New in town: Jordan and Sandra Ehrman

Ages:

Jordan: 39
Sandra: 36

Status:

Married.

Current location:

Charleston, SC.

Moved from:

Türkiye.

Rent or own?

Rent.

What made you move to the area?

We have some friends here. Sandra’s sister lives in North Charleston. Our parents live in NH and FL. So this was kind of in between families.

Was this move planned or spontaneous?

We decided to leave Türkiye in February/March of this year. We didn’t have any idea that we would move to Charleston. After asking around and seeking some information online, this place pulled us in!

Did you know anyone in town before moving? Were you able to make new friends?

Besides the friends and family we already knew, we have been able to very quickly make some wonderful friends. It feels like we have known them our whole lives.

Cost of living here compared to your previous location:

Compared to Türkiye, the cost of living is more than double. Compared to our previous locations in NH and NY, this is pretty similar. Some things are cheaper (rent, gas, etc.) Some things are more expensive (that sales tax, though!).

Community and culture here compared to your previous location:

The culture is a very interesting blend here due to all of the weirdo northerners moving here like us. The locals who have been here for years, though, are more laid back and easy-going. We really like the familiarity of those who migrated from the north, but love meeting the people that have lived here for many years.

We like that Charleston has a lot of history and charm, which we also felt in New England.

Traffic situation:

The amount of traffic here is very similar to the amount of traffic we had living outside of Boston, MA. Generally the traffic is steady but not bad until rush hour. Due to the variety of driving styles converging into one location, though, the traffic here feels much more…let’s say daring. 🙂

Compared to Istanbul, Türkiye: Driving in Charleston is like taking a relaxing boat ride up the Wando.

One thing you wish someone had told you before moving:

That sales tax!

What/who would you bring from your old town?

Our dear friend in Türkiye who couldn’t leave due to her living situation. We wish we could share everything here with her. She loves to eat and she loves the beach, so she would love this area.

Do you call this place home?

We will soon call this place home. Right now, Amazon packages are arriving every day as we fill our apartment (unless they’re misdelivered — in which case, please let us know if you get one meant for us!). It’s hard to feel completely at home at the moment, but this is definitely a place we’ll be able to call home someday.

Favorite restaurants:

Tasty Thai & Sushi was amazing – very authentic. We have many places we want/NEED to go to. Some of the recommendations we are looking forward to the most is La Pizzeria, the Wreck, Opal Restaurant & Bar (maybe for our 10th anniversary this October!), and Porchetta Shop.

Hobbies:

Jordan enjoys writing and reading. Sandra can knit with the best of them.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

The Swiss Alps.

What do you do for a living?

We have a window cleaning business, Pane Relief Window Cleaning, and we have been in operation for 8 years.

We use traditional window cleaning methods (with a squeegee) to clean homes for the first time. For customers who want windows to stay clean throughout the year, a pure water system is used to brush and rinse the exterior of the windows every 3 months. We have both residential and commercial clients.

How did you get into the business?

Jordan’s parents owned a general cleaning business in Indiana as he was growing up. Later, Jordan and his brothers worked with pressure washing, floor cleaning, and window cleaning. When we were married in New York, Jordan started his own business and focused primarily on honing his window cleaning skills.

Sandra is a registered nurse but has transitioned into medical marketing. She’s is in charge of the marketing and branding of the company in addition to assisting in all aspects of the business both in the office and the field.

How are you getting folks to know your business?

While we are using online platforms, a big part of our business is referrals. Since window cleaning means working inside people’s homes and around their belongings, trust is essential. That’s why recommendations from friends and neighbors make such a big difference. We’re grateful for the wonderful customers we’ve had the chance to serve so far!

Do you expect to be busier in South Carolina?

The windows here get dirtier due to a combination of salt spray, humidity, year-round pollen, and frequent rain. The coastal environment can expose windows to a harsh mix of airborne particles that lead to mineral buildup, streaks, and mold growth. So, yes we do expect there to be a lot of work to do!

Quarterly window cleaning services make a lot of sense here. The cost for the customer is comparable to getting your windows cleaned twice a year, but the windows stay clean all year long.

Given your profession of improving the view, what’s your dream view?

Our dream view is from a home (with floor to ceiling windows) sitting atop a small cliff in the center of a cove where the water comes softly crashing into the white sandy beach below us. It would be similar to a place we loved to visit–Kaş, Türkiye.

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