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 83% of Cobu users regularly engaging through weekly events, 23 interest groups, chat, and a neighbor marketplace.
Located at 3800 Zephyr Road in Summerville, residents connect through interest groups such as Foodie Group, Pickleball, and Gym Goers, plus a vibrant community chat.
The community hosts an average of 3 events per month, here are a few recent examples: Paint & Sip, Farmer's Market, and Sunset Rooftop Yoga.
The Ames hosts 3 community events on average every month. Here's what's coming up and what recently happened.
32 RSVPs 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.
22 RSVPs 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.
77 RSVPd Unwind with an evening of painting, charcuterie and wine at our Paint & Sip night. Each guest will receive a paint-by-number kit, making it easy for all skill levels to relax, follow along, and leave with a finished piece to be proud of. Enjoy a selection of wines and light charcuterie bites as you create and connect with your neighbors! While supplies last. Please express interest - it helps us plan better! Plus, you'll get reminders.
97 RSVPd Our annual produce stand is back for its 3rd year! Stop by to fill a complimentary bag with a fresh selection of seasonal produce while supplies last. While you’re there, grab a complimentary coffee from Good Company Cafe and flowers from SodaPop Flower Stop! Please express interest - it helps us plan better! Plus, you'll get reminders.
44 RSVPd Relax and recharge at our Sunset Rooftop Yoga event, where an experienced instructor will guide a complimentary golden hour yoga session designed for all levels. After class, stay and take in the sunset views while enjoying your choice of an open-can cocktail or refreshing mocktail. Please express interest - it helps us plan better! Plus, you’ll get reminders.
The Ames residents have formed 23 active interest-based groups. Here are the most popular.
This group is a convenient destination for residents to discover, buy and sell items in your building. Post items or inquire about items in the discussions.
Open To All Residents
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!
Open To All Residents
Let's Play!
Open To All Residents
Group for people needing gym partners for encouragement, and support. Make the gym area less awkward.
Open To All Residents
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!
Open To All Residents
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!
Open To All Residents
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.
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.
