Charleston is America's most beautifully preserved architectural and historic treasure, with a rich, 300-year history just waiting to be discovered. Hundreds of significant and lovingly preserved structures from the colonial and antebellum periods grace the Historic District's narrow streets. Church bells toll the hour as history unfolds around each and every corner. In no other place are the past and present more intertwined.
The entire Charleston area is a never-ending feast for the senses, with history serving as the main course. Visit Charles Towne Landing, the site where the original settlement was established in 1670. Explore the Charleston Museum, our nation's first museum, or Patriots Point, the world's largest naval and maritime museum and home of the Fighting Lady, the WWII aircraft carrier Yorktown. Drive to Fort Moultrie, scene of the first decisive American victory of the Revolution, and a mainstay of shore defense until 1947.
Take a scenic boat tour to Fort Sumter, the man-made island fortress where the Civil War began. World-famous plantations and gardens offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into life during the antebellum era. Informative tours of the Charleston area are offered daily and are a must for all who want to truly appreciate this living museum.
The area's lush sea islands and sun-drenched beaches offer as much recreation or relaxation as your heart desires. Golf is on a world-class level, with challenging courses reflecting the natural beauty of the South Carolina low country. Charter fishing on the Gulf Stream or inshore waters is readily available. Shopping is one of our Visitors most passionate pursuits. Marvel at native sweet grass baskets and handmade crafts found in Charleston's famous open-air market, or browse through inviting boutiques, art galleries and antique shops found throughout the Charleston area.
When it comes to dining, your biggest decision may just be what to try next. Every meal is a celebration of tastes, with variety that ranges from traditional oyster roasts to fine continental dining. If festivals strike your fancy, you have come to the right place. You will be dazzled by a diverse array of special events. At any time of year, you will always find more to experience than you ever imagined... in a place where warm welcomes have been a treasured tradition for over 300 years.
Charleston Area Golf: Most golfers were unaware of the quality golf experience available in the Charleston area until 1991, when the eyes of the world followed the most fiercely contested Ryder Cup matches in history. A nation cheered as the US team regained the coveted Ryder Cup on the final hole at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course. Since that time, more and more golfers have discovered the undeniable appeal of a Charleston area golf vacation. In fact, Kiawah Island Golf & Tennis Resort proudly hosted the 1997 World Cup of Golf on the renowned Ocean Course.
Charleston golf brings you the very best of all worlds - plenty of choice, exceptional challenge, and one of the world's most acclaimed vacation destinations. World-class courses situated on a variety of coastal terrain ranging from true links style to tight wooded low country layouts provide unsurpassed beauty and playability. In recent years the courses at Wild Dunes Resort and Kiawah Island Golf & Tennis Resort have been named to Golf magazine and Golf Digest's rankings of the best and most creative layouts. However, the challenge of Charleston golf is not restricted to our resort courses!
Throughout the area you'll find the best efforts of the world's top architects: Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, Arthur Hills, and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. to name just a few. Choosing which of our participating courses to play first may just be your most difficult decision!
The Charleston area's legendary southern hospitality guarantees you a warm welcome and a pleasant pace of play as you enjoy each and every round. Experience the noticeable difference of golf "Charleston style."
Shopping: Delightfully different local shopping is one of the most often mentioned reasons for visiting the Charleston area. You'll find indigenous local crafts, unique specialty shops, and antiques galore--plus, a wide variety of high-end national retailers, including Saks Fifth Ave.
Dining: Charleston restaurants and local cuisine have been favorably reviewed in magazines such as Gourmet, Food & Wine and Saveur. You'll find variety ranging from casual southern fare to the finest renditions of the world's great cuisine--with a local flair! Many of our local specialties are derived from fresh-off-the-boat seafood and locally grown produce. Be sure to try some of our perennial low country favorites: shrimp & grits, roasted oysters and Frogmore Stew.
Economic Future: The Charleston economic future is very sturdy and bright. Area empoyment outpaced the state and the nation. Charleston continues to see population growth and a solid job market increase. The Vought-Alenia aircraft consortium announced (12/04) it's new $560 million dollar aircraft fuselage plant. The 380 acre site will be located near the Charleston International Airport and will provide more than 600 well-paying jobs.
As of October of 2004 our three county region added 7,100 more jobs than it did for the same period last year, giving the area a 2.7 percent growth rate in employment. Most of the gain was in the last six month period. Real estate sales as of 11/04 had a 13 percent increase over all of last year.The median sale price is at $175,000 up 7 percent from 2003.
The soaring demand-driven market is driving home prices through the ceiling. It is not uncommon for some of the better properties in certain desirable markets to receive multiple offers. Good reason to have an experenced real estate agent representing you.
I express my appreciation to the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce for supplying much of the information above. See my "Map & Links" page for links to their websites.
Request my Free Charleston Relocation Package: It's packed full of useful and important information about the Charleston, SC area. Don't move here without it! Remember: I'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and I will send it right out...
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