My experience apartment hunting... (Charleston, Hampton: appointed, real estate, rentals)

[automated]

...so far:

Compared to other metro areas I've lived in, Charleston is not friendly to young professionals. The historic section of town is priced outrageously, and anything above it is student slums that exist because the college hasn't addressed it's lack of student housing. As a consequence, there's no real youth culture in Charleston beyond the undergrads (mid 20s-early 40s). So from what I've seen, the only urban area is split between old money, tourist types, undergrads, and poor families gradually being displaced by aggressive landlords trying to make money off of comparatively wealth undergrads.

We're basically faced with the situation of paying a premium to live in a downtown that is pretty impoverished culturally- the food is amazing, but the music scene is cover bands and cheesy undergrad bars. Unlike many cities, which have different zones, Charleston looks pretty homogenous- there is no industry to speak of which would attract young professionals. So those populations are confined to the suburbs, which seem very sterile and controlled, mainly strip malls.

Overall, there's a lot to like about the area, the food is incredible, and the proximity to the beach is nice. But we were really disappointed to find it is not a city like we're used to in the northeast (not comparing it to NYC but to 19th/20th c industrial cities like Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Pittsburgh, ect). The height restriction on the construction downtown seems like it strangles urban growth, forcing everything out to the suburbs and making Charleston be a car-heavy city. There's no real "creative class" within the city limits, which if you buy Richard Florida's argument is essential to the growth of a successful city.

If I'm missing something, please let me know. So far, it has been a frustrating search, with landlords and property owners downtown not valuing professional and fiscally responsible tenants above 18 year-old students, unless you're willing to break the $2K/month barrier on rent, which is a pricey ticket considering the city just doesn't have much by way of an alternative culture. Basically it seems like in the downtown you're paying for the same places that exist in the strip malls, it's just that in the city you can walk to them rather than drive.

[Chromekitty]

based on your words here. You have no appreciation for this city, it's elegance and history. And, sure doesn't seem to the the place for you.

[automated]

...I'm giving my opinion as a migrating urban professional. Not all criticisms are damning ones. I'm anxious to be wrong about my assessment, as I'm moving here to take a very good job in my field. If you can point out where what I've said is inaccurate, that would be great. I'd love to find an alternative music scene like there is in Austin. My employer claimed that real estate in Charleston would be cheaper than it is in my native NYC, but so far most of what I've seen downtown is priced pretty high. If you like living in the suburbs, Charleston is great. But downtown there are very few options compared to similarly-sized cities. The city's history, IMO works against its present as an inhabitable urban space. It's a delicate balance to maintain, I'm sure, and this is just my experience as a seasoned urban dweller hungry for what cities have provided in the urban renewal of the last 15-20 years...

[Chromekitty]

This is the South...the epitome of the South IMO.

Charleston is built on history, southern charm and culture and can NOT be compared to any other.
For you to say the history works against it's present IMO only solidifies that it is apparent it isn't the city for you.

It appears that you are looking to have overnight, what most who live in downtown Charleston have worked many years to have. Whether they did it themselves or it was their family and it has been passed down. That attitude is typical of what you are calling *urban professional*. You have to work to live like that, it isn't handed to you. And because you can't afford it, you criticize. Your employer is correct, in that in some areas it is cheaper then NY but common sense should dictate to you that it does NOT include downtown Charleston.

[automated]

That attitude is typical of what you are calling *urban professional*. You have to work to live like that, it isn't handed to you. And because you can't afford it, you criticize.

Well, comparing it to other cities (which is possible, despite your claim), there is no real diversity to the urban environment- it is downtown/historic and student ghetto. Compared to other cities, this is strange. In many other places I've lived, there are expensive/exclusive downtowns, and less expensive urban areas in which those of lower means can live. They are safe and populated by young families, young professionals, and others who want an alternative to suburban mundanity and car culture. I'm sorry your civic pride blinds you to the reality of the situation. Thanks for disqualifying my opinion though. I can afford to pay more in rent, but again, the cost of the ticket is pricey for what you get- the urban area does not have as much to offer as many others I've visited or lived in. It's comparable to Boston or Chicago or LA price-wise without the benefits like cultural and population diversity. This is an informed opinion, and not meant to bash the city you obviously have very much pride in. The historic district is like a living museum (take that as a positive or negative depending on your view) while north of it is a fairly typical student ghetto with pockets of very beautiful and well-maintained homes. There's just not much of an in-between the way there is in many other cities. I fail to see how that's inaccurate...

[Chromekitty]

I am not a local of the area as of yet but do hope to be.


All in all it IS a living museum and if you can't appreciate that, it isn't the city for you.

You have to come to grips with the fact that Charleston is what it is (which is wonderful), not what you want it to be or wish for.

[jesposito]

why dont you come just over the Ravenel Bridge and have a look at Mt Pleasant? do you have to be downtown? you can find some pretty nice stuff in Mt P around $1500/$1700 a month and be 3-5 minutes to downtown

[automated]

why dont you come just over the Ravenel Bridge and have a look at Mt Pleasant? do you have to be downtown? you can find some pretty nice stuff in Mt P around $1500/$1700 a month and be 3-5 minutes to downtown

Well, that's the issue we're facing- and my big problem with the move. There's just no in-between. I really dislike the suburbs- I like being able to walk around a downtown area, not have to depend on a car, ect. I like the aesthetic. So the suburbs are difficult to stomach. They seem very nice if that's your thing, esp. if you have kids. But we don't have children and want what Charleston doesn't offer, which is a diverse urban population and some alternative culture. So because downtown doesn't offer that, that I've seen, we might just opt for the suburbs and resign ourselves to being what we consider boring (no offense to the suburbanites..just always lived in the interesting/different areas whenever we have the chance). It is a huge conflict for us coming to the area, not meant as a slight to the current residents. I was really hoping just for that one block or two of urban bohemia you can usually find, even in sub-100K population cities. It just isn't here that we've seen.

I appreciate your response and advice.

[joyeaux]

Automated,
You've got it right about the peninsula south of Hwy 17. Before giving in to Mt. P, you might consider the Hampton Park/Wagener Terrace area, though can't say about rentals there. It's still the city, edgier, though not "downtown".
As far as original sounds, there's a lot of it being made down here. Ya just gotta go off the peninsula mostly to hear it. Looking in the Charleston City Paper has helped me find my way to it.

[automated]

Thanks very much Joyeaux. I didn't intend to be controversial with my post, just venting a bit after very little success finding anything we like for a reasonable price downtown. We just drove James Island with a future colleague who lives there, and he also suggested the Hampton Park area.

We might just start with JI, and then move somewhere else after a year. It'll be rough adapting to car culture again and the suburbs will be a letdown.

Music- I'll keep my eyes peeled once we move down here. Good to know there's actually stuff going on!