What makes Charleston, South Carolina so dang special and unique

By Mark A. Leon

When writing a piece about culture and residency, a common question posed, “Is this place for everyone?”.  The answer, quite simply, is no, nor does Charleston pretend to be, but what it does offer is one of the most unique living experiences you will find in the United States.  Let us paint a vivid picture and explain why.

There are many common stereotypes that create perceptions of Southern life.  Many are not fond or positive, yet they exist.  With most stereotypes, they are rooted in some level of truth, but you need to remove yourself from that thinking when it comes to Charleston, South Carolina. 

Charleston stands alone in many respects.  It is a democratic area in a largely Republican State.  It is a health conscious region in an otherwise unhealthy region of the country.  It is rich in theatrical and music culture, evolving into a technological mecca and bringing a new wave of international influence.  It has raised the standards on dining, education, health and wellness, economic prosperity, healthcare and quality of life.

Yesterday, the first direct transcontinental flight from London to Charleston landed at the Charleston International Airport marking a new milestone in the re-birth of this vastly historic coastal region. 

Elegance in our history

We have all seen ‘Gone with the Wind’.  Often, we have dreamed to be in the middle of that life.  In the mayhem of war, there was elegance, intrigue, love and prominence.  This was a film that defined a period in American history like no other.  That tradition lives on in our historic homes, plantations, and graceful beauty that surrounds.  It is this remarkable esthetic of nature and history that continues to make Charleston one of the top destination wedding locations in the nation.

A little bit of country

What are you typically doing on a Sunday morning?  Reading the paper over a hot cup of coffee and watching CBS Sunday morning?  In Charleston, this weekend, we may start at Low Tide Brewing with Yoga with Goats, head over to the Charleston Pour House for the Sunday Brunch Farmer’s Market highlighted by the most amazing Acai from our local food trucks and live Funk and Motown music on the outdoor patio over a cold PBR.  If it is nice, we will head over to Folly Beach to watch a beautiful sunset and perhaps run into a pet pot belly pig, bird or hedgehog. 

When you decide to get a bite to eat and spend time with some of our local pit masters, you may see a few roaming chickens or roosters along the side of the road.  Keep your eyes open.

Girls Night Out in Style

Don’t let the header fool you, the guys dress to the nines as well in downtown Charleston.

From Jazz at the Vendue Bar and Art Gallery, to a rooftop glass of wine at Stars, Charleston has become a center of sophistication in the South.  Its fine dining sets the stage reminiscent of the days of Gershwin and elegant boutique hotels intertwining fine art, wine, customer service and a lifestyle worthy of aristocracy showered throughout the city.

The Spectator, one of Charleston’s most decorated boutiques, provides guests with a butler on each floor, its own romantic horse drawn carriage, a bar themed after Fitzgerald’s ‘Gatsby’ and a spectacular view of the famous St. Philips Church.

A culture all its own

Spoleto Festival, Charleston Wine and Food Festival, Charleston Fashion Week, Film Festivals (Horror to International), Southeast Wildlife Expo (SEWE) are just a few of the national and international events that draw hundreds of thousands each year.

A romp in the sand; a beach in hand

Many communities are fortunate to have a beach and ocean front experience to relieve stress, get a tan, surf or play in the sand.  The Charleston area is blessed with 3 beaches within a 20 mile radius and several more further South or North along the Carolina coast.

Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach are not only within a few minutes driving of downtown Charleston, but each offers its own culture and flavor depending on your personal and family needs. 

Whether you are seeking a day trip, a magical sunset, a sunrise jog, walking the dog or just a refreshing relaxing beverage to the sound of the waves, Charleston has you covered.  Still, don’t forget your sunblock.

What to do?  Perhaps a festival or a fund raiser…or both

To say Charleston is festival mad is an understatement.  We love festivals.  In the park, in the street, at the beach, in a church or on a plantation.  Charleston is ready year round to offer up entertainment in the form of themed festivals.  Come thirty; come hungry and expect a good time.  What you will see are plenty of food trucks, craft beer, fine wine, live music and so much more.  We love to partner and help local organizations.  You can leave with a smile knowing you are also helping a good cause.

Career Opportunity

If you measure career opportunity by social chatter or Facebook jobs in this area, you may find we offer nothing more than hospitality, retail and manufacturing jobs.  Dig deeper.  Charleston has been deemed the “East Coast Silicon Valley” and there is merit to that phrase. 

Organizations like CharlestonWorks and Dig South have been working tirelessly to promote opportunity, growth and innovation in the Lowcountry and the rest of the nation and world are starting to notice.

CharlestonWorks currently has 454 technology companies in its database for the Charleston area and this area has an extremely high demand for tech talent.

Cheers to Craft Beer

There are 27 craft breweries in Charleston County and that accounts for over half of the craft beer in the entire state of South Carolina.  If you want great and often experimental craft beer surrounded by amazing people and knowledgeable beer masters, this is the city that never sleeps when it comes to beer.

Tradition

Today marks the 42^nd Annual Cooper River Bridge Run, marked as one of the top five 10K competitive races in the nation.  For the 36,000 that participated, this is an event they look forward to every year.  Yet, our traditions date back much further.

The first opera house in the United States is in Charleston.  The firsts shots of the American Civil War were fired in Charleston.   This year will mark the 42^nd year of the Spoleto Festival and we just completed the 37^th SEWE in February.  In 1842, the Citidel opened its academic doors for the first time.  The list goes on and on and on.  One thing we can say in Charleston, we remember the past and honor it well.

This just tips the iceberg of the rich and unique life that is Charleston.  This is a region that lets you get swept away in fancy elegance, escape to the country for a hike, make a friend over a good pint of beer, listen to live music, catch great theatre or dares the ocean to challenge our limits.

It is a city rich in history with traditions dating back to our early settlers, honored with the courage of the fine women and men that graduate from the Citadel and serve our nation, playful on our beaches, celebratory and filled with opportunity.

Welcome to Charleston, a unique and lively place to be.