
I have to admit I was a little beside myself when I read Jenn C’s blog, Southern Charm-Less, but then I sweltered on a veranda in my Lilly Pulitzer dress with a nice cold glass of sweet tea and said “Bless Her Heart”. JUST KIDDING! I don’t have a veranda, I only drink un-sweet tea, and have never worn Lilly in my life (just not my style).
However, as a transplant that considers Charleston “home”, I feel the need to defend my city.
I moved to Charleston 10 years ago this August. Prior to my interview/audition with the 2 Girls and a Guy morning show, I had never been and didn’t know anything about Charleston. I was born and raised in Bakersfield, California and at the age of 20 moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to further my career as a radio personality. After 5 years, I was offered a morning show position in Washington D.C. While in the Nation’s Capital, I found myself longing for the beautiful Lowcountry sunsets and a walk on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. So when the opportunity was presented to “get the band back together” in Charleston (Tanya & Mike from 2GG had moved onto Portland), I had my bags packed immediately.

The reason for my background? I just wanted Jenn to know that I wasn’t one of the “lifers” she referred to in her blog.
I wasn’t born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, but I do live there and it’s pretty amazing. Did you ever go to Red’s on Shem Creek and watch the dolphins swim by while enjoying a delicious beverage on the dock?
I am a PROUD military wife who is currently living without my husband because he is still stationed in DC.
I am also a PROUD career woman. So when Apex Broadcasting wanted to bring our show back 2 weeks after I got married, my husband Jim & I decided my moving down without him was the best decision because this is where we want to build our life together.
My point is this: I have lived in multiple cities and I CHOOSE Charleston because in my opinion (and Conde Nast’s for the last 4 years), Charleston is the best city in the U.S.

The People
You speak of diversity (or lack thereof), I would have to disagree. I am a “plain white” face in the crowd and blonde so I guess I fit the Charleston mold you spoke of, but Tanya Brown is an African-American mom of 4, Mike Edwards is an openly gay man and we are all on the radio – together – in Charleston. Besides that, Charleston is home to some of th friendliest people I have ever met.
OH AND BILL MURRAY LIVES HERE.
The Lack of Things to Do
Like you said, “If you’re bored, then you are boring.” I absolutely believe that truth. But it means you have to get away from b****ing on the internet about nothing to do and actually do!
Here are a few of the many events that happen through out the year.
Charleston Fashion Week, Charleston Wine & Food Festival, Spoleto, Charleston Comedy Festival, Charleston Pride, Moja Arts Festival, Charleston Animal Society Chili Cook Off, Taste of Charleston, Boone Hall Oyster Festival, Family Circle Cup Tournament, Festival of Houses and Gardens, and of course (the perfectly South Carolina) Grits Festival in St. George (that’s about 45 min away from Charleston).
“How do the people sustain themselves here? I guess they just have kids.” No ma’am. I don’t have kids and don’t think I will ever have children. People sustain themselves here by getting out. I find myself wishing there weren’t so many amazing things going on so I could just have a night on the couch catching up on reality shows and sleep.
The Food
“If one more person tells me how awesome the food is here, I will go Postal.”
Please don’t go postal. THE FOOD HERE IS AWESOME! The best steak I’ve ever had is located on King Street at Hall’s Chophouse. The best collard greens I’ve ever tasted are on the menu at The Fat Hen on Johns Island. My friend Mendi makes the best deviled eggs you will ever try, I’ll have her whip up a batch for you.
If you are a pizza person, you really need to try La Pizzeria.
The Dating
I don’t care what city you live in, dating is awesome and tough. If you truly are looking for the love of your life (not just a ring and the MRS title) then you have to kiss a lot of frogs. Some of the frogs will be gross, some will be rude, some will have bad manners… but some will be fun, some will be handsome, and some will be charming but just might not be the right fit. Either way, the frogs you kiss along the way will lead you to the prince you are supposed to end up with. I dated A LOT in Charleston… and in DC… and in Knoxville… and in California… and I always looked at dating as a way to get to know new people, see new things, try new places that I might not have ever chosen myself, and collect great stories!
Being 34 doesn’t make you undatable. I’ve seen your picture, you are a pretty girl. I read your bio on the blog that has since been taken down, you seem like a cool girl, but if you’re going on dates with the same attitude you had in the post, I don’t think I would call you for a 2nd date.
In your “Update from the author” you didn’t understand why people were offended. We weren’t offended because you didn’t like your experience here. We weren’t offended because this wasn’t the right fit for you. We were offended because of the way you chose to word it. You went on a bitter, nasty, bashing session.
You can’t call someone’s baby UGLY and expect them to say, “thank you” and pass the potato salad.
If you would’ve worded it differently, I’m almost positive that you would have had people reach out and invite you to do things or at least point you in the direction of the type of activities you want to participate in. You could have made some really great friends and had some fond memories to go back to Atlanta with while you were here.
Maybe you didn’t expect the small town of Charleston to know about y’all’s big city blogs and read the post? Maybe your intention was to fire up the internet and get publicity for your blog?
I’m sorry that you didn’t fall in love with Charleston the way so many of the passionate commenters have. I truly am. I’m sorry you don’t feel like a Proud Parent (the way so many of us do) when others mention how beautiful our city is or when we win awards for being one of the best cities in America! I find myself saying “I can’t believe I get to live here,” multiple times a day. I wish the city would have brought you the same joy it brings me.
Good luck in your future endeavors and I hope the ATL treats you well.
To my fellow Charleston lovers, I’ll see you at the next festival and we’ll toast with some Firefly Sweet Tea vodka over bocce under a Live Oak.
XOXO,
Brooke Ryan
@itsbrookeryan
On a sidenote, to all of you that bullied her in the comment section, LOCK IT UP! Calling her job is not ok. I’m in no way Team Jenn, as you can see above, but the ones that took it to the extreme, not okay!
Click Here to check out this rebuttal as well from Straight Talk With Steve