Essential Tips for Relocating or Moving to Lexington SC in 2025: Communities, Education, and Property Insights
- Mandy Saunders
- Nov 18, 2025
- 7 min read
Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to find the perfect neighborhood, good schools, and a home that fits your lifestyle. Lexington, South Carolina, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it a popular choice for families, professionals, and retirees alike. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about relocating to Lexington in 2025, including the best communities, school options, lake activities, and current real estate trends.
image-url "Lake Murray shoreline with homes and boats in Lexington, SC", "A scenic view of Lake Murray with residential homes and boats docked along the shore in Lexington, South Carolina"
Quick snapshot — is Lexington & Lake Murray a good move in 2025?
Yes — Lexington offers a blend of small-town charm with quick access to Columbia, strong public schools in parts of the county, and abundant lake recreation on Lake Murray. Local housing markets have been relatively stable with modest price movement and continued buyer interest in lake and family-oriented neighborhoods. (See market details below.)
Neighborhoods to Consider in Lexington
Lexington has a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own character and amenities. Choosing the right community depends on your lifestyle, budget, and preferences. Top neighborhoods & areas buyers ask about
(Neighborhoods listed below are popular search targets and frequently requested by relocation clients.)
Saluda River Club — upscale, private River community popular with buyers wanting amenities and a more rural planned estate feel. Features dual clubhouses (including an adult-only one), multiple pools, walking trails, river access, a gym, and lush outdoor spaces.
Ashton Lakes / Ashley Oaks / Autumn Woods — established subdivisions close to Lexington town center with mid-range pricing and good commute access.
Governors Grant / Turners Pointe / Spence Plantation — family-oriented neighborhoods often sought by buyers focused on schools and large yards with mature trees.
Lake Murray communities (Chapin, Lexington lakeshores, Irmo areas) — for waterfront or near-water living; includes everything from modest docks to large estates. Demand for well-priced waterfronts tends to be strong. Zillow
Tip for buyers: If lake access or a dock is important, confirm dock permits, HOA rules and shoreline access before making an offer. Sellers: highlight dock/boat infrastructure in listings — it’s high-value copy for Lake Murray buyers.
Additional Communities
Timberlake Country Club
The only full-service golf course directly on Lake Murray. This community offers golf course views,18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts,fitness center, walking trails, and access to Lake Murray. It’s ideal for families who enjoy outdoor activities and a close-knit neighborhood feel.
Kingston Harbour – Lake Murray Community
Why Families Love It: Ideal for water-loving families, one of the few gated neighborhoods offer exquisite lakefront lifestyles. Kingston Harbour offers lakefront homes from the $300s to over $1M, surrounded by beautiful hardwood trees. It’s a private, peaceful community with 80 acres, tennis courts, resort-style pool, access to docks, and walkable streets.
Active Adult and Retirement Communities
Cross Creek
This 55+ community that caters to active adults and retirees, offering low-maintenance lifestyle homes with zero yard maintenance, a cabana for social club gatherings, pickleball courts and proximity to shopping and medical offices. In 2024 construction began on 51 planned single-story homes that range from 1,672 to 2,032 square feet with three bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached two-car garages.
Golden Hills
Gated golf course living and amenities like a clubhouse, pro shop, pool, tennis, walking paths, and a country club atmosphere. Golden Hills provides strong home values, excellent location and a relaxed lifestyle for those looking to relocate without sacrificing comfort.
Madison Park
Madison Park in Lexington, SC is a warm, welcoming community with modern homes that fit a variety of lifestyles. You’ll find open floor plans, stylish kitchens, and great outdoor spaces like covered porches and fenced yards—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The location is unbeatable, with easy access to major highways, shopping, dining, parks, and all the conveniences of Lexington. Families also love that it’s zoned for highly rated Lexington County schools. With beautiful homes and a fantastic location, Madison Park is an easy place to fall in love with.
Kelsey Glen
Families Love It: Known for its tranquil pond setting, mature trees, and custom homes. Offers a friendly atmosphere with a community pool, playground, and peaceful aesthetics. Zoned for Lexington One schools such as Rocky Creek Elementary, Beechwood Middle, and Lexington High. Close to downtown and Lake Murray.
Lake Murray communities (Chapin, Lexington, Leesville, Gilbert, Prosperity, Irmo areas) — for waterfront or near-water living; includes everything from modest docks to large estates. Demand for well-priced waterfronts tends to be strong. Getting stronger every year!
How To Pick The Right Neighborhood
Walk / drive the area — observe commute patterns at rush hour, check sidewalks and nearby amenities.
Confirm school zones — get the exact address zone before you write an offer.
Check HOA & dock rules if you want subdivision amenities and/or lake access.
Compare days-on-market & price history for similar homes — that tells you negotiation range. (I provide market comps for every property I list or show.) Zillow
Schools — what parents should know
Lexington County has multiple school districts and several highly-regarded schools. Districts or zones differ widely — some precincts score highly in statewide rankings and niche lists, which makes school zoning essential when choosing a neighborhood. When clients ask, I pull the exact school zone for a property and compare test scores, specialty programs, and feeder patterns. For district-level reputation, Lexington County School District One ranks well in local comparisons.
Action: Ask your agent (me!) for the up-to-date school boundary for any listing — boundaries change and strongly affect resale value and buyer demand.
Highlighted Education Options in Lexington and Surrounding
Public Schools
Lexington County School District One serves the area with a strong reputation for academic achievement and extracurricular activities.
Lexington High School
Known for its advanced placement courses and competitive sports teams.
River Bluff High School It was the first EL Education high school in the state and emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and a commitment to building a better world.
Gilbert High School The school is known for its strong community focus and commitment to developing "World-Class Skills" through a supportive environment
White Knoll High School
Known for its embraced motto "Believe, Achieve, Succeed." Offering Advanced Placement (AP) classes such as Public Health and Medical Studies.
Private and Charter Schools
Lexington Christian Academy
A private school emphasizing faith-based education and college preparation.
Heritage Christian Academy
A small private Christian academy that offers a classical Christian curriculum, strong academics, and provides students with the instruction to practice that which is true, good, and excellent.
Northside Christian Academy
Often ranked in the top tier schools focusing on classical faith-based education principles, strong academics, critical thinking skills, with a supportive community.
Higher Education Nearby
University of South Carolina - Lancaster
Located about 30 minutes away, it offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in various fields.
University of South Carolina
Offers more than 350 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, career-enhancing certificates and specialties. The main campus is within a 20-minute drive of Lexington.
Clemson University
A beloved leading public research institution located in the upstate of South Carolina.
Lander University
Ranked #12 in Regional Colleges South and #2 best colleges for Veterans (2026 edition of USNEWS.com). Offering high-demand and market-driven programs to ambitious and talented students.
Moving logistics & community highlights
Commute: Lexington is convenient for many Columbia workers — typical commute times depend on neighborhood and exact route.
Shopping & dining: Downtown Lexington and nearby retail centers have a strong local food scene and community events.
Healthcare & services: Several major hospitals and clinics are within easy reach of most Lexington neighborhoods.
Enjoying Lake Life in Lexington
Lake Murray is a major attraction for residents and visitors. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities that enhance the quality of life in Lexington.
Boating and Water Sports
Residents enjoy boating, jet skiing, and paddleboarding on Lake Murray. Several marinas provide boat rentals and storage, making it easy to get on the water.
Fishing and Wildlife
The lake is home to bass, catfish, and crappie, attracting fishing enthusiasts year-round. Nearby parks offer trails and picnic areas for family outings.
Purple Martins Purple Martins are migratory swallow-birds that roost by the hundreds of thousands on Bomb Island in Lake Murray each summer, creating an incredible aerial spectacle at dawn and dusk.
Lakeside Dining and Events
Lexington features several restaurants with lake views, perfect for casual dining or special occasions. Seasonal events like fireworks and festivals often take place along the shoreline year-round.
Lake Murray — buying & selling specifics
Waterfront vs. near-water: Waterfront brings premium pricing and additional maintenance/insurance considerations. Near-water homes can deliver a lifestyle at a lower cost.
Boat access & docks: Dock permits and maintenance are critical. Ask sellers for dock records and survey boundaries.
Seasonality: Spring and early summer listings attract the most lake shoppers — time your sale for peak exposure when possible.
Real Estate Trends in Lexington for Today
Understanding the local real estate market helps you make informed decisions when buying a home.
Market Overview
Lexington’s housing market remains competitive but balanced. Home prices have seen steady growth, reflecting the area’s popularity and economic stability. Local portals show median listing prices in the low-to-mid $300Ks for many Lexington zip areas.
Median home price: Approximately $350,000
Average days on market: Around 30 days
Types of homes: Single-family houses, townhomes, and lakefront properties.
Lake Murray markets show higher medians — many lake-area listings land in higher price brackets; recent data shows median listing prices for Lake Murray-area properties above the Lexington town medians. Demand for well-priced waterfront and near-lake properties remains strong.
Median home price: Approximately $500,000. With deep-water, luxury properties easily selling for over 1 million.
Average days on market: Around 30 days
Types of homes: Single-family houses, townhomes, condos, and luxury waterfront properties.
Buying Tips
Work with a local real estate agent who knows the neighborhoods and market trends.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage to strengthen your offer.
Consider future growth when choosing a neighborhood, including planned developments and school expansions.
Selling Your Home in Lexington
If you’re relocating from Lexington, the market favors sellers due to demand. Homes in good condition and priced competitively often sell quickly. Next Steps
Thinking about buying? Tell me your top priorities (budget, school, lake vs non-lake) — I’ll send a curated list of homes and neighborhoods.
Thinking about selling? Let’s do a free, no-obligation home valuation so you know exactly how much your home could fetch.
Relocating? I can also send relocation packets with local information (schools, commute times, neighborhood breakdowns) to help you decide.
Why Work With Me (Mandy Saunders)
I provide address-level school & market reports before you make decisions.
For buyers, I build custom showing plans so your tours are efficient and focused.
For sellers, I create tailored marketing campaigns — beautiful lake photography, precise comps, and strategic pricing.
My deep experience in Lexington & Lake Murray means I can advise on very specific neighborhood trends, dock-permit nuances, and buyer demand.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us!
Comments