POPULATION: 120,083
MEDIAN AGE: 32
MEDIAN ANUAL SALARY: $47,942
MEDIAN HOME VALUE: $477,700
VOTES: 2,251 (10.2%)
Yes, Charleston is the Old South. There are horse-drawn carriages, cobbled streets, and the historic City Market, which now sells knickknacks to Yankee tourists. But there's also more than 90 miles of pristine coastline to surf, kiteboard, sportfish, and sail alongside the likes of local triathlete Tom Mather. The food and history are serious—you can see Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie from Charleston's downtown shoreline (known as the Battery), and three consecutive James Beard Foundation Best Chef Awards were bestowed upon the chefs operating restaurants within the city. Locals are active and fit: the Cooper River Bridge Run is one of the most popular 10K races in the country, with 42,000 participants, and bikers and runners swarm the U.S.'s second-longest cable-stay bridge year-round.
Staying Power: Businesses are increasingly owned by guys like Mike Ray, the proprietor of Normandy Farms Bakery, who won a buckle biking the Leadville 100, swam around Key West, and completed the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Ironman this June. Thanks to the College of Charleston, as well as local blue chips Boeing and Bosch—not to mention a healthy tourism industry—Charleston's economy will keep humming along.
Playgrounds: Folly Beach is known for football-playing frat boys, but you're just as likely to see wind-surfing hippies. Biking through the French Quarter and the Battery under massive live oaks is a popular pastime, but kayaking through the marshes to Bowens Island is gaining steam. Otherwise, join the Citadel boys, who run around 60-acre Hampton Park. Just don't talk smack about the South.
The Voters Speak: "Ninety miles of coastline, barrier islands begging for exploration, and tidal creeks perfect for a sunrise paddle." "The ladies!" "Annual events like Charleston Fashion Week, Charleston Wine and Food Festival, and Spoleto add to the progressive culture." "Full of sweet tea and good manners."
Comments
Unfortunately, lots of the residents are still fighting the Civil War
Flag ThisThe Market you call the 'Slave Market' did not actually sell slaves. Get it right! Slaves were sold on the waterfront!
Flag ThisThe Citadel doesn't have any frat boys. It's a military college. And the market isn't called the slave market in Charleston. Some of your comments make it look like you didn't do a lot of research for your article.
Flag ThisThe Citadel doesn't have any frat boys. It's a military college. And the market isn't called the slave market in Charleston. Some of your comments make it look like you didn't do a lot of research for your article.
Flag ThisThe Citadel doesn't have any frat boys. It's a military college. And the market isn't called the slave market in Charleston. Some of your comments make it look like you didn't do a lot of research for your article.
Flag ThisCrime is bad in Charleston.
Flag ThisCrime is bad in Charleston.
Flag ThisFolly is not known for "football-playing frat boys from the Citadel." Did you spend one Saturday at the washout and base all your article on that? But well done uncovering Mike Ray. Great guy and great business.
Flag ThisOne word: Humidity. Honestly, exertion not in the water -- and I mean in it, not just on it -- can be death-defying from May through October. Also, better be a yup or be prepared to commute. Highly sprawly.
Flag ThisGreat town. Outdoor lifestyle abounds. The economy is very good and the people are amazing.
Flag ThisGreat town with lots of water activity from the beaches to the backwaters.. and then there's the food.
Flag ThisGreat town with lots of water activity from the beaches to the backwaters.. and then there's the food.
Flag ThisIn my opinion, Charleston is an awesome city. I moved here in 1989 & have called this place home ever since, the work, the area, the people, can't be beat. I have lived in states from Maine to Fla, then west to Memphis, Ca & a few places in between, no place has had such a welcome feeling as Charleston to me. We even have snow from time to time for those who may miss it living in the south. Any place will have negative comments, I have always found this is what negative people do. The nice thing is we all hav e a choice to stay or go!
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