RP: visiting florence for relocation. what to see? (Columbia, Charleston: real estate, employment)

[pinkpocketbooks]

We're going to stop in Florence for the afternoon on our way from Charleston to Charlotte. My husband has a job opportunity there so we're weighing the pros and cons and considering relocation from Charlotte.

To be honest, I'm a little skeptical about Florence. The areas that I have seen seem run down and not appealing. I'm sure all of Florence isn't that way though, right? I want to go and see the good parts of it - the areas we might want to live and hang out in. What areas of Florence might make me see it from a different light (a good light)? Please name some areas. We're in our late 20's, no kids, do well financially, like to dine out and enjoy going to nice places occassionally. I love shopping and I'm afraid I'll really miss SouthPark Mall in Charlotte

Also, it would be nice to live in an area that would be a good commute to Columbia. I will have more work opportunities there probably - I'm in media/tv/advertising.

Thank you!

[Tommy1981]

If you like shopping I'm sure you'll want to check out Magnoila Mall. Its at the intersection of I-20 and I-95. If you're coming from Charlotte, you'll probably go through Columbia and come into Florence on I-20. Just stay on I-20 (bus) until it runs out. The mall will be on your left. This area is the main shopping district in Florence. You'll see all kinds of stores from the mall parking lot, and further down that road.

Maybe someone else can comment on the good neighborhoods there. Any information I could provide would be dated. Have you done any searches on Real Estate websites? I'm sure you could find some nice neighborhoods online.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by pinkpocketbooks

We're going to stop in Florence for the afternoon on our way from Charleston to Charlotte. My husband has a job opportunity there so we're weighing the pros and cons and considering relocation from Charlotte.

To be honest, I'm a little skeptical about Florence. The areas that I have seen seem run down and not appealing. I'm sure all of Florence isn't that way though, right? I want to go and see the good parts of it - the areas we might want to live and hang out in. What areas of Florence might make me see it from a different light (a good light)? Please name some areas. We're in our late 20's, no kids, do well financially, like to dine out and enjoy going to nice places occassionally. I love shopping and I'm afraid I'll really miss SouthPark Mall in Charlotte

Also, it would be nice to live in an area that would be a good commute to Columbia. I will have more work opportunities there probably - I'm in media/tv/advertising.

Thank you!

Hi, I went to college in Florence and lived there several years afterwards in the mid nineties. The time while I was there the city seem to start really growing to the west and south were most of the newer subdivision are.. There are also some real nice older neighborhoods along West Palmetto Street and on the west side of South Irby Street if you prefer "intown" living. I must admit that I did not particuliarly care for Florence though by south carolina standards it was emerging as a small city(i.e shopping, restaurants, minor league teams, various professional employment opportunities, an airport with commercial service) instead of being a big town like places such as Sumter, Greenwood, and Conway.

If you may commute to Columbia and Florence does not meet your fancy, and you want a location between Columbia and Florence you may want to consider Camden (nice small quaint town) about 20-30 minutes east of Columbia.. it is emerging as a bedroom community for Columbia and you may find it commutable to Columbia and to Florence. Another alternative though, it may be considered diametrically opposite of Florence by some, is Sumter. Though I would not favor Sumter over Florence, it has some of the basic necessities, it is larger than Camden, closer to Columbia than Florence while you can commute to both from Sumter. You will notice the "feel" is different between both cities... the small city -Florence feel versus big town-Sumter that exist between the to cities. Some may feel otherwise but there is a very distinct difference between the two though they are roughly the same size.