So, You can expect to pay around $819 for rent here. With a population of 17,212, Charleston is a small town. Rent is about $819/month for a decent place. The median home value here is around $133,700, which is actually reasonable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
5 upvotes
7 Replies
Zachary E.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
39 upvotes
detroit_angel
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
38 upvotes
Paisley C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Carter Evans
100%
16 upvotes
atlguy2023
The food scene here is average. Tons of great sushi places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
6 upvotes
Isaac Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely tough and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (North) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
0 upvotes
Adrian Morris
I'm a HR manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
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