Charleston is a Southern coastal city located in what is known as South Carolina's Lowcountry. Charleston is a popular place to relocate for many reasons. One of those reasons is it's great geographical location. The city was originally built on a peninsula of land that divides the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Now days, the metropolitan area sprawls across the three counties Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester. In Charleston you can find a variety of terrain including tidal marshes, lakes, river, bays, coves and the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches.

One of the most popular reason people move to Charleston is because they want to live near the beach. If you want to live on the beach, Charleston features a wide variety of beaches depending on what you're looking for. Folly Beach has a more laid back feel and is very popular with those who like to surf. There's also Kiawah, Seabrook and Wild Dunes if you would prefer a private beach. Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island provide a convenient location, closer to the downtown scene, and with plenty of public access. Sullivan's is one of the more historical beaches in Charleston and is a quaint place to live featuring mostly houses and only two or three condos.

Besides the great selection of beaches, many people choose to relocate to Charleston for a variety of other reasons. Charleston is a cosmopolitan city whose residents enjoy the rich history of the city. Today, historic downtown Charleston is a reflection of what life was like in the past, with 18th century storefronts and other well-preserved buildings.

People also choose to relocate to Charleston because it is a great place to raise a family. Those who are looking to buy a home can find a great selection of homes and neighborhoods to meet their families' needs. Charleston features some of the best public school districts and private schools in the state. In addition to the great schools, Charleston has a lot of other kid-oriented places too, such as the SC Aquarium, beaches, and county park.

But Charleston isn't just a place for growing families. The A-A-R-P named Charleston as one of the top five dream towns in the U.S. for retirees. If you look at Charleston's demographics, you'll find that there are a lot of retirees. But, most don't choose to live in a neighborhood solely geared towards retirement. Since Charleston has such a mix of people anyway, they base their decision on which community they like the most. Or, they decide based on location. The neighborhood that best suits their lifestyle may have other retirees as well as younger and older families.