5 Key Challenges to Consider about Living in the Charleston, South Carolina Area
By Mark A. Leon
Charleston, South Carolina is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture, incredible coastal aesthetics and a warmth and safety kissed by true Southern Charm, but like any place, it has its challenges. We love and embrace the magic that is the Lowcountry, but we know that like any place, it isn’t the perfect cultural fit for everyone.
We wanted to share some high level challenges you may face if you choose to call the Charleston Lowcountry area home:
- High Cost of Living: The cost of living in Charleston is higher than the national average, especially when it comes to housing. The city has seen a lot of growth in recent years, which has driven up property values and rent prices. One of the biggest demographics that struggles with this are single homeowners or renters.
- Traffic Congestion: Charleston is a popular tourist destination, which means that the roads can be very congested during peak seasons. Additionally, the city’s infrastructure is not designed to handle the large influx of people that come with tourism, which can lead to frustrating commutes. Some of the biggest challenge roadway areas are Highway 41, 17 North, Maybank Highway, Ashley Phosphate Road, Highway 61, Dorchester Road, Crosstown, Savannah Highway and Folly Road to name a few.
- Extreme Weather: Charleston is located in a coastal region, which means it is vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. The city has experienced significant flooding in recent years, and residents need to be prepared for severe weather events. Some things you need to prepare for are higher insurance premiums closer to the coast, cars more equipped for volatile weather, gas/food shortages prior to predictive hurricane conditions and boarding up windows/sand bagging entranceways.
- Racial Tensions: Charleston has a complex history when it comes to race relations, and there are still tensions that exist today. The city has been the site of several high-profile racially motivated incidents in recent years, and some residents may feel uncomfortable or unwelcome due to these issues. Overall, the tri-county is safe compared to other mid-sized and larger urban areas of the country, but there are generational issues that date back over 400 years.
- Limited Job Opportunities: While Charleston has a growing economy, job opportunities may be limited in certain industries. The city’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, hospitality, medical and manufacturing, which can make it challenging for individuals in other fields to find work.
Overall, while Charleston is a beautiful city with a lot to offer, living there may come with certain challenges. It’s important to weigh these factors against the many positives of living in Charleston when considering a move to the area.
Related: Things to Consider If You Are Thinking About Moving to Charleston, South Carolina
Related: What Makes Charleston, South Carolina a Special Place to Live
Related: 10 Reasons Charleston Area Traffic is Concerning
Follow and subscribe on Charleston Daily
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.
Great article and I couldn’t agree more with points 1, 2, 3, & maybe 5. I do, however think it’s a stretch to report to the rest of the world that Charleston has a “racial tensions” issue. Dylan Roof was obviously disturbed but other than that I can’t think of another racially motivated incident. At least not enough to call it a deterrent to living in the Charleston area. I’ve lived in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, & North Charleston going back to 1995 and never seen any more “Racial Tension” than in the other 9 cities I’ve lived. There are “Racial Tensions” in Charleston as well as everywhere, but is that really a top 5 challenge to living in the Charleston, SC area?
Totally agree Tracy! Has Mark A. Leon even been here?
totally agree with both of you on the “racial tensions” part of this article. I sure wish he had also written about how the victims of that horrific act actually forgave him publicly. These are true christians. I consider myself a christian but don’t know if I could have done that.
Dylan Roof wasn’t from Charleston. He was living in Columbia SC & he targeted Mother Emmanuel, the church in Charleston.
I would have to say the part about racial tensions is not true. I am a former Detroiter and Atlantean, The racial climate here is next to nothing.
I looked up this author and he seems to be another Hippy Dippy leftist from New Jersey. If you ask me, that’s our real problem, too many liberal Northerners.
We have worked for 15 years to improve the transit system here, but without far more public pressure progress will never catch up with need. https://bfltransit.blogspot.com/2020/04/transportation-equity-after-pandemic-by.html
Poppycock! As a recent transplant to Charleston, I feel it is a better place to live than 90% of the country. The cost of living may be a bit higher than some places, but what comes along with it is well worth the price. I agree with most of the other people posting here. To zero in on the Dylan Roof situation shown a weak journalistic perspective. The “racial tensions” in the entire country are being manipulated by politicians today for their own gain.
There is literally zero racial tension in Charleston. Who is this guy Leon? He has no idea what he’s talking about.
Never having lived in town proper, ( Remount road as a Navy brat) there’s been a connection my whole life even though I’m from the upstate. I’ve seen a lot of changes in the last 40 years. Historically it’s been a town that’s better if you have Money and lots of it. However it’s always been a oasis of charm if you know how to enjoy it. My first wife used to curse under her breath whenever she would hear “Yankee accents” behaving badly as we strolled the streets of the “Holy City” Lol….
Ive lived in Charleston for 50 years..I love it here. This man Leon is really a negative minded angry individual.. Im at a point in my life that i could live anywhere I like. I choose Charleston. Racial tensions ?. Maybe I shouldn’t open this door but, when that lowlife killed those folks at Mother Emanuel church, the Black community acted with grace and class.
North Charleston has one of the highest crime rates in America.
Mark Leon you need to do better homework!