13 Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston, SC

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Charleston is the oldest and largest city in South Carolina.

The town was founded in 1670 and named in honor of King Charles II of Europe.

The town lies on the Charles Harbour.

The city has retained its historical roots through the churches, forts, and architecture of the buildings that remain a tourist attraction to date.

Like any other city, throughout its history, Charleston has had both good and evil.

If you consider making the county your new home, you should consider the pros and cons below that may impact your decision.

Pros of Living in Charleston

Charleston being a city on the coastline of South Carolina, you know there are many fun activities and reasons to move to this beautiful city.

So let’s look at some of the advantages of living in Charleston.

1. Benign Weather 

One thing Charleston is known for is the beautiful weather that comes with the perks of living on the coastline.

There is good weather nine months out of the 12 in the year.

During the winter, the weather is still kind, and you rarely see snow or ice.

Charleston being a sub-tropical city, there’s a range of climate change.

So if you are seeking a getaway to more pleasant weather, you are looking in the right place. 

2. Rich Culture

Charleston has historical roots in society.

The town has a variety of cultural events and arts to enjoy and is home to the oldest theater groups.

In addition, there are over 30 art galleries and museums in the city.  

If you are one person who enjoys art, there is the Dock Street Theater and Footlight Players for you to enjoy.

USS Yorktown and Charleston Museum are just a few examples of places to visit that are rich in the culture of Charleston.

3. Plenty of Fun Activities

Every day is a learning experience when living in Charleston.

The beaches, water activities, museums, and art galleries are just a few of so much you can do in Charleston.

Take time to explore the beautiful scenery at the beach.

Sullivan Island is the closest beach to downtown.

The beach is free for everyone and perfect for a family’s day out, even with your pets, as long as you have a pet permit in advance.

You can also enjoy deep sea diving, fishing, surfing, sailing, kiteboarding, and so many other activities while at the beach.

Deep sea fishing allows you to catch fish rarely found on standard water bodies, such as marlin.

In addition, there are trained professionals to teach surfing and kiteboarding.

There is something for everyone, art galleries for art lovers and history and culture museums for those who want to learn about the city.

Tour the parks, for example, James Island County Park, if you enjoy nature.

4. Low Fuel Costs

The recent inflation of oil prices does not affect Charleston so much.

This is because Charleston’s fuel taxes are lower, so transportation costs are lower.

 Fuel taxes in Charleston are currently at $0.28 as of 1st July.

This remains one of the lowest fuel tax rates compared to other places in the country. 

A fuel tax credit is also offered in Charleston to households according to annual income tax returns.

You can get a tax credit for up to two vehicles per household if you qualify.

5. Low Crime Rate

Charleston is a metropolitan city, so one would expect the crime rate to be high.

Surprisingly, the crime rate is low compared to other regions in the US.

 Charleston is ranked 3 out of 30 favorite cities in the US as a safe city.

Charleston takes good care of its visitors and even those bringing families to settle here.

Charleston Police department was the first law enforcement agency in South Carolina to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

It goes to show how the law enforcement in Charleston is top-notch.

6. Unmatched Cuisines

Charleston being a city in the southern, sure digs deep when it comes to embracing the southern food culture.

There are unique and beautiful dining places spread all around the city.

You have the option of enjoying a wide variety of seafood or the historical cuisines of the south.

Charleston is known for its famous sweet tea and meals like shrimp.

There are also unique dishes that can be hard to find elsewhere.

The city is best known for its She-crab soup and benne wafers that have roots in colonial times.

7. Low Property Taxes

One would expect Charleston to be a metropolitan city with high property taxes.

But, interestingly, property taxes are lower compared to other cities in the US.

The average property tax rate in the US is 1.1%, while Charleston’s average property tax rate is 0.56%.

South Carolina is considered one of the states with the lowest housing tax rate.

There are taxes homeowners are exempted from when you own a home in South Carolina which brings the tax rate down to 4%.

The low property tax rate allows one to move and start a new life in this great city and increases saving power.

8. Historical Buildings and Homes

Charleston is the biggest and oldest town in South Carolina.

As a result, a bunch of homes and buildings have maintained their historical feel to them.

An example is the Williams Mansion, formerly known as the Calhoun Mansion, which was constructed in 1876 during Charleston’s Gilded Age.

The mansion is one of the many old buildings with historical value to the city.

There are several historical stories behind every block in Charleston that are not in other regions of the country.

Whether an old church or taking the ferry to Fort Sumter, you experience historical areas that have overcome hurricanes.

Charleston is considered a ”Holy City” because it embraces the diverse denominations regarding religion.

Cons of Living in Charleston

Charleston, like a coin, has two sides, the good and evil city.

For one to make a sound decision before starting a new life in the city, it is safe to consider also the disadvantages of living in Charleston.

So let’s list some of them below.

1. Hurricanes

The sub-tropical climate in Charleston makes it unpredictable.

Aside from the city having the majority of sunny days, there are hurricanes that you should consider.

South Carolina has experienced three Category 4 hurricanes that have enormously impacted the town.

• Hurricane Hazel- 1954
• Hurricane Gracie- 1959
• Hurricane Hugo- 1989

Hurricane Hugo was the biggest that caused a massive loss of $7 billion.

However, other hurricanes have hit the city, making it one of the most prevalent hurricane-stricken cities in the US.

2. Rainfall and Floods

A city on the coastline is expected to have good weather all year round.

However, that is not the case in Charleston.

The city experiences a lot of rainfall that ends up resulting in floods.

Flood zone areas have a lot of disadvantages that one should consider before deciding to move to the city.

Charleston receives rainfall of up to 48 inches, while the average in the US is 38 inches.

As a result, flood zone areas in Charleston could incur extra costs that are out of budget.

When moving to such sites, you need to consider flood insurance and investing in a top-notch drainage system that raises your bills.

3. High Sales Tax

The Charleston government knows how to balance to get a share of the people’s money.

While property tax is low, sales tax is high.

Taxation has been imposed on almost every consumer good.

What is even more surprising is you pay 5% tax just for leisure, for example, going to unwind with friends for cocktails, there is a tax rate imposed on all alcohol-based drinks. 

There’s even a clothing tax at 9%.

The average sales tax rate in Charleston is 9%, which is higher than the average sales tax rate of the country, according to the government, which is 6%.

So all these taxes run up the overall tax rate.

4. Bug Infestation

Subtropical climate always comes with its disadvantages.

Remember to lock your windows early enough when you enjoy the excellent weather during the day.

The city is infested with a lot of mosquitoes, especially during the summer season when it’s humid.

You might want to consider investing in pest repellents to help keep the bugs away and always ensure there is no stagnant water or uncut grass that may serve as breeding grounds.

Ignorance of bugs might lead to welts or even Malaria.

5. Construction Everywhere

If you are considering relocating to Charleston, you must come to terms with the fact that construction is everywhere you go.

The city is growing daily, and new buildings are being built every day, especially in the metropolitan area.

Also, the city is constantly under construction following extreme weather conditions that damage buildings and houses.

The demand for more spaces to fill the influx of people coming to the city is another reason for the ongoing construction.

The construction sites can be a big distraction if you work in a nearby office with all the noise.

Long-term exposure to noise pollution can also cause some health effects.

Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston, SC – Summary Table

Charleston Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Charleston Safety Review

Safety Index:

70

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW