What People Wish They Knew Before Moving to Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina, oh my how we do love thee. Charleston has occupied a special place in our hearts ever since we stepped foot on the campus of good ole C of C, and to be honest we haven’t looked back on our adoration for the Holy City. In fact, our love for this city of charm grows each year. Maybe it’s because it is a city that is both steeped in history and yet still modern. A city that has a distinct European feel and yet it’s entirely Southern. Or maybe it’s the beautiful ocean juxtaposed by the inland marshes and rivers. Whatever it is, clearly we’re biased and feel that it’s a top place to build a home. That being said, one of our most important jobs, especially when helping out of town buyers who are determining where in the city they want to settle, is to list out the pros and cons associated with life here. You see, there are few things that you might not know and wish you had, and we hope to be the first to tell you. Keep reading for the skinny on all the unique aspects of living here in Charleston, as we weigh in.
Traffic and infrastructure can be a factor for determining where you want to live.: If you’ve been here long enough you’ve heard many times… the locals complaining about the traffic. That being said it really is a thing and in specific areas the congestion can be rather annoying. Couple that with being surrounded by water and having in many cases no alternate routes, and you’ve found yourself a recipe for disaster. In fact, we’d go as far to say that our infrastructure sucks. Much of it was originally built around sleepy farm communities and a downtown that was used to horse and buggies, so yeah we haven’t really evolved with the times and the number of people moving into our city daily. Oh, and there is a ton of construction, especially at the moment West of downtown, Downtown, and on Johns Island. And when we mean construction, we mean everywhere. So, we suggest mapping out your commutes by time of day and understanding where it makes sense for you to reside.
Weather: As a prior mid-westerner we’ve got it so good here in the Southeast. Winters are mild, spring and fall are stunning, and anywhere you can be on the beach in December is a plus for us. Honestly, this is coastal living at its very best in our opinion. You get to maximize beach time and outdoor living year round, but not have a need to retreat inside for half the year (we’re looking at you Florida). That being said, summers can be brutal and hurricanes are a thing. We have them, we prepare for them and we pay high insurance to protect against them. They’re just a fact of life from July-Oct. However, we think it’s similar to any place in the country and we’d rather not try our hand with a tornado or earthquake, so we’ll pick our poison. That being said flooding is also a thing, and they don’t call it the low country for no reason. In fact, it should come as no surprise that much of Charleston was built on a marsh, so you heard it here, there will be flooding. How much and when, that is always the question, and we strongly encourage you to get a feel for areas that are prone to flooding prior to settling down.
Cost of Living is high and the market remains hot.: Cost of living here is higher than the national average when it comes to the housing market, and we’ll be honest in some areas that has truly made it difficult to find entry level housing. It also means that waterfront living comes at a premium and there is not much of it. That being said, property taxes are the 6th lowest in the country and prices for food and services tend to be average.
Charleston is a mid-size city.: We do have to admit that some things came as a surprise when we first moved here. First, Charleston has no large department stores like other cities its size, though it has an incredible small boutique and locally owned scene. Second, there are tons of sporting events and music concerts, but no major sports teams or well known artists (though some do pass through on occasion). Next, We love our festivals and the number per year will put any city to shame. Charleston is incredibly social, we love to eat, drink, and shop. Oh and we absolutely love our dogs. You might not find a more dog friendly city in the US.
Out of Staters (aka Tourists) are not easily tolerated: Locals tend to love them but also grow tired of them and quickly. It’s really a double edge sword, because we want the boost to the economy but we don’t want to wait for 30 min to get to the beach in summer. Consider yourself forewarned that if you locate in a beach area, you will have tourists, and there will be traffic and there is such a thing as Charlestonians retreating to the mountains for summer.
Charleston and the surrounding areas are distinctly different.: Each neighborhood on the Peninsula has a vibe all of its own, with restaurants, shops, and residents that give it a certain micro-culture. This also holds true for the beach areas from Isle of Palms, Sullivans, to Folly and the Sea Islands. Honestly, from marsh front to beach front to surfer beach town to true suburbia to historic peninsula you’ll find it all here. Sometimes that’s one of the hardest jobs for us… narrowing down the choices for our buyers. This also means that deciding where to live is sometimes about where you fit in, in terms of the lifestyle and community.
Charleston really is charming.: Southern Charm certainly gave Charleston that title and it is for good reason. Charleston’s charm may start with its architecture and beauty but it doesn’t end there. Honestly, people are so friendly and welcoming. Southern hospitality is at its finest here. And a stroll downtown through the cobblestone streets lit with gas lanterns will transport you to a time of days past.
Allergies are a thing here, and a big thing.: Yes, it doesn’t take long for many to realize that the humidity coupled with crazy amount of pollen and mold can wreak havoc on your sinuses. And we’ve got 3 seasons from spring (trees), summer (grasses), fall (weeds). Oh and we’re ranked 30th worst in the country, so grab your Kleenex.
Parking is horrible, almost anywhere, but especially downtown and at the beach.: Now this doesn’t mean you won’t find a spot, but it might take a bit and it might come at a high cost.
Charleston is the most haunted city in the country.: Yep, we said it, the city has a haunted past and there are many downtown ghosts walk to tell you all about it. I mean come on Charleston has made it through hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, 2 major wars, and fires, so there are bound to be some stories to tell.
So there you have it, the city of charm sometimes comes at a price, and while the lifestyle is rich so is the housing. That being said we truly believe you won’t find this unique blend of history, beauty, and culture anywhere in the world. And when you’re ready one thing is for sure, we’ll help you weigh the city’s charm against of the potential pitfalls of moving here, and help you find the perfect Southern gem of a home in the process.