Charleston is picture-perfect — pastel houses, cobblestone streets, palmettos swaying in the breeze. But locals know there’s a big difference between the postcard version of the Holy City and the reality we laugh about over happy hour. Here’s Charleston Unfiltered, from someone who lives it every day.
Charleston is a drinking town. From boozy brunches to bourbon bars, day drinking is practically a sport. If you’re not sipping something on a rooftop, Shem Creek deck, or sunny patio by 3 p.m., are you even trying?
Locals are polite—but that doesn’t mean they like you. Smiles and “yes ma’ams” are part of the charm, but Charleston runs on old families, old money, and old grudges. If your name isn’t on a church plaque, don’t expect to be instantly welcomed into the inner circle.
Traffic will break your soul. Three bridges, nonstop construction, and tourists braking for horse carriages mean you’ll spend plenty of time parked on the Ravenel. Add rain, and your plans are probably canceled.
The beach you choose is basically a personality test. Folly is barefoot and beer-in-a-koozie, Sullivan’s is buttoned-up and generationally wealthy, and Isle of Palms, Kiawah, and Seabrook all come with their own personality traits. Around here, your beach says more about you than your zip code.
And yes, everyone’s got a side hustle — and a trust fund helps. Charleston is expensive. Rent, groceries, even your dog’s groomer will set you back. That’s why so many people juggle careers and creative passions while relying on family money to make it all work.
Charleston is dreamy, complicated, and a little contradictory — just like the people who call it home. For all its quirks, there’s no place quite like it. Thinking about making Charleston home? I’ll give you the real scoop — not just the postcard version. 📲 Click here to connect.
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