See what residents are actually saying about life at The Ames — straight from the community that calls it home.
The Ames is one of Summerville's most active resident communities, with 84% of Cobu users regularly engaging through weekly events, 27 interest groups, chat, and a neighbor marketplace.
Located at 3800 Zephyr Road in Summerville, residents connect through interest groups such as Gym Goers, Foodie Group, and Pickleball, plus a vibrant community chat.
The community hosts an average of 3 events per month, here are a few recent examples: Tacos and Trivia, Pool Party, and Coastal Craft Night.
The Ames hosts 3 community events on average every month. Here's what's coming up and what recently happened.
Upcoming 35 RSVPs Get ready for cozy season! Join us for a hands-on candle making session with Alchemy and Fire Candle Co. Choose your favorite custom scent blend, pour your own candle, and enjoy light charcuterie and wine. Two sessions available, 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, 20 spots each - please RSVP for your preferred time. Space is limited, so pick one!
Upcoming 35 RSVPs Get ready for cozy season! Join us for a hands-on candle making session with Alchemy and Fire Candle Co. Choose your favorite custom scent blend, pour your own candle, and enjoy light charcuterie and wine. Two sessions available, 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, 20 spots each - please RSVP for your preferred time. Space is limited, so pick one!
Recent 57 RSVPd Grab your seat for a Taco Tuesday to remember - dig into tacos from Tiki Taco while you battle it out in a trivia showdown, with prizes on the line for the winning team. Come hungry and bring your A-game! Tacos are while supplies last. Please express interest - it helps us plan better! Plus, you'll get reminders.
Recent 53 RSVPd Get ready to make a splash at our 3rd Annual Pool Party! Join us for an afternoon of summer fun featuring a live DJ, hot dog bar, and popsicles. Rock your best red, white, and blue and beat the heat poolside with your neighbors for a day you won't want to miss! Please express interest - it helps us plan better! Plus, you'll get reminders.
Recent 37 RSVPd Join us for a Coastal Craft Night and let your creativity shine! Choose from a variety of supplies to make your very own custom shell creation - whether that's a keychain, bag charm, hair clip, picture frame, or more. To top it all off, Salt & Sun Sodas will be on-site serving up complimentary dirty sodas to sip on while you craft - making it a fun summer night with your neighbors! Please express interest - it helps us plan better! Plus, you'll get reminders.
Groups are open to all residents. The Ames residents have formed 27 active interest-based groups. Here are the most popular.
Group for people needing gym partners for encouragement, and support. Make the gym area less awkward.
Welcome to the foodie group! We're all about food and friends. You can expect us to get together often to share everything from potlucks to take-out, taco trucks to prix-fixe, and cooking up our own culinary delights too. What to bring? This will vary by gathering so check the description for details or ask in the discussion section — and always be sure to bring a healthy appetite! Have an idea for our next foodie adventure? Schedule a gathering and let's eat!
Let's Play!
A hint of nutmeg..." Welcome to the tasting group! In this group, we explore the world through our sense of taste: wine, beer, whiskey, cocktails - you name it! You can expect us to get together often to share our favorite things to taste or go out to a restaurant or bar for a more formal tasting of something special. What to bring? This will vary by gathering, but always be sure to bring your taste buds! Be sure to check the gathering's description for details and whether you should bring your own favorite beverage to share with the group. If in doubt, start a discussion thread. Have an idea for the next tasting adventure? Schedule a gathering!
Here, doggy! In this group, we and our canine companions will get together regularly to do fun activities like walks in the neighborhood, trips to the dog park, and puppy play dates. What to bring? This will vary by gathering so always be sure to check the gathering's description for details or ask in the discussion section. When in doubt, don't forget your leash, ball, & some poop bags! Have an idea for our next puppy play date? Schedule a gathering!
Residents that work from home or have a more open schedule during work hours
Real conversations from verified residents at The Ames community.
Resident-recommended spots in Summerville — the places people who actually live here go to.
Frequently asked questions about community life at The Ames.
The Ames has a genuinely social, active resident community in Downtown Nexton. On the community platform, neighbors have exchanged nearly 2,900 posts and comments and built more than 20 interest groups, including a 116-member Foodie Group, a 114-member Pickleball group, and Gym Goers. Residents return found items, give away furniture, and rally neighbors for pickleball and book meetups.
The Ames hosts a busy events calendar, with 42 gatherings in the past year. Recent highlights include a Farmer's Market that drew 97 RSVPs, a BBQ and Bluegrass night with 89 RSVPs, and a Pi(e) Day celebration with 87. Neighbors have also gathered for a Paint and Sip, a Wreath Workshop and Soup Bar, and a Caribbean Sunset Soiree. Between markets, workshops, and themed parties, there is always something happening.
Yes. The community feed shows neighbors helping each other constantly. Residents return found AirPods and give away a bottle of wine. Interest groups like the Foodie Group (116 members) and Pickleball (114 members) turn casual acquaintances into friends. These everyday moments are strong signals that people here genuinely connect.
Residents have created more than 20 active groups on the community platform. Popular ones include the Foodie Group (116 members), Pickleball (114), Gym Goers (113), and the Tasting Club (68). There are also groups for dog owners, book lovers, remote workers, board gamers, singles, and plant enthusiasts. Whatever your interest, there is likely a group of neighbors who share it.
Yes. The Ames has an active pet-owner community with a 54-member Dog Group on the community platform, where owners connect and share. Residents also pass along pet gear, like a free cat tree, to neighbors. The community is part of Nexton, with an extensive trail network ideal for dog walks, plus on-site pet-friendly spaces. Pet owners will find both neighbors and room to roam.
Residents recommend a mix of Nexton and Charleston-area favorites. For food, Cielo Mexican Kitchen, Taco Boy, and Halls Chophouse come up often. For coffee, neighbors love Summit Coffee, Coastal Coffee Roasters, and Ruby's Bagels. For shopping, Harris Teeter and Target are close, with Azalea Square nearby for a bigger trip. For the outdoors, the Nexton trails, Brown Family Park, and Folly Beach are the go-to spots.
Stories and updates from life inside The Ames.
August opened with a Back to School Bash that brought families together around free school supplies and a golf simulator, and it closed with neighbors lending a hand with everything from practical questions to borrowed tools. Here is a look at the month on our Cobu community platform at The Ames.
The month leaned heavily into two things: getting settled and helping each other out. New arrivals posted introductions, longtime residents traded internet provider tips, and a steady stream of giveaways moved through the feed. Between the resident events, families and newcomers had real reasons to show up and meet people face to face. If the pace of the conversations says anything, it is that people at The Ames are quick to answer a question or help a neighbor.
The School Supplies x Palmetto Mobile Golf Back to School Bash brought families together around a free school supply spread stocked from the Berkeley County supply list. Parents also tried the Palmetto Mobile Golf simulator, with dinner from Alekos Greek Gyros and treats from Whip It Good Ice Cream.
Bouquets & Bubbly brought residents together at a flower bar from SodaPop Flower Stop, a local flower farm. Residents built their own arrangements over mimosas and croissants at the Leasing Office. Both events gave people an easy, relaxed way to connect.
New resident introductions were a recurring theme. Neighbors shared that they were settling in, offered up moving boxes after unpacking, and welcomed others who were still finding their footing.
Practical questions filled out the rest. Newcomers asked for reliable home internet, and neighbors weighed in with Xfinity, AT&T, and Home Telecom. One resident asked for help removing a beehive from a porch, and others explained how to file a maintenance request. Lost-and-found posts also helped neighbors look out for one another.
The Marketplace and free-item posts were some of the busiest of all. Residents listed furniture, electronics, clothing, toys, and moving supplies. Just as often, people gave things away for free, including extra food and packing boxes.
The Pickleball group saw real momentum. One resident posted looking for a casual partner to "level up," and other neighbors replied that they wanted to learn how to play. The Dog Group stayed active too, with a resident sharing vet-approved products they use to protect the grass and landscaping. Other groups like Foodie Group, Tasting Club, Gym Goers, and Work (from) Homeies give residents standing reasons to connect around shared interests. Speaking of the courts and gym, you can see the full list of what residents use on our amenities page.
Food was the standout local topic. A resident pointed newcomers to a downtown Charleston seafood restaurant, while event vendors gave residents a taste of the area through Greek food, ice cream, and locally grown flowers.
This was a month defined by generosity and quick responses. Neighbors gave away food before it spoiled, offered boxes to people mid-move, and helped track down lost pets and packages. New residents were met with welcomes and recommendations rather than silence. It paints a picture of a place where people notice each other and pitch in. If you are comparing layouts, our floor plans show the options that keep drawing new neighbors here.
There is always something forming on the community feed, whether it is a pickleball match, a flower bar, or a free stack of moving boxes. To see it in person and picture yourself here, schedule a tour with our team at The Ames.
People considering a move to Downtown Nexton often ask what it is really like to live at The Ames. The best answer comes from our residents. Our name means "friend," and the activity on our community platform, powered by Cobu, lives up to it. Neighbors have shared nearly 2,900 posts and comments and built more than 20 interest groups around food, fitness, books, and more. They show up for farmer's markets and pickleball meetups, trade local recommendations, and help each other out constantly. It is a warm, connected community, and the daily activity proves it.
The clearest picture of our community comes from the genuine things neighbors do for one another. A resident finds a pair of AirPods and posts so the owner can claim them. Another wins a bottle of wine, can't drink it, and offers it to a neighbor. Residents give away furniture and even a cat tree rather than tossing them. These thoughtful, everyday gestures are what make The Ames feel like a community of friends.
Neighbors here also connect easily over shared interests. Residents rally each other for pickleball games where beginners and pros are both welcome, share book recommendations, and organize casual get-togethers. It all adds up to a place where making friends feels natural.
If you like a full calendar, our community delivers. We have hosted 42 resident events in the past year. Our Farmer's Market drew 97 RSVPs, our BBQ and Bluegrass night brought in 89, and our Pi(e) Day celebration pulled 87.
The variety is part of the fun. Neighbors have gathered for a Paint and Sip, a Wreath Workshop and Soup Bar, a Cupid's Cafe, a Holiday Market, and a Caribbean Sunset Soiree. Many of these events happen in our shared spaces, so it is worth exploring our amenities to see where neighbors come together. The turnout at these events reflects a community that genuinely enjoys spending time together.
The conversations on our community platform show what matters to the people who live here. Food is a constant, with neighbors trading recommendations for Nexton and Summerville restaurants and coffee shops. Practical help is another common thread, from questions about local golf courses to requests to borrow a hand truck. And the marketplace stays busy, with residents buying, selling, and giving away sofas, decor, and pet gear rather than starting from scratch.
Neighbors also use the platform to organize activities, especially pickleball, and to share finds and heads-ups. It is a practical, friendly hub for everyday life at The Ames.
One of the easiest ways to meet people at The Ames is through our resident interest groups, and there are more than 20 to choose from. The Foodie Group leads with 116 members, followed closely by Pickleball at 114 and Gym Goers at 113. The Tasting Club (68 members) and Dog Group (54) are also popular, along with groups for book lovers, remote workers, board gamers, singles, and plant enthusiasts. The sheer range of these groups shows a community with wide interests and plenty of ways to plug in.
Our residents love the Downtown Nexton location, and their recommendations paint a clear picture of the neighborhood. For dining, Cielo Mexican Kitchen, Taco Boy with its greenhouse seating, and the upscale Halls Chophouse with live jazz are favorites. Coffee lovers head to Summit Coffee for seasonal drinks, Coastal Coffee Roasters for its low-acid roasts, and Ruby's Bagels for New York-style bagels.
When residents want to get outside, the Nexton trail system offers extensive, shaded walking and biking paths, and nearby Brown Family Park is loved for its hammock swings and amphitheater. For a beach day, Folly Beach is an easy trip. For shopping, Harris Teeter and Target handle the essentials, and Azalea Square offers a walkable mix of stores nearby. Nearly everything our residents love is close by.
Based on how our residents actually live here, The Ames offers a warm, connected community that lives up to its name. Neighbors know each other, the events calendar stays full, and more than 20 interest groups make it easy to belong. Add a Downtown Nexton location with beloved restaurants, coffee shops, and an extensive trail system, plus Charleston's beaches within reach, and you get a place that feels like home. For anyone who wants a friendly, active community, it is well worth a look.
The best way to understand our community is to experience it in person. Come see the spaces where neighbors gather and picture yourself here. You can explore our floor plans to find the home that fits you, and when you are ready, schedule a tour to see life at The Ames for yourself.
