Jack & Cathi Soullier Plant New Seeds at Carnes Crossroads

November 23rd, 2016

Jack Soullier is what you might call a landscape-enthusiast. The former Seattle resident, an advanced master gardner with degrees in landscaping technology, design and horticulture, reaps what he sows. Before planting something new, he first carefully evaluates whether conditions are optimal for the plant’s nourishment and growth. So when he and his wife, Cathi, started thinking about setting down roots of their own in a new community as they prepared for retirement, they applied those same practices in determining where to go.

“We liked the Carolinas area because we didn’t want to see snow anymore!” said Cathi. They had previously owned property in Bluffton, SC, so they were familiar with the Palmetto State’s offerings.

Both natives of Michigan, Jack and Cathi also knew a cross-country move from Seattle to South Carolina would mean they would be a bit closer to family and friends. And Jack, an employee development specialist at Boeing, saw a potential track to continue his career at the company’s North Charleston plant. So when it came time to take a vacation in 2014, they decided to dig in and explore the area. Jack had a friend who used to live on Daniel Island, so they started there.

“We both love the ocean and we love Charleston,” said Cathi. “So we knew we wanted to come somewhere around here (in retirement)…We came down and went to Daniel Island and then someone told us about Carnes Crossroads.”

Carnes Crossroads was a bit more affordable to them – and it was an up-and-coming community being developed by the Daniel Island Company. To Jack and Cathi, it could be an investment ripe with opportunity.

“We knew that the bang for the buck was going to be at Carnes Crossroads,” said Jack. “So we came up here and it’s like ‘wow,’ you get so much more for your money.”

Jack and Cathi credit Daniel Island’s reputation, and their “awesome” Carnes Crossroads real estate agent, Dana Jenkins, with helping to seal the deal.

“We loved the idea of Daniel Island,” continued Jack. “We knew they were building this community with the same idea. And we liked that.”

“We just got a really good feeling about this place,” added Cathi. “It has such a neighborhood feel.”

About a year or so later, when a new position opened up at Boeing in North Charleston, Jack and Cathi decided it was time to make their move. In April of 2015, they set up shop at a rental property in Summerville, and quickly decided to build a new David Weekly home in Carnes Crossroads.

“We’ve had old homes and renovated homes, and we’ve been our own builders before,” said Cathi. “So this isn’t our first rodeo! We like the idea of getting something new and doing everything that we want to do.”

That meant having plenty of space for Jack to work on his stained glass art hobby, as well as a yard for him to craft his landscaping magic. For Cathi, a screened porch was a must – and room for guests to visit.

“We built this house around all the things that we love,” said Jack.

Jack Soullier teaches a class on gardening to Carnes Crossroads residents at the Green Barn.

The couple officially moved in last February – and it’s safe to say they have been happily planted ever since. While not at work, or tinkering in his garden or on house projects, Jack teaches horticulture classes to residents at the Green Barn. Cathi enjoys serving as his teaching assistant and helping to keep the house property decorated for seasonal holidays. Both also love the community’s close proximity to the interstate and the connectivity it offers to other parts of the Charleston region, as well as the neighborhood’s diverse age group. But the best part has been a healthy harvest of new friends.

“We love the people here,” added Cathi. “We’ve formed some really nice friendships. They’re like family. It’s been really fun.”