The country seat of Charleston County, Charleston is also recognized as the largest city in the State of South Carolina. It is located south of the geographical midpoint of the state coastline on Charleston Harbor–an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean formed by the junction of the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers.
Life in Charleston, SC is exemplified by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses. These structures are particularly prominent in The Battery, a landmark defensive seawall and promenade in Charleston famous for monuments, military relics, and–that’s right–antebellum homes.
Originally called Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England, Charleston had also taken on the moniker “The Holy City” thanks to the many churches that help define its skyline.
Along with The Battery is Waterfront Park, an eight-acre park is located along about a half-mile of the Cooper River. In 2007, it garnered the Landmark Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park overlook Charleston Harbor–an inlet at the junction of Ashley and Cooper rivers and forms part of the Intracoastal Waterway. It is the home of Fort Sumter, the site of the first shots of the American Civil War. The harbor includes public terminals owned by the South Carolina Ports Authority.
Where to go, what to see
In Charleston, things to do can be quite varied due to the city’s history and its mix of cultures. Ranked 18th in Travel + Leisure’s The Top 25 Cities in the World list of 2020, the city proves to be a worthwhile visit no matter what time of the year.
For one, Charleston is home to the annual Spoleto Festival USA. Founded by Gian Carlo Menotti, the 17-day affair is an art festival featuring over a hundred performances by individual artists and is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival.
Another popular choice among Charleston, SC attractions is the Charleston Museum. Founded in 1773, it is the United State’s first and oldest museum and hosts a variety of exhibits and tours. Among these are Charleston in the Revolution, the Bunting Natural History Gallery, and the Lowcountry History Hall.
Of course, the Charleston Museum is but one of Charleston’s historical destinations. The city, in fact, has an entire National Historic Landmark District called the Charleston Historic District (or Charleston Old and Historic District) that is full of historic buildings, art and historical museums, public parks, and other attractions.
Residing in Charleston
On the waterfront and museums alone, Charleston is a worthwhile consideration in terms of places to live. Between the impressive schools, the thriving economy, and the low cost of living in Charleston, SC, the city proves to be a great place to plant some roots and raise young men and women.
Having one of its schools recognized for its beautiful campus is another of the city’s claims to fame. The College of Charleston, a liberal arts school located in the heart of downtown, was named the country’s “Most Beautiful Campus” by Travel + Leisure and the “Most Beautiful College Campus in South Carolina” by MSN.com.
If you’re the outdoorsy type, you know Charleston is for you. The city’s location offers every kind of land and water activity that you can imagine, be it boating, golfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, or just relaxing in the sun by the sand. Combine
that with almost year-round good weather, and daily life in Charleston is easy to look forward to.
If beautiful schools within convenient distance of a robust downtown and a waterfront district offering plenty of outdoor activity won’t do it for you, then simply living in a community with nice people surely will. While it might seem cliche at this point, Charleston has yet another accolade to its name, and it is being a place where the people are among the friendliest.
Charleston was named “America’s Most Friendly” by Travel + Leisure in 2011, 2013, and by Condé Nast Traveler in 2014. The city was also regarded as “the most polite and hospitable city in America” by Southern Living magazine. Just last year, Charleston also came in second in “The Friendliest Cities in the U.S.: 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards” list of Condé Nast Traveller.
Ready to move in and enjoy these and more of what Charleston has to offer? From antebellum houses to waterfront properties and luxury homes, the city has plenty of residential choices.
Contact Carmilla Rená Brown by calling 843.926.2007 or sending a message to crena(at)charlestonpropertyqueen(dotted)com to learn more about your choices and have all your questions about living and investing in Charleston answered.