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Charleston in the late 80's was wonderful. Hardly any traffic. James Island was considered rural. Mt. Pleasant was a sleepy little coastal community, and downtown was basically the same as it is now but without the dozens of cranes littering the skyline. There were hardly any snowbirds here because they hadn't finished destroying Florida at that time. Wasn't until around 2000 that they decided to destroy us as well.
Those dozens of cranes are what's saving the historic district.
When I moved here 7 years ago, most of the Pennisula was in bad shape north of Calhoun. Development had apparently receded and left a trail of dilapidated buildings in its wake.
I've seen this happen in other historic districts and what eventually happens is wages go down, unemployment goes up, the big historic mansions end up being poorly subdivided into apartment buildings, crime goes up, historic buildings fall into direpair, eventually get replaced with something cheap and tacky if at all.
A historic district the size of Charleston's requires a lot of investment and maintenance. People have to have a reason to live here in order for that to happen.
Those dozens of cranes are what's saving the historic district.
When I moved here 7 years ago, most of the Pennisula was in bad shape north of Calhoun. Development had apparently receded and left a trail of dilapidated buildings in its wake.
I've seen this happen in other historic districts and what eventually happens is wages go down, unemployment goes up, the big historic mansions end up being poorly subdivided into apartment buildings, crime goes up, historic buildings fall into direpair, eventually get replaced with something cheap and tacky if at all.
A historic district the size of Charleston's requires a lot of investment and maintenance. People have to have a reason to live here in order for that to happen.
Except here where, regardless of how many multi-family 6 story building they build, our historic districts have gone up in value around 300% since 2007. There's homes selling in the 20 million price range, that kind of money used to be able to buy you an entire block downtown, now it's one home on the battery.
A tear down, which would have cost 20k 10 years ago, is now selling for $180k, as the property value has skyrocketed. I would attribute this mostly to outside investments from Northern and Western states who are bringing their monies to Charleston.
You're right, it has helped tear down a lot of dilapidated buildings, most of them were eyesores. What's going up in their places are even larger eyesores.
Northeast transplant... but I can promise you like others living in a city that's dying is not good compared to a city that's not.. at the end of the day is all about smart growth. And putting more people downtown is smart growth to me
So show me ONE example of "smart growth" going on in the Charleston Area?
When WiseMan compares Charleston to Trenton NJ -- his credibility takes a nosedive. I can assure you that no part of Charleston is anything like Trenton.
I think if Wise had his way.....the Indians would still be shucking oysters down on the point.
The fact that you still consider them Indians-- your credibility takes a nosedive. I can assure you Charleston is nothing like Trenton either... Yet.
Except here where, regardless of how many multi-family 6 story building they build, our historic districts have gone up in value around 300% since 2007. There's homes selling in the 20 million price range, that kind of money used to be able to buy you an entire block downtown, now it's one home on the battery.
A tear down, which would have cost 20k 10 years ago, is now selling for $180k, as the property value has skyrocketed. I would attribute this mostly to outside investments from Northern and Western states who are bringing their monies to Charleston.
You're right, it has helped tear down a lot of dilapidated buildings, most of them were eyesores. What's going up in their places are even larger eyesores.
Do you know what's better than a dilapidated warehouse? Anything.
I actually like the new hotels downtown. What I don't like is Sgt Jasper.
You're right, it has helped tear down a lot of dilapidated buildings, most of them were eyesores. What's going up in their places are even larger eyesores.
anyone know the zip codes for the areas's you are talking about. I've been checking out the real estate listings and I like the new stuff but I maybe looking at a different area.
anyone know the zip codes for the areas's you are talking about. I've been checking out the real estate listings and I like the new stuff but I maybe looking at a different area.
I think they are talking about 29403. Also the area across MUsC used to have many houses in bad shape. Tthat area is changing day by day.
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