Welcome to Charleston - one of the top 10 travel destinations in the United States. Over the years I've had the privilege of introducing many people to the Charleston area. I always look forward to meeting people interested in Charleston because there is so much to tell about - this is an amazing place to live and work. In fact, I am convinced that I get more excited about Charleston every year. Having lived in the area for over 22 years and having grown up just south of Charleston, I know the area well: so if you have questions – please ask.
People visit the Charleston hoping to experience true Southern Hospitality, beautiful scenery, relaxing beaches, and an unparalleled opportunity to gain a new perspective on American history. Charleston has so much to offer that most visitors return again and again; but, never seem to have enough time here. Few people ever want to leave.
Charleston today exists as a mixed tribute to her early English, Irish, French, Spanish, German, Swiss, Santo Dominican, African, American Indian, and Caribbean connections. The Holy City, as many call it, is located 768 mi. from New York City, 590 mi. from Miami, and almost 2500 mi. from Southern California.
When most people are considering the Charleston area, they are attracted by the a relaxed lifestyle, favorable weather, the quality culture, the extensive arts opportunities, great entertainment, rich history, unparalleled beauty, charming people, excellent educational opportunities, state-of-the-art healthcare, and the excellent business environment. Charleston is both cosmopolitan and charming. Regardless of what brings you to the Charleston area, I am absolutely convinced you'll fall in love with Charleston, too (Charleston "Still has the slow pace and genteel charm that endeared it to Rhett Butler" ).
Conde Naste
The people of Charleston are among the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere (Charleston has been named the
friendliest city of America for 14 consecutive years - as well as the best mannered city in America, year after year). The people of Charleston are
proud group indeed. The pride of the locals has been adopted as the pride of the newcomers as well. People who live in Charleston will tell you, for example, that the two main rivers here, the Ashley River and the Cooper River, meet together in the Charleston Harbor to form the Atlantic Ocean. This is the natural perspective here – where people know that they live in such an inspiring place.
The character of the people of Charleston has stood the test of time so pride is comes naturally. Through hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes - the citizens have stood strong and always resilient. War has left a deep mark here as well. The people of Charleston have defended against Native American attacks, bloody pirates, Spanish war ships, French soldiers, British troops, and of course, massive Union Forces – never giving up. Charleston was where the first shot of the Civil War was fired and Charleston was the site of the first American victory over British forces during the Revolutionary War.
Naturally, Charleston has produced many great Americans including (see other below) John C. Calhoun, Thomas Heyward, Jr.,Henry Laurens, Francis Marion (the"Swamp
Fox"), Robert Mills, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.
The population of the Charleston area is diverse. Listen carefully and you will notice many different accents throughout the Charleston where even locals retained unique accents depending on what part of the Charleston area they are from. Some of the accents are quite distinct- such as the "Gullah" and "Geechee" accents. Much of the diversity in accents is the result of the many islands and rivers that created a degree of separation before bridges were constructed here.
And, of course, because Charleston is such an attractive area we have people from all of the United States and from all over the world that have decided to make Charleston home. So, don't be surprised if you recognize an accent from Michigan, Tennessee, New Jersey or Connecticut - they are all here - plus accents from around the world. So regardless of where you are from I can assure you that you will feel quite comfortable among the people who live in Charleston .... where no one is a stranger or an outsider!
Charleston is the quintessential city of the South. Among the treasures we have here are preserved plantations, including Boone Hall Plantation, which is the most photographed plantation in America and the backdrop for many movies and TV shows about South. The High Battery along the Charleston Harbor is made up of beautiful mansions, former summer homes of plantation owners and still private homes today. The downtown area Charleston has remains much as it was in years past. You can even find cobblestone streets and horse drawn carriages. As you walk the streets of Charleston you'll hear church bells in this sounds and sights of a city that is a true living museum.
The weather here is usually very nice. While Charleston does get warm (hot) in the summertime, the continuous sea breeze makes the area more comfortable than you might expect and it often carries with it the smell of local restaurants that are among the best anywhere (Charleston is known as the culinary capital of the South). Yes, the summers may take some getting used to - but the rest of the year is no effort to enjoy! I happen to be among the many that favor summer because it brings with it the best fishing of the year. Water sports are a very popular here - water skiing, wind surfing, sailing, fishing - you name it. Even recreational shrimping is very popular with over 30,000 permits issued each year.
I tell people when I meet them that they will always have something interesting to do in Charleston. Festivals occur with such frequency that it seems as though there is a festival going on all the time Charleston. The best-known festival, and the crown jewel of the Charleston Festival season, is The Spoleto Festival. “Today’s Charleston renaissance is fueled by the Spoleto Festival every spring…on any given day the cultivated set of the city matches the sophisticates of London or Paris.” Travel + Leisure
Yes, it's an area filled with history and framed by a beauty beyond explanation. When you visit, be ready to do some driving and allow for plenty of time if you want to see much of the area. Most do not realize how large this area is. The Greater Charleston Area is an area that extends from near Georgetown to the north and south to Edisto Island and then West to near I-95. The Charleston area is comprised of three counties: Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County. It includes 25 municipalities. The region offers more than 90 mi. of Atlantic coastline and reaches some 50 mi. inland.
Charleston, originally the capital of South Carolina during the colonial period, was among the wealth cities in the 13 colonies. The Charleston Harbor was and remains very important for trade between Americ
a and the rest of the world. Today the Charleston port is the second busiest port on the eastern seaboard just behind combined ports of New York and New Jersey.
Charleston has one of the Southeast’s most impressive medical hubs, a multi-billion-dollar visitor industry, and a growing base of national and international business and industry in addition to a large military presence. The region has become a very fast growing area for business investment and retirement.
The geographic center of the Greater Charleston Area located somewhere in the northern quadrant of North Charleston. This is the approximate location of the Charleston Air Force Base. There are several town center areas within the Greater Charleston area. The area most commonly thought of as 'Charleston' is the Charleston Peninsula which is located on the Charleston Harbor. The Peninsula is the original city of Charleston and is the center for the historic district and many of the area cultural activities.
North Charleston has its own focus of activity including the Northwoods Mall area with its many shops and restaurants and the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. The largest land area of the area towns is North Charleston. North Charleston also has the largest total population.
Summerville, located in the Northwest quadrant of the Greater Charleston Area, has a population of around 50,000 with its own hub of activity and historic district. Summerville is the fastest-growing area within the Charleston Tri-County area with many developments under construction and a school system considered by many people here to be that best overall within the area.
Berkeley County has as its most populated area the town of Goose Creek. Goose Creek is a fast-growing area located just across I-26 from Summerville. Many people like the Goose Creek area because of its more rural feel and less expensive properties yet it is convenient because it has easy access to I-26 and downtown. South of Charleston you will find the beautiful, sometimes rural, areas of John's Island, James Island, Kiawah Island and Edisto Island.
Hanahan is located just off of the Goose Creek Reservoir near the North Charleston area and has easy access to the beaches and downtown - although Hanahan itself is lacking in some of the conveniences you will find some other areas.
There are several neighborhoods of the Hanahan area that are very well-established and quite attractive.
There are also booming new construction communities with homes available at relatively reasonable prices. Many people select the area for its ease of access to Mt Pleasant and the beaches - just a short drive over the I-526 Bridge. Schools here have a generally good reputation as well.
Just north of the Charleston Peninsula on the coast is Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant has its own town Center and above area average real estate prices. Mount Pleasant has easy access to the beaches of the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island and quick access to the Peninsula area of downtown. As a result of its location, it has the highest growth pressure relative to the availability of property. It is a very nice area in which to live but you do pay a little more for everything from gasoline to groceries there.
The Charleston labor force is made of 293,000 people and the average unemployment rate is about 4.4%. The population of the metropolitan area of Charleston including Berkeley Charleston and Dorchester Counties is about 600,000 people. The average household income for Berkeley County is $40,500, for Dorchester County is $44,900, and for Charleston County is $46,900.
Charleston is the fourth-largest container cargo port in the United States and ranks first on the entire Southeastern Gulf coasts. The port has five terminals and a sixth terminal is currently being developed on the former Charleston Naval base in North Charleston. The Charleston international Airport provides private commercial and military air service for the region. The Airport serves more than 1.6 million passengers per year.
The military is the region’s largest employer with more than 18,000 active-duty, reserve and civilian personnel. The Navy is the largest military employer with an estimated annual employment of 12,500 including contract employees. The largest commands include the Charleston Naval Weapons Station with more than 17,000 acres and 40 different tenants including the Nuclear Power Training Command and Nuclear Power Training School, Army Pre-positioning Facility, the 841st Transportation Battalion, and SPAWAR.
Charleston has a vibrant medical community which collectively employs approximately 17,000 people and provides more than 2000 beds. When combined with the total health-care providers in the area, the regions medical industry has nearly 1000 businesses and organizations employing 32,000 people. The center of the regions health-care industry is the Medical University of South Carolina located on 55 acres in downtown Charleston. Its 6 colleges and patient care facilities provide both education resources and superb health-care facilities to the region.
Roper St. Francis Health Care operates Roper hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis hospital, and several emergency and diagnostic satellite facilities. In 2000 their facilities were awarded 24 national patient satisfaction awards. Roper hospital, located in downtown Charleston, was founded in 1850 as the first community hospital in the Carolinas. Bon Secours St. Francis hospital opened the doors to its new 141 bed state-of-the-art facility in West Ashley and 1996.
Trident health system has been serving Charleston Berkeley and Dorchester County's for more than 26 years. Trident is currently in the second phase of $88 million expansion to its Trident medical Center in North Charleston. East Cooper regional medical Center in Mt. Pleasant serves the needs of the greater Mount Pleasant area and beyond. Charleston Memorial hospital, the Veterans Administration Medical Center and the United States Naval Hospital serve the medical needs of the region as well.
Charleston’s colleges and universities include Charleston Southern University, the College of Charleston which is the oldest institution of higher education in South Carolina and the 13th oldest in the country, The Citadel which is the largest nonfederal military College of the United States, the Medical University of South Carolina, The Charleston School of Law, Miller-Motte Technical College, Trident Technical College (including its new multi-million dollar culinary arts school), Webster University, and the Low Country Graduate Center.
Charleston County School District combines a unique blend of schools spanning 1000 square miles of coastal South Carolina. With nearly 44,000 students and more than 70 schools, Charleston County is the second-largest school system in the State of South Carolina. Over 7000 employees including almost 3000 teachers make it one of the area’s top employers.
One of the Top 25 Housing Markets, by Forbes.com (2009)
"Best Performing City: Where America's Jobs are Created" by Milliken Institute
"50 Best Places to Live: The Next Great Adventure Towns" by National Geographic Adventure
Ranked 6th among mid-size
metros in Inc.com's "Top US Cities for Business"
One of the nation's "Top Arts Destinations" by American Style
Charleston Home Buyers
Home buyers looking for a home in Charleston today have
an excellent selection of homes available. Single family homes in Charleston come in every variety and at every price point. Property lot sizes vary as well with larger lots more typical in homes built more than 10 years ago. Charleston real estate prices correlate closely with a home's proximity to the ocean and to other waterways. Homes closer to the water, such as in Mt. pleasant, or homes on Daniel Island, tend to cost more than homes more inland, such as in Summerville, in Moncks Corner or in Goose Creek. Homes in or near historic areas, such as with historic downtown Summerville, the "Old Village" of Mt. pleasant, and on the downtown peninsula of Charleston, garner hefty prices as well.
Still, many homes are very affordable - often surprisingly so. There are so many great home buys in real estate in South Carolina that it can even be overwhelming. For the serious home buyer, finding the right home at the right price is a very simple process - with a little help from a good Realtor, of course!
So what really is the place called "Charleston"? It is far more that the historic downtown area that has made Charleton so famous. Home buyers looking for a home in the Charleston area soon learn that the term "Charleston" is broadly applied to the entire Tri-county area of the South Carolina Lowcountry made up of Charleston County, Dorchester County, and Berkeley County. Clients of our company come from everywhere to buy homes here in Charleston. No matter where you are from, you will be at home in Charleston.
Some of our home buyers are Charleston natives; but, most come from other parts of the country. We have individuals who are moving to Charleston to take advantage of employment opportunities, such as our large military contingent of the Air Force and Navy personnel, and for many other reasons. Some people move to Charleston because they fell in love with the area on a previous visit years ago. Some of our new arrivals have never been to Charleston before. Very few have not heard of Charleston's beauty and history. For most home buyers, the vast nature of the local home market pre sents unexpected challenges - and excellent opportunities.
Our principal focus is to help people, like you, who may be new to the Charleston area and who want to be sure they find exactly what they need in a home, quickly. The first step in this process is to educate our clients on the Charleston market and help guide them in developing a home search strategy.
Location of your real estate purchase
Location should always be the number one concern for a buyer. Everything else in a home can be perfect, but if you do not have the right location in Charleston, your beautiful new home will fall short of what you need. Let's discuss the Charleston area, from the perspective of location.
The first step in the process in locating a home to purchase in South Carolina, as with any area, is to narrow the geography of your search as much as possible. Now that you've selected the greater Charleston area for your next home purchase, determine more precisely where you want to live in "Charleston".
Traffic patterns and where you work
If you are currently working, include proximity to work high and your list. Traffic in Charleston can be difficult if you have to travel on some of the main routes during rush hour so be sure you understand traffic patterns between your place of business in your Charleston neighborhood.
One simple way to narrow things down a bit to the best in areas for you is to locate your place of business and draw a circle around it that extends out no more than the number of miles you are willing to commute to and from your home. The majority of co mmuters in Charleston like to be within 20 minutes of their home. For most neighborhoods in Charleston, a 20 minute drive equates to between 10 and 15 miles.
Be sensitive to the fact that we have two main arteries in the Charleston area: I-26 then runs from the Summerville area to downtown and 526 that runs from West Ashley , through North Charleston, over Daniel Island, and into Mount pleasant. 528 is a semicircle which is bisected by I-26. Traffic along these main arteries can be challenging when you're going to your home or to your place of business during peek traffic hours.
If you work in Mt Pleasant, you may want to consider purchasing a home in the Mount Pleasant area. Likewise, if you work in other areas of town, buying a home in a neighborhood that does not force you to use either I-26 or 526 during rush hour will be a home buying decision that you will not regret.
Here are a few specific location tips for consideration:
If you work in Summerville, consider buying a home in Summerville, in Hanahan, or in Goose Creek.
If you work in West Ashley, consider making a home purchase in West Ashley, James island, or along the highway 61 side of Summerville.
If you work downtown on the Charleston Peninsula, buy real estate in either Mount Pleasant or on James Island.
If you work in North Charleston, consider owning a home in North Charleston. Still, because North Charleston is in the center of the area geographically, you could live almost anywhere in the Greater Charleston Area and be within 30 minutes of your place a business.
Are you in the military or are you a military contractor? If you work on the Naval Weapons Station, consider buying a home in Hanahan or in Goose Creek. If you work on the Air Force Base, your best bet might be to buy your home in North Charleston or in Summerville.
Schools
If you have children in school, or if you consider resale of your home to be a possibility in the future, schools should also be high on your list when you consider location. Charleston has some of the best schools in the nation - including silver and gold award schools, schools that have achieved the prestigious Palmetto's Finest recognition, schools that have received numerous national awards, and schools that have been rated in the top 10 to the top 500 in the nation. Still, the greater Charleston area also has some schools that you may want to avoid.
Note that the county you select is very important if you want to get your children into a particular school, such as specific magnet school. For example, if you want your student to attend a Charleston County magnet school, such as the nationally ranked Academic Magnet High School (7th best in the nation) you must buy a home in Charleston County rather than own a home in Berkeley County or purchase a property in Dorchester County. You address does matter and proof of residence is verified.
Lifestyle
After considering your commute to work and the schools, next on your list should be lifestyle. One of the interesting aspects of our area is that we live in a place with broad diversity in lifestyle choices. 
Think about what you like to do every day and what you enjoy. Do you like the thought of living in the country where your closest neighbor's house is an acre or two away? Do you like to be able to walk from your home to restaurants and to entertainment venues? Is public transportation in your neighborhood important? Are you an
active person that wants access to walking trails, parks and planed recreational facilities? Is having access to the water something you've always dreamed of? Do you like to spend summer evenings walking on the beach to enjoy a famous Charleston Harbor sunset? The list of lifestyle considerations is endless and limited only by your imagination.
Here's a quick primer on connecting the dots between lifestyle and location of your home in Charleston.
If you enjoy the beach, and want to be there often, consider buying a home in one of the following areas: Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan's Island, the Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, and James island.
If you enjoy shopping, consider areas near Town Center in Mount Pleasant, Center Point Mall in North Charleston, the Northwood Mall in North Charleston, and the Citadel Mall in West Ashley. If you prefer old fashioned downtown shopping, be sure to consider the Peninsula of Charleston, especially King Street, as well as the quaint downtown district of Summerville.
If beautiful parks are important to you, consider buying a home that is near Palmetto Islands County Park in Mt Pleasant (such as in Snee Farm or in Longpoint Plantation), purchasing your home in an area near Wanamaker Park in North Charleston, finding a property near James Island County Park, or locating a great home near the dow ntown Summerville area.
If horses are your hobby, properties located in Hollywood, Johns Island, Meggett, upper Summerville, Ridgeville, outer Mount Pleasant, and rural Moncks Corner may be your best selections for purchasing a home.
If boating is important to you, you can buy a home anywhere and have reasonable access. There are areas that have better access for specific boating interests. If you like freshwater fishing for example, consider owning a home near the upper Cooper River or near Lake Moultrie - some of the best freshwater fishing areas anywhere in the state. Buy a home near a nice boat landing if you trailer your boat. The best boat ramps in the area for access to salt water are: Remley's Point in Mt Pleasant, Wappoo Cut on James Island, Folly River Landing on Folly Island, John P. Limehouse on John's island on the Stono River and County Farm in North Charleston on the Ashley River.
Do you want to own real estate in a golfing community? Charleston golf communities include an are numerous and have a wide range of home styles and prices.
Yes, Charleston living supports about every sort of lifestyle and hobby imaginable.
Drilling down to find your next home
After considering work, schools, and lifestyle, choose a general area of town that best supports these important considerations. After you have chosen your area of town, began to narrow your search by property type in price. Many home buyers begin their search backwards. They begin their search by using the Multiple Listing Service to look for homes by price in size. Unless you know first where you want to live in town, using the MLS to search by other criteria, for most people, is really a big waste time. After all, buying the perfect home in the wrong place usually doesn't work out very well. Do yourself a huge favor: narrow your search down to no larger than a 10 miles diameter area before you begin sifting though individual listings.
For example, let's assume you have selected to live in the Summerville area because you determined that Summerville meets your lifestyle requirements, is the right distance from work, and offers educational opportunities you desire for your kids. Now it's time to enter the key size and price elements into the equation for your house hunt. If you want a purchase a house that's around $200,000, consider homes ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. Then add the number of rooms you need. At this point you should be well on your way narrowing your search for the right home. Your real estate agent has the tools that you will need to get a lot more specific with your home search such as selecting a home based on home style, age of construction, yard size, type of flooring, etc.
Charleston is both cosmopolitan and charming. Charleston today exists as a mixed tribute to her early English, Irish, French, Spanish, German, Swiss, Santo Dominigan, African, American Indian, and Caribbean connections. The Holy City, as many call it, is located 768 mi. from New York City, 590 mi. from Miami, and almost 2500 mi. from Southern California.
Charleston Harbor Sailing
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