Thinking about moving to Charleston, SC?

If you’re thinking about moving to Charleston, SC you may have fallen in love with the area on vacation. The Holy City regularly lands in the top spots for best travel destinations in the U.S. (and the world), so there’s no doubt it is a special place. But what’s it like to live here?

If you’re thinking about moving to Charleston for work, to retire, or for warmer weather and a more relaxed lifestyle, here are seven reasons you’re going to love being a local:

Year-round Natural Beauty

Live Oaks and colorful azaleas on Magnolia Plantation in Charleston South Carolina.

No matter where you choose to live in the Charleston area, you’re never far from pristine, uncrowded beaches. You’ll enjoy stunning sunrises over the Atlantic, the majesty of ancient live oaks in historic neighborhoods, year-round greenery and flowers, and plenty of sunshine all year.

The salt marshes that surround our coastlines (and sometimes run right up to our backdoors) are full of life. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll find endless entertainment watching birds, migratory ducks, deer, and other animals as they go about their business right under your nose.

World-Class Food Scene

Fresh red snapper in Mt. Pleasant’s seafood market

It’s no secret that Charleston has some of the best restaurants in the world. From creek-side oyster shacks to award-winning farm-and-ocean-to-table eateries, locals are passionate about food and fresh ingredients. Eating is a social activity in Charleston, and trying new restaurants with friends or on date night is a favorite way to spend time together.

Local Community

Charlestonians are a tight-knit community that bands together to take care of the city, each other, the land, the sea, and the animals. If community and philanthropy are important to you, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved.

Charleston is home to the largest no-kill animal shelter in the South, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a home that doesn’t have a pet. More than half of Charleston households have at least one dog. Our beaches are dog-friendly, so you’ll find animal lovers and their furry friends romping on the beach every morning.

Love history and architecture? Our historic Preservation Society is the oldest in the United States. They have a never-ending stream of educational opportunities, tours, and activities.

Passionate about the sea? Volunteers protect and monitor sea turtles and make sure the marshes and beaches are kept clean. There are also sailing clubs, kayaking clubs, paddleboarding clubs, and fishing clubs. If it happens on, in, or under the water – there’s a club for it.

People

Locals are a happy, social group. Whether it’s a backyard oyster roast or Friday night cocktails on the piazza, everyone is welcome. There’s also less emphasis on material things in the Lowcountry. People are too busying enjoying life to care who has what. We are well-fed, we have strong social connections, and we live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. What’s not to be happy about?

Weather

Though we do see some snow every few years, Charleston winters are mild and short. A sweatshirt will get you through December, a light coat through January, and by the end of February, it’s t-shirt weather again. Summers are hot and humid, but houses are built to catch breezes. With a few adjustments to wardrobe and lifestyle, you’ll enjoy the slower pace of summer days.

Economy

Thanks to manufacturing, technology, and the thousands of excellent jobs created by our joint military base, Charleston’s economy is strong. The area is attracting some of the best talent in the world who appreciate a laid-back lifestyle after work. Locals are enthusiastic about spending their money in Charleston, so the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. Own your own business?  You’ll find lots of support from the community.

History

Historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Charles Towne was one of America’s first colonies, and our historical sites are well preserved. If you enjoy wandering around in historical places, there are enough buildings, churches, cemeteries, forts, and museums in Charleston to keep you busy for the rest of your life. From cobblestone streets that were once ballast for ships, to the remnants of the old walled city, Charleston’s history is just a part of daily life.

Manners

If you’ve enjoyed Charleston’s well-mannered hospitality on vacation, you’ll really enjoy it as a lifestyle. People are polite, generous, friendly, and sincere; it’s not an act for tourists! Take social queues from your new friends, and you’ll blend right in.

Active Lifestyle

You won’t need a gym membership in Charleston. Living here, you can get your exercise walking the dog on the beach, biking wherever you don’t have to drive, or walking or jogging the beautiful neighborhood paths and downtown sidewalks. Take up a water sport such as sailing, kayaking, surfing, or paddleboarding, and you’ll be too busying having fun to think about burning calories.

There are so many rewarding reasons to relocate to Charleston. If you’re looking for a home, check out our inventory of Charleston homes for sale. Saussy Burbank builds beautiful Lowcountry and coastal style homes in friendly, convenient neighborhoods in the Charleston area.