IS Charleston fast paced with alot going on? Nightlife great? (Summerville: fit in, college)

[jessica8888]

I am wondering how Charleston would compare to perhaps Los Angeles where I am originally from? I am used to a fast paced environment, flashier/job opportunity, diverse and incredible nightlife, ect.....

I have heard Charleston is an upscale and classy southern city. I am not much of a beach lover and when I do live somewhere that is near the beach, it has to be a place that doesn't have much of a beach lifestyle (would that be Charleston?)......

For a young single is Charleston a place that would definigtely keep my interest?

I would appreciate any blunt info anyone could offer....thanks!

[NS_Highlander]

The nightlife in Charleston is only good if you live near the action on the peninsula. The public transit here sucks and the Cabs here are the worst and most unreliable I have ever seen. You are lucky if they show up only 2 hours late, if at all.

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the night life in Charleston, just it's accessability. This I why I didn't waste my money living in West Ashley and moved out to Summerville...

[DJShymansky]

On a scale though, I doubt the nightlife would compare to L.A, Miami, New York, etc. You simply can't compete with the sheer level of varieties those -much- larger cities offer. I do think you'll have fun, it's certainly a place for young singles downtown and in surrounding areas. If you're used to those larger cities though, and all they offer, Charleston can feel "small" at times. I like that about it though.

[SCBeaches]

Charleston is a small, Southern city and full of nightlife by our standards. I does not compare to L.A., NYC, Chicago, etc. in any sense of the word. We are definitely more laid back and not fast-paced. I just spent some time in large cities in the U.K. such as London, Edinburgh, and Dublin and COULD NOT wait to get back to our more casual, slower-paced lifestyle! Some might find us dull and unexciting, but I call it home!

[Rggr]

Nightlife is good for a city of its size. If you're looking for the options of a place like LA, this is not the place. It's not that Charleston isn't fun, but size prohibits it from being comparable.

[jessica8888]

Would it be considered a more modernized southern city? For example there is obviously more than country people and lifestyle.....and has decent job opportunity available?? I have considered either Nashville, Dallas, Montgomery or Charleston....for a faster paced, classier southern city......Dont have a clue where to start!

[SCBeaches]

Charleston is definitely not "faster paced" and classy is a matter of opinion, I suppose. There are not a lot of jobs available, other than in the tourist-related or medical-related fields. I think Nashville or Dallas may be more of what you are looking for.....Charleston does not exactly fit in the "Nashville, Dallas, Montgomery..." category. We are more like Savannah, GA, are not considered to be progressive (especially by those coming here from larger cities), and actually rely on and treasure our preserved historical buildings, stories, customs, foods, etc. as a way of life and for our economy - since that's why so many tourists come here. I hope this gives you more of a picture of what Charleston is like.

[jessica8888]

I appreciate the input!....Perhaps Charleston would be a better place to visit and enjoy rather than live for someone who craves high energy cities - - -

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by jessica8888

I appreciate the input!....Perhaps Charleston would be a better place to visit and enjoy rather than live for someone who craves high energy cities - - -

If you want nightlife in the South, nothing beats New Orleans.

[Alatex]

.....Charleston does not exactly fit in the "Nashville, Dallas, Montgomery..." category.

It fits better than Montgomery

How the heck Montgomery made such a list is beyond me.
Any average college town, no matter how small, has as much nightlife as Montgomery. That's not to say it's a bad place for someone who wants a quiet, sleepy government town with a solid economy , but an entertainment capital it is not by any possible stretch of anyone's imagination.

Yeah, you'll probably want a larger city than either Charleston or Montgomery, if you want a "flashy, fast-paced" environment.