Decide what "near" the College of Charleston means to you.
For some, "near" the College means a 5-10 minute walk. For others, it's a 5-10 minute drive. And some are happy as long as their commute is under 30 minutes. The Charleston area offers a myriad of living home and condo purchasing opportunities no matter what your "near" is.
And then consider a few other factors.
Cost to purchase*
For the sake of comparison, consider a 3 bed, 2 bath detached home with off-street parking. Depending on where this is located and the features of the home, the price could vary from under $300k to well over $1m. Having an idea of your budget will help inform your options for home size, location, and amenities.
*Looking for rentals? More information here.
*Looking for rentals? More information here.
Parking
Parking is limited in some areas, particularly downtown, so having off-street parking is a priority for many. Consider if this is the case for you and, if so, how much room for off-street parking you'd like to have. Learn more about City of Charleston Parking and College of Charleston Parking.
Maintenance and Upkeep
New versus old construction. Wood siding versus brick or stucco. Age and type of the home's systems. Size of lot and yard. There are many factors that contribute to the cost of maintaining a home. Consider this when exploring the types of homes/condos you might be interested in.
Regime/HOA fees
Maintenance costs of a town home or condo may be less than a single family detached home with a yard, but you will likely be faced with regime or HOA fees. Depending on the property and its amenities, these fees can vary dramatically--from a few hundred dollars a year to a thousand or more a month. Before you fall in love with a condo building or neighborhood, make sure you get the scoop on regime fees.
Flood Insurance Premiums
One of Charleston's great charms is the proximity to the water, but with this comes the risk of flooding in many areas. For homes with with a mortgage on them, flood insurance may be required, depending on the flood zone in which the home sits. Flood insurance premiums can vary greatly depending on the location of the home and the home's elevation. For more on flood insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov.
Safety
Like any city, Charleston has neighborhoods that are safer than others. And, home buyers have dramatically different tolerances for neighborhood safety. I encourage all buyers to visit the College of Charleston's Public Safety and the City of Charleston police department websites for local crime and safety information.
