Just a few questions if you don't mind (Charleston, North Charleston: buy, school district)

[Etacovda_00]

I'm in Knoxville, TN right now working remotely. My wife and I have an opportunity to relocate this March and we're really considering Charleston, SC as our location.

We haven't had a chance to visit yet, and will do this soon. We're from Florida and miss the beaches, but want to be close to family at the same time. How's the area for kids under 3? The problem we have with Knoxville right now is mainly crime, and there's nothing to do except visit the Smoky Mountains. There's a lot of drugs in the area (leading to escalated crime) and I just can't see raising kids here.

What type of feel does Charleston have? Do a lot of people walk around downtown at night? My wife wants to know if there are a lot of shopping options lol

We can't walk around here at night downtown (or anywhere) without fear of being mugged - thanks in advance for your help

[DJShymansky]

Yes you can walk around downtown at night, many do, especially in the Market Street/East Bay Street/King street areas. Ghost tours, walking tours, carriage tours, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. I'd advise you to be cautious and responsible anywhere, in any city, at night though.

As for shopping options, your wife will think she died and went to heaven. Mine did.

[vito130]

You can walk around at night downtown, at least near the Battery and Market Street. If you go west, there are some rough parts of downtown ( but that is anywhere ). You say you miss the beaches in Florida; don't come here for the beach. I am from Ft Lauderdale and my wife is from Pensacola...the beaches here are not in the Gulf Stream, they are cold 10 months out of the year and they have a nasty gray color. Even the sand is bad, it is like dust, not sand. I am not trying to make Charleston look like it is a bad place, but it is nothing like a Florida beach. As for kids, when you get into the suburbs, it is a young city...in my opinion, do your research in the counties school systems, Charleston county is the worst in the area. Dorchester county is the best... I don't have kids, but I would really do research on that before you buy in a certain area. Hope that helped with most of the questions

[Etacovda_00]

Thanks DJ - really appreciate it

I know what you mean about being cautious. For some reason around here it's worse than anything I've seen (drugs/crime). Too bad too because this area could be a lot better than it is.

[OleTomCat]

Places to stay away from:
Most of North Charleston, Park Circle is getting better.
Upper parts of King st.
America St. area
Morrison dr area
All of Spruil Ave.

[Etacovda_00]

Thanks Vito - I've heard that regarding the schools as well, but Mt. Pleasant could be better? I think at this point anything would be better than Knoxville

[vito130]

Mt Pleasant is in Charleston county.... I am not thoroughly familiar with the schools and all of their ratings, but I'm sure there is at least one or two good ones in Mt P

[fqtravlr]

Actually Mt Pleasant has rather good marks for school... I'm living in Mt Pleasant under duress, but the schools are good.

(My wife made me move across the big bridge)

[OleTomCat]

MP, has pretty good schools. They are comparable to DD2 in the Summerville area, but the taxes are much more in Charleston County. Charleston County is very long and narrow, it runs from down below Johns Island all the way up above McClellanville but not too far inland, in some places less than 20 miles.

[USCJoe]

I think you are going to find that taxes in the Dorchester2 School District are equal to if not higher than those in Mt. Pleasant, even though Mt. Pleasant is in Charleston County.