If you're reading this, it's safe to assume that you're interested in moving soon. There are about 4.7 million people that call the Palmetto State home, and a couple hundred thousand people reside in the greater Charleston area. Why have you been looking at Charleston real estate? Are you interested in living in a small city with a lot of Southern charm? Do you want a place that feels like a tropical paradise, such as the Isle of Palms? Are you drawn to areas with a booming military industry like Goose Creek, SC? Are you drawn in by the area's excellent school districts?
There are a variety of reasons to move to the greater Charleston area, but even some Charleston lovers may not know some interesting facts about the place they love. For example, did you know that…
Bill Murray is the Director of Fun and Co-Owner of the Charleston Riverdogs
Is there any celebrity that's more universally beloved than Bill Murray? Almost everyone reading this will have a favorite that immediately comes to mind. Bill Murray is a huge fan of minor league baseball clubs, and has co-ownership of teams in St. Paul, Fort Myers, and Hudson Valley. And don't assume that he's like the average team owner that rarely shows up to games and spends their time isolated from fans in skyboxes. He has thrown out first pitches, and has even coached first base!
Charleston has old "earthquake proof" buildings
If you go into downtown Charleston, you may notice that some of the older buildings have black disks or crossed bolts on the outside. Those iron pieces aren't there for decoration; they're there to help protect the buildings from earthquakes. When most people think about earthquakes in the United States, they are usually imagining events out west. Although it isn't common, earthquakes do occur on the east coast. In 1886, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake devastated the Charleston area. After the quake, structures were built with earthquake tension rods to strengthen them. The black circles and crosses you see are the ends of the rods that were put in more than century ago!
Old Charleston homes were built for optimal comfort
Charleston summers can be brutal, even if you have an air conditioner or fan. In the past, Charleston residents dealt with the heat the best way they could: by designing their houses so that they were as comfortable as possible. Traditional homes and buildings in Charleston had decks and piazzas that faced south or west to make sure that residents got ample cooling breezes. Some of the older buildings even had their entertaining rooms on the second floor to avoid mosquitoes, which can't fly that high.