Charleston’s Latest Award: World’s Friendliest!

If you’ve ever thought, upon spending time at Seabrook Island, “The people here might just be the nicest people in the world,” well, you wouldn’t be alone – apparently, people all over the world have been having that same epiphany about the people of the Charleston area.

As you may remember, Travel + Leisure Magazine declared Charleston the “Best City in the World” just last month. But this week, the Holy City is being honored with a distinction its residents are undoubtedly particularly pleased with.

In their highly anticipated 29th annual Reader’s Choice Awards, Conde Nast Traveler just named Charleston the friendliest city in the world. Not just the U.S., mind you, which is a title the Holy City has held for many years.

This year, travelers who’ve hopped all over the globe gushed about how wonderfully kind and gregarious the good people of Charleston are. “Charleston is by far my favorite city!” one such traveler said. “It has the charm of the South, the sophistication of the city, and a warmth and friendliness that is unmatched,” said another.

According to Conde Nast deputy digital editor Laura Redman, Charleston is “having a moment.”

With more people than ever visiting our fair city, being named the friendliest place on the planet is a pretty impressive feat – despite steady growth, we’ve managed to maintain the utmost levels of Southern hospitality.

What’s even more special about that is the fact that the Charleston area is such a melting pot. We are made up of people from all over the world who’ve happily adopted our friendly demeanor or who moved to the area because it was in line with their own perspective.

On Seabrook, which is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, this intrinsic charm is easily apparent in the way people will stop and talk to each other, wave as they ride their bikes down tree-lined lanes and always, always have a smile at the ready.