The No. 1 item on many home shoppers' wish lists is this: Find a house in a well-to-do community that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Yet more times than not, potential buyers eventually strike through their dream objective -- reluctantly conceding they won't wind up with property that's marketed at a reasonable dollar figure and possessing a sought-after address.

Now builder D.R. Horton believes it has come up with an answer: The Peninsula, a development off Clements Ferry Road that has more than 230 homes and 80 townhomes.

The community, built among the pine forests of southern Berkeley County, is within the Charleston city limits and just a few miles from Interstate 526.

The subdivision has had all types of residents move in. "Basically, they are first-time homebuyers but obviously, we see quite a few people downsizing as well," said Theresa Lufkin, sales associate.

The Peninsula is divided into three areas: Island Club townhomes, and Waters Edge and River Landing homesites. Sidewalks run throughout the sections. Homebuyers have a range of square footage from 994 to 2100 in floor plans. HOA fees are in the $375/year range.

The first construction phases were townhomes on River Reach Road near the entrance to The Peninsula and single-family dwellings near the amenity center. Future phases were townhomes on Island Club Drive and single-family homes between River Reach Road and Peninsula Cove Drive.

The Island Club models include one and two story townhomes, many with screened in porches. They range in size from 994 to 1750 square feet. Some townhomes are fee simple, while others are on a regime. Be sure to ask when considering the neighborhood. Regimes run in the $175/month range.

The single family homes, which are vinyl-sided with brick highlights available on some models, range from two to four bedrooms and 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 baths. The homes and range in size from 1100 square feet to 2,106 square feet.

Single-family homes are built with one- or two-car garages. Typical features include maple cabinets, great rooms, vaulted and sloped ceilings and enclosed porches called lanais.

Depending on the plan, options can include sunrooms, media rooms, fireplaces, bay windows and structured wiring to permit owners to hook up high-speed Internet and Surround Sound.

"We've got a quite a variety," Pencarinha said. "It's been real successful for us."

In addition, the Peninsula has an eye-catching, centrally located amenity center that includes playgrounds, a large pool and a red and white bathhouse topped by a cupola (a roof fixture that, incidentally, is incorporated in the neighborhood logo).

Island Club townhomes have a separate pool.

The Peninsula has benefited from strong sales. "I think it surprised us," Pencarinha said, even though the builder believes it is offering popular home styles in an attractive area.

Formed as a family business 30 years ago, D.R. Horton has grown to be the largest homebuilder in the United States by volume. The company is in 20 states, including South Carolina. Its developments are along the coast, from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island to Greater Charleston.