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People visit the Charleston hoping to experience true Southern Hospitality, beautiful scenery, relaxing beaches, and an unparalleled opportunity to gain a new perspective on American history. Charleston has so much to offer that most visitors return again and again; but, never seem to have enough time here. Few people ever want to leave.
 
Charleston today exists as a mixed tribute to her early English, Irish, French, Spanish, German, Swiss, Santo Dominican, African, American Indian, and Caribbean connections. The Holy City, as many call it, is located 768 mi. from New York City, 590 mi. from Miami, and almost 2500 mi. from Southern California.

 

When most people are considering the Charleston area, they are attracted by the a relaxed lifestyle, favorable weather, the quality culture, the extensive arts opportunities, great entertainment, rich history, unparalleled beauty, charming people, excellent educational opportunities, state-of-the-art healthcare, and the excellent business environment. Charleston is both cosmopolitan and charming. Regardless of what brings you to the Charleston area, I am absolutely convinced you'll fall in love with Charleston, too.

 

The people of Charleston are among the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere (Charleston has been named the friendliest city of America for 14 consecutive years - as well as the best mannered city in America, year after year). The people of Charleston are proud group indeed. The pride of the locals has been adopted as the pride of the newcomers as well. People who live in Charleston will tell you, for example, that the two main rivers here, the Ashley River and the Cooper River, meet together in the Charleston Harbor to form the Atlantic Ocean. This is the natural perspective here – where people know that they live in such an inspiring place.

 

The character of the people of Charleston has stood the test of time so pride is comes naturally.  Through hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes - the citizens have stood strong and always resilient. War has left a deep mark here as well. The people of Charleston have defended against Native American attacks, bloody pirates, Spanish war ships, French soldiers, British troops, and of course, massive Union Forces – never giving up. Charleston was where the first shot of the Civil War was fired and Charleston was the site of the first American victory over British forces during the Revolutionary War. 

 

Naturally, Charleston has produced many great Americans including (see other below) John C. Calhoun, Thomas Heyward, Jr.,Henry Laurens, Francis Marion (the"Swamp Fox"), Robert Mills, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.

 

The population of the Charleston area is diverse. Listen carefully and you will notice many different accents throughout the Charleston where even locals retained unique accents depending on what part of the Charleston area they are from. Some of the accents are quite distinct- such as the "Gullah" and "Geechee" accents. Much of the diversity in accents is the result of the many islands and rivers that created a degree of separation before bridges were constructed here.
 
And, of course, because Charleston is such an attractive area we have people from all of the United States and from all over the world that have decided to make Charleston home. So, don't be surprised if you recognize an accent from Michigan, Tennessee, New Jersey or Connecticut - they are all here - plus accents from around the world.  So regardless of where you are from I can assure you that you will feel quite comfortable among the people who live in Charleston .... where no one is a stranger or an outsider!

 

 

Charleston is the quintessential city of the South. Among the treasures we have here are preserved plantations, including Boone Hall Plantation, which is the most photographed plantation in America and the backdrop for many movies and TV shows about South. The High Battery along the Charleston Harbor is made up of beautiful mansions, former summer homes of plantation owners and still private homes today. The downtown area Charleston has remains much as it was in years past. You can even find cobblestone streets and horse drawn carriages. As you walk the streets of Charleston you'll hear church bells in this sounds and sights of a city that is a true living museum.

 

The weather here is usually very nice. While Charleston does get warm (hot) in the summertime, the continuous sea breeze makes the area more comfortable than you might expect and it often carries with it the smell of local restaurants that are among the best anywhere (Charleston is known as the culinary capital of the South). Yes, the summers may take some getting used to - but the rest of the year is no effort to enjoy! I happen to be among the many that favor summer because it brings with it the best fishing of the year. Water sports are a very popular here - water skiing, wind surfing, sailing, fishing - you name it. Even recreational shrimping is very popular with over 30,000 permits issued each year.

 

I tell people when I meet them that they will always have something interesting to do in Charleston. Festivals occur with such frequency that it seems as though there is a festival going on all the time Charleston. The best-known festival, and the crown jewel of the Charleston Festival season, is The Spoleto Festival. “Today’s Charleston renaissance is fueled by the Spoleto Festival every spring…on any given day the cultivated set of the city matches the sophisticates of London or Paris.”  Travel + Leisure

 

 

Yes, it's an area filled with history and framed by a beauty beyond explanation. When you visit, be ready to do some driving and allow for plenty of time if you want to see much of the area. Most do not realize how large this area is. The Greater Charleston Area is an area that extends from near Georgetown to the north and south to Edisto Island and then West to near I-95. The Charleston area is comprised of three counties: Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County. It includes 25 municipalities. The region offers more than 90 mi. of Atlantic coastline and reaches some 50 mi. inland.

 

Charleston, originally the capital of South Carolina during the colonial period, was among the wealth cities in the 13 colonies. The Charleston Harbor was and remains very important for trade between America and the rest of the world. Today the Charleston port is the second busiest port on the eastern seaboard just behind combined ports of New York and New Jersey.

 

Charleston has one of the Southeast’s most impressive medical hubs, a multi-billion-dollar visitor industry, and a growing base of national and international business and industry in addition to a large military presence. The region has become a very fast growing area for business investment and retirement.

 

 

The geographic center of the Greater Charleston Area located somewhere in the northern quadrant of North Charleston. This is the approximate location of the Charleston Air Force Base. There are several town center areas within the Greater Charleston area. The area most commonly thought of as 'Charleston' is the Charleston Peninsula which is located on the Charleston Harbor. The Peninsula is the original city of Charleston and is the center for the historic district and many of the area cultural activities.

 

North Charleston has its own focus of activity including the Northwoods Mall area with its many shops and restaurants and the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. The largest land area of the area towns is North Charleston. North Charleston also has the largest total population.

 

 

Summerville, located in the Northwest quadrant of the Greater Charleston Area, has a population of around 50,000 with its own hub of activity and historic district. Summerville is the fastest-growing area within the Charleston Tri-County area with many developments under construction and a school system considered by many people here to be that best overall within the area.

 

Berkeley County has as its most populated area the town of Goose Creek. Goose Creek is a fast-growing area located just across I-26 from Summerville. Many people like the Goose Creek area because of its more rural feel and less expensive properties yet it is convenient because it has easy access to I-26 and downtown. South of Charleston you will find the beautiful, sometimes rural, areas of John's Island, James Island, Kiawah Island and Edisto Island.

Hanahan is located just off of the Goose Creek Reservoir near the North Charleston area and has easy access to the beaches and downtown - although Hanahan itself is lacking in some of the conveniences you will find some other areas.

 

There are several neighborhoods of the Hanahan area that are very well-established and quite attractive. There are also booming new construction communities with homes available at relatively reasonable prices. Many people select the area for its ease of access to Mt Pleasant and the beaches - just a short drive over the I-526 Bridge. Schools here have a generally good reputation as well.

 

 

Just north of the Charleston Peninsula on the coast is Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant has its own town Center and above area average real estate prices. Mount Pleasant has easy access to the beaches of the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island and quick access to the Peninsula area of downtown. As a result of its location, it has the highest growth pressure relative to the availability of property. It is a very nice area in which to live but you do pay a little more for everything from gasoline to groceries there.

 

The Charleston labor force is made of 293,000 people and the average unemployment rate is about 4.4%. The population of the metropolitan area of Charleston including Berkeley Charleston and Dorchester Counties is about 600,000 people. The average household income for Berkeley County is $40,500, for Dorchester County is $44,900, and for Charleston County is $46,900.

 

Charleston is the fourth-largest container cargo port in the United States and ranks first on the entire Southeastern Gulf coasts. The port has five terminals and a sixth terminal is currently being developed on the former Charleston Naval base in North Charleston. The Charleston international Airport provides private commercial and military air service for the region. The Airport serves more than 1.6 million passengers per year.

 

The military is the region’s largest employer with more than 18,000 active-duty, reserve and civilian personnel. The Navy is the largest military employer with an estimated annual employment of 12,500 including contract employees. The largest commands include the Charleston Naval Weapons Station with more than 17,000 acres and 40 different tenants including the Nuclear Power Training Command and Nuclear Power Training School, Army Pre-positioning Facility, the 841st Transportation Battalion, and SPAWAR.

 

Charleston has a vibrant medical community which collectively employs approximately 17,000 people and provides more than 2000 beds. When combined with the total health-care providers in the area, the regions medical industry has nearly 1000 businesses and organizations employing 32,000 people. The center of the regions health-care industry is the Medical University of South Carolina located on 55 acres in downtown Charleston. Its 6 colleges and patient care facilities provide both education resources and superb health-care facilities to the region.

 

 

Roper St. Francis Health Care operates Roper hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis hospital, and several emergency and diagnostic satellite facilities. In 2000 their facilities were awarded 24 national patient satisfaction awards. Roper hospital, located in downtown Charleston, was founded in 1850 as the first community hospital in the Carolinas. Bon Secours St. Francis hospital opened the doors to its new 141 bed state-of-the-art facility in West Ashley and 1996.

Trident health system has been serving Charleston Berkeley and Dorchester County's for more than 26 years. Trident is currently in the second phase of $88 million expansion to its Trident medical Center in North Charleston. East Cooper regional medical Center in Mt. Pleasant serves the needs of the greater Mount Pleasant area and beyond. Charleston Memorial hospital, the Veterans Administration Medical Center and the United States Naval Hospital serve the medical needs of the region as well.  

 

 Charleston’s colleges and universities include Charleston Southern University, the College of Charleston which is the oldest institution of higher education in South Carolina and the 13th oldest in the country, The Citadel which is the largest nonfederal military College of the United States, the Medical University of South Carolina, The Charleston School of Law, Miller-Motte Technical College, Trident Technical College (including its new multi-million dollar culinary arts school), Webster University, and the Low Country Graduate Center.

Charleston County School District combines a unique blend of schools spanning 1000 square miles of coastal South Carolina. With nearly 44,000 students and more than 70 schools, Charleston County is the second-largest school system in the State of South Carolina. Over 7000 employees including almost 3000 teachers make it one of the area’s top employers.