are you building your network?

I am very intentional about it. I meet people through golf, caddying, networking events, and by consistently putting myself in the right environments. Golf has been especially valuable since it creates a natural way to connect and build relationships. Social media has also been a big tool for connecting with people and staying top-of-mind.

With all the growth, are there still good opportunities in Charleston?

Absolutely. Charleston continues to see strong demand and steady growth, which creates a lot of opportunity for both buyers and investors. The key is being strategic and having the right guidance. I focus on helping clients identify areas with long-term growth potential and making decisions that set them up for success. With the right approach, there are still plenty of great opportunities in this market.

What’s pulling people to Charleston? What’s missing?

People are drawn to the lifestyle. The weather, the water, the golf, and the overall pace of life make it a very attractive place to live. It is somewhere people feel they can actually enjoy their day to day life. What’s missing is mainly infrastructure keeping up with growth.

Connect with Isabella here.

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