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Why You Should Move to Charleston, SC

Bordered by its harbor, Charleston has enjoyed many centuries of prosperity. The beautiful antebellum buildings lend a historical atmosphere to almost everything within the city. Yet this is a town that has outgrown its state and its region. It prospers more and more, even earning Number 61 on the Forbes 100 Best Places to Live list.

Charleston SC Real Estate

Charleston, SC Real Estate

As a modern city, Charleston offers a wide range of housing including modern townhomes, single family homes, and historical architecture. Of course, there are many luxury condos, due to the area’s inviting climate, and many older homes, due to the area’s emphasis on historic preservation. The Charleston suburbs offer an even greater range of family homes to fit more price ranges. With its ties to the beach, there are many opportunities to live near the water in homes, townhomes and condominiums.

Charleston, SC Education

Charleston’s public school system rates fairly high nationally, especially when compared with those of other major Southern cities. Charleston is also home to some significant universities including the well-known military college, The Citadel. With more than 10,000 undergrads and about 2,000 grad students, The College of Charleston enjoys a national reputation dating back to its founding in 1770. The Medical University of South Carolina and the Charleston School of Law bring some of the finest minds to the area, either as students or as professors.

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Employment Opportunities in Charleston, SC

While other cities have experienced job losses, Charleston has stayed somewhat stable and even grown. Most recently, figures showed a 3 percent rise in employment with a 1.7 percent annual job growth. Unemployment has been kept to 6.5 percent, below the national average, and significantly below most of the South. Technology and military technology are big businesses in the Charleston area. Firms like Boeing, SAIC, Robert Bosch Corporation, Blackbaud, and Force Protection Inc. each employ thousands. Other major employers include the Scientific Research Corporation and Cummins Turbo Technologies. Tourism fuels the economy with an estimated $3.2 billion in total impact.

Activities to Do around Charleston, SC

Charleston’s climate encourages people to enjoy the outdoors. In the city, there are miles of paths for walking and biking. The beach and surrounding waterways encourage boating, sailing, swimming and fishing. With tourism for a financial engine, this area offers a wide variety of restaurants and a rocking bar scene. The downtown open-air market, numerous shopping malls and upscale boutiques offer shoppers plenty to do.

“City at a Glance”

Charleston’s population has never quit growing in the last decade. Today there are about 123,000 people in the city. The entire Charleston/North Charleston/Summerville area can claim about 640,000. According to the U.S. Census, Charleston’s median family income grew from $35K in 2000 to $49K in 2010. Likewise, the median family income increased from $48K to $67K. According to Forbes, the median home cost is $209,000, which is quite reasonable for such a high growth area.