columbia vs greenville vs florence (Sumter, Myrtle Beach: sales, low crime, homes)

[4dogs4me]

Of these three areas, which is the nicest? Of course everyone has their own opinions, but as far as; less humidity (if any difference actually exists), better high school, low crime, warmer/mild winter. Which area (& surounding area within ~20 min commute) would be a better place to live. My husband's company has three branches is those areas. [Shop road, Columbia; West Lucas Street, Florence; Pelham Road, Greenville. ] I look forward to reading your opinions. Thanks

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by 4dogs4me

Of these three areas, which is the nicest? Of course everyone has their own opinions, but as far as; less humidity (if any difference actually exists), better high school, low crime, warmer/mild winter. Which area (& surounding area within ~20 min commute) would be a better place to live. My husband's company has three branches is those areas. [Shop road, Columbia; West Lucas Street, Florence; Pelham Road, Greenville. ] I look forward to reading your opinions. Thanks

Being that you are posting this in the Cola forum, are you leaning towards here? As somebody who moved here from a different state, I've enjoyed it for the most part.

As for your questions: least humidity will be in Greenville, but not by a whole lot, Columbia & Florence are similar weather wise. Greenville will get a little more winter weather and cooler temps. than us though.

Better high schools is always going to be a matter of opinion, I think there were a couple in the Columbia metro that have ranked quite well in national surveys (AC Flora might have been one?), no kids for us yet, so that's not too much of a concern, however, my wife is a teacher in Richland 2, and they have some pretty good schools for the area (AC Flora is in Richland 1).

I know very little about Greenville or Florence though, so I can only speak on those issues as far as comparisons. The only other thing I can say is Greenville tends to be a lot more conservative than here, it's about as liberal as a city in SC can be here.

[Ceezer]

Well, of the three Florence is the odd man out. It's much smaller in size than Greenville or Columbia; almost an in-between of Columbia and Sumter.

To me, I think Greenville is the nicest, but I grew up in the mountains of WV/hills of SE Ohio so I miss them. Yes, I can get there in less than 2 hours, but it would be nice to be able to look out at them any time I wanted. Plus I like the layout of the downtown area, with Main Street, Falls Park, etc. I just feel more 'at home' there.

I think Greenville is going to be the less humid. I don't know statistics, but I would guess that Greenville probably has the lowest crime rate. But I would also guess it's probably increasing at a higher rate than the other two cities, considering it's smack dab between Charlotte & Atlanta on 85.

Florence is going to have less to offer than the two larger cities (they have an indoor football team, a nice circle track (non-NASCAR), Darlington Speedway, among other things) but it's probably the cheapest to live in and the easiest to get around in. If you wanted to spend a day in Columbia for more selection of things to do/see, you're only an hour away. If you want to hit the beach you're only about an hour away.

Shop Road is a good location in Columbia because you could live in the Eastern Cola/Lower Richland area where homes are still fairly reasonable, be 15-20 minutes from downtown, and 5-10 minutes to your husband's job. Where Greenville gives you mountains and Florence puts you closer to the ocean, Columbia is about 2 hours from each so it makes seeing either a not-so-tough option. Columbia is probably also going to have the warmest/mildest winter.

All 3 cities geographic location make traveling easy. Florence sits on the intersection of I95 & I20. Greenville sits right off I85. Columbia is nestled in between I20, I26 & I77.

Each city offers different opportunities and positives/negatives. Anything more specific you're looking for?

[Tommy1981]

I lived in Greenville for 3 years, I've been in Columbia (Lexington) for the last 2, and my Grandmother lives in Marion (Near Florence). Of the 3, I'd agree with Ceezer that Florence is not on the same level. There are plenty of other posts with comparisons and information on this topic.

Personally I prefer the Greenville Area. I prefer the events and culture (nightlife, concerts, etc) of Downtown Greenville to Columbia (again Florence doesn't really register on the scale). Most people are very impressed with the businesses, parks, venues and events that Greenville has to offer. There's a baseball park downtown, a Theater for Performing Arts, very nice Reedy Falls Park (the bridge in this park is like the visual mascot for the city), and tons of nice shops and restaurants. Columbia has some of that stuff, but its mixed all together with all the Government Buildings. Greenville's Downtown is a single strip down Main Street. Columbia has 2-3 major "night life" areas, that are all spread out.

Shopping is easier in Greenville than Columbia. There's a single mall now (Haywood Rd) with a fair amount of shopping in and around it. There's also another Shopping district on Woodruff Rd about 2 miles down on 385 with several major strip mall type areas. Columbia's shopping is divided between 2 major malls (Columbiana in Irmo and Columbia Centre in NE) with several other shopping areas in Lexington, Forest Acres, Villages at Sandhills... Alot of stores have bulidings in several locations, but some things are in one of the areas (for example Macy's is in Columbia Centre but not in Columbiana). In general it takes longer to get around town in Columbia than Greenville. Columbia has traffic problems like a city twice or 3 times its size. Greenville has some congestion in some areas during rush hour, but nothing like Columbia.

The weather of all 3 are going to be relatively similar, but Greenville would be a tad cooler most of the time. In the Winter, Greenville is much more likely to get snow should a winter storm come than Columbia or Florence. Not that Greenville gets that much snow, but it seems the Rain/Snow line is often right around I-85. Greenville probably gets 1-2 snow/ice events a year while Columbia and Florence probably average 1 event every 2-3 years.

I'd vote for Greenville, but Columbia obiviously isn't so bad or I wouldn't be here. If you're not looking for a smaller town, stay away from Florence.

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by Tommy1981

I lived in Greenville for 3 years, I've been in Columbia (Lexington) for the last 2, and my Grandmother lives in Marion (Near Florence). Of the 3, I'd agree with Ceezer that Florence is not on the same level. There are plenty of other posts with comparisons and information on this topic.

Personally I prefer the Greenville Area. I prefer the events and culture (nightlife, concerts, etc) of Downtown Greenville to Columbia (again Florence doesn't really register on the scale). Most people are very impressed with the businesses, parks, venues and events that Greenville has to offer. There's a baseball park downtown, a Theater for Performing Arts, very nice Reedy Falls Park (the bridge in this park is like the visual mascot for the city), and tons of nice shops and restaurants. Columbia has some of that stuff, but its mixed all together with all the Government Buildings. Greenville's Downtown is a single strip down Main Street. Columbia has 2-3 major "night life" areas, that are all spread out.

Shopping is easier in Greenville than Columbia. There's a single mall now (Haywood Rd) with a fair amount of shopping in and around it. There's also another Shopping district on Woodruff Rd about 2 miles down on 385 with several major strip mall type areas. Columbia's shopping is divided between 2 major malls (Columbiana in Irmo and Columbia Centre in NE) with several other shopping areas in Lexington, Forest Acres, Villages at Sandhills... Alot of stores have bulidings in several locations, but some things are in one of the areas (for example Macy's is in Columbia Centre but not in Columbiana). In general it takes longer to get around town in Columbia than Greenville. Columbia has traffic problems like a city twice or 3 times its size. Greenville has some congestion in some areas during rush hour, but nothing like Columbia.

The weather of all 3 are going to be relatively similar, but Greenville would be a tad cooler most of the time. In the Winter, Greenville is much more likely to get snow should a winter storm come than Columbia or Florence. Not that Greenville gets that much snow, but it seems the Rain/Snow line is often right around I-85. Greenville probably gets 1-2 snow/ice events a year while Columbia and Florence probably average 1 event every 2-3 years.

I'd vote for Greenville, but Columbia obiviously isn't so bad or I wouldn't be here. If you're not looking for a smaller town, stay away from Florence.

I wouldn't necessarily say that Greenville has only one mall. It only has one traditional inside mall, but The Shops at Greenridge, and Cherrydale Point, amongst others are considered malls in there own right. Just not indoor malls. Also the upcoming Magnolia Park Town Centre will be unlike anything in the state once its finished. There is shopping on Laurens Rd, Pelham Rd., and up and down Augusta Rd. just to name very little that is in Greenville. Your post is on the money pretty much though. Just clarifying for visitors and newcomers.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by 4dogs4me

Of these three areas, which is the nicest? Of course everyone has their own opinions, but as far as; less humidity (if any difference actually exists), better high school, low crime, warmer/mild winter. Which area (& surounding area within ~20 min commute) would be a better place to live. My husband's company has three branches is those areas. [Shop road, Columbia; West Lucas Street, Florence; Pelham Road, Greenville. ] I look forward to reading your opinions. Thanks

Columbia is the largest of the 3 and is a college/white collar type of town. Greenville is the 2nd largest and more of the jobs there would be in manufacturing. Florence is much smaller than the other two, but is the hub of its region, the Pee Dee.You can find good high schools in all 3 areas, but you'll have more options in Columbia and Greenville. The weather in Columbia and Florence is nearly identical and the humidity is about the same in all three. I posted a national humidity link for cities nationwide. I'll look for the link. The average temperatures in Greenville will be 2-3 degrees cooler throughout the year. I'd visit all 3 areas and see for yourself. In Greenville make sure you spend time on Main Street and Augusta Road and in Columbia spend time in the Vista, Five Points and the Devine Street corridor. Florence does not have comparable areas.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Greenville or Columbia, there isn't a huge difference b/n the 2. Florence is out.

[SCGamecock]

I would not consider Florence if Columbia and Greenville are options. The only advantage for Florence is that it is closer to Myrtle Beach. There is little to do in Florence and I have to disagree that it is cheaper than Columbia. Florence has a 10% sales tax on your restaurant bill, a 2% sales tax on groceries, and an 8% sales tax on everything else except automobiles. Florence also imposes a $30 annual road tax on your automobile property tax bill.

If your husband's company were to close a branch due to the poor economy, the Florence location would probably be the one to get the axe.

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

Columbia is the largest of the 3 and is a college/white collar type of town. Greenville is the 2nd largest and more of the jobs there would be in manufacturing. Florence is much smaller than the other two, but is the hub of its region, the Pee Dee.You can find good high schools in all 3 areas, but you'll have more options in Columbia and Greenville. The weather in Columbia and Florence is nearly identical and the humidity is about the same in all three. I posted a national humidity link for cities nationwide. I'll look for the link. The average temperatures in Greenville will be 2-3 degrees cooler throughout the year. I'd visit all 3 areas and see for yourself. In Greenville make sure you spend time on Main Street and Augusta Road and in Columbia spend time in the Vista, Five Points and the Devine Street corridor. Florence does not have comparable areas.

Columbia being larger than Greenville is debatable if you dissect the data. Greenville also has some chains that aren't in Columbia. ex: Costco, Whole Foods, PF Changs etc. Greenville may be drawn smaller lines by bureacrats, but seeing is believing. Greenville city proper is only 26.1 miles squared, but the surrounding area is heavy in population. Greenville is truly a larger area.

[g-man430]

Visit all the areas OP and see which one you like the most. Columbia and Greenville are bigger than Florence.