Visiting before moving: where to go? (Charleston, North Charleston: car rental, real estate, rental)

[Puppyaddict]

After much research, I am planning to move to Charleston before the end of the year (hopefully--depends on job search).

I am visiting this Friday-Tuesday (Sept 12-16) and was wondering which places I should check out...I want to get a feel for the people, the beaches, the city, etc. Just not sure what to check out in my limited time...

I am 33, professional single female, no kids yet--so I'd like to check out a couple places where other singles commonly go, though that is not a requirement for every suggestion!

I love old architecture and new/progressive ideas. I'm not religious but enjoy "communing" with nature (I actually hate that terminology though LOL). I like the outdoors, cooking & farmer's markets, wine, good food (all types, though not hugely into seafood--YET), and music--I'd really like to check out a good blues venue.

I'm staying in West Ashley just off the Savannah Hwy, but figure I will probably not rent a car, and just bus/cab it into downtown or other areas, though I may look for a last-minute car rental so I can go to Folly Beach, a plantation, etc. more easily.

I was thinking about maybe checking out Carolina's, since they seem to have a good happy hour--is the crowd there younger or older? I'm also considering the Moonlight Mixer at Folly Beach on Friday, a schooner cruise to just enjoy the area & get a feel for the hospitality there, visiting a plantation (which is best?), taking a carriage ride tour of the city, and other than that would like to know where to go to just "get a feel" for the people and a typical day around town.

Thoughts?

THANK YOU!!

P.S.--I've been trying to apply to Blackbaud for some jobs, but I think either they're trying to hire someone locally, or there is one thing on my resume that is cutting me out of their auto-resume system, and they aren't really looking at how good a fit I'd be for the company & the position due to my experience (since I see the position is STILL open after 2 months).

Does anyone have a connection to Blackbaud, or another good company I might be interested in checking out while I'm there? I'm purposely coming for 3 work days so I can interview, etc. I currently do accounting (all areas), but also have experience in more administrative/office management/vendor/customer work--particularly in real estate mgmt--and am very interested in either staying in accounting where there is room to advance, or in branching out & using my extremely varied interests & skills.

[DJShymansky]

I have friends and past clients that work at Blackbaud. I'd be happy to help. I'd also recommend renting a car. The public transportation system locally isn't ideal.

[lpyrbby]

I second renting a car. Just...yeah lol

[ah090206]

As pp said, I'd rent a car. Charleston might not make a good impression on you if you take the buses around

For plantations, I think Boone Hall is one of the best. Drayton Hall and Middleton Place are also nice (and closer to West Ashley.)

Red's Ice House is a big place for young singles to hang out... We've only been a few times but just from what I remember...its on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant.

As for Blackbaud...I don't want to badmouth because I know everyone has a different experience. I've never spoken to anyone who "loves" their job there...I've heard that its difficult to get a job and very difficult to move up the ladder. Most of the people I know are in the computer business...so maybe that has more to do with it than the company. Just make sure to keep your options open and look at some other companies as well!

[Theresejenkins]

If you hire a local realtor you would really get a good overview of the area, as well as an idea of what you would need to spend to purchase when you arrive, and it would narrow down your areas....if you're into RE Mngmt try the Beach Co....they are huge here and a great company to work for....

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by Puppyaddict

After much research, I am planning to move to Charleston before the end of the year (hopefully--depends on job search).

I am visiting this Friday-Tuesday (Sept 12-16) and was wondering which places I should check out...I want to get a feel for the people, the beaches, the city, etc. Just not sure what to check out in my limited time...

I am 33, professional single female, no kids yet--so I'd like to check out a couple places where other singles commonly go, though that is not a requirement for every suggestion!

I love old architecture and new/progressive ideas. I'm not religious but enjoy "communing" with nature (I actually hate that terminology though LOL). I like the outdoors, cooking & farmer's markets, wine, good food (all types, though not hugely into seafood--YET), and music--I'd really like to check out a good blues venue.

I'm staying in West Ashley just off the Savannah Hwy, but figure I will probably not rent a car, and just bus/cab it into downtown or other areas, though I may look for a last-minute car rental so I can go to Folly Beach, a plantation, etc. more easily.

I was thinking about maybe checking out Carolina's, since they seem to have a good happy hour--is the crowd there younger or older? I'm also considering the Moonlight Mixer at Folly Beach on Friday, a schooner cruise to just enjoy the area & get a feel for the hospitality there, visiting a plantation (which is best?), taking a carriage ride tour of the city, and other than that would like to know where to go to just "get a feel" for the people and a typical day around town.

Thoughts?


THANK YOU!!

P.S.--I've been trying to apply to Blackbaud for some jobs, but I think either they're trying to hire someone locally, or there is one thing on my resume that is cutting me out of their auto-resume system, and they aren't really looking at how good a fit I'd be for the company & the position due to my experience (since I see the position is STILL open after 2 months).

Does anyone have a connection to Blackbaud, or another good company I might be interested in checking out while I'm there? I'm purposely coming for 3 work days so I can interview, etc. I currently do accounting (all areas), but also have experience in more administrative/office management/vendor/customer work--particularly in real estate mgmt--and am very interested in either staying in accounting where there is room to advance, or in branching out & using my extremely varied interests & skills.

If you really want to understand the area, then I suggest going alone or with a friend.

Checkout the entire area because unless you plan to live your life behind a gated community (and that gets expensive!), you're going to have to interact with a cross-section. Therefore:

Beaches: Checkout Folly Beach (esp. by the washout) vs Isle Of Palms.

Spend some time on the Battery- Vendue Range, then hit Rivers avenue in N. Charleston and walk King St between Cahoun and Cannon St. (during the daytime) if you don't feel comfortable about dusk/night.

Take a Plantation tour, then drive 17 N. to Awendaw. Take a backroad or two.
That way, you'll have an excellent idea of what Charleston, SC is all about.

[Jim3310]

You need a car.
You should get a Realtor to give you an overview of the area, first thing.

A one day overview is what I typically do, sometimes 2 days. Not looking at houses, just blowing through some neighborhoods on the way to different places.

Either go with a Realtor or try this:

Start at West Ashley; hit the general Avondale area on 17; down James Island, check out some condos & quiet neighborhoods; continue to Folly; back across downtown to Mt. Pleasant, drive by & point out the beaches & explain the differences between them, must be lunch time by now, Poe's sounds about right; over Daniels Island & Blackbaud; up through Summerville; down 61 past the Plantations; back to West Ashley.
Rest, go hit downtown.

Six hours for the tour.
jim

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by Jim3310

You need a car.
You should get a Realtor to give you an overview of the area, first thing.

A one day overview is what I typically do, sometimes 2 days. Not looking at houses, just blowing through some neighborhoods on the way to different places.

Either go with a Realtor or try this:

Start at West Ashley; hit the general Avondale area on 17; down James Island, check out some condos & quiet neighborhoods; continue to Folly; back across downtown to Mt. Pleasant, drive by & point out the beaches & explain the differences between them, must be lunch time by now, Poe's sounds about right; over Daniels Island & Blackbaud; up through Summerville; down 61 past the Plantations; back to West Ashley.
Rest, go hit downtown.

Six hours for the tour.
jim

And in my opinion you won't learn a damn thing about the area.

For what it's worth.

[southernmeltdown]

sounds like wasting a whole day in a car and learning absolutely nothing about the people , culture or flavor of the area ...good for a salesman bad for you....

[Jim3310]

"Won't learn a thing & learn absolutely nothing..."

I suggest you take another look at her original post. "Schooner, Moonlight Mixer, Carolina's for happy hour, carriage ride, Daniel Island...". I'm not sure she wants/needs to see North Charleston or Cannon & King.

I understand why you would think that she is not going to get a flavor for the people with a Realtor's tour. But she should at least get an opinion from someone who has relocated into the area.

Six hours in a car with someone who knows exactly where they are going, because they have done it a hundred times before, lends itself more to a guided tour of the area. It is not meant to be an immersion into the culture of the Charleston area. She would have plenty of time on her own to go out & get a feel for the people.

Consider it like the horse & carriage tours downtown. After an hour, you have a very slight idea of what this town is about. You don't really have the culture & people for sure, but you have a starting point.

Try to learn this area by yourself in a short period of time and, if you don't get lost, you run the risk of wasting your time, or missing some of the best things about being here.
jim