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Are you considering relocating to Charleston, SC? It’s a great place to live. My wife and I recently relocated to this area, and we both love it here! Living in Charleston is like always being on vacation; there are always new things for us to do, many amazing restaurants, oyster roasts, sites and plantations to visit, and many other community events throughout the year.
The Charleston Metro area is growing rapidly due to the number of people relocating to this area, and it doesn’t appear that the growth will slow down anytime soon. Here is a list of what I consider to be the top 10 Pros and Cons of moving to Charleston:
10 Pros of moving to Charleston, SC
- Beaches
- Historic Homes
- Military History
- Rivers/Streams/Tidal Creeks
- Weather (9 months of the year)
- Parks
- Job Growth
- Colleges
- Hospitals
- Low Property Tax
10 Cons of moving to Charleston, SC
- Heat/Humidity
- Flooding
- Hurricanes/Tornadoes
- Lack of Parking
- Insects
- Alligators
- Traffic
- Construction
- Rent is Expensive
- Sales Tax
Pros of living in Charleston, SC:
1. Beaches
Charleston has some of the nicest beaches in the Nation! Charleston has beaches with smooth sand and great year-round weather for going to the beach! Charleston is surrounded by barrier islands and beaches, including: Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park.
Edisto Beach is also within driving distance to Charleston, but is a little further away than the other 4 beaches. If you are looking for a place to bring the family, go camping, a place to surf, watch for dolphins, look for shark teeth, or a place to go on a walk with the dogs, there is a beach near Charleston for you!
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Kiawah Island Beachwalker Park is my favorite beach near Charleston. Dr. Beach has ranked Kiawah as 1 of the top 10 Beaches in America, and if you visit Kiawah you will see why. The Park offers Showers, Bathrooms, a Picnic area, cooking grills, and a snack bar.
Kiawah’s Beachwalker park is approximately 11 miles long, and is a great place to bring the family. If you walk about 1.5 miles to the South, there is a good location to watch for dolphins during low tide. There is a fee to enter the park; you may pay for 1 day, or purchase a Gold pass that will give you access for 1 year.
Pets: You are permitted to bring your dogs to Kiawah beachwalker Park year round, but there are some restrictions, including critical habitat areas where they are not allowed (Click Here for a pet restraint map). There are certain times/locations where a dog is permitted to run off-leash.
Sullivan’s Island
Kiawah is my favorite beach to visit near Charleston, but Sullivan’s Island is a close 2nd. There are multiple locations to access the beach in Sullivan’s Island, but my favorite location is near Fort Moultrie, which played a part in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War II.
The beach on Sullivan’s Island seems to attract less people than Folly Beach and Kiawah, and is a great location to visit for a relaxing day on the beach. There is no fee to enter the beach on Sullivan’s Island.
Pets: A Pet Permit is required (as of August 2022, Permits are $25 for residents of Sullivan’s Island, and $50 for all others) to bring your dog to the beach on Sullivan’s Island, which you can purchase at Town Hall. To get the permit, you will also need to provide proof of rabies vaccination (collar tag is not valid proof). Dogs Are Not allowed on the beach May 1st- October 31st from 10am-6pm, but are allowed on a leash from 6pm-5am during these dates. You may also let your dog run off-leash at certain times.
Folly beach
Folly Beach is a popular tourist destination and offers a large pier (currently being replaced) where you can fish (for a fee.) The beach and city offer surfing, volley ball, many surf shops, restaurants, and shopping destinations.
If you are looking for a spot on he beach with less people than Folly Beach, you’ll can drive to the west side off the island, and enter Folly Beach County Park (there is a fee to enter the County park), or you can drive to the east side of the island and view the Morris Island Light House. There is no fee to enter Folly Beach, but there are some locations where you may need to pay for parking.
Pets: Dogs are not allowed on the Folly Beach Pier. Dogs are allowed on the beach year round, but are not allowed on the beach from 10am-6pm May 1st-Dec. 30th.
Isle of Palms County Park
Isle of Palms is a barrier island near Charleston, neighboring Sullivan’s Island. Island of Palms County Park is another beach in the area and a popular tourist destination. There is a fee to enter the county park; you may pay a 1 day fee, or buy a Gold Pass that will allow you access for 1 year.
Pets: Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash at all times. Residents of Isle of Palms are required to purchase a $5 Pet Permit.
Edisto Beach
Edisto Beach is about 48 miles away from downtown Charleston, and is another great beach to visit. Edisto Beach State Park offers a good place to bring the family, and for camping. Close to Edisto Beach, SC is Botonay Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management area.
Pets: Pets are not allowed in the cabins or cabin areas, but are allowed in most other outdoor areas in Edisto Bay State Park.
2. Historic Homes
The Charleston Peninsula is full of historic homes, including homes on Rainbow Row, homes near the Battery, the Calhoun Mansion, and many more historic homes. The Charleston Single Style homes were popular during Charleston’s early history, and were usually a rectangular shape, at least 2 stories tall, and have a porch on the side (piazzas) on each story, and the short side of the home faces the street.
According to some sources, one of the reasons Charleston Single homes were built with this design be able to get a breeze during the hot summer months. Would you like to purchase a historic home in Downtown Charleston? You can, but some homes on the Charleston Peninsula are in the Board of Architecural Review’s (BAR) jurisdiction, and there are certain restrictions on renovating, repairing, and updating your home.
3. Military History
Personally, my favorite thing about moving to Charleston is it’s vast history. I minored in history while I was in college, and I remember reading about Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter during a Civil War class I attended. Charleston has plenty of historic sites, Plantations, Gardens, Museums, Military History, historic homes, Churches, and other historic buildings to visit.
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is location of the first shots fired during the Civil War. What is left of the Fort is now a National Historic Park that you can tour.
Fort Moultrie
Fort Moultrie is located on Sullivan’s Island, and was the site of battles during the Revolutionary War and Civil War. The Fort was named after Colonel William Moultrie, who was in command of the Fort during a British attack in 1776.
The Hunley
The Hunley was the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship (Civil War), and was recovered in the year 2000. The Hunley Museum is a must-see if you are in the Charleston area.
U.S.S. Yorktown
The USS Yorktown is an aircraft carrier that was used during World War 2, and was named after the aircraft carrier that was sunk at the Battle of Midway in 1942. The USS Yorktown was also used used during the Vietnam war, and was decommissioned in 1970. The Yorktown can be viewed at Patriots Point, along with a Medal of Honor Museum, and aircraft from multiple years/wars.
4. Rivers/Streams/Tidal Creeks
Do you enjoy boating, deep sea fishing, fresh water fishing, crabbing, shrimping, or just enjoy a waterfront view? Charleston is known for the great beaches in the area and the Atlantic Ocean, but another perk of moving to Charleston, SC is all the waterways that surround the city. (Example: Ashley River, Cooper River, Wando River, Stono River, Wappoo Creek, etc…). There are many different opportunities to own waterfront property near Charleston, SC due to all the rivers, lakes, streams, and tidal creeks in the area.
5. Weather
The weather in Charleston is great 9 months of the year, and it has a mild winter (rarely you will see snow/ice). The summer months are very hot and humid, but I will take it over the long winters where I am from (Montana). If I am going to do an outdoor activity during the Summer, I usually go first thing in the morning, or before sunset. There is almost always a good breeze on the beaches during the Summer, making the heat much more tolerable. The good news is the summer months are good for Pool/Beach days; (Search homes with a swimming pool, or with a neighborhood pool).
6. Parks
Charleston has a lot of county parks in the area, and they are great place to go for kids, pets, and everyone else. There is: Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park, James Island County Park, North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, and Palmetto Islands County Park, just to name a few. Some of these parks offer a waterpark, dog park, fishing/crabbing docks, community events, nature trails, boat/kayak launch, and picnic/grilling areas.
Tip: Consider purchasing a Gold Pass if you will be spending a lot of time at the parks. My Wife and I purchase one every year, and it is well worth it.
7. Job Growth
The Charleston Metro area is growing rapidly, and part of the reason for this is due to job growth in the area. Boeing, Volvo, and Amazon all employ people near Charleston. Charleston also has a Military base (Joint Base Charleston) Multiple Hospitals (MUSC, Roper, Trident) multiple colleges, and government employers (Chaleston County, Berkeley County, Dorchester County, City of Charleston, etc…).
8. Colleges
Are you thinking about moving to Charleston to attend college, or are you sending a kid to school? There are many good colleges near Charleston, including:
- Charleston School of Law
- Charleston Southern University
- College of Charleston
- Culinary Institute of Charleston
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
- Citadel Military College
- Trident Technical College
9. Hospitals
Charleston, SC has multiple good hospitals in the area (Working as a Paramedic, I have been to most of them). MUSC and Roper Main are in downtown Charleston, Roper St. Francis in West Ashley, East Cooper in Mount Pleasant, and there are more. MUSC’s Children’s Hospital also recently opened in Downtown Charleston. If you plan on purchasing a home near Charleston, I recommend doing some research on the hospitals in the area, some of them have a better reputation than others.
10. Low Property Taxes
South Carolina has some of the lowest Property Taxes in the Nation (5th lowest according to this article), making it a good option if you are planning on retiring, or relocating to Charleston. Here is a look at what you will pay in each State. Click the link below for an estimate of what you will pay in property tax in Charleston County.
Cons of Living in Charleston, SC
1. Heat and Humidity
The heat in humidity during the Summer months is definately a Con to living here for me, but some people don’t mind it. Expect to start sweating after a couple of minutes of being outside in the summer, especially if you are doing anything involving manual labor. As mentioned above, going to the beach or to a pool are good options during these months.
2. Flooding
Charleston and the surrounding area is known as “The Low Country”, and it wont take you long to discover why. There are areas the flood somewhat regularly, especially when there is a good amount of rain during high tide. If you are going to purchase a property near Charleston, you should take into consideration that it may be in an area more prone to flooding than other areas, and you may be required to purchase flood insurance for the property. View a PRELIMINARY flood zone map of Charleston, but keep in mind this map is preliminary and subject to change.
3. Hurricanes and Tornadoes
Being from an area not affected by Hurricanes, and with virtually no tornadoes, I consider the potential severe weather here a Con. Hurricane season comes with the potential for a “mandatory evacuation” (For Example, Hurricane Florence in 2018). There are also the occasional severe weather systems that move through here. You can expect to be under a “Tornado Watch” somewhat regularly, and expect an occasional “Tornado Warning” in the area. Also keep in mind that there are not many basements here to take shelter (due to the risk of flooding is what I have been told).
4. Lack of Parking
You may find it hard/expensive to find a parking spot on the Charleston Peninsula during the week. You may need to pay for parking downtown, even if you have a job on the peninsula. If you are looking for employment in downtown Charleston, I suggest checking with your potential employer about their parking situation.
5. Insects
Another Con of living in this area are the insects here. You will likely be swarmed by misquitos during the spring and summer months, and you should consider moving into a place with a screened porch so you can still enjoy your outdoor area during this time. We also have cockroaches (Palmetto Bugs) in the area, and sometimes they are gigantic. Getting your home sprayed every few months helps (at least the exterior).
6. Alligators
We also have alligators in the area. When we first moved here, my wife and I thought it was odd when we saw a sign near a pond stating “danger-alligators may live here”. After reading the sign, we thought it was probably still very rare to actually see one, but that is not the case. You will see alligators in the neighborhood ponds here (usually they are small), and the animal control will not remove them until they are large alligators. They may leave their ponds, and try to enter your home (see picture below), so you may not want to have a dog-door leading outside. It is rare for alligators to attack humans, but you will need to be careful when walking your dog near a body of water; they are more likely to consider your pets to be prey.
7. Traffic
Due to the amount of growth in the Charleston area, there is a lot of traffic. You can expect a much longer drive time during the morning and evening rush hours, especially if you are driving towards downtown Charleston in the morning, or away from downtown Charleston in the evening. The population of Charleston is growing rapidly, and the local governments are having a hard time adjusting the infrastructure of the area to keep up with that growth. If you plan on purchasing a home in a city outside of Charleston and commuting to work every weekday, you should take this into consideration.
8. Construction
Alright, I have to admit, I don’t mind the construction, but a lot of other people don’t like it. I am personally happy that there are a lot of new homes being built to put some downward pressure on home prices and the cost of rent. The Charleston metro area is expanding rapidly, and you can expect a lot of construction in this area if you move here.
9. Rent is Expensive
The cost of renting a place in Charleston is expensive in my opinion, which is a big reason why my Wife and I decided to purchase a home when we relocated here. According to crda.org, the cost of living in Charleston is near the national average.
10. Sales Tax
According to charlestondaily.net, Charleston has a total sales tax rate of 9%. On top of that, you can expect to pay more while eating at a restaurant due to a “hospitality tax”, and an even higher rate if you order an alcoholic beverage. I consider the high sales tax in this area to be a Con, but this is partially due to the low property taxes.
Charleston South Carolina Living
If you have made it this far, and you are asking yourself “Is Charleston, SC a good place to live?“, my answer is YES! There are a lot more pros than cons of living in Charleston. The first part of this post was to give you an idea of what the pros and cons of moving to Charleston are, and the next section is to give you a better idea of Charleston, SC living. Here is a list of reasons to move to Charleston, SC!
There is always something to Do in Charleston!
You will always find something to do in the Charleston Area! There are great places to eat, beaches, amazing golf courses, historic sites, a night life, free things to do, and fun things to do with the entire family. Ready my list of the 100 best things to do in Charleston here. Whatever it is you like to do for fun, Charleston will likely have something for you!
Sporting Events
You will not find a MLB baseball team, NFL football team, or NBA basketball team in Charleston, but that does not mean you can’t have fun watching sporting events here. Charleston is home to the River Dogs baseball team, Stingrays Hockey team, and also has many colleges with sports teams! When it comes to college football, you will find that most people here are either a Clemson Tiger or Gamecocks fan.
If this not enough for you, Charlotte, NC is not far from Charleston (approximately 3 1/2 hour drive). The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornet games are fun to drive to and watch, and Charlotte is also getting a professional soccer team.
Community Events
There are always community events to attend in Charleston. Between the marathons, oyster roasts, local festivals, concerts, and holiday events, you will not have a difficult time finding things to do here! Ther
Here are a few local events, but there are many more that are not listed:
- Charleston Restaurant Week
- Flower Town Festival (Summerville)
- Lowcountry Jazz Festival
- Cooper River Bridge Run 10k
- Sweetgrass Festival
- Holiday Festival of Lights (James Island)
Golf
There are many great golf courses in the Charleston area, including multiple courses on Kiawah Island. Kiawah is home of the “Ocean Course”, and “Turtle Point”, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Wild Dunes in Isle of Palms is another great course in the area.
There are many golf courses around here, so whatever your price range is, you should be able to find a unique place to play. Be sure to take a look at my “Golf Communities” real estate page to see what else is available in the area!
There is Water Everywhere!
Do you like to go boating, fishing, crabbing, shrimping, or just sun bathing on the beach? If you do, Charleston is a great place for you! There is water everywhere in Charleston, making it a great location to own a home with a dock, waterfront property, beach house, or a property on a Tidal Creek or Marsh.
There are many barrier islands surrounding Charleston, The Atlantic Ocean, Charleston Harbor, and there are multiple rivers and creeks in the Charleston area. Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion are also within driving distance from Charleston (about 45 minutes- 1 hour).
Rivers near Charleston
Charleston has many large rivers in the area, making it a great place to go boating and fishing. There are also opportunities to own/rent a riverfront home, a home with a private dock, or a home with a neighborhood dock community and boat ramp.
Here are some of the rivers located near Charleston:
- Ashley River
- Stono River
- Cooper River
- Wando River
- Kiawah River
- Wadmalaw River
Charleston has amazing Food!
The food in Charleston is some of the best in the Country. If you like seafood, this is a great place to live! You can go to a local restaurant, or go catch some of your own! Enjoy some of the local favorite dishes, including Shrimp and Grits, Crab, Oysters, and many more!
Want to try some of the famous food Charleston has to offer? You can take a food tour in Charleston, and try a variety of different foods. A food tour takes about 2-3 hours, and costs around $60+. Here are a couple food tours that you can try:
Charleston has Great Architecture!
If you are looking for a city with good architecture, Charleston is a great place for you! Charleston has many different architectural styles, including Colonial, Classic Revival, Gothic Revival, and Victorian, among others. Charleston is a living museum, with historic homes everywhere.
A common home design in downtown Charleston is the “Charleston Single“, which have a rectangle shake, are at least 2 stories tall, and usually have a porch on the side of each story, called a “piazza”. The historic district in Charleston is in the jurisdiction of the Board of Architectural Review (BAR), which has preserved historic buildings in Charleston.
If you visit downtown Charleston, the historic architecture will likely amaze you. You can view my “Homes for Sale by Feature” here if you’re looking for a certain style of home.
Charleston is a Great Place to Raise a Family!
Charleston is a very friendly city, has many things to do for the entire family, and there are a lot of good schools in the area. If you’re looking for a good place to raise a family, Charleston is a great place to move! Feel free to contact me about more information regarding different cities, neighborhoods, school districts, and more.
If you’re looking for more information regarding schools, crime rates, cost of living, etc.. about a specific area near Charleston, you can read my post about the best places to live near Charleston. You can also go to AreaVibes.com and GreatSchools.org, and do some research about the surrounding area.
Charleston is a Great Place to Retire!
Are you looking for a good location to retire? You should definately consider Charleston! The weather in Charleston is great most of the year, South Carolina has one of the lowest property taxes in the nation, there are great golf courses everywhere, and Charleston has amazing food!
- Gated Communities
- Golf Communities
- Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston
- Homes for Sale with a Pool
- 55+ Retirement Communities
Charleston has a diverse Job Market!
There are a lot of different job opportunities in Charleston! Charleston is located in the “Tri-County” area (Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley), and there are a lot of smaller cities nearby. The population of the area has increased rapidly recently, and the growing job market is part of the reason for this.
Charleston has many Colleges, Hospitals, Joint Base Charleston (Military), 3 Counties, Boeing, Amazon, Volvo, Bosch, and much more in the area! Here is a list of some of the major employers in the Charleston Area.
Charleston’s has a vast Culture
Charleston is a very friendly city, and has a unique past, with a lot of culture! The art, music, and food scene is very unique compared to other locations that I have lived. The City’s history has shaped it’s culture, and Charleston has a vast history.
Charleston has an amazing History!
This is my favorite reason for living in Charleston. Charleston is a living museum that was founded in 1670 as “Charles Town”, and you can view the original site at Charles Town Landing. The original location of Charleston was chosen because it was less vulnerable from a possible attack by the Spanish Navy than the current location of Charleston.
Whether you like Historic Homes, Military History, Plantations, etc… Charleston is a great place to live! Be sure to see my favorite historical things to do in Charleston!
Historic Homes
The Charleston area has many historic homes, dating as far back as the 17th century. The Downtown Charleston area is a living museum, with historic houses everywhere. You can read my 100 things to do in Charleston, to see many of the house museums that you can visit. You can also purchase a historic home for sale near Charleston, but keep in mind that alterations to the home may be regulated by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR).
Rainbow Row
One of Charleston’s most famous sites is at Rainbow Row. This location is named due to the 13 colorful historic homes located here that have been painted in pastel colors. The homes are located on East Bay Street, north of Tradd Street, and South of Elliot Street. This is one of the most photographed locations in Charleston.
Aiken-Rhett House Museum
Another Historic Home in downtown Charleston, the Aiken-Rhett House is located at 48 Elizabeth St.. The House Museum was built in 1820, and became the property of William Aiken Sr. in 1827. The home was renovated in 1833 by the young William Aiken, and turned it was turned into an amazing residence! Visit this great place in downtown Charleston!
Heyward-Washington House
The Heyward-Washington House was built in 1772, and was the town home of Thomas Heyward Jr. (signer of the Declaration of Independents). The Georgian-style double house is located at 87 Church St. in downtown Charleston. George Washington used this house during his 1 week stay in Charleston in 1791, and they house has been traditionally called the Heward_Washington House. This is a great piece of history to visit!
Plantations
Charleston has beautiful historic plantations in the area. Boone Hall Plantation, McCleod Plantation, The Charleston Tea Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are some of the most popular plantations to visit in the area.
Revolutionary War History
Charleston was the site of significant Revolutionary War battles where many war heros emerged. Fort Moultrie was the site of a major battle between the British Navy and the fort that was commanded by William Moultrie.
Civil War History
Fort Sumter was the location of the first shots fired to begin the Civil War. There were many battles during the Civil War in the Charleston area, including the battle for Fort Wagner. The movie “Glory” with Denzel Washington was based on this historic event.
World War 2 History
Fort Moultrie was also used during World War 2 as a . The U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots point is an Aircraft Carrier that was used during World War 2, and is located in Charleston Harbor. The Aircraft Carrier is a must-see if you’re in the area.
Historic Churches
Saint Michael’s Church
Saint Michael’s church is the oldest surviving church in Charleston. It is located at 71 Broad Street, at the intersection of Meeting Street, and was built in the 1750s. It is located at the “Four Corners of Law” in downtown Charleston and represents ecclesiastical law. The Church is an impressive site, and the Steeple is 186′ tall.
French Huguenot Church
The French Huguenot Church is a Gothic Revival Church, and is located in downtown Charleston at 136 Church Street. Many French Huguenots fled religious persecution in the later half of the 17th Century, and some of them settled in Charleston. The Church was built in 1884, and is the oldest Gothic Revival Church in South Carolina.
St. Philips Church
St. Philips is a historic church built in 1836, located at 142 Church Street. It is a stuccoed brick church, that features a very tall tower and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Cemeteries
Visit some of the old cemeteries, and the final resting place of historical figures in Charleston, including:
- The Unitarian Church Cemetery (4 Archdale Street)
- Circular Congregational Church Graveyard (150 Meeting Street)
- St. Philip’s Church Cemetery (142 Church St.)
- John C. Calhoun
- Charles Pinckney
- Coming Street Cemetery (189 Coming Street)
- Magnolia Cemetery (70 Cunnington Avenue)
- Crew of the Hunley
- William Aiken
- Robert Barnwell Rhett
Historic Figures
Charles Pinckney, John C. Calhoune, and Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox) are examples of some of the historic figures from this area. There have also been many historical figures that have visited Charleston (George Washington).
Charles Pinckney is an often forgotten founding father of the United States, and signer of the United States Constitution. Pinckney served four terms as governor of South Carolina, and was a Presidential Candidate in 1804 (losing to Thomas Jefferson). You can visit the 28 acres that are left of his originally 715 acre plantation known as “Snee Farm” in Mount Pleasant.
Moving to Charleston, SC- F.A.Q.
What Beaches are near Charleston?
Public Beaches near Charleston, SC include: Kiawah Island Beachwalker Park, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, and Isle of Palms. Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island (past the gates), and Wild Dunes also have beaches, but they are not open to the public.
Is Charleston a good place to retire?
Yes, Charleston is a great place to retire! Charleston has warm weather, great food, one of the lowest property taxes in the Country (including Homestead Exemption for homeowners over 65), many recreational activities in the area, and great golf courses! Charleston also has a variety of 55+ Retirement Communities in the area.
What County is Charleston, SC in?
Charleston, SC is located in Charleston County. The Charleston area is often referred to as the “Tri-County Area“, and this is because Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County are all located within close proximity to Charleston.
How is the weather in Charleston?
The weather in Charleston is great most of the year! The average high temperatures in the winter get to approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so the winters are great here. It RARELY snows here, but I have seen it a couple of times. The golf courses are open all year here, and it doesn’t get cold here in my opinion (I am use to 4-6 months of snow). The weather in Charleston is one of the pros of moving here.
It’s the Summer months that I have a hard time with. It gets hot here during the Summer (like most places), but the worst part about the Summer is the Humidity. Personally, I try to avoid being outside for longer than about 5-10 minutes during the Summer. Charleston is also prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding.
The good news is that most of the buildings here are air conditioned well in the Summer, there are a lot of neighborhoods with a Pool, and the Beach is great to visit during the Summer because there is usually a good breeze.
I also recommend buying/renting a home with a screened porch and a ceiling fan. The screen is important because there are a lot of mosquitoes here in the Summer, and the fan is a must to sit outside in the heat (unless you are sitting outside after dark).
How far away is Charleston from Savannah, Myrtle Beach, and Charlotte?
- Savannah, GA is approximately 108 miles from Charleston, and is about a 2 hour drive.
- Myrtle Beach is about 98 miles away from Charleston, and is about a 2 hour drive.
- Charlotte, NC is approximately 210 miles away from Charleston, and it is about a 3 1/2 hour drive.
Does it Snow in Charleston?
Yes, but it is rare. The picture below is from January 2018, and that was the last time that I saw snow stick to the ground in Charleston.
What is the Population of Charleston?
The population of Charleston, SC is approximately 137,566 people within the City, and the population of the Charleston Metro area is approximately 819,000+ people.
Why is Charleston called the Holy City?
Charleston, SC is known as the “Holy City” due to all of the different Churches and steeples in the area, and because Charleston is known for it’s religious diversity and tolerance.
Does Charleston Flood?
Yes, Charleston does occasionally flood, especially when there is a heavy rain during high tide. If you are purchasing a home, you may required to purchase flood insurance. Flooding is one of the cons of living in South Carolina. If flood insurance is required on a property, the cost can range from just a few hundred dollars a year to thousands of dollars a year. Click Here to see a FEMA flood zone map of the area, and contact me with any questions.
How is the Traffic in Charleston?
The traffic in Charleston, SC is not terrible. I lived near Atlanta for 1 year, and the traffic around that City was much worse than the traffic around Charleston. I have traffic listed as one of my cons above, but the traffic here is much better than other nearby large cities. Try to avoid driving into Charleston at around 8 am, and away from Charleston at 5 pm if you can.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading my list of my top 10 pros and cons of living in Charleston, SC! It was a lot easier for me to think of the pros than it was the cons; Charleston is an amazing place to live, visit, or to retire (55+ retirement communities)! Let me know if you have any questions about buying or selling real estate in South Carolina (best places to live in South Carolina).
For more information about life in Charleston, SC, moving to Charleston, SC, the pros and cons of living in South Carolina, pros and cons of retiring in Charleston, or any other questions about the Charleston area, please contact me.