Avondale - Charleston, SC

Avondale, like all of Charleston, has a culture steeped in history. English settlers first stepped foot in the Carolinas on the shores of the Ashley River near Avondale, a state historic site known as Charles Towne Landing.

In 2009, the City of Charleston invested in a beautification project that improved cross walks in the middle of Avondale's business district. The improvements brought the opening of more businesses, as pedestrians felt safer crossing the four-lane Savannah Highway that intersects the district.

While the neighborhood itself does not have any museums, just 3 miles away in downtown Charleston, visitors find America's First Museum: the Charleston Museum, which opened in 1773 and explores Charleston's history.

Avondale features an active nightlife, with most of the bars and restaurants staying open until the City's curfew of 2 a.m. All of the establishments are within a half mile on either side of Savannah Highway, making it easy for patrons to bar-hop throughout the night. The bars are typically packed with locals due to the lack of nightly entertainment in the area, and the selection ranges from the funky VooDoo Tiki Bar to the classy cafe Al Di La to the hip Pearlz Oyster Bar. Known for shaking things up, VooDoo Tiki Bar hosts Full Moon Lunacy Parties, complete with body paint and break dancing. Locals can't get enough of the duck sliders: duck confit topped with bacon, hickory-smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion and served on a Hawaiian Sweet Roll slathered with garlic aioli. With half-priced tacos and $1.50 PBRs at happy hour, VooDoo Tiki Bar draws in locals and tourists alike.

Class it up a bit by moving next door to Al Di La, a little Italian cafe with an outdoor patio that has a gazebo-like feel. Favorites at Al Di La include the ricotta and mascarpone gnocchi with shrimp, grape tomatoes and basil, and the beef carpaccio served with arugula, lemon olive oil, fried capers and sea salt.

When in the mood for seafood, walk a few steps down the street to Pearlz, known for raw oysters and happy-hour menu deals, including the popular mahi mahi tacos topped with crispy cabbage, pico de gallo and fresh crema; get two for only $6.95. Those in the know ask for a side of wasabi cream sauce to spice up their order.

Located in the center of the business district, Triangle Char & Bar draws a big crowd for Sunday brunch mimosas and bloody Marys. The sweet-potato fries served with apple butter draw rave reviews.

Across the street, don't miss the Oak Barrel Tavern for the best local craft beers. Oak Barrel provides a haven from the Avondale action, and a mellow mood awaits you inside. Put your feet up at the comfy sofas, and play a game while watching the Avondale action through the street-front window. Cozy up to the bar for some local brews served by bartenders who know their stuff. The local caterer, Sushi Ninja, is also known to frequently serve the only sushi in Avondale from this venue.

Just up the street from Oak Barrel, visit Avondale Wine and Cheese, the place to go for delectable wines and cheeses. Small and intimate, it has a wall of wine to choose from and up to 30 cheeses at a time. With reasonable price points and a $10 corkage fee, this spot serves as the local go-to for eat-in or take-away wine and cheese.

Locals and tourists love to walk Avondale's mossy oak-lined streets that lead directly down to the business district. The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) provides public bus transportation throughout the Charleston area, including Avondale. Catch a cab by walking outside of the bars or restaurants on busy Savannah Highway, or call for an Uber.

Parking remains limited, although you can find a few street spots in the business district. Some bike lanes exist, but given the busy nature of the four-lane Savannah Highway, bikers do their best to stick to neighborhood streets.

Savannah Highway acts as a major thoroughfare in Charleston, feeding directly into I-26.

Ackerman Park, owned by the City of Charleston, affords Avondale residents everything they need in a park: an enclosed dog park, soccer fields and a skateboard park for the kids. Admission remains free for everyone.

The West Ashley Greenway, popular for jogging and biking, lies just South of Avondale. An annual event, the Avondale 5k Run and Walk takes place every October with race proceeds benefiting the Charles Webb Center, a charity providing assistance to Charleston's disabled youth.

The cost of living in Avondale runs slightly lower than downtown Charleston. You can see lower rent and retail prices in Avondale, but comparable prices at restaurants and bars. A round-trip to downtown Charleston on the public bus system CARTA cost $3.50.

Avondale doesn't have any apartment complexes, so renters must choose from two- and three-bedroom rental homes scattered about the neighborhood, which average $1,770 per month. On the up side, gas prices average almost $0.30 lower than the national average. Most of the bars serve local craft beers costing between $5 and $6 a pint.

Avondale's retail shopping ranges from thrift stores to boutiques. Young locals frequent the Children's Cancer Society Thrift Store looking for vintage clothes at bargain-basement prices, while fans of the charming Bashful Boutique appreciate the wide selection of quirky products and affordable prices.

For a shopping experience with all of the bells and whistles, check out downtown Charleston's famed King Street. Situated just three miles away, King Street houses a variety of clothing boutiques, antiques stores and art galleries. Residents enjoy the convenience of the natural foods grocery store Earth Fare, and the upscale grocer Harris Teeter, both of which sit less than two miles away from Avondale.