10 Ways Charleston, S.C. has changed for the worse
By Mark A. Leon
Charleston, South Carolina has taken on a new face.
The new modernized Charleston, with a focus on increasing tourism, corporate infrastructure, increased pricing, more crowded streets, cranes owning the skyline, traffic bottlenecks in all directions and inflationary spikes may be helping this booming economy, but it isn’t what everyone wants. There are a great many that miss the local first, charming historic appeal of the old Charleston. We wanted to share some of the ways Charleston has changed for the worse based on social chatter and mood indicators of those that live and breath the Lowcountry air.
10 Ways Charleston, S.C. has changed for the worse
- Folly Beach is modernizing and monetizing – In case you blinked, there have been some significant changes to our favorite area beach. We would like to emphasize a few: 1. Folly Beach is now charging entrance fees to its street festivals including this weekend’s Folly Gras. 2. Arctic has implemented paid parking on the streets. 3. The beach entrance parking lots no longer accept money in an envelope. You must use a phone app to pay for your parking. 4. New construction is spiking around the area of Center Street. 5. Finally, a digital sign has been added on Folly Road.
- Local First in downtown Charleston is a thing of the past – Remember: Bluestein’s Clothing, Morris Sokol Furniture, Bob Ellis Shoes, King Street Grille, Piggly Wiggly and Hughes Lumber – If you are a local and have been for a number of generations, you are seeing familiar businesses close faster than we can keep count. There is a simple explanation: the percentage of tourists is growing year over year and the percentage of local patrons is shrinking due to the overcrowded conditions caused by this spike in tourism.
- Corporate billboards are taking over the city – You need not have lived here long to see the rise of corporate foundations in downtown Charleston and beyond. Let us highlight some of the big entrances into our charming community: Starbucks and Whole Foods (West Ashley), Starbucks (James Island), Walgreens (Corner of King and Calhoun), 5 Guys Burgers, Moe’s Southwestern, 3 Starbucks on King Street, West Elm, Louis Vuitton, IHOP, Publix, Vans, Aldo, Forever 21, H&M and more to come in downtown Charleston.
- Church steeples beautifying the skyline is becoming a thing of the past – Cranes, construction, cranes, construction – That has been the look of our skyline for five plus consecutive years with no indication of a slowing in development. With the massive projects in the medical district, the corner of Crosstown and Lockwood, across from Joe Riley, Upper King Street and Upper Meeting Street, Charleston is changing forever and rapidly.
- Charleston is more becoming more known for breweries than the churches of the Holy City – Don’t commit to this number, but we now have over 30 breweries in the Lowcountry and it is estimated there is a brewery for every 10K – 12K citizens in the county. I am not sure if that is worth celebrating or very alarming. Charleston is now becoming more known for its craft beer than its history and Holy City architectural charm.
- Tourism first, local second – We had another record year of tourism. It is estimated 4.2 million people came through the Charleston International Airport in 2017. That does not even factor in car traffic. That is a big number. It is great for our local economy, but it is a pain point for locals who are fearing the inconveniences of spending time in Charleston. This truly is a shame. It is one thing to pledge “Buy Local”, but another to take action to ensure it is happening.
- Reasonable commutes have vanished – There isn’t much to say here. You just need to live it every day to understand.
- Taxation is disrupting local commerce and recreation – I was recently in Minneapolis and Philadelphia where restaurant food and alcohol tax are 6.0%. I was pleasantly shocked. For those that have never been here and plan a trip in the near future, this is a key piece of information: Charleston County sales tax is 9.5%, restaurant food tax is 10.5% and restaurant alcohol tax is 15%.
- Increased parking rates and penalties have crippled locals ambition to spend time on the peninsula – It was only a few years ago, you could park in a garage on a Sunday and pay a flat fee of $5.00. It was just over 10 years ago, that a parking ticket cost $10. Some even remember $7.00. Now that fine is $45.00 and a garage will cost you $20.00 or more for just a few hours. There is opportunistic greed and it is very active in our community.
- Shem Creek has lost its coastal appeal – There is now a parking garage with office suites on the grounds of Shem Creek, a place once known for fishing, kayaking, shrimping and a local coastal hangout. Times have changed on the Creek.
- Bonus: Timeshares in Charleston – If you did not hear the latest news, the Charleston city council approved the development of a 100 unit timeshare on the corner of Calhoun and East Bay in downtown Charleston.
Charleston Daily
Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.
I wouldn’t classify some of these things as worse so much as they’re different. Income from stricter parking regulation and increased density by encouraging high density development and revising height limits on buildings contributes to the successful growth of the city, as does the increase in office space so that starting and, more importantly keeping a business here becomes more financially feasible. So while these are different, they are not necessarily worse.
Anywhere there’s opportunity there’s greed. But more than that The problem that we keep running into is everyone from college students to tourists to retirees to young families and professionals wants to be downtown. Everyone is fighting for the same space which creates this uncomfortable tension, it creates traffic, and it skyrockets prices so that many people have no other choice but to sell out their city just to make it work.
If there was an alternative/comparable neighborhood to downtown that offered city living and an urban experience, it would lessen the impact of the issues you laid out, but few are willing to take the risk and stick their necks out and help create a new urban scene when you can just stick to downtown which you know works.
What a huge mistake moving here. It’s dirty, crowded, and expensive. If you want to see Beauty daily, you must be in the 1% of wealth to live downtown, Sullivan’s Island, or Seabrook Island. There are many foreign non Americans here, I’m sure soon it will be a Sanctuary State like the rest of America. It was probably a nice place to live 40-50 years ago. Nothing special now, I won’t stay. Shame on all the overdevelopment by the greedy business people with no regard of the environment. Another victim of everything that is wrong with our once great country.
OK bigot
Actually it was great 10 years ago. And for many years before that. It was the mass migration of people from other states who had little to no respect for local culture that caused a lot of the issues.
People chose to bri g their lifestyles with them rather than to assimilate into the vibe that’s already here. Those people brought the problems.
I hate seeing this awful transformation of the city I love to visit. I’m praying the powers to be wake up and stop the madness before your beautiful city is lost entirely. We have made many trips to Charleston over many years. I loved it from my first visit and have since required my “fix” to walk the battery, visit my favorite shops, eat wonderful food and just soak up the warm hospitality there. Last year the spike in hotel prices downtown prohibited our annual visit. I am so very upset by what do am hearing from the city I love.
Ditch the hotel stays. Stay instead in Airbnb’s or VRBOs. There many affordable ones downtown.
Many AirBnBs in downtown Charleston are operating illegally.
Be careful Charleston. I live in Honolulu which has been ruined by excessive tourism. Foreigners have bought up real estate and driven real estate prices up so much that local families can no longer afford to live here. Traffic is terrible. Far too crowded. Don’t be stupid. Don’t kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
That’s already happening here in my beautiful city… it’s sad that ppl are being pushed further and further out with ever escalating home prices and taxes. I hear your warning but unfortunately those who could stop the craziness won’t heed those warnings.
When you sell a corner in Charleston for 45 million dollars for a tenth of an acre….. your not going to care about local culture when you do it.
Charleston residents should have thought about this before over valuing their land like morons. Enjoy becoming as nasty as Austin, NYC or SF. Once the billionaires owned property here you were doomed.
I was born and raised in Charleston and married and moved away. My family is still there. I always visit at least once a year and always go to the beach and downtown. This year I did not venture to either. It breaks my heart to see what has happened to my beloved Charleston.Greed is killing all that makes it so wonderful.
Oh ,I remember driving to Edisto as a kid, people once waved because your the only one they saw. The houses that had a manual hand pump In the front yard was there only water supply. I lived my childhood in the low country. I’m wondering what my 6 year old will cherish in his reflection..
…? Or no, I want better no compromises let’s protect the memories the best we can.
Richie Isaac
Lifetime and longtime locals are leaving in droves. This story delineates why.
#11 – People and media in Charleston whining every day about how things have changed for the worse. No, things have just changed, as they do everywhere else. If you don’t like it leave. I heard Venezuela is going back to the stone age, maybe true “Charlestonians” will feel more comfortable there….
Well you are obviously not a “true” Charlestonian or you would have an understanding of some of the issues for the locals. I would bet money you are a New York transplant if you happen to live in Charleston. Go back to New York if that is the city life you are wanting. There are genuine concerns with Charleston and this rate of growth taking away from the landscape and culture so many have grown up with and would like our children to be a part of
The first time I heard complaints about the ruination of downtown and James Island was when my parents would have friends over while I was in High School. I can’t exactly recall whether it was in 1974 or 1975. It was one of those two. Apparently though the ruin and destruction of downtown started way earlier . About a year ago I read a letter to the editor from 1928 complaining that King Street was being taken over by National department stores like Woolworths and Kress and that the skyline had been ruined by The Peoples Building on Broad St. and the Francis Marion Hotel. Apparently traffic was also horrendous and there wasn’t enough parking either. With the Charleston lifestyle having been subjected to such terrible changes over the years it’s amazing that after the steady decline for most of the 20th Century that we even have a city left to complain about.
Love how you put everything in perspective with the reference to the 1928 piece ?? I’m in your age bracket with similar memories!
#12: simplistic morons who don’t understamd that if you oave over amd monetize the reason the tourists were coming, the tourists stop coming. Do the math from there, and look up “urban blight”.
Lol this guy is clearly not from around heret
Really…I have been there ten years and it has changed. Some good but some bad…it is becoming a beautiful Southern Disneyland for adults. It is sad for those like us who came for the Southern Charm. While it has some beautiful places to visit, the infrastructure is like as you say “Stone Age.” For example, bridge cable snapping and stranding people for four weeks. Hilton Head has similar problems however at least they have a referendum to widen the roads; everything in the Charleston politics just goes around and around like a yo-yo! Nothing gets accomplished if doesn’’t make someone money. Can people be disappointed without being told they should move to Venezuela?
mr. boscaino or whatever, shut up about the nasty remarks about our charlestonians and antique cities. and furthermore …go back to where you came from know -it-all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think people are complaining about improvements, they are complaining that as a local it has become increasingly more difficult to live here. As an avid patron of the arts, I can no longer afford to buy a ticket to a play downtown because I can no longer afford the parking garage fees. I also cannot afford to buy a beer at a bar downtown anymore because of the increased taxes. I miss those days where I could park in garage, go to a play then have dinner. For a lower middle class wage earner, those days are gone (and that makes me sad).
Recently,I was in Charleston and enjoyed a Citadel wedding and a tromp about town with a buddy who, to my good fortune, is a history and photography buff. While at that time, i couldn’t identify this creeping feeling of dread, I have since realized it as what this article, the thoughts of others, confirms. The uniqueness of this great city will soon be hard to find and enjoy. I can go to Charlotte, Atlanta and Myrtle Beach (there, I said it) to do the same things, shop the same stores, eat the same foods,…; therefore, I will have no need to go to Charleston.
lets not forget Savannah. There is still some charm left there.
Exactly, Sadly Charleston is losing its unique identity. That’s why droves of tourists from all over the world came here in the first place! Now charming Charleston is still a beautiful city but historic Charleston is becoming more like a movie set , window dressing for a regular urban center that you can find just about anywhere
Note: bottom line… Charleston is losing her soul
That’s it in a nutshell! Makes me sad ?
There have always been more bars than churches so the brewery cooking is non-legit.
I agree about traffic and parking.
I think the hawkers pushing timeshares and face creams need to be outlawed.
Brewery comment, not cooking … where’s the edit button?
I am very excited about our prosperity as I remember the slums and crime of the 1960′ and 70’s that drove residents out of the city. Yes, traffic and parking are an issue and I will gladly sit behind a carriage tour!! King St. was bordered up back then. Now we have shops, restaurants and gorgeous homes and public buildings thanks to our many visitors.
My family is a 5th generation and many of us had to move to Mt. Pleasant in the 1950’s.
I was not allowed in high school to go over the Cooper River bridge after dark. There are always changes in life. Attitude throughout life is what it’s all about. I am very GRATEFUL for the fabulous city we now have that everyone wants to visit and live. Now my children will be able to find
careers here. My generation had to leave to find good employment. A NEGATIVE attitude in life and about life only makes for a miserable person. Yes, we do have
issues. Let’s work together and be POSITIVE about our success. How many other towns or cities wish they had our problems??
I agree with most of these. The mess at Lockwood is a joke. You wonder if the people who are responsible for it even remotely planned it. We don’t need more bushes and trees and sidewalks. We need more car lanes. Do you know that I got it straight from a guy who has something to do with that “Westedge” project. You ain’t seen nothing yet. Somewhere amidst all those bushes and trees will be a huge water tower. Yes, and he said it will bt taller than the overpasses!! Can’t wait for that. The most ridiculous plan ever. Publix that close to the street is stupid. As I said, a joke. I have been doing that ride every day for over a year and it has gotten progressively worse. Cranes are a constant. Downtown, there was a time I would go there, but now I avoid it at all costs. Didn’t know that stuff about Folly. Unbelievable — some people don’t even have a cell phone with apps. It’s a shame, but it’s true, what used to be really nice about living here is gone for the most part. I stay holed up in my little old James Island while I can. Fortunately my part has not gotten all that bad yet. Forget certain parts of W Ashley. Mt P’s traffic is bad ALL the time.
When I moved here from Miami in 1967 I fell in love with the “everyone knows everyone” feeling…that is gone Plus in 1971 I walked into Berlins on King Street for the very first time to buy a dress for a very special occasion. I could not make up my mind and wanted my husband to look at them…they said “darlin’ take them home on approval” …I walked out with $300 worth of dresses, an enormous amount in 1971 for most anyone… and came back the next day to buy the one I wanted….
Oh stop this whiny BS. Charleston is more magnificent than ever before, and keeps getting better. Every one of us are fortunate to live around the greatest city in the world.
It’s the greatest city for people with a lot of money moving here. It sucks for locals who have to move because they can’t afford to live here anymore.
You are spot on, None ya. Personally, I feel like I now live in the North without ever having backed my car out of my driveway. Charlestonians who are a member of the elite native group– those who have been blessed with what we call “old money” (and I am honestly happy for them) can continue to afford to live the high life here. Unfortunately, the majority of Charlestonians (the non-elite group), the people who made Charleston the reason why everyone wanted to move and permanently live here in the first place, are finding that it is impossible to continue to live here. They cannot support the “Northern” cost of living that is rapidly becoming Charleston’s “new normal.” When that entire non-elite group is forced out, the original luring flavor of Charleston– the flavor that brings others here, will disappear with them and it will no longer exist here. How sad. Even sadder–where are the non-elite people supposed to go to make ends meet and continue their Charleston lifestyle? Is Charleston not digging its own grave?
When I moved to Charleston in 1995 I was utterly charmed by the lingering energy of the past, the depth of history, the emotion of what I saw and felt. I had such hope of making a life there. I was “from off”, and experienced xenophobia from some, and later the good ‘ol boy crooked-deal politics that citizens still find disheartening. Maybe the xenophobia was just watchful precognition after all. It was time to leave and the dream ended. When I come back to visit, it’s hard to remember why I came in the first place.
I first visited Charleston in 1988 and fell in love with low country charm. My parents had moved to West Ashley and couldn’t wait for me to experience the beauty and culture of the Holy City. We explored the alleys and local shops. I loved how I could walk down East Bay and hear musicians playing from open air door fronts. I wandered side streets with the scent of jasmine and saved Southern dishes and the best fresh seafood. Small galleries and theaters with true historical significance offered an escape from the heat of the southern sun. I marveled at the preserved architecture and height restrictions to keep the charm alive.
We return every year and I witnessed the changes you mention. I miss the tiny havens we frequented that are no more. The chains can be experienced everywhere, who needs to go to them in this sacred place. History, once removed will never be reclaimed. Losing what brought visitors to Charleston in the first place can’t be a good idea.
“THEY PAVED PARADISE & PUT UP A PARKING LOT”
Charleston has gone from a family friendly place to a tourist attraction where no one really lives there. The main businesses are becoming HOtels and bars. As more working people & longtime locals choose to move away, who knows maybe the tourist we keep it up.I came here in 1970. Now my children & family are moving out to surrounding areas. There is not much downtown that we really want. We used to shop @Condon’s, Kerrison’s & Jack Krawcheck’s. Now they are gone & so are we. Downtown is a mess of tourists, college students & short term rentals. Only the hospitals are businesses for most people. Businesses are beginning to move out to other areas because workers do not want to work downtown-parking, traffic &unaffordable housing. Volvo, Boeing & other are moving inland. Think of
previous businesses which provide service-they have moved toward Summerville. Forget the flooding, Charleston might as well be underwater for most families. Families want entertainment where they live. Move the aquarium to North Charleston & see how many more locals attend.
Sad
The peninsula city, which was once the entire city, had a population of 70,000 or so in the seventies. That figure is now closer to 30,000. What was once the Holy City is now Hotel City. Folks who work in the service industry “downtown” can’t afford to live there and many can’t afford parking. Charleston has lost it’s soul. In the fifties and sixties the recreation department operated a half dozen or so playgrounds that were packed with children year round. My neighborhood identified as Hampton Park kids while others were Mitchell or East Bay kids. Today there aren’t enough kids in the old city to form organized teams or even play unsupervised pickup games. Our Hampton Park gang of eighty or so still gets together annually. The geechee/gullah accents sound like music. I sincerely wish that everyone who lives here now could have experienced the city that we did until this “renaissance”. I can remember the old saying, “Charleston: untouched by progress for 200 years”. Now it has been touched, groped and abused … ain’t it grand. Bless y’all’s hearts.
Put me in the “Grew up there, moved back, and then left” category. The Charleston I grew up in is a ghost. Too many people, traffic is terrible and housing costs through the roof. I mainly left because I couldn’t find a decent house that didn’t cost less than $400k. That number is probably even higher now. Also: sand gnats.
Gentrification has taken over downtown Charleston….
Folly was doomed when, after Hugo, it became eligible for Federal Flood insurance. Its loss of funkiness was only a matter of time.
What goes around comes around..the gentrification and greed will lead to destruction..Mark my word
I was born in Charleston and have lived here all of my life (65+) years. I have never lived the high life, but have always been able to make ends meet until now. At this point I cannot afford to live here, especially on Social Security income. My savings are disappearing rapidly due to the astronomical increase in the cost of living here. Once my savings are gone (which Will not be very long from now), I don’t know what I can or will do. Surely I cannot be the only Charleston native who is battling this dilemma. What is the solution to this frightening problem?
I’ve been so proud to live in Charleston for over thirty years, but seeing the rapid change in the pass five years is not only disheartening but sad to see a charming city overtaken by greed. Tourism helps our economy but too much of it damages the Charleston culture forever. This article only mentions 10 ways but I can count many more changes that affect our city and local beaches, just ask any local who has lived here for most of his/her life. You’ll find hundreds of ways Charleston has changed for the worst! Do you see what’s happening? #slowdownurbansprawl
Why is being able to use an app to pay for parking at Folly Beach a bad thing? I have been to beaches up and down the East Coast and that is what they all use. Horribly inconvenient to roll into Folly and realize that you need to have cash (which no one carries anymore).
We visited Charleston for the SEWE event. I don’t believe the locals will have to be concerned with too many tourists if the parking situation doesn’t improve. I understand Charleston is still closing parking lots to build hotels, etc. No parking in Charleston and is getting worse. Parking garages were full.
You are forgetting something very important. Gentrification. Natives can’t afford to live in Charleston anymore. Housing costs and taxes are forcing them out. 10 years from now we won’t recognize it.
I grew up here since 1970, it was nice then. Now, I only have one word for Charleston. Horrible.
charleston sucks ass.
I live in the midlands. When family visited from Virginia we would visit Charleston and do the touristy things including carriage tours. Once as the guide was explaining a particular sight a well dressed woman emerged from a business and made rude comments to everyone on the carriage regarding tourists. A similar incident happened several months later as we walked around. That was it for me. Haven’t been back, won’t go back. A small victory for the “Holy City.” If there is such sadness and anger among the citizens why is tourism promoted so vigorously? Why don’t the citizens rise up, attend community meetings and contact representatives? Why not (and I’m serious) place signs prominently at entrances to the city politely encouraging travelers to go elsewhere? I guarantee that will reduce tourism directly and even more as the media covers the placement of such signage. Your fate may already be sealed but would you want to go down without a fight?
To add to my comment above. Other popular cities throughout the world have hit the breaking point with tourism. There are actually organized protests by the citizens. Perhaps Charleston can take a lesson from these cities. I encourage those concerned to Google the phrase “anti-tourism protests”.
I am a true sandlapping Charlestonian,,born in 1964 lived there close to 40yrs,,at one time it was magical,,beaches,downtown,the freedom and beauty as far as i am concerned all gone,,I visit family from time to time and cannot wait to leave,it has changed and i can see and feel it!! I have lived in Raleigh for 17yrs and it blows Charleston away,,not even close,cleaner,safer and more beautiful!
I mainly come to Charleston for fudge, beef jerky and Bubba Gumps. ALl such unique Southern charms. Worth every penny of my $500 a night hotel. Then I cap it off with a delectable dinner from Hymens.
We are planning on moving to Charleston at the end of 2019 from San Diego. Originally from Bainbridge Island WA and we know all to well how greed and tourism can ruin an entire city. We had to relocate to a warmer climate because of my son’s disease. Unfortunately the Democrats made so many new laws our specialist and doctors left CA! We picked Charleston SC as an alternative to here but it seems from this dialog this city may end up another liberal mess. I can only hope it remains better than CA to raise our family.
Physical prosperity equals wealth and health. Don’t spend your money making your feeling go away in bars. Don’t buy drugs, go to school, read a book. Stop buying gasoline and take public transport. Eat healthy foods to replenish your energy. Spend time in your neighborhood and meet the thousand or so people that live in there. Be productive, stop killing yourselves with cigarettes, go for a run and exercise your body and not your mouth with negativity. Life is what you make it, not what you complain it.
They ruined this city. It had such a sweet spot before overdevelopment. I have very fond memories of enjoying this city. Back in 2011, I used to be able to drive from 41 (way north MtP) to downtown, park, and be in class at CofC in 25 minutes flat. Now, that would take at least double that and good luck parking. It’s so overcrowded… it makes me sad. It was already getting expensive, now it’s hopelessly expensive. Tourism has been overdone, and all the wealthy people moving in think it’s a bargain of a city, and so they don’t bat an eye to spend crazy money, which drives up prices for the locals. Listen people, I used to rent a renovated 3br house downtown for $1900 a month… impossible now. Good times are gone.
I left in 2020. A lot of people did. Could never live there now the way I used to. What a shame. Visiting makes me depressed.
If you don’t want it to keep growing then stop posting. It’s funny how you point out the growth, but you are a huge contributor to it. That’s simply how the cycle works.