I'on in Mount Pleasant, SC

Moving to I'On in Mount Pleasant, SC

A Neighborhood Built Around a Simple Idea

I'On was designed so people would actually talk to each other. That might sound basic, but it shaped every decision about this neighborhood. The streets are narrow on purpose. Front porches sit close to the sidewalk. Garages are tucked behind homes on shared alleys. The whole layout encourages you to walk, wave, and stop for a conversation.

The community began to take shape in the late 1990s on the site of the old Hobcaw Plantation in Mount Pleasant. It was named after Jacob Bond I'On, a War of 1812 officer who once owned the land. Today, about 800 homes fill out the neighborhood, and it stands as one of the earliest New Urbanist communities in the Southeast.

What Makes the Design Different

I'On doesn't look or feel like a typical subdivision. The streets curve and deflect intentionally to slow traffic to about 20 mph without speed bumps. There are no cul-de-sacs. Instead, the layout connects everything through a web of sidewalks, trails, and pocket parks.

The architecture pulls from Lowcountry traditions. You'll see Charleston-style singles, double verandah homes, and deep piazzas designed to catch afternoon breezes. Gas lanterns glow at the front of most homes. Shutters are functional, not decorative. Every house was built to match the character of the neighborhood, and that consistency gives I'On a sense of place you won't find in newer master-planned communities.

Green Space and Water Are Everywhere

For a neighborhood with 800 homes, the amount of shared outdoor space is remarkable. I'On has 12 pocket parks, two lakes, two canals, six miles of walking trails, and three crab docks along Hobcaw Creek. The Rookery is a protected wetland area inside the community where egrets, herons, and other birds nest throughout the year.

There's also an amphitheater that hosts community events. People kayak from the boat ramp into the creek. Kids fish from the docks after school. The green space isn't just for show here. It gets used every day.

The I'On Club: What's Included and What's Extra

This is a detail most neighborhood guides gloss over. The I'On Club is separate from your HOA and requires its own membership. It's completely optional. The club offers two pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, and The Lido, a poolside restaurant popular with residents.

Here's what the costs actually look like:

• HOA fees run about $1,650 per year and cover community maintenance, trails, parks, and common areas
• I'On Club family membership has an initiation fee of $32,000, with monthly dues of $490
• Couple membership initiation is $21,000, with monthly dues of $380

Many residents join the club and love it. But it's worth budgeting these numbers separately from your mortgage payment so there are no surprises at closing.

The I'On Design Committee

The reason I'On looks so cohesive is the I'On Design Committee (IDC). Before you make any exterior change to your home, you'll need IDC approval. That covers paint colors, roofing materials, fencing, landscaping, and even mailbox styles.

If you're planning something structural like an addition or a screened porch, you'll need plans from a licensed design professional. There are review fees, and the process takes a few weeks. Interior renovations don't require approval.

This might sound restrictive, but most homeowners see it as a good thing. It's the reason the neighborhood looks the way it does 25 years later. Property values hold up partly because nobody can put up a chain link fence or paint their house neon green.

Community Events Worth Knowing About

The I'On Trust is the nonprofit that organizes most of the community programming. Their calendar stays full. The Fourth of July parade is a neighborhood tradition that draws families from across Mount Pleasant. The annual Oyster Roast is another one people mark on their calendar months ahead of time.

Screen on the Green brings residents together for outdoor movie nights at the amphitheater. There are also art shows, holiday gatherings, and smaller block-level events throughout the year. The social fabric here is strong without feeling forced.

I'On Square: Your Walkable Village Center

I'On Square sits at the front of the neighborhood and serves as the commercial hub. You'll find restaurants, a coffee shop, and small retail spots all within walking distance of most homes. East Cooper Montessori is right there too.

Being able to walk to dinner or grab a coffee on a Saturday morning without getting in your car is a real quality of life upgrade. It's one of the practical perks of New Urbanism that you feel every week.

Flood Zones: A Smart Thing to Check Early

I'On borders Hobcaw Creek, and some marsh-facing lots sit in FEMA AE flood zones. If you're financing a home in one of these areas, your lender will require flood insurance. Premiums depend on your specific property's elevation and distance from water.

Interior lots on higher ground often fall into X zones with much lower insurance costs. The difference between two homes just a few streets apart can be hundreds of dollars a year. Ask for an elevation certificate early in the buying process. You can look up any address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

What to Expect with Lot Sizes

New Urbanism means homes sit close together by design. Yards are intentionally compact, and your neighbors are nearby. If you're coming from a neighborhood with large setbacks and wide side yards, this will feel different.

Most people adjust quickly because the trade-off is all that shared green space. Your personal yard might be small, but you have 12 parks, miles of trails, and waterfront docks within a short walk. It's a different approach to outdoor living, and it works.

Location and Access

I'On sits in lower Mount Pleasant, which means shorter commutes than neighborhoods farther north on Highway 17. Downtown Charleston is about 10 minutes away via the Ravenel Bridge. Sullivan's Island is roughly 15 minutes. Shem Creek is right around the corner.

For families, I'On is zoned for highly rated schools including Jennie Moore Elementary. Lucy Beckham High School, which opened in 2021, serves the area and has earned a strong reputation quickly. If you're exploring other neighborhoods in the area, check out nearby Old Village for a different feel with a similar walkable character.