Charleston South Carolina Information

Charleston, South Carolina has got it all - rich history, natural beauty, and a lifestyle that keeps bringing newcomers here, year after year. The quality of life that Charleston offers its residents is unmatched, with low cost of living, low taxes, a burgeoning economy, mild climate, superb medical facilities, a true sense of community, and miles of beaches, rivers, and creeks in which to live and play.

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Charleston's unique charm is entrenched in its history and its commitment to restoration and preservation. The Historic Downtown District has stood throughout Charleston’s history as the cultural capital of the South and is considered by many to be a living museum, with a wonderful variety of things to do and see. In this beautifully preserved city you can experience tours through historic landmarks, including 18th century homes and plantations, the Battery, museums, churches and the city market. The number of historic sites in Downtown Charleston South Carolina is astonishing. Fondly known as the “HolyCity,” Charleston’s skyline is architecturally notorious for the church steeples that rise above the downtown area. Throughout his 30 year tenure, Mayor Joe Riley has led the city’s redevelopment efforts, making the city a magnet for young professionals, families, and retirees.

Arts and entertainment play an essential role in the lives of Charleston residents, and the choices are endless. The North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center regularly books major concert tours, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Charleston Ballet Theatre, and the many museums, art galleries, theaters, and live music venues provide plenty of choices.

A wide array of festivals and events are held throughout the year. Perhaps the most notable are the Spoleto Festival USA, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, and the Cooper River Bridge Run, which begins in Mount Pleasant and ends in Downtown Charleston. Some popular events with the locals include the Lowcountry Blues Festival, Chazzfest, the MOJA Arts Festival, the Lowcountry Cajun Festival, the Rockville Regatta, the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island, and the Oyster Fest held at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant.

Another unique attribute of Charleston is the cuisine, with its fusion of European, African, and Lowcountry influences, and Charleston’s numerous award-winning restaurants and chefs have made the city a top dining destination. Charleston nightlife is vibrant and varied, from rooftop bars to rowdy dance clubs to chic lounges.

Outdoor enthusiasts have a whole host of options to choose from. With its lakes, rivers, marshes, creeks, beaches, forests, and parks, the Charleston area provides a perfect setting for recreational activities such as sailing, windsurfing, boating, saltwater and freshwater fishing, surfing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, bird watching, hiking, hunting, and camping. Sports fans enjoy Charleston’s professional hockey, professional soccer, and minor league baseball teams. Home to America’s first golf course, Charleston is well known for its first-rate courses, including 21 championship courses.

The Charleston area has a multitude of public and private K-12 schools, including performing arts, charter, magnet, and Montessori schools. It is also home to The Citadel, the College of Charleston, the Charleston School of Law, the Art Institute of Charleston, Trident Technical College, The Medical University of South Carolina, and Charleston Southern University.

Charleston is also a great place to do business. In recent years, the city has become recognized as a hotspot for new business investment and corporate relocation, with its fast-growing population, skilled talent pool, pro-business tax and incentive structure, an abundance of commercial real estate choices, and easy access to the global marketplace supported by an international airport, rail and highway systems, and the second largest port on the East Coast. Thriving industries include the biosciences, aerospace, security, automotive, and, of course, hospitality and tourism.

No longer just an historic destination, Charleston has become a relocation destination for those seeking a mild climate, a booming economy, miles of beaches and rivers, and a lifestyle that no other American coastal city can provide.

Areas of Charleston

Copyright ©2008, Jim Grady and Gary Short

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