Charleston, South Carolina is one of the best places to live. In fact, the “Holy City” was voted America’s fourth best city, according to Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2008 World’s Best Awards. Charleston is a popular place for visitors and homebuyers alike due to its culture, weather, restaurants, arts, shopping, and historical sights.
Charleston real estate is extremely diverse, from the bustling downtown to laid-back beaches, but the historic peninsula has an atmosphere that can’t be matched anywhere else. Historic Downtown Charleston real estate offers residents the best of both worlds: living amid three hundred years of history and culture while enjoying the conveniences and amenities of an urban lifestyle.
Charleston is a cosmopolitan city with a laid-back Lowcountry attitude, where cars and carriages share the narrow streets. Charleston’s historic homes are as colorful as the city’s past, with a variety of architectural styles, including Georgian, Federal, Charleston Single Family and Greek Revival. The sprawling plazas of these historic homes overlook ornate gardens, often hidden behind brick walls and wrought-iron gates.
Historic Charleston real estate owners regularly take advantage of the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and walk to the shops lining King Street or to the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. They walk to the many restaurants and places of worship, or simply stroll through the Battery and admire the waters of the port.
dining room
Charleston is known for its excellent cuisine and is regularly recognized as one of the top dining destinations in the Southeast. There’s something to satisfy everyone’s palate: creative desserts and appetizers, Lowcountry dishes, succulent meats, fresh seafood and an excellent selection of wines. Whatever the craving, downtown Charleston has it. Owners of historic Charleston real estate enjoy a wide variety of dining options, from five-star restaurants to casual barbecue, all within walking distance.
The arts
Charleston’s art community enjoys artists from around the world, the nation, and local artists, all of whom sell their work in the art boutiques that populate the downtown French Quarter. The quaint downtown alleys engage viewers with spectacular watercolors, innovative paintings, landscapes, handmade pottery and jewelry, and mesmerizing photography.
The Gibbes Art Museum houses an impressive collection of historical and contemporary works and regularly exhibits works by local artists. Theater, ballet and symphony are also alive and thriving in Charleston.
Shopping
Downtown Charleston is a shopper’s dream. Residents of Charleston’s historic homes enjoy a short walk to the King Street Antiques District, exclusive shops at Gucci and Sax Fifth Avenue, and numerous boutiques throughout the peninsula for one-of-a-kind purchases.
Historical sites
Homeowners in downtown Charleston go straight into history when they walk out their front door. The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, the Charleston Museum, the Nathaniel Russell House, and the view of Fort Sumter from the Battery are all within walking distance of Charleston’s historic homes. Every inch of downtown Charleston is steeped in rich history, and there really is no place like it. The preservation of history is rarely seen in the United States today, making Charleston a truly unique place to live.