Charleston South Carolina.....feedback needed please

Venti · Post by **Venti** » January 8, 2007, 8:50 pm

Considering taking a job there, currently live in So. CA.

I'd like to hear from people who either do, or used to live in the Charleston area, or anywhere within maybe 30 miles.

Main points of interest are (but not limited to):

* School system for Elementary through college
* Quality of living (very vauge I know, but any and all feedback welcome)
* Weather (every page regarding the area seems to havea link to the evacuation route in case of hurricane.....uhhhh)
* The people factor. (not looking to start a flame, but wondering if everyone still bitter over the civil war?)

Thats all I can think of for now, and I appreciate your input.

Neost · Post by **Neost** » January 8, 2007, 9:08 pm

Spent quite a bit of time in Charleston a few years back. Couple of quick points:

Hurricanes do not occur as often as earthquakes, you know when they are coming and usually have sufficient advance notice to UNASS THE AO!

Civil war ended quite some time ago. Not many people hold a grudge that long. You aren't a damnyankee* so really nothing to worry about other than being one of those hippy types from SoCal. Most people I met in the area were quite friendly, but then again I am a fellow southerner.

Can't help you much on the schools in the area.

* - I was 21 before I knew that damn yankee was 2 words....old habits die hard

Post by **Sylvus** » January 8, 2007, 9:36 pm

I haven't spent a ton of time in the Carolinas, maybe 3 or 4 weeks of my life, but every time I've been there myself or friends have always remarked how friendly everyone seemed.

I can't say that I've been to Charleston specifically, so your mileage may vary.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » January 8, 2007, 11:42 pm

We lived there for 6 years, I loved it. Schools I can't really speak to as my kids weren't old enough yet. Super friendly people as long as you aren't a jerk, or sound like you're from the NE. It's a small city, concert scene and such are limited, but Atlanta and Jacksonville are pretty close.

Weather, Apr-Oct - OMFG hot and humid, not too bad after the shock of the first summer wears off. Frost and occasional snow Dec - Feb. We've been through 9 (or so) hurricanes including near misses so far, it's really not that big a deal except for direct hits which aren't that likely. Especially if you're smart enough to live away from the coast and\or on high ground.

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » January 9, 2007, 3:58 am

My aunt teaches at some HS down there, and while I havent spoken to her in a few years, the last time I did I got the impression that the school district she was in was pretty ghetto.... 12 yo moms, guns and such. Humidity down there in the summer is intense...

I did grow up going to Folly Beach every year and I loved it...

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 9, 2007, 4:27 am

Stay west of the Rockies.

Vaemas · Post by **Vaemas** » January 9, 2007, 11:04 am

The beaches are nice, lot of old history there. It's fairly convenient to some other major cities. We have some friends who live on Edisto Island about 90 minutes from Charleston so we'd head up to there now and then.

It's a great place to visit, but I can't speak as to living there. Sorry.

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » January 9, 2007, 3:02 pm

I lived most of my life just outside of Charleston in a small town called Goose Creek, which is to say about 10 years. My family still lives around the Low Country", which is what the locals call the area. I visit a few times a year and am always astounded the amount of new growth going on there. The Navy just a few years ago shut down the ship yard in Charleston, bu the submarine base expanded. The military has a big influence in the economy of the area, with both an Air Force base there as well.

Primary education in the Low Country is really hit or miss. There are really some back woods areas, and graduation rates are at about 60%, which means that 40% of all freshmen, on average, will not receive diplomas. That's not to say that there aren't some decent schools, but there's a saying in South Carolina, "Thank God for Mississippi", because otherwise SC would be last in many socio-economic categories. The College of Charleston is a liberal arts college, and the Citadel is a military college, recently made co-ed. They're on par with VMI, and more rigid than the other military academies.

The quality of life is decent. There really are some beautiful places in and around Charleston. Since there is a main port, you can get anything you want. Downtown has a great choice of restaurants, and historical significance. Every year, there is an arts festival called Spoleto, which brings in world renowned performers from around the globe. There is also a Southeastern Wildlife Expo, which is really nice. Some other events are the Oyster Festival, and Taste of Charleston. Since the area sits on a delta, you can crab in some locations, and you can even shrimp. The seafood is a very nice bonus. Be careful of the gators though.

The weather is one of the biggest factors of why I chose not to settle in SC. From May to about September it is unbelievably hot/humid. You can get a good sweat getting from your car to your front door. Hurricanes are a fact of life, and the area is past-due to get hit with at least a category 4. The storms did make for some interesting surfing though. The Isle of Palms is a pretty commercialized beach scene, and I prefer Folly Beach. it's a more residential style beach with lots of co-eds from the College of Charleston. The winters are very mild, with the lows usually in the 40s. Snow is rare, and accumulation happens about every 3-5 years. As you would imagine, the entire region freaks out and shuts down.

As far as the people factor, there is an under-current of racism that exists, but southerners are some of the most friendly people you'll ever meet. The towns, for the most part, are self-segregated and ethnic groups tend to stick together. I went to a school on the "other side of the tracks", literally, and went to a very diverse high school. White was the minority, but I'm Asian anyway.

Hope this helps.