Charleston, United States 🇺🇸
#1272
,
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, known for its well-preserved architecture and rich history. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 150,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speeds of 150 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major carriers include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common options are Chase, Bank of America, and online services like Wise |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Vrbo, and local rental agencies |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Vacasa dominate the market |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI Charleston Hostel |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Historic Downtown Charleston |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Mount Pleasant and West Ashley offer a balance of amenities and workspace |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Harbor Entrepreneur Center |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups are often hosted at local venues like the Charleston Tech Center |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Charleston International Networking Group on Facebook |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are widely used |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Charleston Bike Share |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Folly Beach, about 15 miles away |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Silver Airways |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and Delta Airlines operate most international flights |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | I-26 and I-526 provide major routes |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Amtrak Station in Downtown Charleston |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The CARTA transit system offers day passes |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses run by Greyhound and Palmetto Breeze |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga on the Battery |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | LA Fitness and Anytime Fitness have several locations |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Charleston Laundry Services |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash and UberEats |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | She-Crab Soup and Shrimp & Grits |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Chaebdo Cafe |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Baked and Hummingbird Bakery |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Charleston City Market for local goods |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon is widely used |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Walmart Grocery Delivery |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | King Street |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Holy City Brewing |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Aldo's Restaurant & Bar |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Charleston Food Truck Festival |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Dashi serves Japanese cuisine |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Battery and Rainbow Row |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Gibbes Museum of Art |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Fort Sumter National Monument |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Michael's Episcopal Church |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Spoleto Festival USA in May and June |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | King Street offers shopping and dining |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Dock Street Theatre |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Charleston City Market |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Music Farm Charleston hosts various events |
| 🎨 Street Art | Mural on King Street by artist Shepard Fairey |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Zero George Cooking School |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Gullah culture is an important part of Charleston's heritage |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Angel Oak Tree located on Johns Island |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Francis Marion National Forest is about 30 minutes away |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Battery promenade |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Waterfront Park for sunset views |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Goodson City Park |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | FedEx and UPS locations available |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store and local repair shops like CPR Cell Phone Repair |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers like the Park Circle Community Center |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Charleston Language Center |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Charleston County Public Library |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Park Circle Community Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Geekery in West Ashley |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Palmetto State Armory for shooting games, but no casinos in Charleston |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | C Corporations 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% for non-residents |
| 🏦 Tax System | Based on residence and income earned |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Approximately 7% in South Carolina |
| 🧾 VAT | Sales tax is 6% in Charleston |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable for U.S. residents with foreign income |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Approximately 0.57% of assessed value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Typically 1% upon transfer of real estate |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No state income tax for foreign-sourced income |