Possibly visiting South Carolina from New Jersey, how is it?

Question

I may be visiting North Charleston or Charleston, South Carolina with my family, we live in New Jersey and hope to relocate to South Carolina or just visit for now... not sure what yet but if we did move, it would be several years probably. Anyway, how is South Carolina in general and the cities of North Charleston and Charleston for a family? We don't like the ice and snow too much nor humidity but well... still would like any advice and info on South Carolina.

Liz

Answer 1

As previously said, Charleston can get really hot in the summer. But, that's my favorite time of year. To the answerer above me, you can BUY Downtown, although most families do tend to keep their houses downtown for generations, my family actually sold one of our houses and I know several people who have houses on the battery for sale. Mt. Pleasant is nice, but you might feel like you're back in NJ as most everyone who lives in Mt. Pleasant now is from somewhere else besides the south. Although I don't live in Charleston now, as a native Charlestonian, whose family has been in Charleston since its founding, I can say that you definitely don't want to move to North Charleston (ie the ghetto). North Charleston has historically been blue collar working class people because of the old phosphate plants, but it has recently become a hotbed of illegal immigrants as well. Most Northerners, however, that were stationed at the Air Force Base have stayed around N. Charleston after they get out of the service, as well. As Pat Conroy said in The Lords of Discipline, "to live in North Charleston is an admission of defeat" and though the Charleston area has changed greatly since the time he refers to N. Charleston is still not the place to be. Anyway, Charleston is a beautiful city with a proud history. Geneaology is important to us (charlestonians) and we take pride in our city. I think you'll find that you like the area and if prices in Charleston seem a bit high, you might want to look at Summerville which is not too far from Charleston and is still mildly reasonable.

Answer 2

Charleston does get hot and humid between May and October. Rarely any ice or snow. Depending on where you are in NJ traffic may or may not be bad. Same for prices. Mt Pleasant area homes go for around $450,000 and up. You can't buy downtown, only rent. Everything has been in someone's family for 200 years. N. Chas. is very spread out. Many affordable areas, but like anywhere there are some questionable spots. If you're just visiting be prepared for crowded downtown from March-Oct. Tourist season stretches for a while and the roads are very tight- many one-ways. For relocating, if you want something near the beaches and downtown for easily under half-mill. try James Island.

Answer 3

Charleston is a town of wonderful History. If you plan on moving near downtown Charleston in one of those real Nice home you better have $$$$$$$. There are alot of Book writers and painters that live there along with The owner of the MC Donald's restaurants. Beautiful city. Temps there are around 80-90 in the summer and as cold as 30 in the winter.

Answer 4

Charleston is HOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT in the summer and humid. VERY your better off in Akien or near Charlotte NC you can still travel to the beaches 2 hrs and mountains and not too much cold although it has been lately and not too too hot although 90s with humid conditions likely in summer. Charleston Mt pleasant if you move there is nice for familys lots to do Beach near by and alot of transplants and some fun locals and places to go. IT is also a small city that is very busy with traffic in the summer months because alot of us have summer homes there and have for a while. LOTS OF PEOPLE IN SUMMER THERE for a small space.

Answer 5

I grew up in Charleston and it is my home. I love it. There's history, beauty, shopping and Charleston even has a ECHL hockey team. Try some of these sites below. It does get hot int he summer, but you get use to it. The winters are nice though, no snow... ever. Give these sites a chance and as someone from SC, "Y'all come on down."


For sites, try: www.sc.gov and www.discoversouthcarolina.com

Answer 6

Wow, So nice to hear about home...
I lived there my whole life until 4 years ago, only moved because of my fiance's job. I absolutely love it, it has beautiful beaches, downtown is excellent, you ahve the battery park which is like waterfront area with like the war cannons, etc. historical area, lots of old vintage houses, etc. victorian kinda stuff, then a few streets up (king st. market st. etc.) you have lots of high dollar shopping on the whole street (which are mostly cobblestone) and then you have the market of course on market st. which is like a nice flea market with the old lady's making the sweetgrass baskets, etc. I just love it, there are several beaches, isle of palms (most popular), Folly beach (less traffic adn people) , kiawah island, seabrook island, etc. I think that you will love it, the downtown area has good nightlife too if your into it, for the most part it is very clean and family oriented lots of things to do like mueseums and stuff, there if of course like everywhere a ghetto part though, which isn't very big fortunatly and the houses are a little run down ya know...same with north charleston ....N.Chas is where msot do their shopping (Rivers Ave.) has tons of new shopping and restaraunts as well, like babys r us, chuck e cheese, target, ross, oh and a brand new OUTLET mall extremely nice! as well as a new Sams club wholesale and the regular mall too.....once you get a few miles past all taht there is a ghetto of n.chas too....oh also with the other good stuff there is a huge movie theater in n.chas, we call it the las vegas theater cuz its so big and it all lit up like vegas, but i think it is really called like regal cinema 18...lol if you need more info, please let me knwo!!!! [e-mail]

**also, my family is still there and lots of my family is in the real estate and property management fields, my father is a painter and doesn like the governer's house, etc. .....feel free if you need any more info

Answer 7

You should be able to pick up a South Carolina Jersey off any hobo walking the street I think they use them to clean windows

Answer 8

hey liz you will love charleston its a lot like new orleans southern town with tremendous history still have horse drawn buggies brick streets and all.very little snow . people are really friendly.

Answer 9

south carolina is great. Charleston is really laid back and everyone is really friendly.

advice: dont make fun of anyone's accent.

Answer 10

You'll find S.C. more laid back & the people more outgoing & friendly & less pre-occupied than NJ. You'll also find it cleaner & less crowded; the buildings & roads are newer & less beat up. Ice & snow are VERY rare in coastal SC. You'll also find prices & taxes are a bit lower.