With more than a hundred properties officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the most historic cities in the United States. You don’t have to be a big history buff to appreciate living in a historic city like Charleston. There are many great advantages to making your home in an area that’s chock full of rich history and culture. From the many and varied available activities to the gorgeous architecture and scenery, there are lots of advantages to living in a historic city.
1. They come with built-in character.
They just don’t build ’em like they used to, right? With all the gorgeous antebellum architecture and craftsmanship found throughout the Charleston area, there’s character around every corner. Take a stroll through the historic district, all the way down to the Battery. There’s not a cookie cutter home to be seen.
2. Historic homes hold value of more than one kind.
“Historic districts tend to hold their value better during economic downturns, and they appreciate more during upswings,” says Tom Mayes, vice president for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. Historic homes aren’t just valuable in terms of money and personal equity; they also hold a certain value for the public. Historic homes are artifacts that remind us of the past, but they’re also symbols of strength and perseverance for some. They’ve been a part of something bigger and made it through to the other side.
3. Things don’t change too quickly.
Most historic cities come with restrictions on what can and what must be done to certain buildings. Living in a historic district often means there’s a lot of red tape and hurdles to conquer before you can make even the slightest change. For those residents who would rather not live in an area that’s going to be redeveloped over and over again, a historic district could be the perfect choice.
4. There’s always lots to do.
Living in a historic city usually means you spend your days in a spot tourists flock to. And since Charleston reigns supreme on “best of” lists all over the world, there’s always something to do here. From museums to plantations to beaches, from walking tours to nightlife, historic cities tend to have a lot to do in order to keep both locals and tourists entertained.
5. Preservation efforts make for a better place to live.
Historic homes and buildings tend to need a good bit of upkeep and TLC. Thanks to preservation efforts to keep things maintained and operating smoothly, historic districts are usually just nice places to live in. Natural and man-made beauty abound.
