What is so special about Charleston SC (how much, architecture)

[survivingearth]

I keep seeing it ranked among the top 5 cities in America. I've been there it's cozy city but i can't fathom it being so highly ranked, sometimes against cities like SF, Sydney, Paris etc etc Did i miss something when i was there? What is so special about it anyways?

[Mutiny77]

Those "best in the world" rankings are largely fluff but if you've been there (and I'm assuming that you've actually spent time there) and don't see what makes it unique among American cities its size, then I really don't know what to tell you.

[shunketsu]

It's one of just a few cities in the South that has a large pedestrian-oriented, historic core with interesting architecture and a nice coastal location. It also has a classy, dignified vibe to it that is absent from most cities in America.

[ClemVegas]

what is so special about SF, Paris, Sydney, etc? It is all personal opinion.

[Newsboy]

Moderator cut: orphaned

As to the OP, I'll repeat what Mutiny77 said: If you've been there and can't recognize what makes Charleston special, there's really no point in explaining it to you.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by survivingearth

I keep seeing it ranked among the top 5 cities in America. I've been there it's cozy city but i can't fathom it being so highly ranked, sometimes against cities like SF, Sydney, Paris etc etc Did i miss something when i was there? What is so special about it anyways?

This is a pretty special defining part of Charleston, attracting a global audience every Spring:

https://spoletousa.org/

Charleston is a unique American gem. You either get it or you don't. For those that don't, it's their loss.

[survivingearth]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Funny, I have the same opinion of San Francisco.

As to the OP, I'll repeat what Mutiny77 said: If you've been there and can't recognize what makes Charleston special, there's really no point in explaining it to you.

I was there and did appreciate the architecture, the cuisine, the people. The coast was average at best. Still personally the vast majority of the city is regular looking, nothing really special. Most of the time, it felt like it was just like any southern city. i am not bashing the city, i loved it, but putting it higher than places like Paris, London, SF, Chicago is strange to say the least.

[bawac34618]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Those "best in the world" rankings are largely fluff but if you've been there (and I'm assuming that you've actually spent time there) and don't see what makes it unique among American cities its size, then I really don't know what to tell you.

I love Charleston. While I love Charlotte and Raleigh, I prefer Charleston to them simply because its sense of place, history, and uniqueness. There also aren't many places in the U.S. of that size that have as much to offer as Charleston does.

While in no way would I put Charleston against places like Paris, London, SF, etc like was mentioned in this thread, it isn't your typical generic Southern city.

[ClemVegas]

nobody ever explains what makes Paris, SF, London, etc so great. i think just considering weather alone, most people would prefer Charleston to London.

[survivingearth]

Originally Posted by Simpsonvilllian

nobody ever explains what makes Paris, SF, London, etc so great. i think just considering weather alone, most people would prefer Charleston to London.

How much time do you have in your hands?