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Urban Retirement
Ahh....Where?
Ahh....Where?
| 12 Cities in 12 Months - Living the Life of a Local |
| UrbanAWhere.com |
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| Charleston |
Why Charleston ?
Holy Cow (I mean Holy City??)! Why NOT Charleston? Everyone says this is THE best place in the country for
food, vacations, weather, people, etc. I can't pass on that one. I am certainly intrigued by the age and the
wanted to come here. I'm excited. I think it will be a great month.
Holy Cow (I mean Holy City??)! Why NOT Charleston? Everyone says this is THE best place in the country for
food, vacations, weather, people, etc. I can't pass on that one. I am certainly intrigued by the age and the
wanted to come here. I'm excited. I think it will be a great month.
Walkability & Biking (4)
Charleston is a decent biking city but not great. You really can't safely go on Market or King Street but
the neighborhoods are pretty safe from traffic. I still did almost all my real estate evaluation on bike.
Going over the Arthur Ravenel bridge to Mt. Pleasant is not bad and biking over there is also pretty
good if you stay off the main roads. I did bike to Sullivan Island which was fine.
Walking is fantastic! It's safe and there are so many restaurants and shops, there was no way to get to
them all.
Charleston is a decent biking city but not great. You really can't safely go on Market or King Street but
the neighborhoods are pretty safe from traffic. I still did almost all my real estate evaluation on bike.
Going over the Arthur Ravenel bridge to Mt. Pleasant is not bad and biking over there is also pretty
good if you stay off the main roads. I did bike to Sullivan Island which was fine.
Walking is fantastic! It's safe and there are so many restaurants and shops, there was no way to get to
them all.
My Temporary Digs
My place in Charleston is in the Ansonborough neighborhood. It is part of a "condoized" Charleston-style
house in the first floor of the carriage house. This neighborhood could not be more convenient to
everything. It's 3 blocks from King street where most of the shops and restaurants line the street for miles.
Also 3 blocks north of Market street where the City Market is and, again, many restaurants. It's just over the
bridge to Mt. Pleasant and the beaches (15 miles). Charleston is very safe for walking day and night.
My place in Charleston is in the Ansonborough neighborhood. It is part of a "condoized" Charleston-style
house in the first floor of the carriage house. This neighborhood could not be more convenient to
everything. It's 3 blocks from King street where most of the shops and restaurants line the street for miles.
Also 3 blocks north of Market street where the City Market is and, again, many restaurants. It's just over the
bridge to Mt. Pleasant and the beaches (15 miles). Charleston is very safe for walking day and night.
Transportation (2)
Just like Savannah, air transportation is VERY expensive and difficult. JetBlue did just start service
from Boston but from the west coast it's not good. As far as "inside the city" transportation, I haven't
seen much of it. There are buses but I'm not sure how good they are. Parking is pretty awful and
expensive.
Just like Savannah, air transportation is VERY expensive and difficult. JetBlue did just start service
from Boston but from the west coast it's not good. As far as "inside the city" transportation, I haven't
seen much of it. There are buses but I'm not sure how good they are. Parking is pretty awful and
expensive.
Weather, Culture, Food & Amenities (5)
Weather in Charleston definitely has seasons, much tempered from the north but not as comfortable
as Florida. April was very pleasant with only a few chilly, rainy days (55). As far as "culture" goes, the
art is really good in the French Quarter galleries. Didn't go to art museum. The historical preservation
of the houses and architecture is amazing. The city is clean and beautiful (particularly gardens). The
food is varied and fantastic. It's becoming a "foodie" place like New Orleans but is not quite to that
status. Lots of bars but also lots of tourists so it can be crowded. Mt. Pleasant (Shem Creek) had
Weather in Charleston definitely has seasons, much tempered from the north but not as comfortable
as Florida. April was very pleasant with only a few chilly, rainy days (55). As far as "culture" goes, the
art is really good in the French Quarter galleries. Didn't go to art museum. The historical preservation
of the houses and architecture is amazing. The city is clean and beautiful (particularly gardens). The
food is varied and fantastic. It's becoming a "foodie" place like New Orleans but is not quite to that
status. Lots of bars but also lots of tourists so it can be crowded. Mt. Pleasant (Shem Creek) had
Real Estate (4)
Real estate is not too bad here. There are several neighborhoods where I could afford to live and they
are all close-in to the city (Harleston Village - downtown, Waegner Terrace - North of crosstown, Mt.
Pleasant - across the bridge, Isle of Palms - beachside). Prices are on the edge and going up so a little
shopping will be required. They have opportunity for a MIL on the first floor of the "Charleston style"
or a separate MIL on the ranch style houses in the other neighborhoods. $350K will be the bottom of
the price range.
Real estate is not too bad here. There are several neighborhoods where I could afford to live and they
are all close-in to the city (Harleston Village - downtown, Waegner Terrace - North of crosstown, Mt.
Pleasant - across the bridge, Isle of Palms - beachside). Prices are on the edge and going up so a little
shopping will be required. They have opportunity for a MIL on the first floor of the "Charleston style"
or a separate MIL on the ranch style houses in the other neighborhoods. $350K will be the bottom of
the price range.
The People (5)
Charleston seems a bit more cosmopolitan than Savannah and, therefore, people are more outgoing,
though its a fairly large city. I was welcomed by some great friends I met through the historical home
tour and they have been completely vested in me choosing Charleston. I like it and believe I could fit
in very well.
Charleston seems a bit more cosmopolitan than Savannah and, therefore, people are more outgoing,
though its a fairly large city. I was welcomed by some great friends I met through the historical home
tour and they have been completely vested in me choosing Charleston. I like it and believe I could fit
in very well.
