South Charleston, WV has a unique reason for its name. It's not located to the south of Charleston at all, but actually to the northwest. South Charleston gets it's name due to the fact that it's almost exclusively located south of the Kanawha River.
South Charleston's census data makes it sound a bit like Willy Wonka's factory where nobody's ever seen going in or coming out
South Charleston, WV has a unique reason for its name. It's not located to the south of Charleston at all, but actually to the northwest. South Charleston gets it's name due to the fact that it's almost exclusively located south of the Kanawha River.
South Charleston's census data makes it sound a bit like Willy Wonka's factory where nobody's ever seen going in or coming out. In 1990, the population of the city was 13,645, it was 13,390 in 2000, and then it creeped up to 13,450 in 2010. In short, South Charleston has the look and feel of a small town -- something along the lines of "a modern day Mayberry" wouldn't be an exaggeration, albeit with slightly more secure banking options.
Moving to South Charleston
South Charleston has a wide variety of property rentals, as well as homes for sale. For you that means finding something that peaks your housing interest shouldn't be too time consuming. Whether you're looking for apartments for rent in South Charleston, or rental houses, you should have at least an average selection to choose from. If you're trying to decide between 1 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom apartments, the main issue you will find is location since both are common within the city. However, if you are trying to track down a luxury apartment, you may have to start your search well in advance of any planned move to the area, as these apartments can be few and far between. If you are to find the apartment you're looking for, chances are it will come at a premium simply due to the fact there aren't that many.
Neighborhoods
South Charleston is considered a neighborhood of Charleston, even though it is a separate town. In the north end of town, many of the single family homes are riverside, or at least have a good view of the river and Blaine Island. There are homes and apartments on the island as well. The western part of town is more rural, and a good portion is golf course property. The southern end of South Charleston borders Route 119 and offers the most retail shops and restaurants.
Living in South Charleston
South Charleston is one of the most livable cities in West Virginia. This is mainly because of the low cost of living, the many amenities, and sunny weather. If you decide to take up residency in the city of South Charleston, you'll notice that amenities there are plentiful: grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment and shopping can all be found within the city. If you need additional options than what the city has to offer, a short four mile ride to Charleston will be in order. Whether you want to catch a movie at Marquee Southridge Cinemas in South Charleston, or head over to Charleston to see The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra or The Charleston Ballet, the area definitely has enough to fill an art lover's needs. If you're a baseball fan, you can check out the West Virginia Power at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston. The area is also home to several annual events and festivals including FestivALL Charleston, which is a four-day event throughout the city of Charleston, mainly for showcasing various local artists. Multifest is held on the first weekend in August and is more of a family-oriented, educational event that takes place on the grounds of the state capitol. There's also Riverfest, which is a four-day event that takes place in July and includes things such as a 5K race, fireworks, craft booths, parade, games, and contests.
Getting Around Town
South Charleston's the place to be if you don't want to spend your life behind the wheel or wearing down your shoe leather. The city offers bus service through the Kanawha Valley Transit Authority system, which provide routes to Charleston and throughout the surrounding area. The city is also home to Mallory Airport, which is a small general aviation airfield located off of Chestnut Street. Yeager Airport in Charleston is the closest commercial airport to the city of South Charleston, but at only four miles away getting there is hardly a problem. If you're an avid boater you might be even be able to cruise to work thanks to the Kanawha River. If you'd rather call up a taxi and have someone else do the driving, C&H Taxi provides service to the city, as well.
