Charleston, South Carolina: The Hollywood of the East Coast?

By Mark A. Leon

For many years, the conversation in the Lowcountry has focused on comparing the North vs South.  The migration and evolutionary change in culture focused on the dynamic shift in backgrounds, ethnicity and lifestyle have led to the rise of a new kind of Charleston.

Now, let’s change the narrative to the compare the lifestyle of Charleston to that of Hollywood, California.  Just how similar are we? 

Let’s outline some clear parallels between our Charleston, SC and Hollywood, CA.

For purposes of this piece, we will only be focusing on the peninsula.

Why Charleston, South Carolina is the Hollywood of the East Coast:

• In Hollywood, if you want to escape for a few days, you vacation in Palm Spring or San Diego.  If you want to escape for a few days in Charleston, you go to Beaufort or Hilton Head.
• During the winter, if you want to experience mountain life or ski, book a trip to Tahoe from your West Coast home.  In Charleston, you head to the Western Mountains of Asheville or Greenville.
• Brunch is the place to be seen.  It isn’t always about the best food or service, but reputation.  Like Hollywood, many choose brunch based on its reputation for trendiness.
• Charleston is becoming a rising star in the film and streaming scene.  Of course, not the level of Hollywood, but the Righteous Gemstones, Halloween and OBX are indicators of a spike in interest in filming in this location.
• Sharp-dressed man to Fashion Diva – The look is everything.  From the moustache to the shoes; dress to accessories; groomed hair to the sports jacket; skirt to the boots.  Fashion is a key player in both locations.
• Ageism – Some may argue all are accepted, but we know that is not true.  Go onto Instagram and TikTok for the hottest hotels, restaurants, shops, and breweries.  How many over the age of 40 to you see in this imagery?  Sometimes perception and reality are closer than we think.
• Unique architectural designs are showing a move to commercial individualism.  The postmodern designs and aesthetically pleasing structures rising in Charleston showcase a vision unlike anything this city has seen in the past.
• In the last 10 years, Charleston has exploded in the arts scene offering jazz, ballet, opera, comedy, theatre, music, and alternative arts.  This counterculture is creeping up and looks like a smaller blueprint of Hollywood.
• We don’t have to compare housing costs and traffic between the two to see they are related.  They aren’t apples to apples given the population and cost of living differences, but there are clear parallels.
• Defining yourself by your vehicle.  What was once a truck and SUV community is slowly taking rise to Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and an occasional Lamborghini or Ferrari. 
• One of the biggest differences between the two locations is the definition of the family structure – In California, careers tend to take the upper hand and family and children comes later in life, unlike Charleston.  If early trending is any indication, over the next few decades; residents in Charleston will be focusing more on career and personal journeys holding off on marriage and childbearing.  
• Dogs and pets are an extension of their owners.   From shopping to dining, you are likely to see a furry companion nearby in both locations.

We’d love to know your thoughts on this commentary.  Leave a comment below.