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Why Charleston, South Carolina to live and play?
"Charleston’s consistent ranking as a top 10 destination is a tribute to the quality and enduring appeal of the destination," by Travel & Leisure magazine’s list of 2007’s 10 best destinations in the United States and Canada. Other cities that share this elite list are New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Santa Fe, Quebec City, Vancouver, Montreal, Victoria and Seattle on the magazine’s list of 2007’s 10 best destination in the United States and Canada.
Charleston, South Carolina has already become a desirable destination point for family vacations, 2nd home purchases, retirement lifestyles, Fortune 500 companies relocate to this vibrant and important port city, golf vacations, corporate meetings, political conventions and destination weddings, to name a few. This beautiful city has a population of nearly 600,000 people of all ages. The projected growth over the next 3 years is approximately 8,000 per year. Employment in the region grew over the last 5 years at 11.7% higher than the national average of 5.5% according to the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.
The creative and performing and fine arts programs throughout this city is phenomenal for a city it’s size. Charleston has a Symphony, Ballet, Opera, Theater and many other fine arts to compliment and feed the community thirst for culture. The annual 2 week Spoleto Festival is an international arts festival that welcomes artists of all backgrounds to the city. Performances are abundant and well organized events thru the ticketing offices. The Wildlife Art Exhibit in the spring is another international art show that is very well attended. The Gibbs Museum of Art should be one of your first stops when you arrive.
Many award winning hotels and fine bed and breakfast inns are of honorable mention and are frequented by many visitors throughout the city. Our hotels are also ranked high again in this year’s poll of the "Top 100 Hotels in the Continental US and Canada" The hotels receiving this distinctive award and recognition are:
Woodlands Resort and Inn Ranked No. 2, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort ranked No. 5, Planters Inn ranked No. 7 and the Wentworth Mansion No. 40. Woodlands, The Sanctuary and Planters Inn also earned the distinction of being named in the magazine’s list of the "Top 100 Hotels in the World."
The fine and casual dining is superb! Chefs love Charleston! So many chefs and those in the culinary industry have settled here due to the appreciation for fine cuisine, education and hospitality levels offered here, in the service industry. You will not find a dull menu or meal in this fine historic city. Some buildings are old but the menu’s are always refreshing and exciting.
While many cities have professional sports, this small city enjoys the college sports programs of the College of Charleston and the Citadel. The SEC athletic programs of Clemson University and South Carolina University, but the "boys of summer" are the Charleston Riverdogs, a Class A professional baseball league, that is very enjoyable to watch and fans actively participate in. They play in Joe Riley Stadium, also known as "The Joe" located on the Ashley River near MUSC in downtown Charleston. The stadium is newer and the entertainment during the games is hilarious. Daniel Island is home to a state-of-the-art tennis facility which hosts major tennis evenst such as the Family Circle Cup, Davis Cup matches and other notable events.
The historic preservation of so many 16th and 17th century homes and retail buildings is unprecedented. Charleston is the founder of the Historic Preservation Society in the United States. Quaint horse and mule drawn carriages carry visitors thru the city as the drivers recite folk lures and bits of the Charlestonian history about those who worked hard to build the city and shape this country as it is today. Charleston’s political importance during the Revolutionary and Civil War as well as the creation of the Declaration of Independence is very impressive. Their civic pride for this new country in the 1700’s is amazing. Charleston truly helped to shape this countries foundation in many, many ways.
The city has several museums throughout the county of Charleston. The newest is the Hunley submarine museum. The South Carolina Aquarium is located in the Charleston harbor and is both entertaining and educational for the region.
Some of the finest hospitals and physicians can be found in the many medical facilities and teaching centers. Medical University of South Carolina, Roper St. Francis Hospital, Veterans Hospital and MUSC Children’s Hospital. Healthcare is paramount to this fine cities citizens and guests.
Some of the countries finest universities and colleges are located here; College of Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, Citadel, Charleston Southern University, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Art Institute of Charleston, Charleston School of Law, Clemson University Architecture Center, Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Park University, Sailing Association College of Charleston. Free education to retiree’s with space available at each university or college participating. Please call the respective college or university for availability.
Marina’s and Charleston Port Authority are an important part of a growing industry amongst the eastern seaboard states. Charleston City Marina has been internationally recognized for it’s superior facility and professionally run marina. The Port Authority continues to promote business for the area and welcomes new business to import and export from this historic harbor, Intercostals Waterway and rivers.
Housing is affordable and varied. The appreciation levels have averaged over 20% per year over the past 5 years. The average sale price in Charleston County per Charleston Trident Association of Realtors is $207,000. Average day on the market in the past 12 mos. was 63. Many 2nd home buyers and investors seek to purchase homes, condominiums, development land and commercial buildings to enhance and diversify their retirement account portfolios. Please see my IRA Real Estate information tab on this website.
Please see my Valuable Resource Links page for links to many of the above referenced facilities, etc.
Why Charleston? Why not?