What’s the ‘South’s Best City’? It’s in South Carolina, magazine says
In the South, there’s no better city than Charleston, South Carolina.
That’s according to Southern Living magazine’s annual list of “The South’s Best Cities.” Charleston, a historic, seaside town, is ranked No. 1.
It’s no hidden gem, however, as this marks the fourth year in a row readers named the South Carolina city their favorite.
Charleston has plenty of interesting history, but it’s not afraid to grow, change and reinvent itself, according to Southern Living. With plenty to see and do, drink and eat, the magazine said it’s not surprised by the ranking.
“It’s no coincidence that South Carolina’s historic treasure of a city consistently ranks high on readers’ love lists. All those who have visited (and even those who haven’t) are instantly charmed by its historic homes, towering oaks, and cobblestoned streets,” Southern Living said.
Savannah, Georgia, was the runner-up, followed by third-place Nashville, Tennessee.
The Carolinas were well represented in the best-cities list, taking several spots among the 20 that were recognized.
Asheville, North Carolina, came in sixth place, with Southern Living saying, “If ever there were a single city that put the funk in the South, it could very well be Asheville.”
Greenville, South Carolina, earned a respectable 11th-place shoutout. While it’s possible to overlook the South Carolina burg, “this fast-growing riverfront city is making that harder and harder to do,” Southern Living said.
Right behind is Wilmington, North Carolina, in 12th. The beachside city isn’t so big that one might feel trapped in urban sprawl and traffic, and isn’t so small that residents or visitors find themselves wishing there were more to do, according to Southern Living.
North Carolina racks up two more honorable mentions, with 15th-place Charlotte and 19th-place Raleigh.
Charlotte’s a big city, no getting around it, Southern Living said, but “the Queen City has a way of feeling quaint and cozy.”
As for Raleigh, “Understanding the city’s appeal isn’t rocket science,” the magazine said.