Fitting in - 5/15/2009

I love Charleston for its scenery, history, climate, diversity of restaurants, beaches, culture.......but, if you are a foreigner, a transfer, that good old Southern hospitality is only for show. It is very hard to fit in to Charleston if you are not born and bred here. So, be a visitor, a tourist, have a winter home here, but don't plan on living/working here full time.

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Weather - 4/13/2009

Mild winter and hot, humid summer.....spring and fall are the shortest and most pleasent seasons

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Charleston's Charm - 3/30/2009

Charleston is a city rich in history, culture, and beauty. From the cobblestone streets to the steepled skyline this southern city is full of charm. Visit the spoleto festival, take a carriage ride by the battery, or tour many of the historic landmarks ~ but don't pass on the opportunity to vacation in Charleston, SC.

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A Healthier Climate? - 2/21/2009

We are considering relocating to SC from Cleveland OH. My physician told me that living in a more moderate climate would mean fewer sinus infections for me. Have any of you moved to SC from the north and noticed an improvement in your health? Is there a cold and flu season in SC?

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this places sucks big time - 1/28/2009

unless you have gobbs of money southerners love money not the person who has it but it makes you more tolerable to them--its 20 years behind most of the rest of the country in every way--if your a racist you will love it herethe same or better --this isa the most overrated state ever-they are lucky god made it so beautiful but i can still think of w/o the insult of being reminded im a yankee, just being a fellow american doesnt quite cut it--if your gay dont come here to live. dont kid yourself the african americans are just as racist as the caucasions.

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I am thinking of relocating to Charleston - 10/28/2008

I have lived in south Florida for the past 4 years and while I love the climate the cost of living is very high and the people very rude. I took an early retirement 4 years ago and have a pension but need to have a small job to supplement my income. Also, I am single. My question? Is this a good place for an attractive middle-aged woman who has not given up on men to live? I am originally from the midwest, so my attitudes are not as conservative as those in the deep south. I have read reviews that said the people are backward and my question is, HOW backward? Can someone give me some examples? I would appreciate any advice I can get.

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Employment - 8/27/2008

Charleston, has very little progression and it is not a place for Women and Minorities to obtain success in their career.

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Bigger City Opportunities, Smaller City Feel - 7/22/2008

I have lived in Charleston for over 23 years and the best part of living here is Charleston has a full range of activities and choices you would find in a bigger city but with a smaller town feel. The people here are true Southern Charm and are quick to respond to their guest as they would their neighbor. The Tri-city area that is referred to as Charleston has a place for every income level or family type. There are activities from the cultural Charleston Symphony to the local bands downtown. There are professional golf tournaments and amateur tournaments. We have the historic district and many plantations, forts and museums. You can taste Charleston in the finest restaurants or at small restaurants with local appeal. The best attraction is you can do all this and be comfortable and not pushed by a big city environment.

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Great art, history, theatre, outdoor activities - 4/15/2008

Charleston has a number of cultural activities and events that will please most anyone. Annully the city hosts Spoleto Arts Festival. In addition the city has a large number of outstanding reataurants. The opportunity to enjoy great seafood is good. With the ocean, rivers and a large lake an hour away, water sports and fishing are excellent.

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A Great American City... - 3/7/2008

Charleston is a city rich in history and charm. Outstanding restaurants, endless shopping, and cultural attractions abound in this peninsular city. I would encourage those who enjoy unique destinations to visit Charleston, SC.

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nice to visit but not to live - 3/3/2008

The good ole boys are very sexist and racist. If you get raped or suffer from domestic violence, the police will tell you that you are the one who did wrong... You should lose weight, dress more sexy, don't go out at night, don't get tattoos as women with tatttoes are soiled doves. We just legalized tattoes and became a free pour alcohol state. They have lots of land but won't let people have decent houses b/c they don't want people moving here. The humidity is terrible...like a sauna and we are #2 on murder under Washington DC and #6 for domestic violence.

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Culture - 2/10/2008

Charleston is a lovely historic city. The preservation of the architecture is important to the city and the inhabitants, and this has created a downtown that is both fun to visit and a wonderful place to live. Against the backdrop of this city is a beautiful harbor, one of the oldest colleges in the country and an international arts festival, Spoleto, which brings people from all over the world. Unfortunately, the beautiful houses and warm winters have brought many newcomers with a lot more money than locals. So the fabric of downtown has changed, since many homes in the historic district are no longer owned and lived in by native South Carolinians. But, all things do change, and that change hasn't cost Charleston to lose its beauty or soul.

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Looking to relocate and need real estate advice - 10/20/2007

My wife and I are looking to relocate to the Charleston area. The Mount Pleasant area seems really nice with good schools but might be a bit too expensive. Any ideas on a town in the area that is up and coming? Maybe the "next" Mount Pleasant"? Thanks!

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Just Visit .... Don't Live Here unless you want to - 8/22/2007

Ah Charleston. You tricky city. You are beautiful, fairly inexpensive to vacation, and have both modern and historical ammenities. But if you are looking to relocate here WAIT! Read this posting and the posting by Brian to get the REAL story. I very briefly relocated to Charleston. I had visited the city several times and was given the impression that it was a very affordable place to live. What I learned is I can live in Charleston if I want to only make an average of $20,000 a year to a job that back home I made $45,000. That was of course if I could find a job. I was in Charleston for over 6 months and applied to over 90 positions and heard from only three employers that took a very long time to get back to you, and then only to offer a salary that wouldn't be even half enough you would need to accomodate the skyrocketing real estate prices there. Do not be fooled--- you do not need to be in an upper class neighboorhood, live downtown, or live by the beach to have soaring rent/real estate prices in Charleston. As Brian said in his post, there is no room for middle class in Charleston, you are either very poor and live in a bad neighboorhood(and yes, there are many) or you are struggling to make ends meet and have to reside with 3 roommates. Please, if you are over 30 years old like I am that roommate thing is not enticing. Average home price in Charleston = $250,00+ to START(and it gets terribly worse from there). Rent for a decent place start at about $750/$800 for a tiny 700 sq ft one bedroom apartment, no utilities included. If you think you may want to rent a home or townhouse, 2 bdrms begin at about $1200/month. When most jobs there only pay $10/hr (for pretty demanding positions) how can you possibly do it? What I learned in Charleston is there is three categories: A. You come from old money B. You are a student receiving help from parents and most likely have roommates C. You are retired and don't have to worry about finding a job. If you are none of the above and do not have an already outstanding paying job....good luck. If you think you are alone in hoping Charleston was a great relocation spot, think again. Everyone is flocking there with the same bird-brained idea I had which is really hurting chances of finding a job as there is much competiton. People only arrive to find sticker shock on everything from their car insurance raising and again especially real estate. Crime is pretty bad there and without a doubt stay away

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Cost of Living Extreme - 8/12/2007

I've lived in Mount Pleasant / Charleston Area for 2 years now, and the cost of rent / homes continues to amaze me. When you compare what the average citizen makes versus what the average cost of rent or home ownership is, it seems impossible for an average person making an average income to live here, and in fact it is impossible. I do not recommend the Charleston area unless you make a pretty good living, a person making 30 - 40k or below a year will feel like they are making 19K as compared to the average cost of living across the United States. Charleston is a city full of Rich and Poor, there is not a stable middle class. Research and think long and hard before making a decision to move to Charleston, the "Lowcountry Lifestyle" and beach are not so attractive when you wonder how your going to pay rent each month, if you live in a decent neighborhood.

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Response to Gay life and any life in Charleston - 8/7/2007

Charleston like many other southern cities is a very conservative, white, good ol boy's city. If you are open, enjoy meeting people from other countries, economic groups, with diverse cultural backgrounds (including the gay scene.) Charleston will not be for you. People are very closed and closed minded. Take this from a northerner who has lived in Charleston and Savannah for seven years. Don't let the beautiful architecture suck you in because the beauty is only facade deep. You will find that it is next to impossible to meet people with any sort or desire to expand their horizons. Whether they are the very rich or not these people meet and travel the world with an ( I am better than you attitude because they are American, white and from the south.) You will find that if you do meet others who are intelligent and open, their general stay time is about 2 years and then they return to where they find others again who love life in an all encompassing way. I wish that it was different. Who is your daddy and what you do is basically your passport into the supper clubs and if you can afford to buy a large house, the invites to the large house party membership will come rolling in. Sorry to tell you all this. I just wouldn't waste my time. There are incredible cities in the US that celebrate life and this isn't one of them.

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Nice place - 7/27/2007

Living in Charleston is surprisingly cheap. We have one of the lowest gas prices in the nation. The rent and utilities are affordable. You'll just spend all your money on the great shopping and food here!

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chs - 7/8/2007

Been here about 3 years. Charleston is a small city with very nice beaches and a nice historic downtown. Lots of great golfing. There's alot of good restaurants and night life in the city but the burbs are relatively undeveloped. Very hot humid summers, but mild winters. The seasons generally consist of very short spring and fall periods. The traffic can be difficult at times but in general is not too bad. City planning for roadworks seems like an afterthought to commercial and residential development, which has been frenetic since I've been here. On average, public schools are not on par with the rest of the state and the state is in general not on par with the country so very expensive private schools should be considered. Not a great deal of industry outside of military support, but a burgeoning aero sector should develop over the coming years, with the addition of some key aerospace companies. Medical U also provides alot of jobs and of course tourism. The people are nice and have a more gentle accent than other parts of the south.

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Charleston Climate in response to previous post - 6/7/2007

I am a Charleston native, having lived their for 20+ years. While I will agree that Charleston is beautiful, historic with many recreation opportunities, it is hot! The previous post said that temps in Charleston rarely exceed 90 degrees in the summer. Perhaps this person visited during a rare summer cool spell. I can tell you that Charleston is very uncomfortable in the summer. The combination of mid 90 degree temps with high humidity levels make it one of the hottest feeling places during the summer. I now live in upstate SC. We routinely hit 90+ in the summmer, but without the humidity. I just wanted to clarify the previous post and make it accurate!

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Charleston SC-----best all-around city that we've - 6/2/2007

My wife & I visited Charleston SC in July of 2006. We were more impressed with Charleston than any other city that we've ever visited. Why? -The city (specifically the Battery) is absolutely beautiful -Multiple nice beaches to visit (Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, etc) -Mount Pleasant (nice neighborhood, shopping, and restaurants) -The weather! Never too cool and (surprisingly) not too hot. We are from Virginia where the temp routinely reaches 90F+ in the Summer...it rarely exceeds 90F in Charleston) -The people are NICE----very NICE. We enjoyed our stay very much. We could hear the Summertime buzzing of insects at night as we walked sidewalks in Mount Pleasant----very relaxing/peaceful. Plenty of amenities/conveniences throughout the city & traffic moves very well with I-526 & I-26. (sure beats I-95!!----come spend a Summer weekend in Fredericksburg if you don't believe me!) There's LOTS to do, friendly people, beaches, great climate----What's not to like? We hope to make it back to Charleston again very soon! The residents are soooo lucky. :)

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