Hey locals..... (Columbia, Myrtle Beach, York: transplants, work, health)

[CPDL]

What do you really think about all the New Jersey transplants?
Be honest!!!
I hope to be a S.C. resident soon, I was just wondering what the consenus is.

[Chi2Midlands]

I am a transplant myself (from Chicago via Northern Virginia), and while I've only been here about 2 1/2 years, I think it's safe to say that Columbia has a healthy balance of welcoming transplants and a decent local culture. Transplants have not culturally overwhelmed the Midlands to provoke any sort of "backlash". The other thing is that Columbia attracts transplants from a wide variety of locations in the U.S., not just New Jersey or any other state/region. You will meet people originally from Ohio, Kentucky, New York (both near NYC & Upstate), Vermont, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, California, New Mexico, etc. There is a fairly strong contingent from Pennsylvania, especially Pittsburgh, but again, not in an overwhelming sense.

Now, other areas of SC like Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head are almost completely driven by transplants, and so the vibe is different, but I still don't think there's a backlash (it's a bit more like Florida in those areas in that there was not a huge, deep population base to begin with in those areas, and the locals were happy to develop the area and bring in "outsiders"). Of course there will always be some multi-generation South Carolinian lamenting some "Yankee invasion", but it really doesn't happen as often as some think.

Finally, this goes for any transplant - your level of happiness will be what you make of your situation. If you're looking for "Southern resentment" behind every tree, you will probably find it and be miserable about it. If, on the other hand, you have reasonable expectations (don't expect Dunkin Donuts and 7-11s on every corner, for example) and have a sense of perspective and respect, you will adjust just fine. Also, DO YOUR HOMEWORK when looking at a specific neighborhood or town - don't expect to be in middle-of-nowhere rural SC 30 miles from the interstate and expect Manhattan (or even Basking Ridge). Heck, don't expect Manhattan ANYWHERE in SC, and be mindful of your own personal living/lifestyle preferences and carefully plan accordingly.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Most people are polite and laid back around here. You will be treated as you treat others so your experience a good or bad experience but that's your choice ultimately.

[sandlapper]

Who cares, most people I know have family in the northeast anyway (NY, PA, NJ, etc..) including myself, so it's not that alien to meet someone from "up north" just don't expect Columbia, or SC for that matter to be like the northeast and most won't notice the difference or care, other than your accent. Infact I'm an Jersey native who grew up in SC, but my family is originally from SC so case in point.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by CPDL

What do you really think about all the New Jersey transplants?
Be honest!!!
I hope to be a S.C. resident soon, I was just wondering what the consenus is.

Richland County is like a northeastern county plopped down in SC so you should be fine. I'm a New Jersey native myself.