Safety Issues With Public Housing Near Old Jail? (Charleston: real estate, rentals)

[JamesLeigh]

Hello -

My wife and I are moving to Charleston in a few months and are starting to look at places to rent - we're focusing on Harleston Village, however we're noticing that many of the places we're seeing available are located near the Old Jail on Magazine street. When we've visited there before, we've noticed there are a lot of public housing units right around the Old Jail.

Coming from a city where there is a lot of issues with public housing placed in the middle of higher-end residential neighborhoods, we are curious if there are a lot of crime and problems associated with the residents living in those public housing units in Harleston Village? We were told by someone that anything south of Calhoun Street is very safe, but we weren't sure if this area was an exception?

Some of the units we're seeing look really nice, but they're across the street or within a couple blocks of the public housing. Should this deter us from considering those units? We had a realtor tell us that there is nothing to worry about in that area, but we're not sure whether that's accurate or not.

Thanks!

[Ziggy100]

That area is fine. Most of the high crime areas are north of the port along East Bay.

[peachgreen]

That area is fine, many college kids and rentals there.

[JamesLeigh]

Thanks for your responses! Has anyone had a different experience with the area/people right around the City Jail?

[cynic1]

Originally Posted by JamesLeigh

Thanks for your responses! Has anyone had a different experience with the area/people right around the City Jail?

My sister lives within shouting distance and has for years ... has never had a problem or heard of one. Youll be fine. .. welcome to Charleston ...youll love it

[m1a1mg]

Someone will step in to tell you how dangerous the lower peninsula is, but it really isn't. If you look at one of the crime aggregating sites, you'll see that area is safe. I've been down in that area a lot and never had an issue.

Looks like your trying to find someone to tell you it's bad, and someone may show up to confirm that for you. But I've seen young coeds walking through that neighborhood at 2 AM with no issue.

If it were a bad neighborhood, real estate prices wouldn't be what they are.

[ZUMAN]

As a side note, there is a pending proposal to convert the jail into office space while maintaining the historic character of the structure.

[Ziggy100]

Originally Posted by ZUMAN

As a side note, there is a pending proposal to convert the jail into office space while maintaining the historic character of the structure.

Kind of a creepy office.

[ZUMAN]

Originally Posted by Ziggy100

Kind of a creepy office.

Only for the person that gets stuck in the office space where Old Sparky used to be. lol

[JamesLeigh]

Originally Posted by cynic1

My sister lives within shouting distance and has for years ... has never had a problem or heard of one. Youll be fine. .. welcome to Charleston ...youll love it

Thanks! We are looking forward to it.