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Thanks for that. My biggest opinion, or reaction, upon finding out how dangerous the urban area is (esp around Spring, were we saw some very nice apts at the top end of our range) was disappointment. I would have loved to live in the urban area, but many of the places we saw did not look safe to walk at night, which for me defeats some of the purpose of paying to live urban. Again, I'm open to being corrected on any thoughts I offered. I talked to plenty of people who live without incident in some of the areas in question, but most of them don't walk the neighborhoods at night.
If we stay long-term, a very realistic possibility given my position, we might move downtown at some point. The high incidence of violent crime is most definitely a cause for concern, though, especially since these things tend to rise during economic downturns.
It is true, a lot of the areas you mentioned above are not as safe. I wish it were different, but I wouldn't want my daughter living in certain areas and walking to school, or after finishing up dinner downtown, walking back to a place on upper King St. with her friends at night. Things are getting better (well, actually- when I say better I mean that it's getting safer. The people that have been living around the Crosstown for generations are being pushed out, so that's not "better"). Things are getting "safer", so it seems. But you're right, it's tough for me to face the facts and admit that some (alot?) of areas are certainly not safe. I'm done!
I have considered N. Charleston myself, but have heard from people that unless I really am familiar with the area to not do it. That is a shame because so much of it seems pretty decent. Because of this I am going to most probably move to Summerville.
actually- when I say better I mean that it's getting safer. The people that have been living around the Crosstown for generations are being pushed out, so that's not "better"
I think that pretty much nails the tension with gentrification, and was part of what I was driving at with my comments. Charleston is not unique in facing these issues, but the geography, history, building regulations, combined with the huge, affluent college population living off-campus in a downtown area makes the set of questions the city has to deal with very particular to it. 13% of the CofC population is housed on campus- that's ridiculously low, esp. for a school of that size. On the positive side, I think that the college has decided on a 10K student cap.
Well, at least you're not here physically...then why are you still on the boards if you don't live here, nor like this city? Obviously to provide your negative spin on every discussion about Charleston. Do you really know that much about the crime here, not having lived here? "Everything I've read, and from all the conversations I had with campus safety, suggests that Charleston is a very dangerous city." (as quoted by you)...I guess this makes you an "instant expert" on our city here just through "reading things".
My family got kicked out of somewhere (?) circa 1680, and has lived in the Lowcountry, and Charleston is specific, ever since.
I was a cop on the City PD for 3 years in the 70's, worked for SLED, and now teach Criminology/Police Science.
My advice to you is to look at crime in SC, and Charleston Metro, (national rankings, and "things" that paint a picture you don't either know or know and don't want to admit), and acquire some knowledge on this subject to contradict your unfounded, and seemingly 100% erronious, opinions.
I know Charleston has some dangerous areas, but there are still no areas in Charleston/N Charleston that are as bad as some of the neighborhoods in places like Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Youngstown, OH, Cincinnati, OH, Camden, NJ, Gary, IN, NYC, Philly, DC, and many other areas...I've walked in a lot of areas below the Crosstown, near C of C's campus, and sometimes even at night, and I've never had any issues and have never felt threatened.
And the reason Charleston ranks so high as a place to visit is b/c the tourists stay in the safe areas.
Charleston does have problems w/ crime, but some people make it sound much worse than it really is...
And just where do you teach Criminology and Police Science?
In Wisconsin if I remember correctly?
For over 20 years too....
Tom,
I tried to show you the basics of data interpretation, only to find out that you do not grasp the rudiments of statistics.
For those out there who want to understand just how catholic crime is in SC, and the Charleston Metro in specific, I suggest you make a Google search of FBI data.
What you will find out is that of ALL zipcodes in the area, only the 29401 (downtown; SOB and periphery to approx MUSC) area has a crime rate which equals that of the norm for the typical US city. All others exceed that norm.
And, fyi Tom, I returned from a 2 week (10 day) stay in my hometown approx. 50 hrs ago.
Hmmm, more personal attacks, I do understand statistics very well, I just don't like it when someone uses statistical analysis to make things in SC look worse than they are in NYC, Philly or any other major city in the country. At one point Phoenix City Alabama was the murder capital of the country, had a higher murder rate per 100K than any other city in the country, they only had 10k people.....
FYI ten days out of a year does not make you a resident....
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