Why should you buy a house in Charleston, SC? 

Maybe you’re asking this question because you want to know what Charleston can offer you in terms of jobs, schools, housing prices… all that sensible, adult stuff.

You might even have Google Maps open in another tab, calculating the distance between the nearest supermarket and that dreamy neighborhood you’ve been eyeing. There’s probably a spreadsheet open somewhere, with columns full of median house prices, school ratings, and “cost of living index” formulas you absolutely swear you understand.Yes, we get it. Those things matter. Lucky for us, Charleston checks all of those boxes.

Charleston by the Numbers 

But we’re not here to tell you that you should move to Charleston because this is a great place to get a great deal on a nice house. Or that it has everything you need within easy reach to build a family, start your career, and do all the practical grown-up things people usually move for.

Because all of it is true. And you can get a snapshot of this data in our Charleston Flyover City Guide.

We’re here to tell you to move to Charleston because of the vibes. 

The ✨VIBES✨.
Before you click away, please hang with us for a minute so we can look at the science.

In this study, researchers looked at academic papers that discussed the common reasons why people decide to stay or move  from their current homes. Of course, the usual suspects are there… economic factors like housing costs, income and other practical factors like access to healthcare and services. 

But they also found a whole bundle of subjective stuff that are also consistently influencing those moving decisions. 

Examples are a sense of control over your space, how much an area can support daily routines, feeling safe and comfortable, neighbors and social life, and even how much a place feels like “you.” i.e. stuff that you can’t accurately plot on a spreadsheet. 

So, we’re going to call them what they really are, which is the ✨vibes✨.

1. Land, Sea, Air- Charleston’s got you covered

If you’re a water person, then you’re in luck.Charleston is basically a collection of islands with access to three major rivers (Ashley, Cooper, and Wando) and the Atlantic Ocean. So yes, we know how to beach.

We have Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, and Isle of Palms, all of which have accessible public beaches with fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and all sorts of water activities. Or if you're not particularly active, you can do Hollywood star and Charleston native Madelyn Cline's favorite activity: go to Shem Creek and gorge yourself on all-you-can-eat crab legs.

If being near water is not your thing, that's okay too. There are neighborhoods further inland like West Ashley, Summerville, and North Charleston that have an abundance of parks, trails, and open green spaces.

And if you're constantly flying in and out (like our very own Professor Pelican!), then you'll be happy to know that Charleston International Airport is centrally located and easy to access from wherever you are in the area.

2. Charleston = Culture

Charleston is a hotbed of creativity and culture all throughout its 300 year history. It has an impressive list of “firsts” - the first public theater in the New World, first artists’ colony, first resident ballet company, and the first museum (Charleston Museum, 1773). 

Alongside New Orleans, Charleston was one of the early incubators of jazz. The Jenkins Orphanage band spread Charleston’s unique sound nationwide, which in turn inspired one of the most iconic dance crazes in the history of the United States: The Charleston. 

Photo from https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/tracing-roots-charleston-dance
There’s not a lot of places in the world that can brag about having a dance named after them, especially a dance that defined an entire generation and aesthetic, and is still danced and recognized around the world today. 

Artistry is so deeply embedded in Charleston's DNA that it's constantly celebrated through major cultural events like the Spoleto Festival USA (a major performing arts festival held every May/June), Piccolo Spoleto (a smaller, community-focused counterpart featuring local artists), the Charleston Jazz Festival, MOJA Arts Festival (which celebrates African-American and Caribbean culture), and the Charleston Fashion Week.
Just lots of creative energy here all year round. 

3. Glorious Food
Everyone and their mother thinks their own hometown's cuisine is the best, so you might be rolling your eyes at this. Of course we think our food is good… doesn't everyone?

But here's the thing: your hometown dishes might be good, but are they "2nd best cuisine in the US (11th in the world)"  good? Because saying that Charleston has good food is a serious understatement.

                                                              

The city's Lowcountry cuisine - a distinctive blend of African, Caribbean, French, and English influences - has earned Charleston recognition as one of the top culinary destinations on the planet. Think shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, Frogmore stew (no, it's not made out of frogs - it's a seafood boil), and dishes steeped in Gullah culinary traditions that honor the region's deep cultural roots.    

We have James Beard Award winners (Mike Lata of FIG, Rodney Scott of Rodney Scott's BBQ, Jason Stanhope), multiple James Beard semifinalists and finalists year after year, as well as internationally acclaimed restaurants like The Obstinate Daughter and Chubby Fish (named one of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants).

4. You Can Adopt a Drain

You know, if you want to look after something that doesn't require regular trips to the vet, you can adopt a drain. 

No really - in Charleston, you can adopt a storm drain, which essentially means committing to keep it clear of leaves and debris. It's a charmingly Charleston way to tackle a real issue: the city is surrounded by water, and community help keeps neighborhoods from flooding during heavy rains.

But this isn't really about drains.

It's about what the drain adoption program represents, along with other civic volunteer programs Charleston offers - like Adopt-a-Block, Keep Charleston Beautiful (which includes graffiti abatement), and community clean-up initiatives. This is a city where people genuinely care about their community and everyone pitches in to make it better.

Dr. Jessica Carter, Professor Pelican's Real Estate Operations Director, has this to say about the city:

"Charleston has an incredible balance. It honors its history but is constantly reinventing itself. There's a real sense of stewardship here - people wanting to leave things better than they found them. Charleston mirrors good leadership to me: holding onto your values while leaving space for growth."

This idea of stewardship - of wanting to leave things better than you found them - runs deep here in Charleston.

5. Charleston Wants You 

Charleston has programs in place to help you build a life here. 

Most people are worried about affordability, but the city has your back. The city offers substantial support for first-time homebuyers and low-to-moderate income families who want to put down roots.

The City of Charleston First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program - provides down payment and closing cost assistance loans up to $20,000 for qualifying buyers. And it's a zero-interest deferred forgivable loan; so you can stay in your home as your primary residence for up to 20 years, and the loan can be forgiven.

Charleston doesn't just want you to visit… it wants you to nest here. And it's something that Professor Pelican (that's us) really appreciates.

And to cap everything off… this is your reminder that ✨vibes✨ are a completely valid reason to choose where you live.
Don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Sure, having a place that's near your workplace, has good schools, and checks all the practical boxes is important. But so is waking up in a place that makes you feel something. In a city that actually wants to help you build a life worth living.

Keep the vibes going, you cool Pelicans, and see you around. 🦩