Just across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston, The Town of Mount Pleasant is home to 55,000 people.  Mount Pleasant and the other areas East of the Cooper River have tended to attract families relocating from other places, such as Charlotte, Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.  Mount Pleasant natives tend to welcome these newcomers with a “come join the party” attitude.  The town reminds many of their days growing up in small towns, where you could walk to school and knew your neighbors.  People are attracted by quick access to the east island beaches and the town’s reputation for excellent public schools.  Many of the schools are new within the last ten years, including the new Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant Academy (a public school), Moultrie Middle School, and the relatively new Cario Middle School, Pinckney Elementary and Laurel Hill Primary.  Additional new schools are under construction or scheduled to be replaced.  Whitesides Elementary, for example, is under construction.

The town has a reputation as being slightly more upscale than some other areas while still being family friendly.  There are many new, planned development neighborhoods, including Park West and I’on which complement areas like The Old Village and Old Mount Pleasant which are experiencing a revival.  The town and state have been expanding Highway 17, a main thoroughfare, to handle the increased traffic from neighborhoods built on the eastern edge of town.  People from places like DC or Atlanta think nothing of the traffic while long-time residents bemoan the cars clustered at traffic lights.

Mount Pleasant features many golf courses, parks, and areas to access Charleston Harbor and the surrounding rivers and marshes by water.  The town has two movie theaters, quick access to the beach on the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island.  There are good places to eat, or you can head downtown for fine dining.  There’s a regional hospital at the corner of Highway 17 and I-526.  Another hospital is under construction on the eastern edge of town.  The town has several recreation centers for soccer, swimming, football, basketball, and many other sports.

Mount Pleasant features more grocery stores than other similarly sized towns because of the tourists heading to the beach.  There’s everything from a Food Lion to a Whole Foods to a Super Wal-Mart.  There is no Costco or Sam’s Club.

Town Centre, an upscale cross outdoor mall, offers lots of middle to upper-middle shopping opportunities, such as The Gap, a large Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Ann Taylor Loft.

There are also plenty of places to experience the history and culture of Mount Pleasant.  Shem Creek is the center for shrimp boats, kayaks, and powerboats as well as several excellent seafood restaurants.  Little stands along Highway 17 offer the area’s best selection of sweet grass baskets, a traditional and beautiful art craft.  Boone Hall Plantation, a classic Lowcountry farm once owned by a signer of the U.S. Constitution, hosts many outdoor festivals, including an oyster roast each January.

Mount Pleasant is a great place to live and work.  It is probably most attractive to families and active retirees.