When looking at nothing but the numbers, Charleston, SC, can seem like a small South Carolina city, but when you take into consideration its cultural heritage, year-round climate, natural beauty, and sheer southern charm, well, Charleston stands among giants. Living up to motto of good things coming in small packages, here are a few things to know about life in Charleston.
Charleston is among the best cities in the world
This isn’t just something the locals claim, as most people who love their city would, but this is according to people’s choice of Condé Nast Traveler as well as by Travel and Leisure. Both sites gave this Lowcountry spot the high marks due to the perfect mix of historic beauty, new business, delicious food, and booming economy.
Things are booming in Charleston
Charleston ranked fourth on America’s Biggest Boomtown by MagnifyMoney in 2018 for a number of reasons, including an 11% population growth from 2011 to 2016, a 14% increase in business establishments, and a 17% increase in paid employees. The city also saw a significant drop in unemployment and growth in its workforce.
Who needs a car in Charleston?
Ok, so you can easily drive around most places in Charleston, but if you’re new or visiting, you may consider alternative means—and we don’t mean Uber. For instance, if you’re exploring downtown, consider using the Charleston Regional Transportation Authority, otherwise known as CARTA, a free trolley service through the historic peninsula. You can check out the maps here.
Enjoy the history of Charleston today
The modern joys of Charleston are built on the solid foundation of its history. In fact, Charleston is recognized as one of the most historic cities in the U.S. It was founded as far back as 1670, though the current location started more in 1680. Believe it or not, a lot of the scenery is still the same as it was in those colonial days, from the gorgeous Georgian homes along the streets to the church steeples that still touch the sky. A few hotspots to check out include The Battery, a public park along the waterfront as well as The Citadel, a Military College of the South Carolina and its unique checkerboard courtyards. And you can’t forget Fort Sumter, which was the starting point of the Civil War.
Don’t forget that Charleston is on the water
As many colonial cities, Charleston sits nicely next to the Atlantic Ocean in the Charleston Harbor, so when you’re ready to get out of the historic city, you can hit the beaches. Check out spots such as the surfer-friendly and traveler welcoming Folly Beach to the less tourist traveled Sullivan’s Island Beach. Truth be told, you really can’t go wrong with any of Charleston’s beaches.
Did we mention Charleston’s food?
We’ve mentioned it, others have mentioned it, and it’s worth mentioning again: Charleston has some amazing food. Locals love spots such as the Tattooed Moose, an American dive bar with interesting options such as the Duck Club and Duck Fries, which are fried in duck fat. And for breakfast, check out Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, where you can get three biscuits of different flavors for about $5. It’s a delicious meal you can’t beat.
These are just a few of the things you should know about life in Charleston, but we can’t encourage you enough to visit—and we’d definitely love to offer a helping hand if you’re relocating or already live there. Click here to learn how self storage can help you while living in Charleston.
