Artsy, liberal neighborhood in/near Greenville? (Columbia, Ridgeland: house, neighborhoods, university)

[Art123]

No, I don't mean Asheville.

My Buddhist girlfriend and my agnostic self are considering a move to the Greenville area because of a job opportunity there. We are Progressives who are extremely dismayed with the hypocrisy of the neo-conservative regime currently in power in Washington DC. Will we find any others like ourselves? Childless, creative, unmarried couples who don't believe in a Christian god? We love our dogs and are looking to either live near downtown, or perhaps the Paris Mt. area. We also would like to be near any trails and/or parks to walk the dogs. We are not fond of strict HOA's, or communities where every third house is exactly the same. Any suggestions? Are we insane to consider moving to the home of Bob Jones University? Will we be chastised as "sinners" and paraded through the streets on Sunday as "heathens?" We basically keep to ourselves but want to be able to make a few good friends/neighbors that we can relate to.

[tony123]

I'm not touching this one....

[waccamatt]

I think you'd be much happier in Asheville or Columbia, but that's just my opinion. Greenville is not known as the most liberal city in the world, but there may be some cool neighborhoods. I would check out the Mills Avenue area. I have some gay friends who were happy when they lived there and it is a pretty cool old neighborhood. It has been a few years since I've been to that part of Greenville, though.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by Art123

No, I don't mean Asheville.

My Buddhist girlfriend and my agnostic self are considering a move to the Greenville area because of a job opportunity there. We are Progressives who are extremely dismayed with the hypocrisy of the neo-conservative regime currently in power in Washington DC. Will we find any others like ourselves? Childless, creative, unmarried couples who don't believe in a Christian god? We love our dogs and are looking to either live near downtown, or perhaps the Paris Mt. area. We also would like to be near any trails and/or parks to walk the dogs. We are not fond of strict HOA's, or communities where every third house is exactly the same. Any suggestions? Are we insane to consider moving to the home of Bob Jones University? Will we be chastised as "sinners" and paraded through the streets on Sunday as "heathens?" We basically keep to ourselves but want to be able to make a few good friends/neighbors that we can relate to.

Hi Art123!

We welcome you to Greenville, South Carolina, a very culturally diverse and vibrant city with people of all beliefs and non-beliefs. While there are likely fewer people with your own personal beliefs in town, you will not be alone at all. What makes Greenville a special place to live is that it has so many various international cultures represented and is accepting of all groups, unlike many cities in the South. One of our local periodical publications you may enjoy is called The Beat.

The two areas you mentioned as possible communities to live in are great. Check out the charming West End village (a rapidly growing part of downtown), the sizable North Main area, and the beautiful Paris Mountain area, including Altamont Road and Montebello. You'll have more direct access to the vibrant cultural districts of downtown via walking/cycling if you live in the West End or North Main areas. Another consideration would be Ridgeland Drive next to Cleveland Park.

[g-man430]

We're conservative. Well, i'm not but you get the picture. We don't have any liberal areas except for maybe downtown. Sorry.

[brodave1916]

Originally Posted by Art123

No, I don't mean Asheville.

My Buddhist girlfriend and my agnostic self are considering a move to the Greenville area because of a job opportunity there. We are Progressives who are extremely dismayed with the hypocrisy of the neo-conservative regime currently in power in Washington DC. Will we find any others like ourselves? Childless, creative, unmarried couples who don't believe in a Christian god? We love our dogs and are looking to either live near downtown, or perhaps the Paris Mt. area. We also would like to be near any trails and/or parks to walk the dogs. We are not fond of strict HOA's, or communities where every third house is exactly the same. Any suggestions? Are we insane to consider moving to the home of Bob Jones University? Will we be chastised as "sinners" and paraded through the streets on Sunday as "heathens?" We basically keep to ourselves but want to be able to make a few good friends/neighbors that we can relate to.

You will find accepting people. You will find neighborhoods like you describe.

[g-man430]

^^You're a liar.

[RCfromGreenville]

Art123, I second the earlier opinions about North Main and the West End. The areas closest to downtown are, in general, the most liberal. In addition to the Beat, reach out through the local Drinking Liberally group (greenville@drinkingliberally.org) and the local Unitarian/Universalist congregation (GUUF | Home).

[gsupstate]

My partner and I (gay long term couple) have found Greenville to one of the most accepting cities in South Carolina. While no where liberal as Asheville, not many places are, other than say San Fran or Burlington.

Check out North Main, Overbrook, West End, and areas around Cleveland Park (where a dog park is located). You'll meet the kind of people you are looking for.

The best thing we find about best about Greenville is the accepting nature of people here. Old Greenvillians may be conservative, but Greenville has gone through incredible growth with many non US residents moving in (due to international business), the cycling scene evolving, etc, etc. Most people you now meet are not from here and most are open minded.

[p2y2r7o]

Originally Posted by g-man430

^^You're a liar.

No, you definitely WILL find accepting people. You can't speak for everyone, and you haven't met everyone in Greenville so don't assume everyone here is a conservative super-christian.

I'm agnostic, go to a church a couple times a year (maybe) and many of my friends are the same way. Speak for yourself.