North Charleston - Charleston, SC

Outer North Charleston, once rural countryside with just a few plantation homes (circa 1600 to 1900) experienced growth in the 1900s with many of the neighborhoods that still grace it today. The neighborhood prides itself in having the Hunley submarine call it home. Housed in the H.L. Hunley Museum, this submarine of the confederate army, sunken off Charleston’s shores for over 100 years, was pulled out of the harbor in 2000 and now rests in the museum. The museum opens for tours on the weekends. Just a few miles away, North Charleston’s historic area, Park Circle, hosts a number of events every May, including the city’s annual art event, the North Charleston Arts Festival.

Hop on Interstate 26 to leave Outer North Charleston and head straight into downtown Charleston to enjoy its restaurants, bars, and theaters. Alternatively, stay close by and take in big-name acts like Ron White or Miranda Lambert at the neighborhood's North Charleston Coliseum. Hockey fans can catch a Stingrays game at the Coliseum, as well.

In a town not exactly known for its pho, locals have welcomed Phuong with open, love-filled arms. Some say it's the best pho in all of Charleston, but others say skip the pho and go directly to the egg noodles served with chicken, pork, shrimp, or a combo.

If you're in the mood for soul food, head on over to Nigel's Good Food, where the owner Nigel says you can get "just what your soul needs." Locals say you must try the geechie wings. With meaty, moist goodness surrounded by crunch and a special honey-tangy Nigel geechie sauce, some claim these as the best wings ever. After that, try the local favorite lowcountry ravioli, a combination of chicken, collard greens, bacon, black eyed peas, roasted corn, and cheese-stuffed ravioli all served in a delectable whiskey cream sauce.

If you're in the mood for Mexican, head down the road to La Nortena Taqueria, where patrons favor the Al Pastor -- layered marinated sliced pork and steak slow-cooked rotisserie style and served with cilantro and onions. Top it off with a mango margarita for a true Mexican fiesta.

Most of Outer North Charleston’s residents drive to and from their destinations and appreciate the parking lots provided by most all the retailers found throughout the city of North Charleston. Street parking in residential neighborhoods is free and easy to come by if you're visiting or have guests to your home. Cabs serve the area, but you should call ahead to arrange a pick-up. Uber also serves the entire city of North Charleston, including outer North Charleston. Buses don't run in most of the neighborhood, but you can travel to a "park and ride" less than six miles away and catch Charleston’s public bus system, CARTA, at a cost of $3.50 for a round-trip ticket. In the areas CARTA does run, the fare remains the same. While some bike lanes exist on North Charleston’s busy main roads, bikers are safer sticking to quiet neighborhood streets.

Two city parks feature all residents need to keep them active and enjoying the outdoors. Wescott Park serves rising baseball players as a Ripken Training Center, with fields and facilities patented and certified by Cal Ripken, but you'll find more than baseball at this park. The park also hosts walking trails through its wetlands, shelters and an outdoor amphitheater for ad hoc performances. Nearby Collins Park also provides baseball fields and hosts the Dixie Majors World Series, a championship for 13- to 14-year-old sluggers. It features a playground, community center and tennis courts to entertain active locals as well.

The cost of living in outer North Charleston runs lower than Charleston and less than 3 percent lower than the national average. Housing costs run substantially lower than nearby Charleston, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $755 per month. Charleston’s gas prices run about.20 cents lower than the national average, with prices in outer North Charleston averaging about.05 cents lower than Charleston prices. You also pay less for food and drinks at restaurants and bars in North Charleston than Charleston. A domestic beer in downtown Charleston runs you upward of $4.50, whereas a domestic beer in Outer North Charleston averages between $2.50 and $3.50.

Less than three miles away from Outer North Charleston, you can shop until you drop at the indoor Northwoods Mall, complete with a Belk, JC Penny, and Sears. Less than five miles away, Tanger Outlet Mall serves as an outdoor outlet mall with stores ranging from Gap and Old Navy to Coach and Ralph Lauren.

For local boutiques, head south to Charleston's famed King Street shopping district for boutiques galore, such as local favorites Shoes on King and Finicky Filly. At Shoes on King, you can find boots, heels, or flats by famous designers, including Kate Spade and Michael Kors. Head to the Finicky Filly for fancy dresses by designers like Tory Burch, GiGi New York, and more.

Residents find it easy to stock up on groceries at the neighborhood Food Lion, Publix, or Harris Teeter. The premier Asian market in Charleston, H&L Asian Supermarket just happens to call Outer North Charleston home, giving residents lots of options for weekly shopping. For a farmer's market, residents drive over to North Charleston's Park Circle neighborhood on Thursday afternoons, April to October. It's also worth the short drive into the city to check out the Charleston Farmer's Market, which was ranked as a top 10 farmer's market in the nation by Travel and Leisure Magazine. The market sets up every Saturday, April through November, in Marion Square Park. Bring your laptop if you want to surf the Web, as the city provides free Wi-Fi within the park.