Charleston, South Carolina named the Best Place in the U.S. to Retire in the new WalletHub 2022 Study

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WalletHub has released its 2022’s Best & Worst Places to Retire and has named Charleston, South Carolina as the Top Spot to Retire in 2022.

With an overall rating of 58.97, Charleston ranked #1 with Orlando, FL, Cincinnati, OH, Miami, FL, and Fort Lauderdale, FL rounding out the top 5

Click for full study results

Top 25 Cities

North Charleston’s “Paths to Recovery” Program dedicated to awareness and programming to support mental health and substance use disorders

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Paths to Recovery

North Charleston is dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, mental health and substance use disorders. We strive to:

  • Involve communities in raising awareness of substance use and mental health issues and in implementing prevention strategies, and showcasing effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programs;
  • Foster partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to improving public health; and
  • Promote and disseminate quality substance use prevention and mental health promotion resources and publications.

IN ANY EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911

Narcan Training 

Unfortunately, the opioid epidemic in this country does not seem to be slowing down, and so many lives are being destroyed by addiction. Opiates are prescribed to relieve severe pain, and they have the potential to be extremely addictive if misused. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.

To help combat this epidemic, the City of North Charleston has partnered with Charleston County’s Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), more commonly known as Charleston Center, to provide free Narcan training on a monthly basis throughout the City. Narcan, also known as naloxone HCl, is an FDA approved nasal spray that counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose, and it is often used in emergency settings. Once the life is saved, it is everyone’s goal that the long-term recovery begins.  

To attend one of the City’s free Narcan training classes, please contact Lieutenant Matt Hughes at mhughes@northcharleston.org.

RESOURCES 

Charleston Center (Charleston County Residents Only)

843-958-3300843-722-0100(24hrs)
https://charlestoncounty.org/departments/charleston-center/

Outpatient Services, Intensive Outpatient Services, Residential Services, Residential Services for women who are pregnant and/or parenting, medication assisted treatment, Withdrawal Management (Detox). Financial assistance available.

Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission (Dorchester and Berkeley County Residents Only

843-871-4790
https://www.dadc.org/
Offers a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach to the treatment of alcohol and other drug addiction and mental health disorders.

Kennedy Center 

843-761-8272
http://www.ekcenter.org/
Offer a wide range of prevention, intervention and treatment programs in two central locations convenient to residents throughout Berkeley County. The Kennedy Center is a private, non-profit organization that is designated as a county substance abuse authority by the SCDAODAS, South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

Center for Behavioral Health 

http://centerforbehavioralhealth.com/
843-529-0700
Outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, Financial assistance available

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

1-855-DRUGFREE
www.drugfree.orgEmotional support, guidance, and resources provided by bilingual master’s level parent support specialists. 5 one hour calls for 5-6 weeks with trained parent coach for free.

MUSC Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs (CDAP)

843-792-5200
https://muschealth.org/medical-services/psychiatry/cdapWalk-in clinic, medication-assisted treatment, outpatient services, counseling, paid research programs. Financial assistance available.

South Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition

prevention@southcarolinahrc.orghttps://www.southcarolinahrc.org/
843-906-4846
Overdose prevention supplies, opioid overdose reversal kits, grassroots advocacy, resource development, coalition building and direct services for people impacted by drug use, sex work, and overdoses.

Favor Lowcountry

Faces and Voices of Recovery
www.favorlowcountry.comPromotes the Long-term Recovery from Substance Use Disorders Through Education, Advocacy and Recovery Support Services

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Local Hotline 843-852-3001
http://www.crna.org/south-carolina/
NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

Cocaine Anonymous (C.A.)

HOTLINE  803-667-3263
https://ca.org/
Our primary purpose is to stay free from cocaine and all other mind-altering substances, and to help others achieve the same freedom.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Helpline 843-554-2998
http://tcio.org/Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Heroin Anonymous

https://heroinanonymous.org/
A fellowship of men and women who have found a better way of life, free from heroin addiction. Our fellowship is based on a 12-Step Program of Recovery.
5505 N. Rhett Ave. North Charleston, 29406.

Celebrate Recovery 

Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life.
https://www.celebraterecovery.com/
James Island Baptist Church, River Bluff Church, Seacoast Church, and Northwoods Baptist Church

Ben’s Friends

www.bensfriendshope.comBen’s Friends is the food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.

Creighton’s House

WakeUp Carolina
www.wakeupcarolina.org
All Recovery Meetings

Thursday’s at 7:15pm 118 Royall Ave. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
These meetings honor all pathways to recovery, acknowledging that each individual’s path is unique and reflects their personal strengths. The meetings are an opportunity for social support that focuses on the hope and healing found in recovery and to connect with others who are initiating and maintaining a recovery lifestyle. Come, socialize, share!!

Lights On! Lights, Camera, Action (LOLCA)

www.lightsonlca.org
www.instagram.com/lightsonlca
www.facebook.com/lightsonlca
Dedicated to helping community members improve their mental health  by finding social connection and a voice to help others in their struggle with substance use disorder through education, storytelling, and film.

FOR FAMILIES

Call your local police department and speak with a VICTIM ADVOCATE
Provides resources to those in need of treatment and recovery options for family members and friends. Mental health clinicians available!

NAR-ANON Family Groups

www.nar-anon.org
310-534-8188 (local)  800-477-6291(toll free)
The Nar-Anon Family Groups is primarily for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you. We have traveled that unhappy road too, and found the answer with serenity and peace of mind.

AL-ANON Family Groups

www.al-anon-sc.org
843-762-6999
alanonsc_d7@yahoo.com
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

ALATEEN

www.al-anon-sc.org
Path of Serenity, Tuesday, 8:00PM
Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben St, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464, Grace Hall Basement
Alateen is an Al-Anon group specifically designed just for young people age 19 or younger…Alateen works in exactly the same way and follows exactly the same principals designed by Al-anon, except that you are surrounded by a group of people your own age; people who are experiencing the same difficulties at home with an alcoholic parent, sibling, grandparent, or anyone else who has a problem with drinking behaviors.

Start Your Recovery

https://startyourrecovery.org/
1-800-662-4357
StartYourRecovery.org provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. We know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges faced by those who misuse alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or other substances, and we aim to break through the clutter to help people at any stage of recovery.

SOBER LIVING

Oxford Houses

www.oxfordhouse.orgwww.transitionalhousing.org/ci/sc-charleston

Charleston Sober Living

www.charlestonsoberliving.com
203-598-2738
A supportive, substance-free environment of like-minded community and care for men. You receive support from your peers as well as sober coaches, and if you need or require further assistance, we can provide referrals for any clinical support or treatment you might need, including psychologists and other medical professionals.

The Sanctuary Recovery Foundation

www.sanctuary-recovery.com
843-685-2614
Dedicated to providing sober living homes for men.  No matter the stage you are currently in, we are here to help. We welcome you in your choice to remain accountable and to further your recovery.

Magnolia Farm

www.magnoliafarm.org
843-442-4096
At Magnolia Farm our purpose is to provide a structured and stable environment for women recovering from the disease of addiction. We are dedicated to providing a sober living residence so our guests can return to life with an entirely new lifestyle and approach to living.

Magdalene House

www.magdalenehouseofcharleston.org
843-834-6771
Magdalene House of Charleston provides a program of discipline and balance, as well as a structured plan that is individualized for each woman. This plan includes access to: Medical and Dental Care, Group and Individualized Therapy, Programs for Addiction Recovery, Educational Opportunities, Employment Resources

Harbor Moon

www.harbormoonrecovery.com
843-751-3100
Residential recovery program for menwith alcohol & drug addiction. Two residential recovery optionsfor men 18 and older who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction – a Recovery Immersion Program and Transitional Recovery Residences.

Palmetto Project, Inc.

www.Insure-SC.org

(843) 577-4122

Palmetto Project’s Insure SC initiative provides health insurance application and enrollment assistance to any SC resident. These include Medicaid, Medicare, Affordable Care Act. Insure SC’s licensed staff can also help you understand how to best utilize employer-sponsored insurance and community resources, such as community health centers, free clinics, and prescription assistance programs. All services are free of charge. Since 1984, Palmetto Project has been working to identify innovative solutions to some of our state’s most pressing social and economic challenges and puts them into action. 

Transcendence Treatment Center

www.ttreatment.org

854-222-3773

Everyone experiences trauma differently, which is why effective substance use disorder treatment will include individualized, trauma-informed programming. At Transcendence Treatment Center, our multifaceted programs help heal unresolved trauma and substance use disorders by addressing the mind, body, and spirit.

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Where Education, Conservation, and Imagination Come Together: Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium

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The SeatTurtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium is made of a remarkable staff dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of our precious ocean friends. The center is open to the public with paid admission and has been an inspiration for visitors for many years.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets for your next South Carolina Aquarium Adventure

Did you know:

  • 30-40 patients treated per year
  • Daily treatment costs $35 per patient
  • 359 sea turtles have been released as of 08/26/2022

All seven species of sea turtles are listed as threatened or endangered, four of which are found in South Carolina: loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, green, and leatherback.

The Sea Turtle Care Center aids sick and injured sea turtles in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).

When a sea turtle is found stranded or injured, SCDNR brings the animal to the Sea Turtle Care Center for treatment.

Sea turtles arrive at the Care Center suffering from a variety of ailments:

  • Debilitated turtle syndrome
  • Predation
  • Boat strike wounds
  • Injuries from accidental interactions with fishing gear
  • Exposure to dangerously low temperatures

The incredible staff veterinarians diagnose each turtle and work with Care Center and volunteers to provide treatments and rehabilitative care. Patients are given IV fluids, antibiotics, vitamins, and other medications. Based on the sea turtle’s condition, a variety of procedures may be performed, such as x-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds.

Rehabilitated sea turtles are released home in hopes that they will become reproductive members of the sea turtle population.

McNair Center for Sea Turtle Conservation and Research serves as the Aquarium’s in-house research facility specializing in sea turtle knowledge. For the benefit of researchers, and sea turtles, all over the world, we share what we’ve learned from 21 years of patient injuries and illnesses and present it to the scientific community.

The Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery area in the Aquarium is open to all guests and it makes the real-life rehabilitation of sick and injured sea turtles visible to every guest.

Interactive screens allow guests to read each current patient’s story and learn about the rehabilitation process.

Photos courtesy of South Carolina Aquarium

WalletHub releases its 2022 Best Real Estate Markets Survey Results – Where did Charleston, SC rank?

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This year Charleston, South Carolina was overall the 66th best real estate market out of 300 (Top 22%) cities and 21st in the Small City Category out of 135.

Click Here for the Full Results

How were the results compiled?

Whether you’re joining the real-estate business or just looking for a place to call home, it’s important to get a handle on the housing markets you’re considering before investing in a property. This year, the housing market is skewed much more toward sellers, with mortgage rates having nearly doubled in the past year and home values have risen nearly 21% on average.

If you aim for long-term growth, equity, and profit with your housing purchase, you’ll need to look beyond tangible factors like square footage and style. Those factors certainly drive up property values. From an investor’s standpoint, though, they hold less significance than historical market trends and the economic health of residents.

To determine the best local real-estate markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 17 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. Our data set ranges from median home-price appreciation to job growth.

Additional Reading: Charleston Rental Forecast 2023

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23 Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC [Top things to See!] – New Video

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Are you visiting Charleston, or are you just looking for things to do in the area? There is no shortage of things to do and see here! Charleston was founded in 1670, and is a living museum with an amazing history.

There are a lot of things to do with kids and your entire family, historical things to do, romantic things to do, unique things to do, and there are also plenty of free things to do in Charleston.

There is always something fun to do while you are here, and below is a list of my favorite things to do and see near Charleston!

Presented by Mark Garrison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLUj4d1RRw8

Vision to Learn partners with Charleston to provide free eye exams and glasses to low-income children

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This week marked the official partnership of Vision to Learn and Charleston. Former CCF board chair Henry Blackford played a big role in bringing this organization to South Carolina, and Gov.

Henry McMaster signed legislation allowing its full operation here.

The group provides eye exams and free glasses to low-income kids who otherwise can’t see the board, their books or participate in class. Nationwide, they’ve helped more than 374,000 kids…and now, ours are in the mix!

Ultimate Charleston, SC Wedding Resource Sites/Guides

There is no denying the eloquent beauty and historic solace of Charleston.  That is why is has and continues to be one of the top destination wedding spots in the United States.  That being said, there are so many details that go into the perfect wedding, from the Pinterest dream board to the caterers, flowers to music, location to bridesmaid dresses.

Fortunately, Charleston offers some of the best resources in the country.  Here are some sites to help you prepare your perfect Charleston Wedding.

The Charleston Mantra is Simple: Spread Love

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By Mark A. Leon

As I walked the Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park pier last evening, I began to think about science and the truth seekers that lead the revolution of knowledge gathering.  Their framework is very simple: seek answers to life’s most complex and challenging questions.  The goliath of all questions that has riddled us all is the meaning of life and existence.

Where did we come from?  Why are we here?  What lies ahead after our organic body expires?  We most likely will never know the absolute truth of what force led to this thing we know as the universe and our tiny piece of real estate, but we continue to search.

Over the millions of years of evolution, our bodies, our ability to think, our every-day tools have developed and adjusted, but one core value has remained with humanity; the ability to feel empathy and love.

What makes love so powerful and so unexplainable?  It brings us to extreme levels of happiness and sadness.  It makes us laugh and cry.  It penetrates our bodies to the point of actual pain and ecstasy.  Yet, it is completely unpredictable.  Perhaps, you need to look at love as not an answer to be sought, but a guiding force in our journey.

As I walked the pier, with the final glimmer of sunlight reflecting off the harbor on onto my back, I saw couples holding hands, taking selfies, sitting on the rocking bench together, mothers and daughters holding hands, fathers giving son’s piggy back rides and all had the same common attributes of laughter, happiness and joy.

Just then, it hit me, the glue that keeps the wheels spinning on Charleston is the aphrodisiac in the air of love.  It is the roots of our garden, the fuel that keeps this Southern flame alive.

Take away the mansions, the fancy restaurants, the church steeples, the scenic waterways and you are still left with a simple philosophy: “Be guided by the simplicity of love, find those that fulfill your need of community and embrace the nature wonders of home and there you are”.  Charleston’s core mantra is love.

What brings couples from all over to pledge their eternal love on our beaches and churches?

What leads flocks to seek warmth under our sun?

What plants the idea to step back over two hundred years and let a horse guide you through the cobblestone roads?

What presence sends subliminal messages to kiss under the palmetto and frolic through Philadelphia Alley?

Why do you feel the need to dance on the sidewalk as a street performer serenades you or dine as the moon reflects off the harbor waters?

Love

We shower you with our Southern kindness, greetings of acceptance and acts of respect.

That is the pillar that can never be broken in Charleston.  That is the life that we have chosen.

When I think of a word to best describe the Charleston experience, it is simple, “Love”.

Embrace the idea of love.  Be kind, generous and hopeful.

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