This week’s Bluffton real estate spotlight is on Rose Hill Plantation. Rose Hill Plantation is a private Bluffton community and is totally residential. There are two sections: a golf community on one side of Highway 278 with optional golf membership, and an equestrian community on the other, offering a country lifestyle. Even if we don’t ride horses ourselves, most of us enjoy the ambiance of the open pastures with horses grazing as we go about our daily routines.
My Favorite Things about Rose Hill…
Again, I have asked some good friends to assist me in presenting this article. The first couple is Joe and Mona Huff who moved to Rose Hill in 1989. The second couple is Hal and Peggy Ashworth who purchased their home in 2004. It has been an honor for me to have met and spent time with both of these couples. We met while serving on the orchestra board and shared our love of music. I am delighted they have become great friends and have agreed to share their insights with us.
Mona and Joe: Living in Rose Hill
We love the natural beauty of Rose Hill. “Our property has over a dozen live oaks, dripping with Spanish moss. When Rose Hill was developed, it was not clear cut – thank God. I love to sit in the living room or out on the deck and look out across the Colleton River to Callawassie Island. Watching the natural beauty and wildlife are rejuvenating and relaxing.”
On the equestrian side of Rose Hill, the lots are bigger than other areas, offering great privacy and a sense of space. Some of the properties have multiple acres. The golf side also offers home sites that are larger than most, often in the half acre range.
There are a wide variety of amenities. “I love visiting the barn at the Equestrian Center and seeing the horses. We have “a community dock where we set our crab trap – very “Prince of Tides”. From the original 27 holes of golf, there are now 18 plus a few practice holes. The balance of the golf course has been set aside for open park areas for all homeowners to enjoy.
“The community vibe – neighbors caring about each other.” Caring Neighbors is a volunteer program to assist others by taking them to the grocery, doctor or just spending time with them during times they need special help. Often it becomes a way to meet new people as we may be assisting someone we don’t know.
“Location, location… we are half an hour to the south end of Hilton Head, Savannah and Beaufort with only an hour and a half drive to Charleston.” Life in Old Town Bluffton has become very active and fun and we are just minutes from any number of restaurants there. The Sea Turtle cinema and restaurants off Buckwalter (in new Bluffton) are also just 10 minutes from our house.
Living in Rose Hill has been a great experience!
Hal and Peggy:
Because Rose Hill has full time security, it is comforting to know that you have someone keeping an eye on things while you are away. The guards at the gate are friendly and helpful. They monitor guest passes similarly to other gated communities. Service people are required to sign in and purchase a permit prior to working in the plantation.
The tree canopy is extensive, “especially live oaks. There are great marsh, river and lagoon views” for all to enjoy. The south side of the community also has golf views. For golfers, there are special rates for Rose Hill owners who choose to have membership in the semi-private golf course. There is a rather new tennis facility where locals inside and outside the plantation can take lessons, participate in clinics and enjoy all levels of tennis activities.
The lots on the equestrian side “vary in size, some large enough to have their own barns and paddocks.” The equestrian activities add to the overall ambiance of the area. The Rotary Club sponsors a polo match at the Rose Hill polo field as an annual fundraiser that is well attended by residents throughout the Bluffton community.
Rose Hill has chosen to keep the area very natural. They do not cull the deer which means drivers must be on the alert and plantings that are “deer candy” are not ideal. Since most areas do cull the deer, there are two different points of view on this subject.
The original plantation house, known as Rose Hill Mansion, is located on the equestrian side. It has been restored over the years and adds much to the beauty and southern charm of this community. To learn more about this property visit the Rose Hill Mansion website
There is a community dock, tennis courts and pool along with riding trails on the equestrian side. The golf side has a community pool, tennis club and golf clubhouse with limited dining. “We appreciate having an annual Property Owner’s Association fee of $2,000/year.” We are not bundled into golf as many other private communities are.
“We have enjoyed living here these past 11 years immensely!”