Meet the Jackson Family

Daniel Island families, whether they hail from the Charleston area or out-of-state, often find that they actually have a good bit in common with other families on the island. Whether waiting in the checkout line at Publix or while enjoying a cup of coffee at Blondie’s Bagels & More, you can occasionally overhear the beginnings of brand new friendships. Conversations that sound something like…...

“Oh my goodness, you’re from Cleveland, Ohio, too? We just moved here from Cleveland!”

“Your son just got accepted at Bucknell University? My daughter’s a sophomore there!”

“How awesome that both of our girls are in the same hip hop group! Let’s get together for lunch sometime soon and catch up!”

While the stories may vary, there is one common thread that links all Daniel Island residents: they are thrilled to be able to call this beautiful, laid-back and family-friendly community “home.”

In the spirit of getting better acquainted with our neighbors, we’re visiting families around the island.

Our first stop, the Jackson family, of Daniel Island Drive. The Jacksons are one of the pioneers of Daniel Island, calling the island their home long before there was a Publix, Family Circle, or a connection to Highway 526.

Daniel Island News (DIN):

Can you tell us a little about your family?

Susan Jackson (SJ):

Bart is a certified residential real estate appraiser, owner of Charleston Residential Appraisals and a real estate agent with Charleston Preferred Properties, while I teach Kindergarten at the Daniel Island School. Caroline is a rising freshman at Bishop England and Elizabeth is a rising 6th grader at the Daniel Island School. There’s also Henry, our cat.

DIN: Where are you from originally?

SJ: Bart is originally from Williamsburg, VA and I’m from Lookout Mtn., TN. We met in Charleston and have been married for 16 years.

DIN: What brought you down south?

SJ: Bart graduated from the College of Charleston and stayed after college. I graduated from the University of Georgia and moved to Charleston with friends after college. We both love Charleston and all it has to offer and have never moved away.

DIN: Why did you/your family choose to make Daniel Island your home?

SJ: Bart was appraising some of the very first houses on DI back in the late 90’s. We were engaged and looking in Mt. Pleasant for a place to live after we were married. We really liked the architecture and design of the houses on DI and the overall proposed master plan.

DIN: How long have you lived on Daniel Island?

SJ: We have lived on the island since 1999. We’ve lived in the house we have now for 11 years.

DIN: Where else have you lived on the island?

SJ: Our first house was on Cooke Street.

DIN: Do you have plans to move to any other address/location on - or even off - Daniel Island?

SJ: No plans to move!

DIN: What drew you to live in this particular neighborhood?

SJ: We were living on Cooke Street with Caroline and Elizabeth was on the way. We loved our house with the pond right across the street, but we knew we would need more room. We had watched this house being built and even walked through it during construction and really liked it. We were so surprised when it came on the market and knew it would be sold soon. We set up a showing immediately, made an offer, and have enjoyed calling it home ever since!

DIN: What attracted you to this particular house? What features do you love the most?

SJ: We really liked the open kitchen, big island, and third floor playroom/guest room. Bart enjoys grilling on his Big Green Egg on our back deck almost all year round! I enjoy reading on the side porch. Caroline and Elizabeth enjoy sleepovers with friends on the third floor and the big screen T.V. for movies.

DIN: What does your family love best about living on Daniel Island?

SJ: We love the close proximity to Mt. Pleasant, downtown, and North Charleston. We also love the close-knit community, having the ability to walk or bike to everything on the island and that our girls can have some independence to explore and hang out with friends.

DIN: What is your family’s favorite place to hang out on the island? Why?

SJ: We like to walk up to Orlando’s for the best pizza around, play golf and swim at the DI Club pool and golf course, and hang out at our house with the Wyldlife and YoungLife committee, leaders, and kids.

DIN: Do you ever take day trips/short weekend trips off the island? If so, where have you travelled to?

SJ: We have traveled to New York City, south Florida and the Keys, Tennessee and North Carolina to visit family, but we love to spend the day at the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

DIN: Does your family have any special traditions?

SJ: We go to Sanibel Island with family every June for a fun and relaxing week.

DIN: Having moved to Daniel Island when it was essentially a new frontier, you could consider yourself pioneers. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen, positive or negative?

SJ: We have watched the island develop around us and there have been many big changes (Highway 526 ramps, schools, churches, Publix, gas station, stores, restaurants) in the last 16 years and for the most part, all have been positive. There are many days we don’t leave the island!

DIN: If you could describe your life on Daniel Island in three words, what would those three words be?

Bart Jackson: “Living the dream!”