If you live, visit, or even drive through the lovely city of Charleston, you’re aware of some of the problems drivers here deal with on a day-to-day basis. Sure, the traffic is something out of a bigger city, but there’s more to it than just that…

That’s why I compiled a list of my personal least favorite things about owning a car in Charleston.

1. Roads 17 and 61 are a Charlestonians nightmare

Are you in a hurry to get to work? Trying to make it to class on time? Well honey, forget about it because these roads will have you running on average 30 minutes to one hour behind schedule almost all of the time. Lucky me, I’m moving to West Ashley so I’ll have to figure out all the back roads in order to get literally anywhere other than West Ashley.

2. Other drivers make you cringe

Did no one here take a driver's test? Maybe there should be a law where everyone in Charleston has to retake their driver's test every five years because I’m certain that people here simply forgot basic rules of the road, like driving in a single lane instead of both at the same time. Not only that, but it should be common sense to use your blinker and not swerve through lanes. It should be, but it obviously isn’t.

3. Speaking of our roads…

I used to drive an Explorer, but that was probably the worst decision for a Charleston car because it could hardly fit on these streets which were apparently made for toy sized cars. Driving downtown is the most anxiety ridden experience because not only are there parked cars all around you, but the streets are so thin that moving one inch to the right will result in your car scraping another. Trust me, because someone did it to my brand new parked car on King Street. Thanks, pal.

4. Pedestrians to your left, pedestrians to your right

In Charleston, we don’t believe in crosswalks - no - we walk right in the middle of the streets. Maybe it’s all the bars, or maybe it’s our school loans, but we must not care if a car hits us because we willingly walk right in the way of traffic!

5. Construction, construction everywhere

Will Charleston ever be done with street construction? The answer is no. They have been working on the same street since I moved here, and I swear it’s only getting worse. The best part about it? You can hardly see the lines on the street so other drivers get confused and don’t know where to go. It’s like a guessing game, really. Bonus points if you come across a street that’s been closed off and have to navigate around the detour roads.

6. Then there’s this parking situation

Not only is there no parking to begin with, if you park even slightly in the wrong, you are ticketed. Usually, tickets range around $45, unless it’s just a meter problem, then it’s around $14.There are never any spots, so that’s a plus. Also, tow companies win the jackpot! Seriously, I’ve been towed twice and have had more tickets than I can count. You’re better off paying the $10 for a parking garage and saving yourself the stress.

7. If it rains? Well...

If you live downtown or have to drive through downtown in even the slightest bit of rain, you're simply out of luck. The roads flood almost instantly and it's impossible to get anywhere, especially if you're in a smaller car. It's best to just wait out the flood with a nice drink at that bar next door... or ten drinks.