Top Reasons You Shouldn’t Move to Charleston
By Mark A. Leon
I have your attention. If nothing else, some pleasant reading for a Sunday. There are statistics for everything. Some based on research, some speculation and often times both. We have heard that 40, 45, 55 and up to 70 people a day are moving to the Charleston area. Bazinga!!! That is an influx. Especially considering most of historic Charleston is below sea level. There has been high praise for this little piece of paradise, but this is an article to open your eyes and offer the counter point: Why you shouldn’t move to Charleston.
Top Reasons You Shouldn’t Move to Charleston
Taxation – Taxation in Charleston County can put quite a burden on your pocketbook or wallet. Restaurant food tax stands at 10.5%, restaurant alcohol tax is 15% and taxation on necessities such as clothes will run you 8.5%. If you have the kids or want a nice romantic evening out, you will be paying quite a bit extra to enjoy those luxuries or the basic life necessities.
Racial inequality – You will get many opinions on this one and many may not even acknowledge it as an issue. Some may be so frustrated that they won’t read this section of the article. The bottom line is that there is a racial separation point in Charleston. Whether it is location, economics, crime or lifestyle, it exists. Next time there is a major crime in Charleston, listen in on the debate. I am certain, one of the first statements will be whether it was a black on white or black on black crime.
Historic aesthetics are dying – Known for its historic church steeples, the Holy City has been a haven for history buffs, romantics and fans of true Southern hospitality. You don’t have to be an urban planner to see the infrastructure of our historic downtown is changing. With the growth of restaurants overpowering the establishment, old fixtures, such as Morris Sokol going to the waste side after 94 years and corporate entities becoming a common place at every turn, Charleston is changing. Within the next few months, there will be seven Starbucks in historic Charleston. At the corner of Calhoun and King Streets, you will find Carolina Ale House, Walgreens, Five Guys Burgers, Chipotle, Starbucks and Moe’s (and one corner is a park). It is one digital billboard from being a mini Times Square.
Heat and Humidity – This year the Farmer’s Almanac predicts that the Southeast will have an unusually warm winter. In seven years, Charleston has seen snow twice. Since April, it feels like we have had 130 plus days of 80 to 100+ degree temperatures. Add on the clingy humidity, obnoxious bugs we call neighbors and high UV sun exposure and for many you have an unbearable Summer season (even part of Spring and Autumn). The heat and humidity is an acquired taste. Learn about it first and really determine if this is what you want year round.
Cost of Living – Housing prices are high. It is a seller’s market. I am not talking foreclosures in less than stellar neighborhoods. The large management groups will take those over once those neighborhoods are cleaned up. I am talking residential home buying. If you have studied housing markets in the past, this is a perfect case study. The speed of growth over the last 7 years has been tremendous. When will the bubble burst? I know a great deal that hope it does not ever. It will. Be patient. Monitor the housing trends, but be aware, your new home may begin to “lose” value in the next few years. Also, look at the cost of goods compared to the average per capita income of the region and state. We are a bit unbalanced. (Cost of Living in Charleston)
Unpredictable weather – To the east, clouds, thunder and lightning; to the west, blue skies. As a convertible owner, weather can be a friend and a brutal enemy. Expect the unexpected. Of course, we are a hurricane spot. Though we have not had a major since 1989, the threat and the affects have been experienced here in Charleston.
Poor Driving – If you like people that don’t use blinkers, drive and text, roll through stop signs, stop and go traffic at any point in the day, hesitant drivers and high risk of road and highway accidents, then yes, Charleston is for you. Spend a few days driving through downtown, West Ashley, James Island, 
Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant and really experience the true Charleston driving experience. (Letter to Charleston Drivers)
Construction issues – It is abundant and not going away anytime soon. Go to Spring Street, Lockwood, Cooper River Bridge, Cross town, James Island Connector, Folly Road and a number of other areas in the city limits area and you will see constant construction. Some projects may go on for months or longer.
Jobs and Education – I am happy to report that the growth of the tech sector and the expanding world of Boeing has added a number of key jobs in this community taking us out of the old hospitality and sales culture, but there is still room for growth and still some challenges faced by many to find strong career opportunities. Also, South Carolina traditionally ranks in the bottom 10% – 15% in academics. Research your schools first before making a decision to choose a certain district. (Charleston Education System)
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.
Good article. I moved here about 5 yrs ago and agree w all you said. There is more violance than I expected or am used to living with. And the drivers, as you point out: I don’t think they know you are suppose to stop at a red light! Losing Morris Sokol — what a tragedy. Glad I found a beautiful metal bed frame to remind me of the store. But that is not what is important: it was the beauty of downtown and it’s rich (that can be taken both ways) history is what attracted me to the area. I have lived in several locations thoughout my life, but I have found it difficult to make friends and others has said, “that’s just Charleston.” Thanks for verifying what I was already feeling.
I agree. I have lived here for 27 years and have met the most incredible people I have ever known. However, I met all these people years ago. The social climate has changed so much that I do not even try anymore. I have my core of friends that I love, but going out and meeting new people is not priority. Difficulty making friends did not used to be “that’s just Charleston ” Pamela. It was a given that I met someone new and interesting every time I went out. Some changes have been good, but a lot have been bad. I see a much more narcissistic world out there now. ?
Hah yah right moved here in 2018 its been a shithole for friends.
Charleston is the least friendly spot in the US and ive had success in Dallas Austin San Antonio NYC and LA.
The culture here is toxic. If you are single stay away you will be lonely and everyone will treat you like a weirdo being the dude flying solo.
Perhaps the reason for all of your complaints escapes you.
Note: In particular the articles main point, we have a lot of [non-Southerners] Yankees and Westerners coming here and with them their nasty temperament and anti-Southern rhetoric and dislike…..The crime that is the highest here are in the North Charleston areas where you’ll find the poorer Black community’s, most especially crime ridden are King, Meeting, Market, Hannahan…
I live in the Moncks Corner area today, but have worked in and around Charleston for over 38 years. Having lived here since 1971, a North Carolina transplant, I have always experienced a greater portion of good while visiting and working in Charleston than I have of the negativity that seems to haunt you so terribly….Perhaps maybe, you’re not very likable and or, are anti-social or hyper sensitive and people sense that in you.
Perhaps maybe, you don’t like Southerners….
Personally, those that I have found it hard to like and or befriend of the Charleston inhabitants are White Liberal smugs. A lot of which are Yankees who come here to bastardize our beloved Southern Heritage and make demands that we strip down our traditions….
Now there is something to gripe about.
asshat.
You are correct, we have so many non Southerners here now that we are losing our heritage. It is quite a shame.
Jeffrey, lets talk about that dumpster fire in Moncks Corner you live in. You really shouldn’t comment on these things, you live in the sticks and don’t know diddly about Charleston. Your an inbred racist, after all that’s what lives in Moncks Corner. Yes, portions of N Charleston are riddled with crime, but that’s about the only remotely accurate thing in your whole load of BS. I grew up in Hanahan, not only is it one of the safest communities in the area, it has the best public schools. It’s also 99% white. Kings Street is nothing but bars and businesses these days as the article pointed out. People of color have been forced out of downtown and into N Charleston by rising property values. A process know as gentrification. Most of them are nice, hard working people. You paint them all with the same brush. Keep your inbred mouth out of these things, all you do is misinform people.
Not only people of color are being forced out of Charleston. I was born in Mount Pleasant and spent most of my life in Awendaw where my family has been for over 150 years. I will never be able to afford to own a house in Charleston. Yankees are moving here and paying ungodly amounts of money to but a house and feel like a part of “Charleston”. In my 31 years on this earth, (which is nothing in the big scheme of things), Charleston has lost its allure. People move here because they like it, then its not what theyre used to, so they want it to change. Sucks
Kermit you seem like the racist.
I could not have said it better myself! I’ve lived here since birth, & I’m 100% in agreement with your post! Thank you so much for saying what most of us TRUE LOCALS think. Now, if only they would move back from where they came!! 🙂
Well pops this poster is a Yankee. I am an American first and I didn’t need a passport to move to the Charleston area. I was forced to transfer to this place or lise my job. Transfer came about because my company couldn’t find anyone bright enough to perform the job so decided to transfer me. I’ve never met so many stupid people in my life as I have in Cha lesson…and they aren’t Yankees. Within the first month I fired three employees. Lol, they weren’t Yankees. I hired transplants to take their places and things running smoothly after 4 months. in the meantime due to the demand I transfer here by a crappy boss at my employer who happens to be from here , I immediately began seeking employment within my industry and happily I succeeded. I’ll be out of this hicktown iof nitwits in md April and back to civilization. Late Cletus
Ok jerk !!!! Or should I say pompous horse’s rump
OMGosh!
We may be transferring there because of my husbands job… and after reading these Posts quite frankly I’m freaking out! We both grew up in Texas, and were looking forward to the “Southern down home livin in the country Nicholas Sparks great place to raise your kids feeling place”… I don’t want another Modern liberal city… trying to get out of CA because of that . Feel like the airs been taken out of my sails
You’re right. Yankees and Westerners complain that it’s not like where they come from. To hell with that. Charleston was great BEFORE you got here. Yes, Charleston (like everywhere) has a race problem, but it’s not all in one direction.
Thank you :). I’m from Missouri but lived in Minnesota for nearly 30 years. Northerners and westerners ruin all the places they move to for the most part. Not everyone but most. We visit Charleston frequently and our friends have told us not to retire there because it’s overpopulated, crime ridden, expensive and traffic is more congested than ever. What’s sad is people moved to Charleston to get away from the list I just mentioned but by doing that they made Charleston exactly that way. The greater the population crime goes up, taxes, traffic etc…so now they live in a place just like they were trying to escape.
autonomous cars are on the way. soon, no human will operate a vehicle and gasoline will be so expensive that no one can afford it.
Love it! So spot on! I reside in Mount Pleasant which has become a haven of uppity northerners who think we are a bunch of rednecks.
This quaint pretty area is being turned into a giant concrete jungle .
The cost of living has skyrocketed making it damn near impossible for locals to buy a home here.
Interesting article, and on point, but you might want to also mention and expound upon the flooding problem. I am not aware of any infrastructure initiatives in Charleston to get large amounts of surface water underground, and there are thousands of new homes being planned…
On target. Sorry.
One nice thing about the Charleston area….if you don’t like it there are roads that run North/South and East/West that will take you some place you would be happier….bless your heart
Right on!!!
Yes…please leave so that your suffering comes to an end
Haha!! Yes, bless their hearts!!
First one must endure potholes, poor drivers (highest rated state in mortalities), congestion, poor highway maintenance, poor beautification (if you’re near DT – no problem there!), and unpredictable weather patterns before gladly leaving this backward of a poor excuse so-called ‘city.’
The highest numbers of highway deaths are in Florida and Virginia. Top 2 are in Florida actually. Then the 3rd is main interstate 395 thru Virginia into DC.
Hahahaaaa! ?
I think it’s hilarious that someone who moved to Charleston from New Jersey is writing an article to dissuade people from doing the exact same thing he did.
DJTTO THAT!
Ugh. Where are the “go back to Jersey” bumper stickers???
I’ll take 10 please.
I wish we knew this 13 years ago. We would’ve stayed in new York. Everything in the article is true and getting worse by the day.
By all means……. leave. We dont want you here even more than you dont want to be here.
By all means if you hate the way we drive and the way you have been treated by the True Charlestonian please leave. And if you really do decide to leave take a Starbucks with you.
And that is your typical attitude: I GOT MINE SO ENJOY ENJOY THE DECLINR OR LEAVE
It saddens me to read all of these comments. I was planning on moving my family to Charleston from the North. Not all Northerners apply to this ..”nasty temperament and anti-Southern rhetoric”. Some of us, don’t like the temperament of the North even though we were born here. I wanted to move South to give my children a better, slower, way of life. But, reading all of these statements proves to me that they will not be accepted because they are “Yankees”. Very Sad.
It is sad. I moved here seven months ago. It was our dream to live here one day. Now i am questioning our choice. People are nice in the groups i go to, but no one wants to truly connect and ‘do life’ together. To this day, still not a neighbor has come to welcome us. My husband has met a few men neighbors, but the women act like we dont even exist. We have lived in many places, Charlotte, waxhaw, Holden Beach, and NY and this is theonlyplace where i cannot connect. And i even am active volunteering for service. Feel a little better knowing it is not me and not to take it personally.
After 20 years… and much effort.. the roots thin on connecting. Lived all over the country but unless
A true native.. bring your gang.. and work hard. Great people but surface. California was easier. Strange. I’ve met other that left and never knew they were unhappy.
It is lovely, developer driven and beauty treatment big
Business.
You definitely hit a home run with the racism observation. I believe you mentioned “black on black” and “black on white” but apparently there is no “white on black” crime that reaches statistical levels. Sarcasm intended. Good article. I left because of many of the reasons you stated.
We were definitely blessed by your departure…
Lmao how true!
The traffic has become a major problem, but some of these other things i do not totally agree with.Like
Crime in Chatleston is mostly driven my black gang members. Home invasions, car jacking, assaults, murders are usually black on black and black on white. Savannah is no different.
94 % of all blacks killed are murdred by other blacks according to the FBI crime stats.
Black males ages 14-25 are only 3 % of the U.S. population but are responsible for
53% of murders nation wide. There is nothing to debate crime is the number one issue in the low country and its not on Seabrook Island where it’s majority white. It’s coming out of the black populated (North Charleston , Hollywood ect) areas that are most affected by hoodie wearing thugs who cover their faces in 100 degree before running into gas stations using stolen weapons to rob then shoot unarmed tourists and employees.
Charleston’s problem is a black gang problem. You address that
and everything else takes care of itself.
Absolutely……Not to mention the smug White Yankee liberals who come down here with an attitude. And, they come Southward why exactly, because they can’t stand the poison they breath on each other in their own states.
The term bastardizing the south was a direct hit on the head of the nail.
You should never post stats without the source.
I moved here from my moms uterus 28 years ago. If I knew then what I know now I definitely wouldn’t of made this my home. I hear Ohio’s nice. Thanks mom
I think it’s Hilarious to see these people make comments they have been here 1315 20 years and dislike it so much pack up and leave. Obviously you have not been too many other cities. Go to Jacksonville the construction is horrific traffic is horrible in the crime is just as bad. For those people that hate it so much. Please leave and make room for the people that love it so much.
My husband and I moved to Charleston two years ago and I’ve loved every minute of life in Charleston. Some of the complaints mentioned are true but they in no way take away from the beauty and charm of my life South of Broad. We call Charleston the Boston of the south and enjoy the food, cobble streets, churches, shopping, harbour, beaches and yes charm of the population of Charleston. You make of your life and surroundings what you want so find the good of the area. I have and couldn’t be happier.
this article is hardly for you or anyone else living south of broad. get real.
Thank you for this!!!!!! Some spark of hope has flickered!
Yes, life is nice anywhere if you’re rich.
Amen SISTER!
I’m black I have been in Charleston for six years and love it. I live on St.Philip Street and watched how this city changed in the past years. As for the racism problem I experienced head on everyday I walk down King Street going to work. Most white people don’t take well to us black folks thinking we all out to get them. Hell I make very good money at my job, I wear nothing but the best clothing yet I still get treated like a dam slave!
Sham, is it different where you came from?
I dont believe your comment. Actual Charleston natives dont have a problem with the blacks who are from Charleston. We just dont like people who move here.
YES!
I have been hoping and trying to move to Charleston most of my adult life and, finally, I might have the chance. This comment worries me. I’m from Texas and have zero issues with anyone. Is this truly a cultural norm here?
I also feel that way. I feel like one of my forefathers IRISH SLAVES!
I find all the comments so interesting- I’ve lived here for over 30 yrs – I am a 4th generation NOLA girl- and find things very similar to the both states- great food, nice people, but we have beaches which is such a nice bonus- and you can be in the NC mountains in a snap- just a great situated state for me- it was hard making friends at first- but I’m a Southern girl so I know how to behave- that is key here- I think the secret is out- this is a great place to live and its getting crowded because of it- happy to live here-
You have understated the tax issue. Income tax, High sales tax, car tax, boat tax, property tax, personal property tax, business tax, gas tax, food tax, alcohol tax, hotel tax, on and on yet they always want more. I cant figure out where the money go’s.. Our school’s are terrible. Our roads are in poor condition and our public services are less than impressive. Where is the money going? Good question..
thats a good question….its goes to bad decisions like over landscaping on 17 in Mt Pleasant and illegal workers with excessive leaf blower air/noise pollution blowing dirt because they cant handle a rake and a paper bag!!
And a gozilliondollar curved building at town hall to impress more people into coming and clogging up the air space….all just a bunch of zombies staring at the phone waiting for the Whole Foods to open at 8 am to push babies around!!
Unfortunately its exactly as the article describes and getting ready to be worse…sell your house while its hot
I have lived in the Charleston area all my life (25 years), and the congestion of the area has gotten out of hand. So many people are trying to move here, that big corporations are trying to get approval to fill in the marsh land to build more apartments. You can’t drive west down I-26 after 3:30 every week day without being in stop and go traffic the whole way. Rush hour is so bad here. I live about 7 miles from downtown, recently got my house broken into (property crime is terrible.) You can’t leave anything outside or else it WILL get stolen. And the race thing is awful. I live in a predominately black area, and often when I go to a store around here, they try to rip me off and charge me extra, plus bums will harass you and tell you sob stories all day. And the weather is god awful-it gets so hot, you can barely breathe in the summer. All the awesome stores (Factor 5, Granny’s Goodies, Black Market Minerals, etc.)are gone-replaced by bullshit. I am lucky to rent a house my father owns for half of the market value, otherwise, the price of housing is ridiculous. I am planning my escape soon!
Another point that should’ve been made..Charleston is at capacity. I was born and raised here and I’m watching my city be destroyed. Our infrastructure is already falling apart and even before everyone started to flock here, Charleston could barely handle the traffic then. Now with the influx of northerners moving here, the traffic has become completely out of control. Locals already had a hard enough time trying to find jobs and affordable housing without people constantly moving here. Now our historic town is being ripped apart and new apartment complexes are springing up everywhere. So now us locals are having to pay way more for rent and are competing with more people for the limited jobs that we do have. Charleston needs to stay the way it is. We literally can no longer handle any more new families.
So…should we build a wall?
I am a Charleston native but moved around the country in my IT profession. I am now retired. Charleston is the most wonderful placed ever. Yes the traffic is bad but name me one growing metropolitan area that doesn’t have a traffic problem. Crime, no worst than any other growing city. Most crimes involving a shooting are black on black not counting the two most horrible crimes of a life time which was perpetrated by a white on black(s). Property crime is not any higher than any other growing metropolitan area. For many years according to all the top rating systems Charleston has been the most beloved city in the U.S. Now according to Travel + Leisure Charleston is # 1 in the world. I have always prescribed to the though that one will get exactly what one looks for. If one always look for the negative, that is exactly what one will find. On the other hand if one always look for the positive that is exactly what one will find.
It’s turning into little New York & New Jersey!!! ?
Racist comment. You are showing your ignorance. Was that behavior learned at home?
Poorly written article. You should have paid more attention in school.
Do you find it amazing that so many black and white people are happy living in charleston and that so many black people return here from a career “up north” to retire? I see that you live in Monks Corner. How interesting the cultural atmoshere there. That must be your inspiration.
I have looking for places the past couple of years to retire completely. Looking at coastal areas I started in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina. In reality there was very little differences in any of them. Escaping crime is merely spending more money on housing and that is true wherever you go. The new America unfortunately about is about buying safety and safety costs more. Charleston was one of the areas that was under consideration. Spent two weeks on the ground looking at housing, traffic and medical services. Weather is fine and have no issues with hot and humid. There were two main issues that caused Charleston to fall out of favor. Traffic and the influx of people. Yes I had people going the wrong way on one way roads a couple of times. Car makers should offer reduced priced cars without turn signals since they seem to be unused in Charleston. The road infrastructure is lacking and will continue to get more problematic. It happens everywhere you get a large influx of people in a short period of time. The number of people moving into the area will strain the already overused system. Unfortunately people do not just bring furniture when they arrive. They will change the very qualities that attracted them to the area. They will not assimilate in the culture of the region and merely bring their own and impose them, on everyone around them.
Hey guys, don’t spoil it for me! I just come to look longingly over Battery Park at Fort Sumter, and stroll through the market sampling benne crackers, and spend a day on Wadmalaw Island at the Winery and finally having dinner at Hyman’s. Then I go home to Charlotte.
All those awful reasons about the “horrible” quality of life in Charleston. We moved here a year ago and found…
1 Incredibly warm friendly people
2 Crime limited to isolated portion of the city
3 Traffic that doesn’t even compare to the congestion of cities in the NorthEast
4 Restaurants that rival the best elsewhere in the country
5 Beautiful vistas and geography everywhere you drive
6 Many “Northeners” that used to be whiners and rude people and have now learned the Southern way of charm, politeness and hospitality
7 People that bitch about how bad it is but…never feel a need to return north
8 Amazing colorful foliage all year round
9 Hot summers…but you don’t need to shovel heat, and humidity doesn’t have to be scraped off the windshield in the frigid mornings
So…Love it or leave it..we will try to get along without your bitching and whining.
I agree with Dov — and people need to quit criticizing the NORTH Charleston area. There are very nice houses and areas to live there. I live in a gated community and could not be happier. Crime has not been an issue there for me at all.
My dad grew up on Isle of Palms (as did I), where he still has a house on and even since I was born 27 years ago, not only has the Island changed but the entire city. Yes, we have become so popular as a city that people keep moving here and because of those people that move here it has changed more than a lot of people, who aren’t locals, realize. For instance, on the Island, growing up all my life (and my dad’s), everyone waved at each other, even if you weren’t friends with the person, you still waved and smiled… Now? Oh hell no. The only people that wave are people that i recognize as locals, everyone else just either ignores you or glares at you *can you say rude?*. The change is real people and it’s HUGE. Town Centre in Mount Pleasant used to be just WOODS. My brother used to go mudding in his truck through there back in the day. And when my dad or I have to plan when we have to leave our HOME on the Isle of Palms and come back because of traffic… that’s a problem. Don’t even get me started on downtown (aka Charleston). I went to middle school and high school down there and the changes down there have been crazy too! And the amount of rude people down there… getting worse and worse every year. Especially when tourists are in town. I don’t mind if people come and visit, but a little friendly tip, be friendly to US, the locals, the people who actually live here and TRY to be nice and welcoming to people who visit. But, when people visit and they’re RUDE and have attitudes, that makes us not want to be so welcoming and friendly. As a local and native of this amazing city… I am tired of people moving here for atleast 50 years. As i’ve said, because of the HIGH volume of people who move here because they claim to “love” our city for what it is, there sure has been A LOT changing and growing in the past 10 years, especially the most recent few years since we’ve become the Number 1 destination spot. I guess a price really does come with being number 1.
Okay, question for all of you, I am a Wofford grad, from long ago. I am a real estate broker on NC’s Outer Banks. My GF is an interior designer, with a fantastic resume. I was in Sumter for Hugo, that was fun – not! She has family there. We are thinking of moving there in the next few months.
Opinions please?
Thanks
Wow I’m from Los Angeles and I’m actually moving to Charleston this week because my wife and Ali fell in love. However according to a lot of these comments there’s still lots of ignorance and it’s a shame makes such a beautiful place scary to live in! It’s 2017 stop with the racism bull shit we just had a white man in Vegas kill 300 people white black mexican it doesn’t matter we are human! Call people by name! No wonder people look at the south so bad this is sad and disgusting! I really have to rethink moving there now! Thank stupid ignorant trumpets ! Come to Los Angeles with that bull shit!
You’re right. Yankees and Westerners complain that it’s not like where they come from. To hell with that. Charleston was great BEFORE you got here. Yes, Charleston (like everywhere) has a race problem, but it’s not all in one direction.
You must be joking. I’m moving there! Change to suit me!
Thought South Carolina might of been a very mild place situated so as to not be liberal north or backwoods south but just “sane”. Not so. Mostly it’s ignorant southern pride and the most subtle yet all pervading racism. Kind of tired of slackjaw yokels who think they’re the salt of the earth. People who think their town is the apex of civility, and yet if you fail to head nod or giday a TOTAL STRANGER they think you’re the devil incarnate.
Usually you can take what a person complains about in a city and apply it to any other city depending on who is complaining (and what they are for breakfast that day) but never have I seen a place so deceptively close to violence at all times.
Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met; but a lot of them would not let you be a grump for even a microsecond. That’s not the tradition of the south which I’m familiar with; it’s some deadly mix of north and south. We have to be MEN and MEN do not always feel like putting on for total strangers, laying extra spin on that southern accent and cocking his jack daniels hat and spewing chewing tobacy just so he can fit and and do his JOB and LIVE. Get back to your roots; mind yer damn business!
Everywhere sucks for some reason or another. Stop complaining and do something about it.
This was actually Native American land, not southerners land.You have no right to tell anyone to leave.It sucks when someone takes over your land, doesn’t it? That’s what the Native Americans thought when you invaded.Southerners are so uneducated.
Hey Carla .. your an idiot!
I moved from Manhattan 28 years ago and fell in love with Charleston because of its fantastic weather, friendly people and beautiful beaches. It truly was a hidden gem. Unfortunately, with the new influx of people, apartment complexes, highway expansions, developments, much of Charleston has lost much of its charm. Many of the new people living here have unfortunately brought their terrible attitudes and snootiness. It is really too bad. It is like New York all over again, but with nicer weather.
I hate it here! It’s expensive and the jobs pay crap here! Contractors are about is dumb as they get. The work you get done in your home will never get fixed. There’s a high std rate and the food is over rated. Don’t get me started on the dumb civil engineers who never widen the roads and has made traffic so bad it’s unbearable. Car accidents all the time probably bc of road rage from the 1-2 lanes everywhere. Don’t move here! It’s a trap!
The south is losing its culture as people change migration patterns,sadly,as a result of losing a fight that was doomed,and not paying attention to r e lee put this all away,we are citizens again, we brought it on ourselves,we just cant admit it,and it was not grant and shermans fault,we fired on sumpter. Now i am a flagg from charleston,i have family in virginia and massachusetts we all visit by the old rule if u cant say anything nice say nothing at all,never dicuss money,religion,race,or politics
E
I have a few simple facts.
Fact number 1- over 24 people are moving to charleston a day.
Fact number 2- in the charleston metro area alone this includes the following Downtown, west Ashley, North Charleston, and James island. There are already around 734,000 people give or take living in these areas alone. Not including Johns Island (where I grew up my entire life), Summerville, Ladson, Folly beach (trash beach), Monks corner, and Hanahan. All of which I include as “Charleston” personally since I frequently and very often drive and commute through all of these locations for work.
Fact number 3- Every one needs to stop ignoring the fact that Charleston is becoming horribly overgrown in just a matter of years! I grew up on johns island. I am currently 27 years old and have seen drastic discusting changes everywhere I go especially johns island! There used to be horse stables and barns and farms everywhere now their gone for new neighborhoods and apartments all of the nice agricultural things people want to come here and live here for are all gone! What’s the point anymore? Now all we have are these new neighborhoods popping up and they all cost over $300,000 and no one local in Charleston with a normal job can afford any of them all that is happening is rich people are moving in and the “POOR” people are being forced out. I personally can’t afford a house any where near Charleston and my boyfriend and I combined make $47,000 a year! We are having to look else where!
Fact number 4-Seabrook and Kiawah are sesspools of disgusting people I should know because I used to do rentals and house cleaning out there for 10$ an hour. Literally they are never satisfied! At least the people I have dealt with… basically i felt like I was their slave…stopped every five minutes to “help” do something they could of easily done themselves that I don’t get paid to do like change their air filters get on 12 ft ladders to hand wipe chandeliers risking my life and not to mention “can you get that down for me” I’m 5ft tall but sure I will get a ladder and get that for you because I give good southern hospitality and aim to please which means I get taken advantage of… but I’m only mentioning them besides my rant is because the only way to get there is to go through johns island and because of all the tourists going there it’s impossible to get on and off the island it will easily be an hour both ways especially if you work there… I currently live in west Ashley and the ride to johns island easily used to be a 10min drive max and I’m talking it was 10 min max like 4-5 years ago now it’s an hour for me…
Fact number 5- TRAFFIC TRAFFIC TRAFFIC!!!!! Can’t stress this enough it used to take me 15 to get from johns island to down town or to North Charleston now you can’t get any where, any time of day, any day of the week without TRAFIC even at 10:30am or 2:00pm does every one not have work? And even shopping has become an issue going to the grocery store is an ordeal because the lines are so backed up all the time it seems like especially around rush hour traffic time when every one is getting off work. Easily an hour or more at the grocery store even if your literally just going in for $50 of groceries…
Fact number 6- the cheapest decent apartment in west Ashley will cost you $1000 for a 2 bedroom and they are a 1980s hell hole literally no upgrades at all… old everything!! If you want nice it’s around $2200 for a 2 bedroom and more some are $3200..
Fact number 7- there is high crime every where you go no matter what area your in my car has been broken into numerous times and some one attempted to steal it once (but guess they can’t drive a manual) I even had a neighbor hit my car push it up on the curb at my apartment and refuse they did it (drunks)… and my boyfriends car has been broken into as well.. my father had over 12,000 in equiptment stolen right out of his back yard in broad daylight. No matter where you live in Charleston their is drug problems, murder, suicide, theft, and so much more… even in nice neighborhoods they are being targeted more and more lately..
So if your thinking about moving here don’t expect to live in a beautiful beach haven or historical gem don’t believe all the hype it doesn’t exist and don’t expect to pay less than $2300 for a “decent” apartment in a “decent” area sure you can get less if your living in scary situations or over $320,000 for a 3 bedroom ranch style 1960s house because you won’t find any better here.
Plus all of the charm is truly gone thanks to all of the recent development and even though I grew up here it’s absolutly like living in hell nothing is a nice experience anymore nobody is nice or waves anymore nor are they inviting and every one is in a bad mood driving and takes risks because they literally can’t get anywhere in a timely manner at all I travel sometimes almost 2 hours to get home in the afternoons from Summerville. Definitely not a place to live if you make under 45,000 a person or 100,000 as a couple and if you make less than that your considered the low class working trash everyone seems to step on and take for granted when we’re doing the jobs they dont want to do like clean their own toilets or take out their trash… I work very hard 50-60 hours a week doing exactly that and barely make it by and why is that???
STOP MOVING HERE! Unless you want to be unhappy every time you leave the house then by all means come join us and make it worse…
We’ve been here for 15 years and the last 5 have been hell but thanks for all the money I’m gonna make when I leave. You can pay top dollar for my little piece of real estate and I’ll skip to the bank while I plan my move outta here. It was a good run until NY and NJ emptied out here.
Ok so I’m a dirty carpetbagger from nyc and I just moved here….I ain’t rich or privileged but I got news for you. It’s a hella lot nicer here than in Nyc. Racism sucks where ever you go… taxes well bless your heart I will trade em for NYC/NYS taxes any day of the week. Schools better than the Bronx and just so you know…. not all northern want 243 Starbucks or to make it the same as where we came from. Have some really great friends and love being single in your city… manners, vocabulary and lack of ego go a long way down here…. so instead of complaining and stating it is changing to fast or too slow…. just enjoy it go to a dogs game and chillax
Probably a really intelligent thing to do before you even visit CHARLESTON is to read a book or two on the CIVIL WAR and of course on MISS MANNERS.
Thank you so much for these enlightening comments from all of you Charlestonians and SC folks. My husband was offered a position in a new hospital there because of your shortage in nursing and highly trained medical staff there. They needed to seek talent outside of SC. We have decided to turn down the position. The comments here are sickening and the reason why you need talent outside of your own state. There are so many Uneducated people and no they aren’t the black ones but white. And you have the audacity to complain about Norhterners coming in. Good luck
I can’t believe it, it’s so sad to read those comments.
Yankees, Westerns, Southerns, black, white. WTF you guys are al Americans and should be so proud of it.
I was not lucky enough to be born in the USA, I’m American for adoption and lived for 18 years in New Jersey. I’m planning on moving to Charleston because I absolutely hate the cold weather and because leaving in New Jersey is absolutely expensive. I’m paying just in property taxes $8K per year and I know I’m paying a really low amount (most people will pay over $10K per year just in property taxes).
Charleston might not be perfect, but all the people I talk with (any race) was always super cool, super friendly and open to help with everything. It is rare to find that in NJ, specially if you get close to NY.
It’s truly very complicated in this active life to
listen news on TV, therefore I only use web for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date information.
dont do it!
I have to say I was so excited to move here, however we failed to do some research. I never seen so much racism. Yes it is everywhere no doubt about that. But living here is almost as if we went back on time. This whole northerners, westerns etc… shouldn’t matter. Let’s be honest charleston is losing its culture. Well racism has been covered up. I think is becoming more and more evident from all of us that are moving here from different states. The school system is bad, I thought it was good because we were told by everyone here. However that’s not how it is. Im sure covid doesn’t help with the negatives and it only made it bigger. We had high hopes but we will be moving out mainly because of the lack of academics. We will visit, I hope with so many moving here it helps to change the racism that’s still very much exist. We are a mix family we are from California, moved to Dallas and the reason we chose to move to Charleston was because we miss the beach. But we definitely love dallas/Fort Worth school is beyond 10x better plus it offers much for the kids. Which is something charleston doesn’t offer unless if you’re on vacation. To my surprise it’s cheaper and you get way more compared to here. I do love the history we have learned a lot and we will continue to build as many positive memories as much as we can until we move out this summer. Unfortunately this place didn’t fit our family. I hope the acceptance of other cultures increases!