Posted: 11/22/2015 5:13:43 PM EDT
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Im taking a new job with a well respected fortune 500 company that is sending me to Charleston. Im a young 20's guy who needs space for a playful dog, and another soon to come (redbone coonhound, looking to get a GSD)
Not really looking for an apartment, but Im open to renting a home/condo with a large yard. I've been looking in the park circle area. I'd like to be somewhere near a craft beer/burger joint (within 5-7 minutes, not a big deal). I like my burger and beer once and a while. Im also interested in knowing if downtown Charleston has any bars that have Frank Sinatra impersonators? I say a couple in San Antonio and I've been hooked on this older music, Im wondering if theres any live music places downtown. Also wondering about horse racing, and other fun stuff to do. Im not really a nightlifer or a bar frequenter, but once or twice a month I like to go out, but nothing crazy. Ive been looking at a few places near Park Circle area, as well as just southwest of the Airport, but not across the water. Suggestions? Thanks all. I grew up in Fayettenam, so I'm looking forward to getting back to the REAL South. Texas is Texas. Texas is AWESOME. Texas is not the South, and I have dearly missed my Atlantic Ocean and Blue Ridge Mountains. P.S. Anyone bear hunt? I've never done it but I'd like to hunt bear or mountain lion. Not sure what the laws are. |
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If you want space, I would recommend coming a little farther north to Summerville....whatever you do, avoid North Charleston..... North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? |
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North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? Quoted:
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If you want space, I would recommend coming a little farther north to Summerville....whatever you do, avoid North Charleston..... North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? I wouldn't say all of it is bad when it comes to ghetto type things. Traffic is horrible though. Can you say where you're working or the general area you'll be working in? That would help finding a place that will get you what you want while avoiding as much traffic as possible. |
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I would recommend that before you decide on a place, that you simulate a commute to and from work during your regular working hours. Traffic around the N Charleston airport can be tough. There is a huge difference on the weekends and when schools are out.
The Park Circle area has some nice bars and restaurants, it has really improved over the past few years. Some of the areas around Park Circle are pretty rough. Good luck in your move. |
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I would recommend that before you decide on a place, that you simulate a commute to and from work during your regular working hours. Traffic around the N Charleston airport can be tough. There is a huge difference on the weekends and when schools are out. The Park Circle area has some nice bars and restaurants, it has really improved over the past few years. Some of the areas around Park Circle are pretty rough. Good luck in your move. The job Im taking is with the railroad, and I'll pretty much be on call a lot, so lot of oddball hours. |
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I just moved from Charleston where I lived pretty much the entirety of my adult life, including the entirety of my 20s.
Some thoughts based on what you asked. Charleston's certainly the South. But it's not necessarily the "REAL" South depending on what you're looking for. By and large, it's not the "country" South, though, in all fairness, you don't have to go too far to find it, but not the sprawling "metro" area. For someone in your '20s, Charleston's a great town, a lot of young and mobile people, a lot of things to do. But be aware, food and bev essentially runs Charleston, at least in terms of your demographic - and as a result of the population being young and mobile, there are a lot of Yankee transplants... and a lot of Ohioans. You will grow to hate Ohio in short order. As far as nightlife and music - Charleston's great... but might not be for what you're looking for (Sinatra impersonators). Charleston's got a lot of folk-local music, and it's very competitive - the venue owners can get away with paying performers peanuts because there's always someone in line to get a gig. This also means, though, that pretty much every night of the week, if you want to hear live music, you can hear live music - and have multiple choices. A lot of the chain restaurants, some of the sports bars, and a lot of the places out on Isle of Palms will often have cover bands, and there's a disturbing number of neo-Jimmy Buffet-esque bands floating around those places for the aging former-yuppie transplant types. As you begin going further out towards from downtown, you also begin picking up more country... and alt rock/punk. Nightlife starts early - and goes late and goes hard. A lot of live shows, the headliners won't start until about 10:30-11:00 - this is also usually about the time that the food and bev people are getting off of work and going out. Bartenders can, will, and do do shots and drink with customers - but don't think that this makes you special or friends with the bartender, or take it to mean you have a "shot." Most of the girls (and guys) in the popular bars have had a lifetime's education in being hit on by dudes within their first week of work. Bars close at 2:00AM. A word of advice - if you plan on staying in Charleston for a long time (I only thought I was going to be there a couple of years...), it might be worthwhile to rent a place for your first year and get a feel for the town, the traffic, and the commutes. Charleston's almost got "zones," and you might find that some fit better for you than others. With that being said - specific locations... North Charleston - North Charleston is, for the most part - either a dump, or Hipsterville. Especially the Park Circle area. If you like that, Park Circle may be your place. Summerville can be nice, however it tends to be more families, and it's getting crowded as more and more people move into the area, but want to be away from downtown proper. Mount Pleasant - if you love traffic, Yankees, and paying more for everything, and yuppie douchebags living post-frat boy life, Mount P is your place. Shem's nice, but pretty commercial these days. For what you're looking for - my advice would be either the Awendaw area, just outside of Mount Pleasant, or the other end of 526, the Johns Island/Hollywood/Deep West Ashley area. Since you have a dog and want some land, these are the best places to get some land for reasonable prices (whether renting or buying). Not only that, but values are, for the most part, going up in those areas as Charleston begins to sprawl out. You'll also be closer to the "country South" it sounds like you're looking for. Staying on the ends of 526 means that you'll be able to jump onto 526 fairly easily - rush hour traffic is miserable everywhere, but at least 526 is a highway - better trapped on 526 than on 17 - or basically anywhere going into downtown and the areas in between. The 526/26 interchange is a shit show, but it is what it is. At the same time, you'll be close enough to downtown for it to be reasonable to head in to town for food, nightlife, etc. Both locations will get you close to the water - but also to swamps. It is what it is. Isle of Palms is more the tourist beach, Folly is more the locals beach, but they're both touristy. Isle of Palms is just worse. Being more touristy, however, it's generally "nicer," FWIW. Everything's more expensive, though, it's basically an extension of Mount Pleasant. Forget the mountains. There are no mountains. You will not see or think about mountains. The highest point of elevation in Charleston is, IIRC, 10 feet above sea level. Which also reminds me. They just got over rain-pocalypse 2015. Glad I missed it. Charleston floods when the clouds look gray. Downtown's bad about it. YouTube "wakeboarding downtown Charleston." ~Augee |
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I just moved from Charleston where I lived pretty much the entirety of my adult life, including the entirety of my 20s. Some thoughts based on what you asked. Charleston's certainly the South. But it's not necessarily the "REAL" South depending on what you're looking for. By and large, it's not the "country" South, though, in all fairness, you don't have to go too far to find it, but not the sprawling "metro" area. For someone in your '20s, Charleston's a great town, a lot of young and mobile people, a lot of things to do. But be aware, food and bev essentially runs Charleston, at least in terms of your demographic - and as a result of the population being young and mobile, there are a lot of Yankee transplants... and a lot of Ohioans. You will grow to hate Ohio in short order. As far as nightlife and music - Charleston's great... but might not be for what you're looking for (Sinatra impersonators). Charleston's got a lot of folk-local music, and it's very competitive - the venue owners can get away with paying performers peanuts because there's always someone in line to get a gig. This also means, though, that pretty much every night of the week, if you want to hear live music, you can hear live music - and have multiple choices. A lot of the chain restaurants, some of the sports bars, and a lot of the places out on Isle of Palms will often have cover bands, and there's a disturbing number of neo-Jimmy Buffet-esque bands floating around those places for the aging former-yuppie transplant types. As you begin going further out towards from downtown, you also begin picking up more country... and alt rock/punk. Nightlife starts early - and goes late and goes hard. A lot of live shows, the headliners won't start until about 10:30-11:00 - this is also usually about the time that the food and bev people are getting off of work and going out. Bartenders can, will, and do do shots and drink with customers - but don't think that this makes you special or friends with the bartender, or take it to mean you have a "shot." Most of the girls (and guys) in the popular bars have had a lifetime's education in being hit on by dudes within their first week of work. Bars close at 2:00AM. A word of advice - if you plan on staying in Charleston for a long time (I only thought I was going to be there a couple of years...), it might be worthwhile to rent a place for your first year and get a feel for the town, the traffic, and the commutes. Charleston's almost got "zones," and you might find that some fit better for you than others. With that being said - specific locations... North Charleston - North Charleston is, for the most part - either a dump, or Hipsterville. Especially the Park Circle area. If you like that, Park Circle may be your place. Summerville can be nice, however it tends to be more families, and it's getting crowded as more and more people move into the area, but want to be away from downtown proper. Mount Pleasant - if you love traffic, Yankees, and paying more for everything, and yuppie douchebags living post-frat boy life, Mount P is your place. Shem's nice, but pretty commercial these days. For what you're looking for - my advice would be either the Awendaw area, just outside of Mount Pleasant, or the other end of 526, the Johns Island/Hollywood/Deep West Ashley area. Since you have a dog and want some land, these are the best places to get some land for reasonable prices (whether renting or buying). Not only that, but values are, for the most part, going up in those areas as Charleston begins to sprawl out. You'll also be closer to the "country South" it sounds like you're looking for. Staying on the ends of 526 means that you'll be able to jump onto 526 fairly easily - rush hour traffic is miserable everywhere, but at least 526 is a highway - better trapped on 526 than on 17 - or basically anywhere going into downtown and the areas in between. The 526/26 interchange is a shit show, but it is what it is. At the same time, you'll be close enough to downtown for it to be reasonable to head in to town for food, nightlife, etc. Both locations will get you close to the water - but also to swamps. It is what it is. Isle of Palms is more the tourist beach, Folly is more the locals beach, but they're both touristy. Isle of Palms is just worse. Being more touristy, however, it's generally "nicer," FWIW. Everything's more expensive, though, it's basically an extension of Mount Pleasant. Forget the mountains. There are no mountains. You will not see or think about mountains. The highest point of elevation in Charleston is, IIRC, 10 feet above sea level. Which also reminds me. They just got over rain-pocalypse 2015. Glad I missed it. Charleston floods when the clouds look gray. Downtown's bad about it. YouTube "wakeboarding downtown Charleston." ~Augee Thanks for the info! I think West Ashley is what Im looking for. Does traffic bottleneck at the bridge over the Ashley? I don't want to fuck myself too hard, but it sounds like theres no getting "good real estate" AND "good traffic", so its not really gonna matter. As far as transplants, truth be told I was born in New York. I never want to live there, my parents moved when I was 2 (So I never really grew up there) I lived in North Carolina for 11 years and Texas for the rest. I have family in NY and we have a family business there, so I visit 2 times year, sometimes less, other times more. As far as the mountains- Sorry. I haven't seen a fucking mountain in damn near a decade, so I'll be taking some weekends and going west lol. I need my fix. But yea, I know there isn't shit for mountains in Charleston, just wondering if anyone makes the trip out west to hunt. Also, how is hunting locally? And does West Ashley flood? Or is that mostly downtown that floods? How far from the Ashley is safe from floods? Im looking at buying because of the investment. I plan to get a property manager to run it and collect the rent when/if my job moves me away, otherwise I'll sell it or obviously live there if I stay in Charleston. How is crime in West Ashley? |
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Thanks for the info! I think West Ashley is what Im looking for. Does traffic bottleneck at the bridge over the Ashley? I don't want to fuck myself too hard, but it sounds like theres no getting "good real estate" AND "good traffic", so its not really gonna matter. As far as transplants, truth be told I was born in New York. I never want to live there, my parents moved when I was 2 (So I never really grew up there) I lived in North Carolina for 11 years and Texas for the rest. I have family in NY and we have a family business there, so I visit 2 times year, sometimes less, other times more. As far as the mountains- Sorry. I haven't seen a fucking mountain in damn near a decade, so I'll be taking some weekends and going west lol. I need my fix. But yea, I know there isn't shit for mountains in Charleston, just wondering if anyone makes the trip out west to hunt. Also, how is hunting locally? And does West Ashley flood? Or is that mostly downtown that floods? How far from the Ashley is safe from floods? Im looking at buying because of the investment. I plan to get a property manager to run it and collect the rent when/if my job moves me away, otherwise I'll sell it or obviously live there if I stay in Charleston. How is crime in West Ashley? Quoted:
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I just moved from Charleston where I lived pretty much the entirety of my adult life, including the entirety of my 20s. Some thoughts based on what you asked. Charleston's certainly the South. But it's not necessarily the "REAL" South depending on what you're looking for. By and large, it's not the "country" South, though, in all fairness, you don't have to go too far to find it, but not the sprawling "metro" area. For someone in your '20s, Charleston's a great town, a lot of young and mobile people, a lot of things to do. But be aware, food and bev essentially runs Charleston, at least in terms of your demographic - and as a result of the population being young and mobile, there are a lot of Yankee transplants... and a lot of Ohioans. You will grow to hate Ohio in short order. As far as nightlife and music - Charleston's great... but might not be for what you're looking for (Sinatra impersonators). Charleston's got a lot of folk-local music, and it's very competitive - the venue owners can get away with paying performers peanuts because there's always someone in line to get a gig. This also means, though, that pretty much every night of the week, if you want to hear live music, you can hear live music - and have multiple choices. A lot of the chain restaurants, some of the sports bars, and a lot of the places out on Isle of Palms will often have cover bands, and there's a disturbing number of neo-Jimmy Buffet-esque bands floating around those places for the aging former-yuppie transplant types. As you begin going further out towards from downtown, you also begin picking up more country... and alt rock/punk. Nightlife starts early - and goes late and goes hard. A lot of live shows, the headliners won't start until about 10:30-11:00 - this is also usually about the time that the food and bev people are getting off of work and going out. Bartenders can, will, and do do shots and drink with customers - but don't think that this makes you special or friends with the bartender, or take it to mean you have a "shot." Most of the girls (and guys) in the popular bars have had a lifetime's education in being hit on by dudes within their first week of work. Bars close at 2:00AM. A word of advice - if you plan on staying in Charleston for a long time (I only thought I was going to be there a couple of years...), it might be worthwhile to rent a place for your first year and get a feel for the town, the traffic, and the commutes. Charleston's almost got "zones," and you might find that some fit better for you than others. With that being said - specific locations... North Charleston - North Charleston is, for the most part - either a dump, or Hipsterville. Especially the Park Circle area. If you like that, Park Circle may be your place. Summerville can be nice, however it tends to be more families, and it's getting crowded as more and more people move into the area, but want to be away from downtown proper. Mount Pleasant - if you love traffic, Yankees, and paying more for everything, and yuppie douchebags living post-frat boy life, Mount P is your place. Shem's nice, but pretty commercial these days. For what you're looking for - my advice would be either the Awendaw area, just outside of Mount Pleasant, or the other end of 526, the Johns Island/Hollywood/Deep West Ashley area. Since you have a dog and want some land, these are the best places to get some land for reasonable prices (whether renting or buying). Not only that, but values are, for the most part, going up in those areas as Charleston begins to sprawl out. You'll also be closer to the "country South" it sounds like you're looking for. Staying on the ends of 526 means that you'll be able to jump onto 526 fairly easily - rush hour traffic is miserable everywhere, but at least 526 is a highway - better trapped on 526 than on 17 - or basically anywhere going into downtown and the areas in between. The 526/26 interchange is a shit show, but it is what it is. At the same time, you'll be close enough to downtown for it to be reasonable to head in to town for food, nightlife, etc. Both locations will get you close to the water - but also to swamps. It is what it is. Isle of Palms is more the tourist beach, Folly is more the locals beach, but they're both touristy. Isle of Palms is just worse. Being more touristy, however, it's generally "nicer," FWIW. Everything's more expensive, though, it's basically an extension of Mount Pleasant. Forget the mountains. There are no mountains. You will not see or think about mountains. The highest point of elevation in Charleston is, IIRC, 10 feet above sea level. Which also reminds me. They just got over rain-pocalypse 2015. Glad I missed it. Charleston floods when the clouds look gray. Downtown's bad about it. YouTube "wakeboarding downtown Charleston." ~Augee Thanks for the info! I think West Ashley is what Im looking for. Does traffic bottleneck at the bridge over the Ashley? I don't want to fuck myself too hard, but it sounds like theres no getting "good real estate" AND "good traffic", so its not really gonna matter. As far as transplants, truth be told I was born in New York. I never want to live there, my parents moved when I was 2 (So I never really grew up there) I lived in North Carolina for 11 years and Texas for the rest. I have family in NY and we have a family business there, so I visit 2 times year, sometimes less, other times more. As far as the mountains- Sorry. I haven't seen a fucking mountain in damn near a decade, so I'll be taking some weekends and going west lol. I need my fix. But yea, I know there isn't shit for mountains in Charleston, just wondering if anyone makes the trip out west to hunt. Also, how is hunting locally? And does West Ashley flood? Or is that mostly downtown that floods? How far from the Ashley is safe from floods? Im looking at buying because of the investment. I plan to get a property manager to run it and collect the rent when/if my job moves me away, otherwise I'll sell it or obviously live there if I stay in Charleston. How is crime in West Ashley? Honestly it's not as bad as north Chas but not too far behind. You definitely don't want park circle. A good rule of thumb for the Dorchester rd side of North Chas is nothing below Ashley phosphate. If you wanna be near park circle for the food and bars look in hanahan |
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traffic sucks. it always sucks. it really doesn't matter where you live, you're going to have to deal with it. Learn the side streets and back roads. i have family that live in goose creek. they get the benefit of living near a major city without the added hassle of traffic. |
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Augee covered it. I'll add that there are some areas in North Charleston that are pretty nice however they border the ghetto zone in a lot of places. East Montague Ave between Park Circle and Virginia Ave is very nice in terms of dining and pubs.
As for traffic I deal with Rivers Ave and Ashley Phosphate daily, I can take I-26 too, but my commute is in the opposite direction of the primary traffic flow so it's bearable. Keep that in mind when scouting for a home. Driving into the North area from Summerville or Goose Creek at 7AM will suck. Hanahan is smack in the middle of things as far as your commute goes but offers nothing in terms of a centrally located dining / pub experience. I know because I live in Hanahan. Both of my children live in the West Ashley area (Old Town Acres between Hwy. 7 & 61) and it took me some time to understand the attraction but it's centrally located and you can get anywhere in short order. |
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Since you aren't worried about kids and schools, look at Johns Island (around where they plan to drop 526 eventually) and North of Goose Creek gets rural pretty quick I think. Awendaw as someone suggested is way too far IMO. Maybe north of Daniel Island?
As far as buying for the investment, aren't you supposed to buy in when prices are low? Charleston prices have been going up a long time... If you work in that area, there is no way around traffic unless you can commute during non traffic times, period. You either have to hit a bridge, I-26, or Dorchester. |
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North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? Quoted:
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If you want space, I would recommend coming a little farther north to Summerville....whatever you do, avoid North Charleston..... North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? Crowded and spotty. What neighborhood? My SIL/BIL live in that area. Depending on where your job is. Goose Creek and even up toward Moncks Corner may be a better fit. I grew up in Moncks Corner and my wife Goose Creek. If you get settled and want to do some deer hunting next season shoot me an IM. I am part of a hunt program on Fed land about 2 hours north of the area, a Goose Creek guy is a regular customer. |
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Crowded and spotty. What neighborhood? My SIL/BIL live in that area. Depending on where your job is. Goose Creek and even up toward Moncks Corner may be a better fit. I grew up in Moncks Corner and my wife Goose Creek. If you get settled and want to do some deer hunting next season shoot me an IM. I am part of a hunt program on Fed land about 2 hours north of the area, a Goose Creek guy is a regular customer. Quoted:
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If you want space, I would recommend coming a little farther north to Summerville....whatever you do, avoid North Charleston..... North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? Crowded and spotty. What neighborhood? My SIL/BIL live in that area. Depending on where your job is. Goose Creek and even up toward Moncks Corner may be a better fit. I grew up in Moncks Corner and my wife Goose Creek. If you get settled and want to do some deer hunting next season shoot me an IM. I am part of a hunt program on Fed land about 2 hours north of the area, a Goose Creek guy is a regular customer. You do not want to be in that area on dorchester. PM me if you would like |
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You do not want to be in that area on dorchester. PM me if you would like Quoted:
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If you want space, I would recommend coming a little farther north to Summerville....whatever you do, avoid North Charleston..... North Charleston is all bad? I found a place in N. Charleston, but its between the Airport/Dorchester Rd and the Ashley River That area bad? Crowded and spotty. What neighborhood? My SIL/BIL live in that area. Depending on where your job is. Goose Creek and even up toward Moncks Corner may be a better fit. I grew up in Moncks Corner and my wife Goose Creek. If you get settled and want to do some deer hunting next season shoot me an IM. I am part of a hunt program on Fed land about 2 hours north of the area, a Goose Creek guy is a regular customer. You do not want to be in that area on dorchester. PM me if you would like PM Sent. Also folks, Im looking at a two story home off Wallenberg Blvd, between 526 and Rittenberg, South of Bull Creek. That area is close to both bridges where I would need to go to get to work. Good/bad? |
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Haven't been here long (Hannahan) but I was initially looking over off Bees Ferry (near Wallenberg) during the summer and I believe you would be ok there.
If you settle in West Ashley and driving on 526 normal hours you would be likely going opposite most of the traffic so it shouldn't be too bad. They aren't kidding about Mt Pleasant prices. I looked at a townhome there, the same floorplan/builder in Summerville was $100K less. -but drive from both would have been bad |
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"Also folks, Im looking at a two story home off Wallenberg Blvd, between 526 and Rittenberg, South of Bull Creek. That area is close to both bridges where I would need to go to get to work. Good/bad?"
My general area. Good parts and bad parts in that area, but Raoul Wallenburg is fairly decent, but a busy street. The side streets off of it are a lot calmer - some streets are well kept, and others not so much, but all are pretty decent and have yards. 526 can get stacked up during the commute time like almost all of 526 does, but Sam Rittenburg AKA North Bridge is usually free flowing during all hours. If you're working at the large Fortune 500 company right next to the airport because that's how their product leaves the plant, West Ashley in that area gives you two ways into work including one that allows you to reverse commute for most of the way to the airport area. Most of my friends that work there live in Park Circle or Daniel Island, but I've met several that live in West Ashley recently. I work elsewhere. Best of luck in your search, and welcome to Charleston! |