Charleston, SC DU'rs - could a couple of Deaniacs find happiness there?

[Southsideirish]

We are progressive Dems with an affinity for Howard Dean and progressive politics. The environment, animal rights, and world peace are some of our "hot button" issues.

We love Charleston but my S.O. says we would never fit in, politically speaking. Would there be a community there for us?
Thanks very much for any help.

[vpigrad]

1. I lived in Holly Hill for 10 years...

and since I wasn't dishonest, a racist, hateful, ignorant, and overweight, I didn't fit-in at all. My advice to you is to stay far away from anywhere to the south of Maryland. People like us here just don't fit in.

[Southsideirish]

2. Is Holly Hill in Charleston?

It sounds like a terrible area. Charleston sure is beautiful (The Battery area, that is) but I just couldn't live in a place where I didn't feel comfortable politically.
Thanks for your information.

[Rockholm]

4. Stay away from the northern suburbs in Charleston.

The City, West Ashley and Mt Pleasant are safe!

[China_cat]

5. Unless you're a rich repub

with at least 10 generations of sc ancestors, you'll never fit in with the 'South of Broad' crowd. (Battery area and thereabouts)

Holly Hill is outside Charleston a ways. One of those enclaves that make you think that the family tree there has no branches.

I live in North Charleston and I wouldn't dare discuss politics or openly show my political leanings. West of the Ashley, East of the Cooper aren't bad places but they are expensive. If you can afford to live there people will overlook the fact that you vote dem.

If you'll need to work here, remember that this is a 'right to work' state and the average wage is $7.50/hr.

[SayitAintSo]

3. A SC DU'er from Columbia....says 'come on down' !!!!

We need more liberals in this state - and yes you can find like minded souls... they are here but not AS plentiful as in other blue states. Remember the voting stats ... Dems here tend to be more underground but we are here and we are coming out in droves... Don't listen to any of those folks that tell you to run away or get the hell out. That's a cop out. Those are bitter quitters. We need you to be part of our Southern strategy. The South is such a beautiful place. Don't listen to those that are so eager to give up on it. Come on down !!!! There is a community there for you. we need you to help it grow!!!

[midlandsdawg]

8. It is no doubt

That I tend to be on the conservative side of the party so maybe my situation is different, but I have had no problem here since moving from GA. Now, maybe I am just not as adamant in stating my beliefs when I know they may not be welcome, or maybe its just that I have always had a live and let live philosophy. To your point though, I love SC, beautiful state, especially when, unlike Atlanta, you truly can be out in the country, with nature and all, in 15 minutes drive on any interstate. When I moved here, I was on I-26 headed north out of columbia, about 7 exits later, I was like "that was it?" So used to seeing 25 - 50 exits of metro.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi midlandsdawg!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[elizm]

6. It has been said...

...that Democrats around here meet 'under the cover of darkness'. Yep, we're here...just not very visible. I was born and raised in SC and have lived much of my adult life here in Charleston (Mt. Pleasant area, actually). I would agree that the downtown residents might not be too 'welcoming', but lots of people have moved in to the East Cooper area. And now we have Air America Radio...So we can hope that it becomes more progressive! Please come...we NEED you!

[Corgigal]

7. I live in Summerville

21 miles from downtown Charleston. You would never fit in because my husband and I don't. Or choose not to fit in for good reason.
However feel free to come buy a house close to me and we can hang out and bitch about it.

[midlandsdawg]

9. Odd

I don't think you can make a judgement like that, except on yourself. I see no reason they couldn't move here and adjust and fit in nicely, unless they plan on yelling DEAN DEAN DEAN no matter what the topic. However, I do find residents of Charleston are alot like savannah, a breed of their own.

[Corgigal]

10. I was born here

I have lived here 10 years and my husband build the Dean blog when he was running for Prez. This place sucks and if you lived in a place that has a tax base you could see what this place is missing.
The only reason to live here is because it's cheap but you do get what you pay for.

[China_cat]

11. Charlestonians are a lot like the Chinese

They eat a lot of rice and worship their ancestors.

[Corgigal]

12. heehee

wonderful.

[PegDAC]

16. Hi, Corgigal!

I'm in Goose Creek (actually just outside the city limits off 176). We can always form the Berkeley-Dorchester Blues!
:grouphug:

[susan6970]

13. COMMUNITY

Wellll....  There's me.  I have three active friends.  We're
not DU but we're Peace Alliance and involved in the Kucinich
campaign to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace.  We
could use all the help we can get, although I just saw
something about Dean saying something that got him a
tongue-lashing from Kucinich.  Just what we need - more
divisiveness [sarcasm].  

There are plenty of progressives here; I met them at the Earth
Day festivities.  But I wouldn't call it a community.  We're
all scared, and all but a few are keeping a very low profile. 
Our port is being used to stockpile WMDs.  

It's your call.  Good luck, and whatever you do, keep on
keeping on.  Thanks for all you've done.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi susan6970!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bonofor prez]

17. There is hope

I live in Anderson. We have a very strong arts community that has existed for years and the people have begun to build a network for political issues as well. As municipal elections are non-partisan we have successfully place some of our compatriots in elected positions and the first generation is ready to step up to the State or COunty level as Democrats with proven leadership ability. There are others planning to follow this path. It has helped us create a much more liberal community than existed a couple of decades ago.

So not all of SC is a conservative wasteland. We also are within 100 or so miles of either Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, GA if you crave big city life. there are always possibilities.