Are you relocating from Germany to Charleston, South Carolina? We understand the importance of staying connected to your roots. Our platform is designed to help you find all the German restaurants, businesses, churches, and more, so you can feel at home while enjoying your new adventure.
The GACC offers among other services a variety of networking opportunities such as the popular “German Stammtisch” which takes place in different major cities throughout the South Carolinian state.
Businesses | Location |
|---|---|
American Tactical Imports | Summerville |
BASF Dispersions | Charleston |
Baumer USA | Charleston |
BLG Logistics | North Charleston |
Brenntag Mid-South Inc. | Charleston |
Continental AG | Charleston |
DB Schenker | Charleston |
Daimler Trucks North America | Charleston |
Festo Corporation | Charleston |
Finalcontrol Inc. | Charleston |
Gedore Tools Inc. | Charleston |
Hapag-Lloyd (America) Inc | Charleston |
Helm AG | Charleston |
Horsch LLC | Charleston |
Hubner Manufacturing Corporation | Mount Pleasant |
IMO Group USA | Charleston |
Ingenics Corporation USA | Charleston |
Isringhausen | Charleston |
Job Impulse Inc. | Charleston |
Kloeckner Metals | Charleston |
Kostal North America | Charleston |
LANXESS Corporation | Charleston |
Leadec Corporation | Charleston |
Mankiewicz Coatings LLC | Charleston |
Marabu North America LP | Charleston |
Marquardt Switches, Inc. | Charleston |
Paul Bippus Precision LLC | Charleston |
Protego (USA), Inc. | Charleston |
Siemens USA | Charleston |
ThyssenKrupp Materials NA | Charleston |
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions | Charleston |
ZF Group | Charleston |
Store | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
ALDI | Mt Pleasant, North Mt Pleasant, James Island | There are German Weeks twice a year offering items like muesli, apple strudel, Donauwelle cake, German par-baked rolls, pretzels, and lye pastries. |
LIDL | Various | Known for German-style bread. You can find traditional German bread here. |
Trader Joe's | Mt Pleasant (two locations) | Offers a variety of European treats, including potato pancakes with applesauce, sour cherries in jars, and more. |
Publix & Harris Teeter | Mt Pleasant, West Ashley | You’ll find German items like Ritter Sport chocolate, sauerkraut, red cabbage, crispbread, mustard, spätzle, and Bahlsen products. |
Total Wine | Various | Offers a wide selection of imported German beers and wines. |
World Market | West Ashley | Carries a range of international products and brands, including some German goods. |
Euro Foods Bakery & Cafe | West Ashley | A local shop offering a selection of German and European foods, including sausages, baked goods, and more. |
An annual German Christmas market with traditional food, drinks (including Glühwein), and holiday-themed gifts. A festive event for the German community
An annual German Christmas market with traditional food, drinks (including Glühwein), and holiday-themed gifts. A festive event for the German community
GACC South hosts a quarterly Stammtisch in Charleston for networking within the German-speaking community.
The CofC hosts a yearly German American Business Summit in February:
Working with a real estate agent is highly recommended when purchasing a home. Several German-speaking agents are available to guide you through the process. For more information, feel free to contact Silvia Waring.
Charleston Housing Market Overview
Property Tax Estimator:
https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/auditor/tax-estimator.php
German-Speaking Real Estate Agent in Charleston:
Silvia Waring
The Boulevard Company
charleston-property.com
Phone: +1 843-814-1866
WhatsApp: +49 160 2740 947
Website:
https://doulacarecharleston.com
Email:
Sabine.baker1@gmail.com
Phone:
+1 803-381-4571
Opening Hours:
Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm
Sat: 1pm–5pm
While flea markets are common in Germany, they can be difficult to find in the Charleston area. However, there are several second-hand stores and platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The latter is comparable to eBay Kleinanzeigen.
Driving in South Carolina can feel surprisingly different from Germany:
• In most US states including South Carolina, it is legal to turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. This is very different from Germany, where a specific green arrow sign is required for a legal right turn at a red light.
• There are no “Right before Left” rules. Instead, you’ll encounter many 4-way stops rather than traffic circles or yield signs.
• Don’t expect the “zipper principle” common in Germany: It’s not widely practiced. Most drivers stay in the main lane early and may even view late merging as impolite.
• Turn signals are often ignored, especially when changing lanes, which can feel unpredictable.
• Despite these differences, the driving style is more relaxed. Honking is rare and considered rude. Drivers often slow down in parking lots or casual settings for pedestrians – but not always reliably at crosswalks.
• Understanding these differences can make your transition smoother – and safer.
Before deciding for a housing location consider your way to work well. Traffic has become a real issue in the Charleston area. Most people commute to Charleston downtown from all directions in the morning (7am-9am) and back in the afternoon (4pm-6pm). During rush hour you can likely add at least half an hour to your daily commute. Tip: Before moving, check travel times with online maps during different times of the day to get an idea of the local traffic situation.
Hurricane season timeline is from June until November. Find more information in the links bellow:
Germany is about 4.6 times bigger than South Carolina. Charleston Downtown has about 155.000 inhabitants. The Charleston metropolitan area, consisting of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, has a population of about 800.000.
Usually between 1.5 – 2 hours, other than in Germany your server leaves the check automatically with you, if you’re not ordering anything else after your dinner and along with a polite “I am leaving this with you, take your time, no rush at all”. Depending on the restaurant they really mean it and you can stay as long as you wish to stay. At the beginning this might feel awkward to you, but you’ll enjoy the fact that you’re good to go and don’t have a longer wait time for your check as it can happen in Germany.
South Carolinians are extremely polite fellows. In grocery stores or restaurants, you’ll hear the phrase “Excuse me” a lot. People wait patiently to pass you until there is enough space or apologize kindly. You will notice this difference in your first days of arrival and who doesn’t enjoy an extra portion of friendliness and kindness?
In general, South Carolinians are patient. They wait in line, are always having time for a little chat with the cashier and even in traffic people tend to be more relaxed and drive slower than in Germany.
The information on this website is for general purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. It is not a substitute for professional consultation and should not be relied upon for significant decisions. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information, and any reliance is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website. It is recommended to consult with appropriate professionals before making decisions based on the information provided here.
