Charleston 7th most dangerous city?? (North Charleston, Mount Pleasant: crime, homes, safe area)

[pamptrecy]

We're considering a move to the Charleston area and just noticed N Charleston is the 7th most dangerous city. Is N Charleston a different city than Charleston? Help please! Thanks!!

[sbohandley]

Yes, North Charleston is it's own incorporated city. As far as how bad it is, I won't sugar coat it- most of it is a craphole. However, there are some nice areas in North Charleston, near the Summerville border.
If you pick the right area to live and stay out of the bad area's you should be fine. Most of the people who are victims of violence often time has to do with drugs or other illegal activity.
I know that crime is a legitimate fear, but as far as I am concerned this shouldn't be a reason to stop anyone from moving here. There are lots of great areas besides North Charleston where you can live.

[destinedtodave]

There are liveable areas in North Chas believe it or not but the above poster is right in saying most of it sucks. It does have alot more shopping and restaurants (at least chains) than Goose Creek for instances. As long as you stay near the Northwoods mall area and Dorchester Rd areas and you should be fine. Crime can happen anywhere though so don't let the bad sections of North Chas spoil you from the rest of the urban area.

-a North Charlestonian

[Luvsdabeach]

Yes crime can happen anywhere. Just yesterday the mom and pop store Queen St. market was robbed in the morning. A couple weeks ago I spoke to a Chas. city policeman about some interesting things that have happened where I work and he told me then that robberies have been up.

[Luvsdabeach]

Here's another example that crime happens everywhere in Chas., not just N.Chas..

Frances Montanye sat on the curb of New Street on Sunday and watched as her boyfriend replaced a slashed tire.
"Good thing for boyfriends who know how to change tires," Montanye said.
Her Toyota was one of 23 vehicles vandalized on the peninsula overnight Saturday, Charleston Police Public Information Officer Charles Francis said. The vandals hit cars on Atlantic, New, South Battery and Chisolm streets.
"We're doing some things to try and catch these people," Francis said.
Some of the vehicles had multiple tires slashed, while others were scratched with keys.

Charleston, SC Latest Local News: Vandals strike south of Broad Street (http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jan/28/vandals_strike_south_broad_street28905/ - broken link)

[nuevaluz]

Originally Posted by Luvsdabeach

Here's another example that crime happens everywhere in Chas., not just N.Chas..

Frances Montanye sat on the curb of New Street on Sunday and watched as her boyfriend replaced a slashed tire.
"Good thing for boyfriends who know how to change tires," Montanye said.
Her Toyota was one of 23 vehicles vandalized on the peninsula overnight Saturday, Charleston Police Public Information Officer Charles Francis said. The vandals hit cars on Atlantic, New, South Battery and Chisolm streets.
"We're doing some things to try and catch these people," Francis said.
Some of the vehicles had multiple tires slashed, while others were scratched with keys.

Charleston, SC Latest Local News: Vandals strike south of Broad Street (http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jan/28/vandals_strike_south_broad_street28905/ - broken link)

Better street lighting and cameras might help.

[Luvsdabeach]

Originally Posted by nuevaluz

Better street lighting and cameras might help.

From the word going around in that area is the resident's don't want bright lights on their streets. But I do agree with you.

[pamptrecy]

What are the safer suburbs? We're not really city people. We've read there's a lot of crime in Summerville and Goose Creek as well. We'd like to find a safe area close to the city. We'd be relocating from the Baltimore area and where we live now is starting to see an increase in crime.

[scjj]

Crime has touched all areas of the low country, you're not going to escape it no matter where you live, you just need to be aware and smart. All the suburb areas have had their share of incidents. That's not to say that there aren't plenty of places here to live comfortably and without fear because there are, but you will need to be vigilant just like anywhere else. Most of the crime here though does happen in North Charleston/Charleston mainly in the bad areas usually by repeat offenders. Best and Worst Crime Areas in the State Of South Carolina

[DJShymansky]

Pamptrecy there are some -very- nice neighborhoods in James Island, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, etc., that have a great reputation and "feel" to them. Once you get a chance to come down and visit, you'll easily be able to see for yourself and the decision will become much easier.