French Quarter

Condo and rowhome prices, flooding in the French Quarter

The median sale price is about $1.6 million, more than double the city’s. Small, inland condos start in the mid-$400,000s and go up to the low $900,000s, while larger rowhomes and condos closer to the water typically sell for between $915,000 and $4.2 million. Condo association fees, sometimes called “regime fees,” vary by building, but usually range between $500 and $5,000 a month.

The Cooper River is prone to flooding, and the risk of high water and wind damage is elevated during hurricane season. “We don’t lose power that much in downtown,” says Realtor Mary Lou Wertz, a longtime Charleston local and co-owner of Maison Real Estate. “The surrounding areas, maybe, but our power system is quite good. It’s the flooding that’s the biggest nuisance.” Information on flood zones and insurance is available on the city’s website.

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Charleston’s pineapple fountain and more French Quarter landmarks

This area of downtown Charleston, part of the original walled city, is home to historic landmarks like Waterfront Park. The 12-acre park was once a hub for boat traffic in and out of Charleston Harbor, and now has a wide path lined with benches and oak trees. It’s also home to the iconic pineapple fountain. Other French Quarter landmarks include:

• St. Philip’s Church, one of South Carolina’s oldest congregations — founded in the 1680s
• The Pink House, the city’s oldest still-standing structure, built in 1712
• French Huguenot Church, a Gothic Revival church built in 1845
• Dock Street Theatre, which opened in 1736 as Charleston’s first theater
• The Old Slave Mart Museum, built in the 1800s and turned into a museum in 1938

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Charleston’s French Quarter has vibrant dining, shopping, art scenes

The French Quarter has a dynamic dining scene, with spots like Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, which serves sustainably sourced seafood, and Oak Steakhouse, which does upscale Lowcountry food. Slightly North of Broad is also popular for Lowcountry fare, and Gingerline is a local favorite for brunch. The East Bay Meeting Place mixes espresso, comfort food and cocktails in a European salon-style setting. Small businesses and shops, including Alkyon Arts & Antiques and Snaffle Bit Jewelry Company, are scattered around the busy downtown district. “My favorite independent clothing shop in Charleston is in the French Quarter, it’s called Julep,” Wertz says.

It’s also an artsy area, with tons of galleries and studios. “The French Quarter has such historic charm, and so much of it has been completely untouched, so it just feels like an area where art is supposed to be,” says Megan Lange, co-founder of Robert Lange Studios, a modern fine art gallery. The neighborhood hosts several Piccolo Spoleto Festival events in the spring, like the Sundown Poetry Series, which is often held in Washington Square Park.

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Walkability, DASH shuttle service combat tricky parking and traffic

“People buy here because it’s so close to so much of Charleston,” says Realtor Charlie McCrary of Carolina One Real Estate, who has over 30 years of local real estate experience. “It’s a great place to have a second home because when you come to town, you can walk to dinner or the galleries. You don’t even need to drive, which is great because parking downtown is difficult.” Free parking is limited, as most spots are in city garages or paid street meters. Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority provides bus service to the city and a no-cost shuttle service around downtown.

Top-rated Charleston County School District, private schools nearby

The French Quarter is served by the top-rated Charleston County School District, which allows transfers by application. Charleston Day School and First Baptist School are top-rated private schools within a few miles of most homes. The College of Charleston, South Carolina’s oldest college, is in the neighboring community of Harleston Village.

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