Charleston....Paris? (Columbia, Greenville, Florence: 2015, neighborhoods, places to live)

[Raltogvl]

We are thinking of moving to Charleston, we thought about Greenville but, after visiting, it was not what we are looking for.

I have a funny question.....I have seen numerous people (on here and on Southern Charm) claim that Charleston is like Paris, London, Rome, SF and other world cities, what does charleston have in common with these cities for people to claim that Charleston is like them.

On a more serious note....we have not visited so what should we look for when we get there? Good places to live? We are stopping in Columbia to check it out too, any suggestions for neighborhoods?

[G0DDESS]

Originally Posted by Raltogvl

I have seen numerous people (on here and on Southern Charm) claim that Charleston is like Paris, London, Rome, SF and other world cities, what does charleston have in common with these cities for people to claim that Charleston is like them.

Not even close. Charleston is nothing compared to the vastness, prestige and popularity of Paris, London, Rome or San Fran. Nor will it EVER be.

That's the silliest damn thing I've heard all week.

[g-man430]

Charleston is a great city but to compare it to London, Paris, and Rome is just laughable.

[Ziggy100]

London and Paris are huge cities so it's a bit of a stretch. I find it more similiar to Florence only cleaner. They're probably referring to the fact this city is pretty culture rich given its size. We have our own food, dialects, and architecture not found anywhere else.

In fact it's the only U.S. city in the running to be a world heritage site.
Charleston’s World Heritage bid heating up this summer - Post and Courier

[johngolf]

Ral

Having lived and/or spent quite a bit of time in some of the cities you mentioned, comparing them to Charleston is quite a reach. Charleston is unique, as many others are, but in its own way. One of its attributes is its smallness which in itself, is quite different than those mentioned. The pace of life is also quite a bit slower.

[Chs2014]

The reason why it's compared to all those cities mentioned above is due to its vast history and historic preservation. The history is rich and tells a story of how Charleston had to undergo many hardships to become the great place it is today. We also have world class dining. We don't have the flood lights, but we have the charm .

[Charlestondata]

What I heard someone on Southern Charm say was that Charleston once rivaled Paris for culture. If anywhere in the U.S. ever rivaled Paris culturally when Charleston was in its early-American heyday, it was Charleston. In 2015 the comparisons make no sense.