Sumter, SC (Columbia, Florence: home, neighborhood, school)

[Ceezer]

You don't have to tell me about the housing market. There are a half-dozen of them around me (in Dalzell) that have been sitting for sale for more than a year now. You'd think these houses would be ideal since we're 3 minutes from the 441 gate at Shaw. That kind of worries me because even if we stay in Sumter for 20 years, I don't know if I want to be in this house that long (I want some land). All these new build developments aren't much of a boost to my confidence, either...

What do you mean Walmart & Lowes stopped building? You mean the little strip mall things they started putting in these last several months? Have they brought those to a halt? What ever happened to the Home Depot that was supposed to open it's doors in Feb '08...?

The soccer championships should be fun. I don't know about the fields at Dillon Park but there's usually a couple groups of guys playing out there next to Shaw where the RC park and skate park is. If they could raise the interest in soccer amongst the young'ns, that might be good for the economy. At least for morale and welfare.

I find it easier to deal with the fact that there's not much for me to do around here when we can at least find something for our daughter to do. We went and found one of the new(er) water parks downtown last summer and I was real appreciative of it. They even have it set up nice so that it's not constantly running and wearing itself down. It's not in the best neighborhood (right up by Morris College) but the presentation of the park made us a little more comfortable. The recent work at Dillon Park (well, I guess it was 2 years ago...) has made it fun to be at, the ball fields over off Alice Dr are nice, Swan Lake is nice, and there are a few other niceties around that make family activities fun.

I wish we had a better calendar of events so that we're not always looking to run to Columbia for something to do. I also wish we could get another minor league/semi-pro sports team back in the area because that would raise my fun factor exponentally.

[Buckeye in SC]

[quote=Ceezer;4637343]Yeah, did you hear Carson Palmer running his mouth last week? What a goof...



Overall, maybe, but there were certainly lots of increases in our costs. Our apartment went from $375 to $875 for the same space, milk went from $3.50 to $5.50, chicken from $1.89/lb to $4.00, yearly car/tag renewal from $30 to $800.... etc

I don't mean to complain, it just kind of grits my nerves (a minor annoyance, really) when everyone talks about "how cheap" it is to live here. We are just as well of now as we were there, when we made less than half of what we do now. I guess it all balances out. [quote]

Yeah, I did hear Carson's comments, guess he doesn't realize that Ohioans care a heck of a lot more about the Buckeyes than the Bengals! Hopefully Tressel and company can make him eat his words. While I give SC & Clemson fans credit for the passion they have for their schools, it's nice to hear from other OSU fans in the area!

I guess the prices you are looking at we haven't run into, I just got milk yesterday actually at Walgreens here in Columbia for $3.79/gallon. Usually one or more of the grocery stores has chicken on sale every week, think I got boneless at Kroger the other day for $1.99/lb. Maybe there isn't as much choice in Sumter causing grocery prices to be a little higher there. Our house payment is not much more than your rent for a 3 BR/2 BA, 1500+ sq. ft. house built in 2001 less than 15 min. from downtown. I agree on the car tax/tag fee & rent though - part of the reason we bought a house was b/c rent seemed so much higher and you could get a house w/more space for basically the same price. But as I said previously, if you lived in a city in Ohio, you got hammered not only w/property tax, but city income tax. I agree, compared to the midwest, it really isn't any cheaper to live here, but compared to most parts of the country - northeast, Florida, southwest, west - it is a lot more reasonable.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Wow. Ceezer. You're really overpaying.

[ElliottW]

Which areas of Sumter are somewhat affordable and in good condition?
Also, how long does it take to drive from Sumter to the nearest beach?
Thanks.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by ElliottW

Also, how long does it take to drive from Sumter to the nearest beach?
Thanks.

Charleston's beaches probably about an hour and a half; Myrtle is about 2 hours from Sumter.

[Ceezer]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Wow. Ceezer. You're really overpaying.

I don't pay that anymore. We bought our house in '05, but prior to that we were staying at Companion Court apartments because my wife was being somewhat picky...

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

I don't pay that anymore. We bought our house in '05, but prior to that we were staying at Companion Court apartments because my wife was being somewhat picky...

Right on. Rents like that aren't the rule in Sumter. They're definitely the exception. But I get your point. Sumter isn't super inexpensive in every way. I've noticed that groceries are fairly high there.

[Woodlands]

This should continue to provide a boost not only to the downtown are but the Region as well. This location is across the street from the recently opened James E. Clyburn Transportation Center. This will definately provide a much need anchor for the revitalization of South Main Street in downtown Sumter.


The Item - South Carolina

[Ceezer]

That's great news. Too bad they're not adding a radiology program. I'm looking to make a career change from IT and it's going to suck having to drive all the way to the airport for the next 3-4 years.

What about that adult learning/continuing ed building they've been constructing on Main, down around Morris? Who does that belong to?

[Woodlands]

I believe that belongs to District 17. It may be replacing their facility downtown. Back when the City built the North HOPE Center (across the street) they acquired that site as well and worked out a deal with Schools for them to build a facility there to complete the "educational/recreation anchor" on that end of Main Street. If you been in the area awhile you will know that that area around the North Hope Center(intersection) was pretty rough, "Noons" Bar and lounge was up there and there were often fights and drug dealing occuring in that area and very poor housing on the North HOPE site. The City purchased and relocated the resident off of the North Hope Center site, built a park across the street and worked with I believe Tuomey to create that medical office in the old Aand P at Lafayette and North Main. The District 17 building is one more project in a long line of projects to improve that area. New homes were also built behind the Ford Dealership.

Part of the Plan that is still in the works is the expansion of Morris College out to North Main Street. City boosters have long though the actual entrance should be at College and Main with campus facilities extending along Main Street. It would be good for the School and also a nice front door on Main Street leading to downtown.