What is wrong with Charleston? (North Charleston, Greenville: transplants, real estate, apartments)

[karenina]

I have never used this site before this first post, nor have I ever blogged about anything. It is a nice way to vent but also great to have all of the feedback. I really appreciate the time it took for all of you to write to me. I know I probably sound negative and ruthless towards Charleston but I guess it's a natural reaction to my adjustment. To answer the question about where i live, smack downtown right near Meeting street. The location is great for my fiance's school and we only have one car, but I guess not so great for crime. My neighbor told me that bikes get stollen all of the time here so I guess we need to find a place in our apartment to bring them inside. I do believe people are generally nice here and have no ill feelings for the people that do live here and respect others, which I'm sure is the majority. I guess I may have just come in contact with the minority who seem to be socially irresponsible. I am excited to look into the link suggested by bjss, maybe that would be an outlet to meet some like minded people. Also, I appreciate the prayers. Sometimes in desperate situations that is all we can do. So thank you for your thoughts and your prayers. I do take your comments to heart and will start to look for the positive. Also, Ask Angel, thank you for all of the great information on start ups. i'm starting to think I need to go that route. I've tried contacting some of the major companies more than a few times and just can't seem to get my foot in the door. Any suggestions on getting them to listen to me?

[hapscat]

yea the mayor had a brilliant idea to put 20-30 spraypainted yellow bikes downtown for people to use to get around town. that lasted about 2 days. couldnt find a one. what a jack ass . yea a bike dont stand a chance down there. i know thats no consolation ti you. bring it inside definately

[DBristow]

HI, I have just read your post about the negative points of Charleston. I along with the others am sorry you are so unhappy here. Charleston is a beautiful and growing city! Hence the word GROWING! Anytime you have growth you will have pain. I have never had the experience that you are having. I can only imagine that you are angry here.
I want to discuss the environment issue with you. There are plenty of environmental groups in Charleston. One of your biggest is Noisette!! Noisette is an entity of its own and they are developing quickly. Charleston also has bio-diesel now! Many cities dont even offer that! We also have great ways to be a part of the environment such as; kayaking at Coastal Expeditions, playing in the parks and even the organizations to assist you. LEEP (Lowcountry Environmental Education Program) teaches the students how to be more earth friendly as well as help with their science and math grades.
With your employment problem. Have you checked out MUSC as of yet? What a great facility that is! You may want to go to places such as Earthfare and post notes there for job opportunities.
I am so very sorry for your loss of the bike. However, knowing that you live in the city, why would you not have put a lock on it? I know we should not have to lock things up, but prevention is important to everyone!
I moved here 15 years ago from Ohio. The worst part of the move was not the area, but it was learning how to slow down my life!! People in SC dont move real fast and that is okay!! Sometimes we have to look at where we came from...and yes, sometimes you just have to slow down and see what is going on around us.
Yes, California is more advanced then good old South Carolina, but tell me this, in California will your neighbors help you move, watch you kids while you run to the store, watch your home while you go out of town, feed your dog or cat, or invite you over for a swim in their pool? I have had that great experience here. I am so hoping that your mind will change Give it a few months, then please come back and tell us how horrible things are. I wish you much luck in your future to find that place where everything is perfect!!

[RiWrites]

Reading the the OP's post I thought she was talking about Los Angeles. I lived there for 10 years and was glad to get out. I am now in central Florida but plan on moving to Charleston in the next couple of years.

Can you move to an area of Charleston that is a little safer but still close to your fiance's college? The days of leaving bikes unlocked went out a long time ago.

I don't know where in California you are from but when I moved to central Florida from LA it was like night and day. I was used to the fast paced life in LA and in the town I live in it is very slow. It takes time to adjust. The one thing you never ever want to do is to tell someone that we don't do it that way back home. Start connecting with locals you will find most Southerners are very friendly and willing to help. I wouldn't want to live in any other part of the US.

If you can make up flyers that you mail out and then after a few days give the company a call. At a company I worked for, a massage therapist came when they were doing a health fair for employees. She got so many requests that the company allowed her to come back two days a week. Sometimes you have to come up with a creative way to get people's attention.

So just take a deep breath and look at this time as an adventure. It worked for me. Because I was ready to leave after a month. But I stuck it out and I have been in Florida since 1987. Just going out and meeting people may open all kinds of doors for you.

[bthomas16]

Not quite sure where you live in Charleston. Not to make you even more mad at the world, however, i have never had a problem in Charleston. Its a wonderful place, the people there have always been polite to me, but maybe because i am a positive person and that shows. Try looking for the good, maybe you will get a confindence boost, and you will realize what you havent seen

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by karenina

I just moved here from California for my Fiance's School and I hate it! My career in corporate health and fitness doesn't exist here and i have been looking for a job with decent pay to be able to cover our bills and nothing is available. To top it off, the city stinks, traffic sucks and we just had our bike stolen off of our front porch. What is wrong with this place?!!! Crime goes unnoticed, the majority of people don't care about the environment, you can still smoke and endanger others health indoors, and people leave their trash everywhere. Can someone help me to figure out this place? I've never lived anywhere like this, where it seems like people just don't care about anything but drinking, smoking, and themselves!!!!!

Why don't you start a business yourself and market your health and fitness services to the corporate world in the Charleston area. Where there is a will, there is a way.

[RiWrites]

That is how a lot of businesses start. With so many people moving from other places to Charleston there might be a market for what she does.

One of the other posters said they love Charleston and never had any problems because they had a positive attitude. Maybe if she would just make small changes with her attitude it might change how things are going for her.

[flgrammie]

I love the locals here, so friendly and polite.

[pokrplr]

Only thing wrong with Charleston is, NO Professional sports! That's all! I'm from NY and miss home teams sports...

[DJShymansky]

Sure they're not the Yankees, but Riverdogs' games are great fun!