5 Reasons I Love Living in North Charleston

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Yes, you read that right. I really do love loving in North Charleston. Despite what you’ve heard or think you know about South Carolina’s third-largest city, North Charleston has quite a bit to offer families in the Charleston area.

When my family and I first moved to Charleston area from Boston, we initially settled on the outskirts of Summerville. Later we found a home we loved right off the Ashley River and could not be happier. It takes a bit to adjust to Southern life after living in New England, but we now call North Charleston home and are proud to live in this diverse, culturally rich Lowcountry city.

As a homeschooling family we value educational opportunities and appreciate being within close proximity to local historical sites. We also and have a deep love and appreciation for cultural diversity; having access to all of these just a short distance from home makes North Charleston the ideal city for our family.

North Charleston Parks Incorporate Fun and Learning

Our family loves to travel and the freedom of homeschooling and being on our own schedule allows us to travel out of state in the off-season. Hiking is one of our favorite things to do so when we’re at home in North Charleston and we try to get out on the trails as often as possible. Easy hikes through the trails at Wannamaker Park are a kid-friendly favorite for nature walks and journaling.

North Charleston

We’ve also taken our bird unit study out to Quarterman Lake Park. Known locally as the Park Circle duck pond, Quarterman Park is a neighborhood park built around a small pond Southeast of Park Circle. Many ducks and geese can be found in the waters and on the trails. We’ve also closed out homeschool butterfly unit study with a fun trip to the Park Circle Butterfly Garden

Restaurants For Adventurous Eaters Abound in North Charleston

One of my favorite things to do with my family is to go out to eat. We’re adventurous eaters and love trying new types of cuisine. Luckily North Charleston has several options that appeal to our palate. There are so many options that we could virtually take our taste buds on a trip around the globe at a different restaurant each day of the week if we chose.

We’re able to enjoy Jamaican food at One Love Cuisine one day, sushi the next at Tsunami and head down Ashley Phosphate Road for  Thai cuisine at Lanna Thai on the third. A short jaunt to Park Circle brings us Proper Fish and Chips at The Codfather and backtracking to Rivers Avenue brings us comforting Indian fare at Bombay Indian.

North Charleston

If its authentic soul food and Southern staples food we seek, Nigel’s Good Food on Ashley Phosphate Road will do the trick, or we can head out to Tanger and grab some prepared Middle Eastern items to bring home from Jerusalem Deli & Market.

North Charleston has countless options for every foodie but for less adventurous eaters or families with picky kiddos, there are several area restaurants that offer Kids Eat Free deals throughout Charleston. If brunch is more your jam, there are several kid-friendly brunch spots in North Charleston to enjoy as well!

North Charleston is a Growing Bustling Community

One of my favorite parts about living in North Charleston is the fact that it is growing so quickly. While the city does experience quite a bit in the way of growing pains and could really use an overhaul of the public transportation system, seeing new businesses come into the city is exciting.

The North Charleston/Dorchester District 2 aquatics center will open in Spring 2020 as well as several new restaurants popping up in that same area. We’re excited about that, for sure!

North Charleston Gives Back Both in the Lowcountry and Abroad

When we think of the ideal communities we want to live in and be part of, often topping the list, is the opportunity for giving back. Helping people in our own neighborhoods and helping those around the world is at the forefront of our family’s priorities. We’re fortunate in North Charleston to have several individuals and organizations that are doing just that; contributing to the well-being of others.

One such organization, Water Mission International located just along the Cooper River teaches local about the challenges of water scarcity around the globe through hands-on field trips and helps to alleviate those challenges abroad with their products and services.

Getting ready to head back to school can be overwhelming and challenging for families; organizations like the Teacher’s Supply Closet provides children in the tri-county area with free school supplies.

North Charleston

The giving spirit isn’t relegated to large companies and organizations, however. Driving around North Charleston, visitors will find Lowcountry Blessing Boxes located around town. These structures are often filled with non-perishable food items with a ‘give what you can, take what you need’ initiative; a true testament to the generosity of the community.

A Host of Yearly Events and Activities Throughout the City of N. Charleston

North  Charleston is the place to be for some of the best yearly events in the Lowcountry. This year the Taste of Charleston will be held at Riverfront Park so of course, we’re all looking forward to attending that this Fall.

Additionally, Riverfront Park is home to the annual July 4 celebration as well as art shows and presentations. Riverfront Park also features a splash pad, walking trails, a pavilion and a playground for visitors to enjoy and is the setting for the High Water Festival, a yearly celebration of food, culture, and music.

North Charleston

My family has enjoyed living in North Charleston for the last seven years. The close proximity to Interstate 26 allows getting to  Downtown Charleston within 20-30 minutes. We can also drive to Charleston area beaches in about 40 minutes, which is pretty awesome too. The ability of my adult kids to work close by while attending college within a short drive from home is also a big draw for this overprotective mom. I don’t have too worry too much.

Having a few different options in terms of farmers markets in the Charleston area as well as our close proximity to two libraries, three if you count the short drive to Summerville and some fantastic parks and playgrounds just a few minutes away makes living in North Charleston the ideal spot for our on-the-go, non-traditional, homeschooling family.

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Marie Bentley
Marie is a freelance writer and homeschooling mom of four – three adult kids and an 11-year-old  – who, for the last 16 years has made the Lowcountry her home. While her family spends a large portion of the year traveling throughout the country, she's actually quite the homebody. When she's not writing – something she's been doing for almost 30 years– Marie loves getting out and about in Charleston, weaving local history into her youngest' homeschool lessons, and exploring the many resources, sites, museums, and landscapes SC has to offer. One of Marie's bucket list items is to visit/hike each of the 47 state parks. Will this be the year she completes the goal? Marie chronicles all of it on her homeschool blog and YouTube channel.