Charleston, SC: Anyone Live There/From There?

[carolinamama]

A company has approached DH with a position in Charleston, SC that could be a good move professionally. I've never been there - only know what I've read in books! Anyone have any insight into the area? I assume we would look to live in a suburb-type area. And of course I know nothing about schools but DH is under the impression that SC schools aren't the best.

I'd appreciate any information you know. Thanks!

[AnnieW625]

DH was born there when his dad was in the military in the early 1970s. They moved before DH turned a year old. BIL went to kindergarten there. According to my in laws they really liked living there, but MIL wanted to get back to CA once FIL got out of the military. DH and I have always talked about going back for a visit and when DH was out of work in the early 2000s he looked for some jobs there, but nothing ever materialized.

I really think that if the recruiter thinks that the job is a good fit for DH then the recruiter should be able to tell him a lot about the area. If you are really serious about the area I would take a weekend trip there to see the area.

IMHO any really urban area will have good schools and bad schools and kind of the same with the burbs too.

If you don't get a lot of responses here I might look at joining one of the more specific area groups like they have on Mothering.com, Diaper Swappers.com, or Baby Center.com.

[marymoo86]

Not from there but have friends in Mt. Pleasant and Isle of Palms - both areas are very nice if you would like a couple of starter areas to do some research

[scrooks]

A good friend of mine was there for several years while her dh completed a fellowship. She seemed to like it alright but couldnt handle the intense summer heat. They lived in Duck Creek i believe. Their house was a very nice typical 4 bed colonial.?... Ok ..i am a goof.....Goose Creek!

Oh and FWIW...her kids were not school aged when they were there so i dont know how the schools are.

[boltfam]

I have only visited there, but it is a lovely place. I had friends that vacationed in Isle of Palms quite a bit and others that were from somewhere in Charleston but I'm not sure exactly where.

FWIW: I would love to live there!

[karstmama]

it is lovely, downtown is expensive, there's lots to do & lots of great restaurants & the normal big box stores.

i lived in goose creek and worked in north charleston. i liked that area. charleston has areas - north chuck, the peninsula, east cooper, west ashley, and johns, james, and daniel islands are just a few. some are really really expensive, but there are plenty of more 'normal' areas.

there are real blowhard assholes about race, of course, but in general relations are cordial & friendly. there are lots & lots of hospitals. there are several colleges. when i lived there, all liquor was sold from airplane bottles, so a small drink had the same shot as a large, so a large was actually less drunk-inducing and you had to get things like long island ice teas in pitchers.

i enjoyed my time there.

[DietCokeLover]

A good friend of mine was there for several years while her dh completed a fellowship. She seemed to like it alright but couldnt handle the intense summer heat. They lived in Duck Creek i believe. Their house was a very nice typical 4 bed colonial.?... Ok ..i am a goof.....Goose Creek!

Oh and FWIW...her kids were not school aged when they were there so i dont know how the schools are.

Sorry, this made me chuckle. It's Goose Creek.

I lived in SC for 20+ years, though I'm not there now. I love the Charleston area. It's my favorite city in the US.

Downtown Charleston would not be where you would want to live unless you are wealthy enough to purchase a multi million dollar home in the Battery area. However, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Goose Creek, James Island or John's Island are all nice areas.

ETA.... PP must have changed her post before I posted to correct the Duck Creek.

[Fairy]

One of my best friends was born and raised there. I positively love it, and I think it's a fantastic place to raise kids. It's diverse, which is good, and it's very very cultural. Not nearly left enough for me, but I don't begrudge it as a wonderful place to live. If you need specific info, PM me, and I'll get with my friend, who knows the city inside and out in eveyr way, as she was with the chamber for years.

[Mamabear4]

Not from there, but it is one of the very few places that DH and I would consider moving. One of our all-time favorite cities! Like pp said, unless you are very wealthy, downtown Charleston is not likely where you'll end up, but there are so many wonderful neighborhoods/areas. We have some great friends who live down there as well, actually the husband grew up South of Broad, but moved away, family sold house - long story, but now they're on John's Island. their kids aren't school aged yet, so I'm not really sure about schools.

[Melaine]

I love it. My brother lives there and I am jealous.

[carolinamama]

Thanks guys! I'm not spending alot of mental energy on this yet as DH is unsure exactly how interested he is. It would have to end up a great opportunity and salary as we are in a good location now with family close and we have a house to sell in a neighborhood we love (for probably a bit of a loss). But I wanted to hear what others have to say in general before we get any further.

We would certainly not be living downtown. We would be living in a "normal" neighborhood, whatever that is. :ROTFLMAO:

[Momit]

Charleston is lovely. The historical charm is unlike any place in the US and being on the ocean is a huge plus (and makes summer heat bearable). Agree with PPs that Mt. Pleasant is a good place to start looking - several of my Charleston friends live there.