Top 10 Reasons to Move to Charleston

William Means Real Estate calls Charleston home…and we think you should too! Follow us as we count down the top 10 reasons to move to the Charleston Lowcountry. We know you will love it as much as we do!

1. Southern Charm 

No, not the hit Bravo reality TV show. Charleston is the oldest and second-largest city in the state of South Carolina. Founded in 1670, the city is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel pre-Civil-War-era houses, particularly in the bustling French Quarter and Battery areas.

2. Culture

Charleston’s love affair with the arts goes back to the city’s earliest days.  The first opera performed in America was in Charleston in 1735 and the country’s first theatre was built here in 1736. Charleston continues to have a thriving arts community with a professional ballet company, symphony orchestra, numerous theatre groups and the annual Spoleto Festival USA each Spring.

3. Fine Dining

Every Sunday you will find that Charlestonians know how to brunch in style. With a vast array of cuisines and new restaurants constantly opening their doors, there is never a shortage of new menus to try and staple establishments to fall back on for a night on the town. Executed by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, Charleston Restaurant Week (January & September) is one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area.

4. Great Outdoors

Charleston is more than just one of the country’s most beloved cities, it’s home to five beach towns: Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Seabrook & Sullivan’s, each with their own distinct vibe. With that comes a plethora of outdoor activities: sailing, paddle boarding, fishing, kayaking and shrimping are amongst our favorites.

5. International Recognition 

Small town Charleston received big time recognition this past July as Travel + Leisure’s Best City in the U.S. and Canada and #2 World’s Best City. Condé Nast Traveler named the city the #1 travel destination in the U.S. in October 2014. In August 2014 Outside Magazine ranked Charleston #12 Best Places to Live in America. It doesn’t get much better than that!

6. Business Accolades 

Charleston’s business scene is undoubtedly up and coming. In December 2014, Forbes ranked Charleston as #7 in the nation for Where Jobs Will Be in 2015. The city was among the top ten of Small American Cities of the Future for economic potential, business friendliness and connectivity

7. Events 

There will never be a dull moment on your social calendar if you live in this beautiful city. Don’t believe us? Some of our favorite local events are: the Historic Charleston Foundation’s Festival of Houses and Gardens and Charleston Antiques Show, the Taste of Charleston, The Lowcountry Oyster Festival, the Cooper River Bridge Run, The Charleston Marathon, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), Charleston Food and Wine Festival, Charleston Fashion Week, the MOJA Arts Festival, and the Holiday Festival of Lights (at James Island County Park), and the Charleston International Film Festival.

8. Shopping

King Street has all you want and more for your inner shopaholic. On the second Sunday of each month, King Street is blocked off from Calhoun to Queen Street from 1 to 5 pm. It allows pedestrians to enjoy everything that King Street has to offer, while leisurely strolling through the street.  Second Sunday provides live music, and emphasizes the great shopping and abundance of different restaurants on the Charleston peninsula.

9. Climate

We must admit – we have pretty beautiful weather in the Lowcountry. Charleston has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Best yet, the Fall remains fairly warm through November so if you’re looking to avoid the snow up North, Charleston is a perfect oasis.

10. William Means

We are one of the oldest real estate companies in Charleston. William Means founded the company in 1933. Today, William Means Real Estate has two office locations Downtown Charleston and I’On neighborhood. We know what it means to call the Lowcountry home. And it’s our mission to help you call it home, too.

Do we have you convinced to make the move to Charleston? Contact one of our knowledgeable agents today to learn more about Lowcountry living.