Downtown Charleston
Downtown Charleston
Botany Bay on Edisto Island
Runnymede Plantation
Like any great seductress, Charleston presents a careful veneer of half-truths and outright fabrications, and it lets you, the intended conquest, fill in many of the blanks - James Caskey
There’s lots to love about Charleston but passion for the city (and its sister city Savannah) is often tied to the dreamy architecture that dominates the downtown area. Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S, founded in the 1600s, so it’s home to half dozen or more different classical architectural styles that line the cobblestone streets.
Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Classic Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Victorian and even Art Deco style the churches, museums, commercial structures and homes. You could make a case that architecture is for tourists but it’s so obviously a source of pride for locals that we’d be remiss not citing it here. Seriously, if you crave a stunning southern downtown Charleston has got to be on your shortlist.
We rarely hear people complain about something as consistently as locals do in Charleston about infrastructure shortcomings. It’s pretty simple, the beauty of the city and the closeness of the stunning beaches means lots of people move here. In fact, it was rated one of the fastest growing cities in the 2022-2023 US News & World Report.
All that population growth comes at a price. The city heavily regulates building downtown so development has sprouted on the outskirts and suburbs for the most part. That lead to heavier traffic, bigger crowds (typically downtown or on the beaches) and noticeable shift(to locals) from a genteel, quiet place into one with more bluster. The city has been approving more downtown mixed-use housing and the area's first rapid transit system. It begins construction in 2026 with usage slated for starting in 2029 so things are looking up.
Living in Charleston has historically been described as “pleasantly slow”. That reputation may be diminishing with recent growth but if you’re coming from a big city it’s still going to be a slow pace of life. That slow life aside Charleston has some amazing things for a small-ish town.
The foodie scene is considered excellent, with influences including: Europe, West Africa and the West Indies all flourishing here. Seafood is prominent, with roasted and raw oysters from Bowen’s Island and the Ordinary amazing options. Barbeque is also everywhere with Palmira Barbecue a hot spot. If you favor fixing your own meals, check out the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square. Different from others around the country due to the prevalence of locally caught seafood offered next to fresh produce.
In addition to great food, Charleston is surrounded by water so much of the lifestyle here is comprised of daily water play. The city is on a peninsula and city property on the water is filled with parks, piers, and gardens, for play, fishing, hiking and biking. Just outside the city are some of the most beautiful beaches in the country so for most locals you spend time either downtown or at the beach.
Downtown is also filled with with Art Galleries and Museums, and several live performing arts theaters including the Charleston Performing Arts Theatre. For more details check out the Culture & Entertainment section of Explore Charleston.
Finally, you can expect year-round festivals and events, including Spoleto Festival USA, one of the countries largest performing arts festivals, that runs May/June every year.
Charleston County School District is highly rated, scoring an “A-” on niche.com. Teachers and college prep are two of the notable positives in the reviews from parents.
AP, IB and Gifted Student programs are offered throughout the city and county. Schools on the peninsula don’t score as well as some on the “mainland” but keep an eye out for high performers like: Academic Magnet High School, the #2 highest rated high school in South Carolina, Charleston School of the Arts for grades 6-12, and Buist Academy for Advanced Studies, a Public Magnet for 2-8 grades, that also pulls an A on niche.com.
Charleston is one of the fastest growing cities in the country whose infrastructure has not caught up with the population boom. Plans are in place for it to do so though so getting here in advance of progress that what will increase the value of living in this beautiful city is as good a reason as any!
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Downtown Charleston is on the Charleston Peninsula and doesn’t really count as a “neighborhood” for locals. Instead there are 10 or so smaller neighborhoods that make up the downtown area. The neighborhoods are surrounded by water with Cooper River to the east, Ashley River to the west and it all comes together in the Charleston Harbor. Tourists typically hit up King Street Historic District, the center of shopping, restaurants, bars and the center of the historic city architecture.
