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Peruse The Perks of Downtown Living in Charleston
Having been voted as one of the best cities in the world by Conde Nast Traveler, Charleston’s historic downtown is basically the heart of the entire city; it’s walkable, bikeable, and an extremely desirable place to live and work. Here you’ll find award-winning bars and restaurants, world class shopping, historical attractions, local art galleries and theatres, and a number of parks and gardens all within a few blocks of each other. That’s why late last year, the NV team decided to move our office from Mount Pleasant to Broad Street because we love being so close to everything and getting the opportunity to chat with people who stop in throughout the day.
If you’re not used to living in a city, it can be a daunting task to move to such a lively and buzzing community. We’re here to give you the scoop on downtown living in Charleston and all its benefits!
Revel in the Restaurant Scene
Charleston’s downtown restaurants are known for being innovative and delicious. Many of them are helmed by James Beard-nominated or award-winning chefs, meaning your meal is bound to be unforgettable! Whether you’re looking for seafood, BBQ, Indian, sushi, salads, burgers, or grits, there’s bound to be a restaurant for every palate within walking or biking distance of your location downtown. The NV office on Broad Street, for example, is within a 5-minute walk to Blind Tiger, Miller’s All Day, One Broad, and Oak Steakhouse, meaning our office is full of some well-fed agents!
Take in Tours & Attractions
There’s no denying Charleston is a city that’s steeped in history. As such, there are tons of opportunities for you to explore, learn, and absorb the many facets of the city. Take a tour of Fort Sumter, where the first shot of the Civil War was fired. Explore a retired aircraft carrier and learn about life on the sea. Tour a historical home and garden and take pictures amongst the flowers. Go under the sea with a giant sea turtle (without having to get wet). Take a boat tour to see Charleston from a new perspective. Take a culinary tour and explore the kitchens of Charleston. There’s so much to explore without having to leave the peninsula!
Arts, Music, & Culture Galore
The arts are alive and thriving in Charleston! There are over 60 art galleries and studios downtown, featuring everything from modern art, to classical sculpture and everything in between! Or, if performance art is more your thing, there are over 16 theatres and acting companies downtown putting on performances throughout the year. The newly redesigned Gaillard Center is your home for touring art, music, dance, and theater, and Spoleto & Piccolo bring a taste of the world’s best art to Charleston, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see a show!
Shopping Sprees & Strolls
Although online shopping is all the rage nowadays, there’s no replacing the feeling of being able to try something IRL before you buy it. From retail to groceries to gifts to hardware and everything in between, you can find pretty much everything you need for your home and your life without having to leave the Peninsula. Downtown Charleston is home to a variety of shopping experiences, like the Historic Charleston Market, perfect for locally-made gifts and art; Historic King Street, where you’ll find a mix of mass retailers--like Victoria’s Secret, The Gap, and Sephora--and local businesses like Savannah Bee Company and Hampden Clothing.Trying to figure out which neighborhood of downtown Charleston is right for you? Consult our handy neighborhood guide to learn more about Charleston’s downtown communities and see available real estate throughout the peninsula.