Sumter, SC (Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach: sales, apartment, loan)

[Woodlands]

Poor Sumter, the City often gets a bad rap... some of which may be deserved. The City is reeling from decades of bad decisions and planning and poor decision making on the part of a selected few that benefited that selected few(i.e. voting out highways, restricting industry/ commerce) Now, I believe, the City leaders have seen the error of their forefathers and mother's ways but they may be playing a long game of catch up. I think one of the City's curses is its location...it is located within reasonable driving distances of Columbia, Charleston, Florence and Myrtle Beach.. therefore; if you can reach these places for most of your major shopping, airports, etc.. you may be less inclined to fight for some of these amenities and attractions locally...particuliarly.. .God Forbid.. you have to raise taxes to pay for some of them. This may contribute to the complacency among some of the previous powers that be and some residents not to push for any major changes, since the city has already has all of your basic amenities. Poor Schools and Racism? THis is a continuation of the "few for the few" philosophy though racism and economics are now very closely tied. From an economic perspective, most middle or upper income residents (both black and white) may find it easier to operate in small social circles locally.;..send their kids to private schools and shop/entertainment out of town as opposed to deal with some of school issues or the residual affects of racism... though now that may be changing. Both District 17 known by some as the "better" district may/will be merging with District 2. I do not know if this will improve the educational standing of the area, but atleast there is dialogue and thats a start.

[gentlearts]

Thanks for this thread. My kids are in Fayetteville, NC and Savannah, and we were thinking of relocating from Ohio to Sumter or Columbia, so we'd be close to both. I guess I'll rule out Sumter. Too bad, because the property values are reasonable and they make it look nice on the website.
I guess I'm more suited to the amenities of a big city anyway.

[Ceezer]

Gentlearts, here's what I can tell you about Sumter in regards to Fayetteville.

My wife grew up outside Lumberton, NC and tried to get me to get a job up in Fayetteville so we'd be close to her family. I talked to some of the guys on Shaw that had spent time both here and at Pope (my experiences were brief and limited) and they said Fayetteville is just like Sumter, only bigger.

If you're just looking for an 'in-between', I think you'll definitely enjoy yourself more in Columbia. There are a few of us Buckeyes around, too!

Actually, I95 runs from Fayettenam to Savannah so you may be interested in checking Florence out as an option. It sits right on 95, and in terms of size and things to do, it's probably a median between Sumter and Columbia.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

Gentlearts, here's what I can tell you about Sumter in regards to Fayetteville.

My wife grew up outside Lumberton, NC and tried to get me to get a job up in Fayetteville so we'd be close to her family. I talked to some of the guys on Shaw that had spent time both here and at Pope (my experiences were brief and limited) and they said Fayetteville is just like Sumter, only bigger.

If you're just looking for an 'in-between', I think you'll definitely enjoy yourself more in Columbia. There are a few of us Buckeyes around, too!

Actually, I95 runs from Fayettenam to Savannah so you may be interested in checking Florence out as an option. It sits right on 95, and in terms of size and things to do, it's probably a median between Sumter and Columbia.

I think Fayetteville is pretty awful. I'll check out Florence.

[Woodlands]

Here is a great example of hopefully more forward thinking ideas to grace our State and the City of Sumter. The City has been working for the past five years to build an intermodal transportation center that would co locate the city, regional, and greyhound bus service in a first class facility in the downtown area. The building will also house the adminstrative offices for the transit provider, retail space, and restores an historic building. Passengers will be able to wait in a staffed enclosed waiting facilty that is secure and comfortable. Plans also call for a branch of the local tech college to open just across the street. With gas at $4 a gallon these types of facilities may be a welcome addition to many cities.

The Item - South Carolina

[Ceezer]

For most of our residence here in Sumter, the wife and I have talked about getting out. I really wanted to get up around Greenville - back towards the mountains - or at least up around Blythewood. Two days ago she mentioned, in passing, "You know, we could have a pretty good life if we stayed in Sumter". I didn't have a response because I was taken off-guard. I never expected her to say that.

My daughter and I have been using the hell out of the new library downtown. I like to read and I like to encourage her to read but with the increases in the cost of living lately it's hard to swing by Books-A-Million or Barnes & Noble as frequently as I used to. But the facility they built downtown is very nice. I hated the old library. I love this one.

I have to say, if they continue forward with the progressive development... I might just be content here. It's still not the mountains, but I might be able to make do with weekend visits. And it's going to take a lot more work to convince me that this is where I want to be. They're off to a good start and look to have the desire and ambition to do what is needed to keep the residents here, but there's still a long road ahead of them.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

For most of our residence here in Sumter, the wife and I have talked about getting out. I really wanted to get up around Greenville - back towards the mountains - or at least up around Blythewood. Two days ago she mentioned, in passing, "You know, we could have a pretty good life if we stayed in Sumter". I didn't have a response because I was taken off-guard. I never expected her to say that.

My daughter and I have been using the hell out of the new library downtown. I like to read and I like to encourage her to read but with the increases in the cost of living lately it's hard to swing by Books-A-Million or Barnes & Noble as frequently as I used to. But the facility they built downtown is very nice. I hated the old library. I love this one.

I have to say, if they continue forward with the progressive development... I might just be content here. It's still not the mountains, but I might be able to make do with weekend visits. And it's going to take a lot more work to convince me that this is where I want to be. They're off to a good start and look to have the desire and ambition to do what is needed to keep the residents here, but there's still a long road ahead of them.

Interesting. As someone born and raised in Sumter, I'd love to see them continue to try to improve the place, and for locals to do more to support local business. If Sumter could land some industry, it might have a shot. It is trying.

[Woodlands]

I thought read in The Item that there was talk of building a new Government Center next to the Chamber of Commerce. It was to house the Courts and various other County offices and be built in the expansive parking lot at Harvin and Calhoun. It would be nice to see a nicely designed government center in that location that could add to the urban form of downtown Sumter, the Library and similiar developments in the area. At one time, that site was being kicked around by the City as a possible location for a downtown apt building in an effort to bring more bodies downtown to support a growing retail base.. but I do not think it gained any traction and a site over on Main Street I believe is now being considered. Once CCTC get its Tech Center opened on South Main there may also be more demand for downtown housing as well.

[Woodlands]

I may be off my rocker on this one.. but I will throw it out there... I would love for the powers that be to explore if Sumter could support a new arena/convention center. This appears to be one of the missing ingredients from moving Sumter from "big town" to City status. If a facility could be built that could accomodate small sporting events, a minor league something or other, and the space could double as a convention and conference center for the City, I think it would be a real boost for the area. Granted, it would not be as large or need to compete with Columbia, but it could give Florence or Spartanburg a run for small conferences. The ideal location could be the block bound by Bartlette, S. Main, Harvin, and the Railroad just before the Manning Ave Bridge. Other than the bank and a small engine shop most of that area is vacant. Parking could be accomodated possibly through a small a onsite garage.. on the site of the old Sumter Electric building or sharing parking at adjoining facilities (i.e. CCTC Technology Center and the Transportation Center). It would also provide a solid anchor for the south end of Main Street and a boon for downtown businesses. Of Course, you would need a small hotel to accompany project. A facility somewhere on the block of the CCTC Tech Site that can be intergrated into that development may work. Just some thoughts, I would be curious to know what others in Sumter think.....

[Ceezer]

Well I would certainly support conference events that interested me and any sports teams. I was crushed a few years ago when I learned that Riley Park used to house a minor league team.