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Sunday, September 19, 2021

Your Charleston, SC Real Estate Questions Answered

Photos of Charleston South Carolina downtown, and Charleston Bridge

Your Charleston, SC Real Estate Questions Answered

Historic Charleston, South Carolina, is a great place to live. With plenty of history, arts, culture, world-class dining, retail, and entertainment, Charleston’s residents enjoy a robust lifestyle complemented by the region’s famous southern hospitality. The city has accumulated many different lifestyle awards. For example, Conde Nast Traveler has ranked it the “Best Small City in the United States.” 

Why would someone choose Charleston, SC? It has an affordable cost of living and proximity to the Atlantic oceanfront. Its temperate climate has mild winters and hot summers, but all that means is you can enjoy recreation all year round. The quality of life is excellent; enjoy fresh seafood caught the same day, buy produce picked from local farms, and live in walkable communities. Play at one of the area’s seven golf courses or spend the day sunbathing, sailing, or fishing. Catch live music at one of the historic venues or enjoy a stroll through the antebellum neighborhoods.

Whether a retiree or a young professional, Charleston has something to offer everyone. We field many questions about what life is like in Charleston, from what neighborhoods to search for housing to what activities to do. Here are some common answers to questions about living in Charleston. 

What is the average price of a home in Charleston, SC?

Based on the data available in September 2021, the median price of a Charleston home was $620,990, and the average price per square foot was $425.69. Those figures were calculated from 423 available listings. The least expensive property available on the market was listed at $150,000, while the high-end luxury market topped out at $11.2 million.

If you’re looking for a home here, see the most recent Charleston homes for sale. EZ Home Search’s database updates with MLS listings every 15 minutes. You can easily sort the listings using the filters by price, characteristics, and other features. 

How much is a condo in downtown Charleston or surrounding areas?

Looking at the condominiums listed in September 2021, the median list price was $660,000 generated from 105 available listings across Charleston. The average price per square foot was $535.90. Condominiums tended to last 110 days on the market. 

Our EZ Home Search listings for condos are viewable by map to showcase what condominiums are available and their proximity to downtown. Find condominiums on the peninsula near Harleston Village, Cannonborough, South of Broad. Off the peninsula, look in West Ashley, James Island, and Daniel Island.

What county is Charleston, SC in?

Charleston is inside Charleston County and is the county seat. The county is South Carolina’s third for population, with its borders extending from the Santee River to the Edisto River. In total, it has 91 miles of Atlantic coastline, much of it made up of numerous islands, inlets, and tidal rivers. The inland regions contain farmlands which are essential crop producers for the entire south. Charleston County offers oceanfront living, a thriving job market, and lots of things to do.

Why are so many people moving to Charleston? 

People are moving to Charleston because the lifestyle has plenty to offer everyone. It has a balance of natural beauty, modern conveniences, a growing job market, and a well-regarded school system.

In terms of cost of living, while it is more expensive than most of South Carolina, its index is pretty close to the national average. Transportation is the cheapest category in the cost of living index, while housing is the most expensive. However, the other line items are near the national average, from groceries to utilities to miscellaneous costs. 

One of the reasons the housing index is more expensive is because of all the waterfront and beachfront properties, which naturally cost slightly more due to buyer demand. It is possible to find single-family homes and condominiums at rates in line with national real estate costs.

Charleston has a diverse job market, with some of the leading employers being in the healthcare, defense, manufacturing, and education fields. There are over 250 technology companies based here, with six Boeing facilities and business units contributing to the technological boom. The Joint Base-Charleston is home to the Naval Information Warfare Center. The unemployment rate is relatively low, reported at 3.3% in May 2021, almost 50% under the national average. The community profile projects the most growth in health care, hospitality, transportation, and warehousing. 

Charleston County School District has 88 schools, many with specialized programs to serve diverse student needs. There are 48 private schools for parents to choose from. Charleston has eight different higher education institutions, including the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a leading teaching hospital in the southeast.

In terms of things to do, Charleston residents stay very busy. Charleston has numerous historical attractions, like the Fort Sumter National Monument and the historic antebellum mansions in the South of Broad neighborhood. There are seven golf courses, some of them highly regarded among expert players. Along the 91 miles of coastline are developed and undeveloped beaches, islands, and marshes. Enjoy a day of sailing, fishing, boating, skiing, surfing, and much more from all of the shoreline available around Charleston beaches.  

As if all of that was not enough, Charleston is home to some world-class dining. It has numerous James Beard Chef nominees and award winners. The restaurants here take advantage of Charlotte’s proximity to ample agricultural production and the Atlantic’s freshest seafood. The nightlife scene includes craft breweries, bars, and live music venues.

That’s not to mention the various events and festivals held in and around Charleston throughout the year. All in all, Charleston has a lot to offer people of all ages. For all these reasons, more people are interested in living in Charleston

What is the fastest-growing area in Charleston?

Mount Pleasant gained more residents than any other South Carolina town or city in 2018, based on US Census estimates. Located across Charleston Harbor, Mount Pleasant is a suburb of the main city and popular with young professionals and families. The city has beautiful parks, nationally recognized cuisine, and a laid-back atmosphere. Its location puts it between the beaches and resorts at Isle of Palms and Charleston’s many amenities. 

Is Charleston, SC growing? 

The US News & World Report survey from 2021 lists Charleston as the no. 19 fastest growing city in the country based on the net migration to each metro area. The 2020 US Census counted 150,227 residents inside the Charleston city limits. In 2010, the city reported 120,364 residents, a growth rate of 19.9% in a decade. The Charleston metro region is anticipated to reach one million residents by 2028.

Charleston remained the state’s largest city by population. Ranked third was North Charleston, and in fourth was Mount Pleasant.

What type of waterfront properties are found in Charleston, SC?

Charleston offers you a range of waterfront properties to select from. Find residential real estate from small studio condominiums along the Atlantic oceanfront to luxury estates such as what you’ll find on Kiawah Island. Located primarily on a peninsula, Charleston has ample waterfront options to explore. Live along the waterfront on the Cooper, Ashley, or Stono River. Choose an island lifestyle by living on Daniel Island, James Island, or Morris Island. Downtown condos have views of Charleston Harbor and the Folly Island Channel. Atlantic oceanfront is available near Morris Island or the nearby communities of Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island.

What areas are in Charleston?

Charleston is a diverse city with a historic quarter, numerous waterfront properties, and islands, all within the city limits. Each neighborhood has its distinct character. Here are a few notable neighborhoods that you’ll find inside of Charleston.

On the Charleston peninsula, the southernmost neighborhood is called South Of Broad. It’s here you’ll find a lot of historic properties overlooking Charleston Harbor. To its north you have the French Quarter, King Street, and Harleston Village. You can find residential real estate in this section, but there are many museums, retail stores, and restaurants in these neighborhoods.

Ansonborough is crisscrossed by narrow streets and old townhouses, making it slightly more residential than other areas. The neighborhoods closest to the medical facilities are Cannonborough, Elliotborough, and Radcliffe-borough.

The neighborhoods above the Crosstown tend to have more geographical designations, such as West Side, East Side, and North Central. They feel more residential with a quieter scene but still have plenty of nightlife, dining, and retail options. 

Outside the peninsula, you will find neighborhoods like Mount Pleasant, a booming suburban town. It has its food and nightlife scene, entertainment, and activities to do. James Island is the closest suburb to Charleston, just across the Harbor from downtown. The county park has 643 acres of recreation opportunities, including a dog park and boat rentals. West Ashley offers great views of the Ashley River. It’s a large residential area with many housing options. 

What are Charleston property tax rates?

All South Carolina residents are subject to a 4% primary residence property tax. You have to apply for this tax with the Charleston County Tax Collector. Otherwise, you will pay a 6% property tax rate. Any second home is taxed at 6%.

Your City of Charleston property taxes will vary slightly depending on where you live in Charleston. The millage rate was 0.2835 in 2021, but you may also be subject to school board taxes, parks and recreation tax, and a fire district tax. 

What other areas are near Charleston?

Outside of Charleston, you’ll find many dynamic communities and suburbs. To the north is North Charleston, a commuter city and a growing town located between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Further northward on I-26 is the retirement town of Summerville and its surrounding suburbs. 

Across the peninsula, you will find Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, and the Isle of Palms. These are popular places to live, with Mount Pleasant being one of the fastest-growing areas in the Charleston Metro. Sullivan’s Island sits on the mouth of Charleston Harbor, and it is a destination community for its laidback lifestyle and beach access. 

To the south await Folly’s Island and Folly’s Beach, well-known as a surfing destination. Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island’s luxury island communities and golfing resorts are further south of Charleston, approximately 45 minutes by car. 

Looking further afield, Hilton Head Island is two hours south of Charleston. Savannah is just slightly further away at two-and-a-half hours. Myrtle Beach is approximately two hours, 15 minutes to the north of Charleston. The state capital Columbia is also just a two-hour drive straight right up I-26. 

Living in Charleston, SC

If there’s anything else you want to know about living in Charleston, ask, and we shall endeavor to find an answer. Our goal is to be your resource  Charleston living.

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Preston Guyton

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