Why do most people choose Spartanburg over Greenville? (Charleston, Mauldin: extended stay, hotels)

[sherri rc]

Originally Posted by Carolina_1690

^technically, its 6 colleges



I have to make a correction here about Spartanburg's history, because that sums it up in a very poor way. The city is rooted in way more than 3-4 families. In fact, Spartanburg was the larger of the two cities up until the 1950s. Where Spartanburg failed was as the textile industry collapsed, the city did not have the leadership in place to realize that it needed to look towards more diversification of its economy. However, Greenville did do that, and has managed to prosper because of its excellent leadership in the past (and present).

I think you should get over to Spartanburg and see what is happening downtown. Its really amazing to compare it to just 5 or 6 years ago. Its not at Greenville's level, so don't expect that. Infact I'd says its at least 10-15 years behind Greenville today. But its becoming something that is worthy of pride, and more people (and businesses) are taking interest in Spartanburg these days.

I also think that you shouldn't assume that everything you see on TV is how it is in real life. Thats just me though. I've lived in Spartanburg for a long time, and I've never felt unsafe. Just like any place you live, its all about the neighborhood.

Thanks Carolina_1690
I will also take a look at that area too. We will have alot to do when we get there with only 2 days. I wish we had more time, like a week or something. Is there anymore must see's as far as areas to live while we are there?

[southernlady5464]

Thanks to the University Center, how many cities have actually have have access to SEVEN colleges? And graduate level programs at that. Not JUST four. Liz

[happyfeet888]

I would also like to say that I think Spartanburg's downtown is nice. It is a popular place, and I think it was developed while keeping the small town flavor.

Also I would like to say that while Spartanburg's crime rate is high, that I believe that it depends on where you live. We do have some poor high crime areas, mainly in the city limits. However, I have lived here for 15 years, and in that time neither I or any member of my family has been a victim of a crime of any kind.

[pommom]

Originally Posted by skyhigh

Ok, maybe I should point out some things that y'all don't want to share.

Essentially, Spartanburg is a "needing to find out what I want to be" location right now. About a 15-20min drive from G'ville, Spartanburg's history is traced back to basically 3 or 4 families that owned the entire county. Not until BMW's headquarters arrive about decade ago, did some of that change start to occur.

Over the past 10yrs, S'burg has struggled to find its place as a location for "keepin' its roots" or "attact more economic stimulus". That fight will continue to hurt this so-called redevelopment project of downtown if it doesn't gets it act together. S'burg is a cheaper place to live by far, simply because there's not much there economically that would drive up taxes. Oh, and I don't want to point a finger, but just in the few years I've been here, its almost guaranteed that S'burg makes the local news about a shooting/robbery/police chase almost every night. Givent that G'ville has 2-3x the population, you would expect that to be the other way around.

In all, S'burg can be an option, IF you've done a lot of research about the comparables and determine that's where you HAVE to be. Not really sure anyone moving into the area from that far away with hardly any knowledge of the region "just happens" to move to S'burg without a dang good reason.

Good luck.

I agree that G'ville is economically more advanced than S'burg, but they both have alot to offer. You say you don't want to point a finger, but that's exactly what you've done. I also watch the news, & in my opinion, I'd say the news about a shooting/robbery/police chase is shared quite equally by both cities, which is to be expected, considering both cities (like all other cities across the U.S.) have "less than desirable" areas.

Then you suggest that people would only move to S'burg because 1) they HAVE to, or 2) they hardly have any knowledge of the region. Well, personally, I can say that neither one of those were the reason we decided on S'burg instead of G'ville. My husband worked here for over a year before we decided to move from the suburbs of Cincinnati (& I spent over half that time here with him) to S'burg, we spent alot of that time visiting & researching both cities. So we did not just "happen" to choose S'burg, or pick it because we "HAD" to. We truly fell in love with this city. For us, it was a personal choice. We liked that S'burg still has alot of the "small town charm", which we didn't feel as much in G'ville. The heavier traffic reminded us too much of Cincinnati (as did the higher taxes, higher home prices,higher gas prices, higher food prices at resturants, & even higher apartment rentals). We loved downtown G'ville, it reminded us both of Charleston & Savannah, but like those 2 cities, for us it was great to visit to shop & dine, but not to live in on a daily basis. Again, it was just a personal choice. S'burg was more laid back without as much "hustle & bustle" as G'ville, which we were ready for a slower, more relaxed way of life.

We've now been here for 11 months, and are getting ready to either build or buy a house (apt. living is not for us, we're definitly ready to get back in a house), and our decision still stands to stay in the S'burg area. We have once again searched thru most of G'ville's surrounding neighborhoods & still believe the best choice for us is around S'burg. We still & always will drive to G'ville for certain things & just to visit downtown, but our hearts & home will be in Spartanburg.

Skyhigh, I hope I have not offended you, that is not my intention. I really just wanted to let those thinking of moving here to the upstate that they really just need to keep in mind what they're looking for, what's important to them, & most importantly to visit several times if possible & research, research, research!!! We all have different wants & needs, some want lots of activities, packed night-life, busy every second of the day, while others want a slower pace, time to sleep in, relax & read a book, time to sit back & enjoy. Between these two wonderful cities, there's a place for everyone!!

[Carolina_1690]

pommom, I am glad to read your statements above. I'm glad that there's more people out there who have pride in Spartanburg and what it has to offer. Sometimes on this board you get the feeling that its Greenville, Greenville, Greeville, and Spartawhat? The Greenville people obviously have a lot of pride in their town, as they should. But like I said, I'm glad to see more Spartans with pride in their community. Its a great place to live. So for any others out there reading this, you should give each place a chance and take it for what it is, rather than what it isn't.

[Skyliner]

There is no question as to why Greenville residents have so much pride in our city. It is a unique and wonderful place to live - a remarkable example for other growing cities around the nation. As I said somewhere else on this forum, visiting Greenville in person is far better than the image we can convey in words and pictures. If nothing else, I encourage everyone interested in this region to check it out and take in a few attractions and events. You wouldn't regret it.

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by Carolina_1690

pommom, I am glad to read your statements above. I'm glad that there's more people out there who have pride in Spartanburg and what it has to offer. Sometimes on this board you get the feeling that its Greenville, Greenville, Greeville, and Spartawhat? The Greenville people obviously have a lot of pride in their town, as they should.

I think that statement says alot. People around the nation generally complain about their cities. When you find a city with proud people, you should look closer. People only have pride in a city when they have things to be proud of. Much pride tells me a place is on the ball.

[roadsscholar]

Originally Posted by sherri rc

Thanks Carolina_1690
I will also take a look at that area too. We will have alot to do when we get there with only 2 days. I wish we had more time, like a week or something. Is there anymore must see's as far as areas to live while we are there?

My suggestion is head over to Morgan Square in downtown Spartanburg and sit for a while. Here you'll get a good feel for what Spartanburg is all about right in the heart of the city. Just sitting in this place you'll see Spartanburg's past, present, and future. And allow your mind to see the possibilities.

[sojones]

Spartanburg is more culturally diverse and accepting than Greenville b/c the population fo blacks is so much higher

it's more liberal overall as well

def more college students / mid 20s crowd out there for date scene. It's more aesthetically inclined in my eyes

Greenville has more business but Spartanburg still ends up with more entertainment and is closer to Charlotte, NC which is a better city than both

[Skyliner]

Sojones that is not at all the truth. Show me where Spartanburg has more entertainment than Greenville. Your racial bias is clearly showing in your posts. As someone who lives and works in both Greenville and Spartanburg, I know each city very well and if Greenville is conservative then Spartanburg is ultra-conservative where the churches do dominate the entertainment scene. Let's not even get into the "cultural diversity" debate because a visit to either city would be enough to show Greenville's clear advantage. It isn't very hard to see the obvious acceptance of all cultures if you open your eyes and mind even slightly.