The Wall Street Journal recently published an article discussing why Charleston is an ideal place to retire.

So what are some of the attraction features attracting retirees? History, proximity to the water and natural beauty (see quote below), food, pedestrian-friendliness, cultural offering, entertainment, education opportunities for older generations and shopping.

And then there’s Charleston’s unique look. Its historic core, nestled between two rivers, features pastel-painted colonial homes and churches dating to the 1700s. The Battery, at the city’s southern tip, features monuments and military relics, overlooks the rivers and harbor, and is a favorite place for many residents to walk. Nearby are plantations and gardens open for tours, along with pristine Atlantic beaches.

The downsides of living in Charleston mentioned in the article include: high cost of housing, weak public transportation system and difficulty fitting into social/civic circles (which one retiree argues doesn’t happen anymore below).

“If you’re engaged in the community and are giving back, you’re welcomed here,” says Harriet Smartt, 69, a retired career consultant at George Mason University in Virginia who moved to Charleston 16 years ago. As a Carolina Art Association board member, she does fund raising for the Gibbes Museum of Art, which houses more than 10,000 works of Southern decorative arts.