Couple walking on the beach

The city of Charleston SC is known for offering a unique and active lifestyle to its residents. Through it’s many accolades and awards, it has become a popular destination for everyone from students to retirees, and there’s also a large group of locals who claim Charleston as their native city. When visiting Charleston, you’ll find yourself among one of the country’s friendliest, most creative, and active communities.

So who exactly lives in Charleston? From the beaches of Isle of Palms, to the bustling upper King St. district, here are just a few types of Charlestonians you’ll meet:

The Creative: Charleston is home to artists and craftsmen of all kinds. From the chefs who create mouthwatering dishes of locally sourced food, to the actors that light up the stages at the Dock Street Theater, everywhere you turn, someone is pushing the envelope and creating something beautiful. The renowned food culture makes this a mecca for up & coming chefs and the gorgeous scenery of the lowcountry is a source of inspiration for authors, painters and photographers. Both locals and travelers gather in Charleston for festivals like Spoleto USA and Moja Festival every year to celebrate the incredible artistic community that thrives here.

The Intellect: Students come from all over to study at our accomplished educational institutions, which include the College of Charleston, The Citadel, and MUSC, to name a few. As the desirability of this city has become more widely known, the competition to get into these schools has increased, and even more students are choosing to stay in town and continue their education with masters and medical school programs. The workforce in Charleston has been revitalized, as well. The exploding industries of aviation and technology are bringing highly talented workers and job opportunities to Charleston at a rapidly increasing rate. Charleston’s Dig South Conference is becoming a leading event for members of digital, web development, social media fields throughout the Southeast.

The Cosmopolitan: There’s no denying that Charleston is one of the swankiest cities around. Residents are always dressed to impress and there is no shortage of boutique shopping and high end nightlife destinations. Events like Charleston Fashion Week and Charleston’s BB & T Wine + Food Festival bring out the best of our trendy community. Locals love to be active and informed about the goings on in town, and there is endless entertainment to keep them busy! One of the best things about Charleston is that everyone is happy to show you around. New to town? Ask a local about their favorite restaurants or events, and you’ll get a genuine and enthusiastic list of recommendations and sights to see.

The Outdoor Enthusiast: While downtown Charleston certainly offers a high-end, urban lifestyle to residents, there are plenty of laid back and active folks around who love to soak up all the city has to offer in their own ways. From paddle boarding in the tidal creeks, to partaking in the annual Cooper River Bridge Run, there is plenty to do in town that doesn’t involve having a martini in hand. Take in the abundant wildlife of this gorgeous coastal region on a kayak tour, or at the South Carolina Aquarium. Charleston is a boater’s paradise with access to the Ashley, Cooper and Wando Rivers as well as the Intracoastal Waterway along the coast, and Charleston is one of the best fishing destinations on the east coast.

What type of Charlestonian will you be when you move here?

Note: If you’re just discovering Charleston for the first time, you’ll find the Holy City is made up of so many different types of lifestyles. From the historic downtown peninsula to the Sea Islands, beaches and lowcountry beyond, you can find the area that is best for you! Check out our FREE guide for even more lifestyles, home prices, and neighborhoods in Charleston SC!

discover charleston sc free guide things to do home prices

Interested in Learning More?

Our expert teams - from development, investment, real estate, and property management - have experienced it all and have the insight to help you along the way.

Find Out More