There are so many ways to look at Charleston; it’s hard to decide what makes it most special. Like a well thought out painting, it begins with the sheer beauty of the marshes, beaches and old growth forests. Shot through are the threads of the Preservation Movement which restored what so many cities threw away and the revitalization that marks the present. But what defines Charleston as unique are her people and each one has a special fondness for a place, a feeling, something that defines Home.

Not a planned city like her sister, Savannah, Charleston just grew. Confined into a small peninsula, the charm of winding streets with names like Longitude Lane and Zig Zag Alley add a charm to the stately homes in the historic district. Tourism is a mainstay of our economy, but we’re not just a pretty face.

Education has always been treasured by the residents of this port city. The first municipal college in the country was chartered here in 1785. The College of Charleston has thrived and is still providing a first rate education. While Trident Tech, partnering with major industry such as Boeing, supplies cutting edge skills to new generations, the College of Building Arts preserves the craftsman’s skills of the past. The Citadel, South Carolina’s own military college, is doing its part educating the modern armed forces.

The medical community, a mix of public, private, military and teaching facilities, serves the Lowcountry, recently touted as the second fastest growing midsized city for medical techs. The Medical University of S.C. alone conducts more than $243 million in research annually.

The knowledge-based economy is also expanding, adding higher-than-average-paying jobs to the economy. The Digital Corridor reports that 88% of their companies have or will add jobs this year; 38% have doubled in size. Several business incubators have opened to nurture and support new business ventures.

The Port has always played a major part in Charleston’s life. Serving more than 150 countries, the Port is one of the keys to a healthy local economy, injecting over $12 Billion in wages and supporting over 260,000 jobs.

The Charleston Museum opened as the nation’s first in 1773. Now housed in new quarters on John Street, the stately columns mark its original location on Rutledge Avenue. The Museum’s latest addition, the Textile Center, will be a valuable research tool for the local fashion industry. Fashion Week has been an exciting eye opener to many residents.

The city’s Museum Mile also includes museum homes, art galleries and theatres. The Arts in Charleston are celebrated year round from small installations to major international festivals.

Local artisans find it easy to attract a following. The Farmer’s Market, named one of the Ten Best in the country, offers a venue for artists, silversmiths and artisan food purveyors. We have three local James Beard Best Chefs and restaurants that top the country’s favorites list. From the farmers to the talented chefs that interpret our local standards, our tables are truly blessed.

Given all of these advantages, it is really the people that make Charleston special. The happiness of enjoying life here is the true gift that we give those who visit us. And the old saying is that once you visit, you always return proves true time and time again.