With tons of history and modern development, South Carolina is a unique state. South Carolina real estate is also unique because prices are so low. If you are looking to live in a historic southern city with a ton or charm, Charleston may be your answer. Sitting on the South Carolina cost, the real estate market is primed for growth.

The Real Estate Market in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is located at roughly the mid point of the South Caroline coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and has a population of just under 100,000 people. A city with a lot of history, Charleston has an old south feel with all the amenities you would expect in a modern city.

The average Charleston home sells for about $180,000, a figure that more or less matches the national average. Home appreciation rates are a bit below national averages, but still a healthy 7.4 percent. More importantly, the appreciation rate may be primed to increase dramatically over the next few years. The reason for this is job growth.

Any real estate market is heavily influenced by job growth in the local economy. The more job growth, the more demand there will be for workers. As more people move into the area to fill that demand, the higher home prices will go. Currently, Charleston is experiencing strong job growth. More importantly, the growth rate is expected to be nearly four times as high as the national average for the next four years. This signifies the beginning of a strong real estate market for Charleston properties.

The City of Charleston is a pleasant place because of the coastline location. It also offers the basic amenities you would need living in any city. Schools meet or exceed most national averages with higher education being particularly strong. Health costs are about equal to the national average, but you will find nearly twice as many doctors in Charleston. If you are going to have a health problem, this is the place.

The climate in Charleston is fairly mild since it is located on the ocean. You can expect summer temperatures to top out in the low nineties, while winter temperatures can be in the forties. You are going to get rain about 30 percent of the time with 50 inches being the annual average.

All and all, Charleston is a good place to live and the real estate market looks stable with robust growth on the horizon.

Before going whitewater rafting in South Carolina, you will want to determine how adventurous you want to be. If you’re looking for peaceful and relaxing, find the class II rapids for a leisurely float down the river. If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, you may want to consider class III and IV rapids. Even if you’re an experience rafter, you’ll probably want to find a guide service that is both knowledgeable and experienced. Most guide services are located within a short distance of Westminster, South Carolina. Usually found near Sumter and Chattahoochee National Forests in South Carolina’s Northwest corner, guide services offer equipment and instruction, along with guided rafting trips.

Trips are generally broken into sections based on the class of rapids located along that particular section of river. For example, Wildwater Rafting company in South Carolina offers the following trips:

• Section III Mini-trip – this trip is designated as mild and is appropriate for novices, families and older rafters. Minimum age for this trip is 8 years of age

• Section III – this trip includes more than a dozen class II and III rapids and is appropriate for those ages 10 years and older

• Section IV – with 5 waterfalls and a 75 foot drop, this steepest section of the river is recommended for those with previous rafting experience. Minimum age for this trip is 13 years of age

• Overnighters – rafting section III on day one and section IV on day two, this trip is a real wilderness adventure

Guests may be required to hike short distances and assist with carrying equipment to and from the river. Whitewater rafting does require certain physical abilities so it is necessary to ensure you are capable of making the trip. Depending on the length of the trip, snacks or meals may be offered. For example, snacks may be offered on a half-day trip, while lunch may be provided on a full-day trip. Three meals are generally provided on overnight trips.

The rafting season begins in March and ends in October, so plan accordingly. Since the Chattooga river offers a whitewater trips for all levels of whitewater rafters, the river is both popular and well known. With its beautiful scenery of shorelines and dense forests, the Chattooga River is the destination for whitewater rafting in South Carolina.