Visiting Charleston (hotels, neighborhoods, camping)

[norrina]

I am hoping to visit Charleston in the next few months with an eye towards potentially relocating there. I'm trying to do this on a budget. During the days I plan to just walk around the neighborhoods and get a feel for the area.

Can anyone point me towards the neighborhoods that would be particularly safe or unsafe for me (a female traveling alone) to wander? I am also looking for relatively inexpensive lodging where I don't have to worry about getting mugged going to my room, or devoured by bedbugs once I'm in it.

I'm pretty lowkey, I don't care if I'm in a hotel/motel/B&B/inn/rustic cabin. I just want clean sheets, hot water, and no unwelcome guests, be they human, rodent or arthropod. I might also consider camping in my car at a campground, if there are likely to be any open in December.

[LOVNCharleston]

Safety can be relative. But for the whole Charleston is pretty safe, however each neighborhood has their own areas that can be sketchy. You just have to be smart and I'd wander during the daylight hours.

Here's a link where you can compare rates at Charleston Hotels:

Charleston Hotel Search: Reserve Your Charleston Lodging Here!

Here's a link to a Charleston Hostel if that works better for you:

CHARLESTON'S NOTSO HOSTEL

Good luck!

[emilybh]

The visitor's center is a great resource for what you are looking for. Here is their website URL Visit Charleston, SC | Charleston Vacation Planning & Charleston Tourism Info | Charleston Area CVB

Before I moved here I found studying www.charlestonrealestateguide.com very helpful in getting an idea of the different areas and neighborhoods. You'll also want to cross reference that with a map. Constantly checking www.walkscore.com was very helpful in finding out how walkable specific addresses and neighborhoods are to restaurants, grocery stores etc.