Insider's Guide to Living in Charleston (Live Like a Local)

Welcome to the largest city in South Carolina: Charleston. With a history stretching to the beginning of our nation, this unique city has so much to offer. From its world-class culture and fun things to do, to its pleasant neighborhoods and quality education, there is truly something for everyone in Charleston.

One of the first things you’ll notice are all the opportunities that make Charleston an ideal place to start anew or drive your professional growth. What's more, the cost of living here is better than in many other states which lets you enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank.

Charleston values community and creativity, which has made it popular with families and professionals alike. Come for a visit to experience the city’s rich history and state-of-the-art conveniences, and you’ll never want to leave!

And when it’s time for you to make Charleston your new hometown, look no further than DRB Homes. We’ve put together a little guide to introduce you to this wonderful city and prove how amazing living in Charleston is.

Charleston’s Unique Culture

Charleston is built on and around a peninsula. Living on a peninsula often creates a special place where cultures and styles adapt to being separated from other areas. Charleston’s uniqueness is easily seen in its architecture and festivals.

Charleston Architecture 

There is, in fact, a Charleston-style of architecture. Other than the many cobblestone streets and brightly colored pre-Civil War homes, Charleston-style is easily recognizable and differs from other homes in the south. Charleston-style homes are narrow and long. This was due to the size and shape of the lots that homebuilders were able to purchase.

The short side faced the street, and the long side normally had a porch with the home’s real entrance. What’s interesting is, Charleston-style homes normally had a false front door leading to the porch for added privacy. It’s a distinctive and unique look that is 100% Charleston and can’t really be found anywhere else!

A variation on this home is called a “shotgun house.” This is a strict one-room-wide home without the false door-style porch. One room leads straight into another with doors lined up. This alignment maximizes airflow through the home during the warm summer months.

Charleston Events & Festivals

Charleston is buzzing with events and festivals that celebrate its unique culture. Every spring, the Historic Charleston Foundation hosts a Festival of Houses and Gardens that lets visitors tour private gardens and interiors of some of the area’s most notable and historic residences.

Another annual festival (since 2005!) is Charleston Wine + Food. This festival is just what you’d think it is. It celebrates not only local winemakers and chefs, but also authors, storytellers, artisans, and experts for five days every March.

Then there’s the annual Spoleto Festival USA. This festival showcases the performing and visual arts, with concerts, art installations, theatrical performances, and music of every type and discipline. Spoleto blankets the city with notes of joy over multiple days and a variety of venues. These performances and activities (many free) let you experience the true cultural heart of the city.

You can’t live in such a beautiful location as Charleston without celebrating the great outdoors. Every year since 1983, February has been the month when the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) has entertained and educated everyone about the importance of our great outdoors. Fine art, live entertainment, and special events at SEWE celebrate artists, craftsmen, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts and our shared passion for wildlife.

Finally, we recommend checking out the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. This world-class 10-K has gotten us up and running since 1978! Not just fun, this race also promotes a healthy lifestyle, heart health, and the importance of exercising—especially outdoors. The Cooper River Bridge Run also raises a lot of funds for the community through athletic tourism and for public health education programs.

Charleston Neighborhoods

Charleston is composed of six main neighborhoods where homeowners love to buy: Downtown, West Ashley, Johns Island, James Island, Mount Pleasant, and Daniel Island. There are also two Charleston-adjacent towns that are mostly in other counties but are close enough to really be a part of the Charleston experience. Let’s take a brief tour of each to see how they add their own unique flavors to Charleston’s legacy.

Downtown

Downtown Charleston is also known as “The Peninsula.” This is the city center, where everything is bustling around the historic buildings and beautiful charm. Here, you’ll live close to some of the trendiest shops and restaurants, as Downtown is a booming food and beverage destination. But it does come at a premium, as the cost of a new home here is higher than in other locations.

West Ashley

West of the Ashley, as it is known, is a beautiful section of Charleston. You can find it west of Downtown on the other side of the Ashley River. This is where a majority of Charleston residents live amidst water vistas, local boutiques, and legendary restaurants. West Ashley is also a more affordable area in which to live.

Johns Island

The largest island in South Carolina, Johns Island is a natural paradise for homeowners. Known for its calming lifestyle and variety of agriculture, this farthest-west part of Charleston is an amazing place to call home. Homes are a little more on average than West Ashley, but nowhere near as expensive as Downtown.

James Island

Lively. Beachy. Fun. This is James Island. Its small population makes homes in the same price range as Johns Island, and a laid-back lifestyle makes it highly desirable—especially with Folly Beach right here (see below for more). Fishing, surfing, and seafood are some of the reasons why people come here for a visit and stay for a lifetime.

Mount Pleasant 

Mount Pleasant has been one of South Carolina’s fastest growing towns. This is where the WWII aircraft carrier USS Yorktown rests as a part of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Full of history and beautiful residential communities, Mount Pleasant is a charming, refreshing, and picturesque place to call home.  

Daniel Island

To the north of Downtown, you’ll find Daniel Island. This island-wide, master-planned community has everything a family could desire: parks, trails, shops, restaurants, schools, and offices. Everything is at your fingertips on this golf-cart island, so much that you might never feel the need to leave! Because of its location close to Downtown and the airport, home prices are higher than most of Charleston.

Summerville

Summerville is mostly located in Dorchester County, but a portion is in Charleston County, so we’re putting it on this list! Home of the annual Flowertown Festival—Summerville’s official slogan is “Flower Town in the Pines”—Summerville surrounds residents with its unparalleled natural beauty. Summerville also claims it’s where sweet tea was born!

Moncks Corner

Like Summerville, this town has a small portion in Charleston County, and is close enough to count. Life in Moncks Corner is all about being outdoors. Horseback riding, hiking, boating, watersports, and fishing are big here, which makes life in Moncks Corner all about adventure and exceptional views in all directions.

Things to Do in Charleston

There is so much to do and see in Charleston that a blog post to fully point them all out would be massive. So, we’re just going to pick out a few of our favorites and leave the rest for you to discover!

The Battery

The Battery used to be a defensive artillery battery, but the area is now a tourist destination that lets you step back in time. This is where you go to see how the wealthiest people of the past lived, as you admire historic antebellum mansions, stroll along the promenade, and enjoy views of Fort Sumter, the USS Yorktown, and Sullivan’s Island lighthouse. Plus, right next door is the White Point Garden, which is a destination in itself.

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is a section of 13 homes in The Battery. Built in the 1740s, these homes only became brightly colored in the early 1930s when they were all purchased by the wealthy Legges. Dorothy Legge is the one who chose the rainbow of pastel hues… and no one really knows why. Regardless, it’s now brought a vision to The Battery that is Charleston through and through.

The Charleston City Market

One of the oldest markets in the county, The Charleston City Market is actually home to two distinctive markets. The Day Market features over 300 antique shops, boutiques, galleries, foodstuffs, and more. When the Day Market goes to sleep, it’s time to visit the Night Market. Three blocks of unique and hand-crafted items and art are waiting to be found and taken home.

Beaches

From Folly Beach, to the Isle of Palms, to Kiawah Island, to Sullivan’s Island, to Seabrook Island, the beaches of Charleston are beyond compare. Folly Beach is closest to Downtown Charleston and offers an array of watersports and adventures for families to experience together. The Isle of Palms has a more laid back, resort feel with endless recreational activities. Kiawah Island is the perfect blend of elevated shopping, pristine island wildlife, and miles and miles of beaches. Sullivan’s Island neighbors the Isle of Palms and is a go-to destination for history and local flavor. Seabrook Island is a private beachfront community with two championship golf courses and unspoiled beaches.

Food & Drink

Three places you MUST visit in Charleston to truly taste the culture of this city are Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, Husk, and FIG.

Perfection can’t be rushed. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ understand this, which is why they pour time and technique into all their BBQ. This is classic pit-cooked BBQ at its finest. In the words of Rodney Scott, “Everyone has a seat at our table. Our customers are family. Our crew is family. We are all family, spreading food, spreading love, and having fun.”

When you want an adult beverage, head to The Bar & Patio at Husk. Enjoy a wide range of historic and modern cocktails served by some of the best in the business at their bar, cocktail lounge, or outdoor patio.

FIG (“Food is Good”) is a fine-dining restaurant of much renown, winning multiple James Beard awards since opening in 2003. Seasonal, soulful, and ready to please, FIG’s food is “honest, straightforward, and pays homage to the Lowcountry.” Here, the staff is passionate, the décor is modern, and the food is creative and out of this world!

And we end this section with one extra mention: The Charleston Brewery District Beer Trolley. Running every Saturday from 1–9pm, the Brewery District Beer Trolley travels between ten Charleston breweries in a set schedule. Best of all, it’s completely free. Just hop on and hop off as you pour between some of the most delicious places to find adult beverages in the city.

Education in Charleston

Students in Charleston enjoy some of the highest performing schools in South Carolina. Indeed, all four school districts earned an Excellent rating by the SC Department of Education. Public and private schools both offer exciting programs that instruct, encourage, and provide a firm foundation for students to excel.

A variety of programs support students with next steps after their main education is complete. From the CCSD Career & Technology Education programs which prepare students for careers and college, to the Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeships at Trident Technical College which match high school students with careers in a variety of fields, Charleston fully realizes the importance of great education.

And that superlative dedication continues into Charleston’s colleges and universities. There are the College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University ready to take students to new heights, and the Medical University of South Carolina which is SC’s only integrated academic health system and the oldest medical school in the South.

The Citadel is also in Charleston. This iconic higher education campus offers a “classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction.” While military service isn’t required, 1 in 3 do receive a military commission after graduating. Some will continue at the Navy Yard Charleston, some will serve at Joint Base Charleston, and others will head to many other operations across the globe.

Getting Around Charleston

Charleston is connected by a wonderful public transportation network called Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). For just a low fare, CARTA can whisk you all around Charleston with a few express routes and route to Charleston International Airport.

CARTA also runs DASH, the free-to-ride downtown area shuttle which will take you around The Peninsula. Take DASH to get to the previously mentioned colleges, the SC Aquarium, sports stadiums, Historic King Street, the Broad Street Shopping District, and more!

If you do need to take a car into town, there are many garages and on-street meters around. Just find one that’s closest to where you need to be and have fun.

One of the best ways to get around Charleston and not miss anything is its vast trail system. Walking and biking along these trails will take you to and through some of the most beautiful parts of The Peninsula and other regions of this amazing city.

And when you need a little extra special transportation, hop on the Daniel Island Ferry. This scenic ferry takes you from Daniel Island to The Peninsula in a relaxing and picturesque manner. Longer cruises are also available on the ferry, and quite often you’ll see dolphins accompanying your trip!

Cost of Living in Charleston

Due to all the opportunities and experiences in Charleston, the cost of living is equal to or slightly higher than many other places in South Carolina. But, in our opinion, living in Charleston is totally worth it!

The average new home price in Charleston is in the low $400s, but your total energy costs will be lower than other SC cities (energy costs are almost 20% lower than SC’s capital city, Columbia, for example). Gasoline is a little more expensive in Charleston, but many sundry costs—like milk, bread, and coffee—will cost you less.

When compared to other states, however, Charleston really shines. We’ll explore that in our next blog post.

Living in Charleston

In conclusion, living in Charleston offers a unique and affordable experience for those looking for a new adventure. With its world-class amenities and growing economy, there are plenty of opportunities to reach your full potential. While there may be some differences in the cost of living compared to other cities, the overall quality of life and rich history make it a truly desirable place to call home.

Two final tips to making Charleston the perfect place to live. First, make sure to enjoy a cocktail in one of Downtown’s rooftop bars. The drinks are to die for, but so are the iconic city views. And second, when you’re ready to find your forever home and start really living in Charleston, contact DRB Homes.