Help!! Married Liberal New Yorkers Thinking Of Moving to Greenville!! (low crime, find a job)

[JViello]

Originally Posted by moniker619

Hello,

My husband and I are thinking of moving to Greenville sometime in late summer. We currently live in New York, New York and as much as it pains us to leave the city that we love, we are looking forward to having a children and neither of us has any interest in living in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment with a baby and our two cats. Greenville is an option high on our list for a number of reasons. My parents have lived there for a number of years and we have visited often, and liked most of what we saw (we were also married there). For job reasons, Greenville also is a good fit as my husband is a graphic designer and there aren't too many cities in the south that offer good opportunities for this field. I am an elementary teacher and so I can most likely find a job relatively easily.

We do have our concerns though. I was raised in Washington D.C. by very liberal parents, who were in some way or another involved in Democratic politics for most of my life. My husband, although less liberal than myself, is still fairly liberal. I have read some of these boards, and while the experiences all vary, we have read some accounts that paint Greenville as a very narrow minded city, while others have hailed it as a city full of diversity and we don't know what to think. We also are non-religious liberals that are so respecting of other's opinions and just want assurance that we will find the same in Greenville towards us.

We were wondering if there was any advice from youngish (late 20's, early 30's) people that moved there from relatively diverse and much larger cities than Greenville, such as NYC, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, or Boston. Anyone else with helpful advice, we would love to hear it as well!

Thanks so much!!

I'm confused. You first call anyone not being a liberal progressive "narrow minded" and then say you are respecting of others opinions. Which is it?

When you can answer that, perhaps you will be on your way to truely being "respecting of other's opinions" including conservative and religous people.

I have no problem with dems, what I personally have a problem with is the progressive far left. JFK would be considered a "raging right winger" these days.

I'm from CT, and most likely moving to Greenville FOR conservative and faith based principles that help make the area affordable, clean and more family oriented. The mess the "libs" have made of my home state makes me want to spit...oh it's fine if you are "poor" (You get more state funding than you can imagine) or "rich"...but no room for the middle class working family here. You'll see lots of "anti" bumper stickers around though!

[Art123]

Originally Posted by JViello

I'm confused. You first call anyone not being a liberal progressive "narrow minded" and then say you are respecting of others opinions. Which is it?

moniker619,

This person is easily "confused." Obviously you said nothing of the sort. There are some people who spend their days arguing on this and other forums, and they can't be helped. Usually I don't feed these trolls, but this misrepresentation of your words is silly.

Fortunately he doesn't live here yet.

But in response to what you actually said:

Originally Posted by moniker619

I have read some of these boards, and while the experiences all vary, we have read some accounts that paint Greenville as a very narrow minded city, while others have hailed it as a city full of diversity and we don't know what to think.

The answer is somewhere in the middle. I imagine some liberals get frustrated that the vote here almost always goes conservative. They may lash out and label the whole place as "narrow-minded," something that is obviously untrue. There are a good number of people here who get all their answers from one source, and are unrelenting in their confidence in that source, but they have really very little baring on my life here, if any at all. There is also a certain element of people that do not want any Liberals moving here, corrupting their children and way of life. You will hear from a few of them on this forum as well.

I have met liberal Christians and conservative atheists here. It is obviously not as culturally diverse as NYC, but there is a surprising amount for being so deep in the South. It is also fairly racially segregated here in terms of neighborhoods - a nod to the South's history - but you'll find that in a lot of places, north and south.

But the genuine friendliness of the people really does seem to bind everyone for the most part. Most everyone is open, talkative and looks you in the eye when they speak. But Greenville is not for everyone. While researching houses before we got here, I came across a few people that were leaving based on the perceived "narrow-mindedness" of the place. One was a couple about your age who was also having financial problems. The other was a gay couple who said one of them was fired shortly after being outed as gay. Both couples were selling their houses so that they could "get out" of Greenville.

About 42,000 people just voted in the Democratic primary here in Greenville County, while about 54,000 voted in the Republican one.

Like I said before, the neighborhoods nearest downtown Greenville may be your best bet. The taxes are a little higher, but seem to be spent very well. This area is cleaner, more diverse, is on the upswing, and has more cultural activity than the surrounding areas, IMO. We have a lot of good restaurants, some really good live music (we are going to a show tonight) including an orchestra and of course a wonderful little downtown.

[janrey]

I'm more inclined to say the Eastside developments are best if you plan on raising a family. Lots of Northern transplants. While I'm a bit older than your demograph, I moved here in 91 from the suburbs of Boston. While not a liberal I'm not a conservative either. I call myself independent but really I'm a non-political and non-religious. Basically, just don't discuss politics and religion, don't let anyone get you upset over their opinions when they differ from yours and you'll do fine. You say your parents live here and they like it no? So if they are more political then you I'd say you'd be ok.

As to voting, yes they voted Huckabee but they also voted Obama...clear opposites ;-P

[gsupstate]

As half of a gay couple, Art's post above intrigued me....the gay man fired for being out. I'm sure it happened, though not becuase they were in Greenville. This happens to gays in places throughout the US. It only takes one homophobic boss......

My partner and I have greatly enjoyed Greenville since we moved here. We are both liberals with a slight libertarian slant. We have met extremely nice, honest, open minded people from all walks of life. We have no trouble living our life to the fullest....no one impedes or stops us from enjoying our life. We have lived in much larger cities throughout the US (a couple in the Northeast) and are happier in Greenville than we have ever been.

The average Greenvillian, we have found, is eager to learn and open to ideas. We have made friends with many other liberals (obviously) but also many conservatives, and found a great exchange of ideas.

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by janrey

I'm more inclined to say the Eastside developments are best if you plan on raising a family. Lots of Northern transplants. While I'm a bit older than your demograph, I moved here in 91 from the suburbs of Boston. While not a liberal I'm not a conservative either. I call myself independent but really I'm a non-political and non-religious. Basically, just don't discuss politics and religion, don't let anyone get you upset over their opinions when they differ from yours and you'll do fine. You say your parents live here and they like it no? So if they are more political then you I'd say you'd be ok.

As to voting, yes they voted Huckabee but they also voted Obama...clear opposites ;-P

Yes, the white population voted for Huckabee, and the black population voted for Obama. I'm not knocking any of them - just saying it was very predictable. Greenville is a great place, I love it, but it is a Republican stronghold, and people should know that if that want to move there. It's a very religious and conservative town. That should not put anyone off from moving there - just saying that the white population are very churchgoing and Republican. I periodically attend church, so I'm not knocking religion.

[drewls]

Religious, yes, but Huckabee ain't no conservative. He did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night though.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Art123

moniker619,

This person is easily "confused." Obviously you said nothing of the sort. There are some people who spend their days arguing on this and other forums, and they can't be helped. Usually I don't feed these trolls, but this misrepresentation of your words is silly.

Fortunately he doesn't live here yet.

No no, not confused at all. Here are the actual words AS TYPED. I know you MIGHT have a problem believing what "is" is, but stay with me here...

some accounts that paint Greenville as a very narrow minded city, while others have hailed it as a city full of diversity and we don't know what to think. We also are non-religious liberals that are so respecting of other's opinions

So how can you paint someone "narrow minded" and then say you are "respecting of other's opinions"?

It's double speak, and what social progressives do all the time.

What it really means is, we will only tollerate what we want up to a point and when it's something we don't like we label it "narrow minded".

I'm a very very forgiving, loving individual. Catch and release type instead of stomp and squish. But I'm also conservative and "religous." (Christian) who doesn't believe in larger government, nor higher taxes, I don't believe in gay marriage, I DO believe abortion is murder, I WILL teach my kids it's okay to WAIT and to be RESPECTFUL of others even when they don't agree with them and if anyone wishes to live opposite to my views they have a right to just like I do but I don't have to "like it" nor "accept it"...I guess that makes me an unenlightened, knuckle dragging, narrow minded neanderthal.

(That has got to be the longest run on sentence I've ever written. LOL)

What do you think would happen if someone went to the NY forum and wrote "Help, conservative Christian couple moving to NYC not wanting to be over run by the heathen liberals we've heard about even though we are VEEEERY respectful of others views"

Right.

P.S. Don't worry baby, I'm comin down around Feb 22nd the with my bible in hand! I'll try to not scare you too much.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by gsupstate

As half of a gay couple, Art's post above intrigued me....the gay man fired for being out. I'm sure it happened, though not becuase they were in Greenville. This happens to gays in places throughout the US. It only takes one homophobic boss......

My partner and I have greatly enjoyed Greenville since we moved here. We are both liberals with a slight libertarian slant. We have met extremely nice, honest, open minded people from all walks of life. We have no trouble living our life to the fullest....no one impedes or stops us from enjoying our life. We have lived in much larger cities throughout the US (a couple in the Northeast) and are happier in Greenville than we have ever been.

The average Greenvillian, we have found, is eager to learn and open to ideas. We have made friends with many other liberals (obviously) but also many conservatives, and found a great exchange of ideas.

So, ah, am I "narrow minded" because I don't believe in gay marriage and while respectful of ones private choice can't personally "condone" the gay lifestyle?

Just curious.

P.S. I don't believe firing someone because they live a gay life is right, just for the record.

[anonymous]

I would caution the OP to not assume that Democrats in SC are liberal in the same way that Democrats in New York are liberal.

[Art123]

Originally Posted by JViello

Here are the actual words AS TYPED. I know you MIGHT have a problem believing what "is" is, but stay with me here...
quote: some accounts that paint Greenville as a very narrow minded city, while others have hailed it as a city full of diversity and we don't know what to think. We also are non-religious liberals that are so respecting of other's opinions

People write and think in complete sentences for a reason. Here is the actual complete sentence AS WRITTEN. Stay with me here ...

Originally Posted by moniker619

I have read some of these boards, and while the experiences all vary, we have read some accounts that paint Greenville as a very narrow minded city, while others have hailed it as a city full of diversity and we don't know what to think. We also are non-religious liberals that are so respecting of other's opinions and just want assurance that we will find the same in Greenville towards us.

They have heard two seemingly conflicting versions of the people of Greenville and are asking which version is true. There were no accusations, or "painting" anybody anything, merely reporting what they have heard. You inferred things that were not said because of your narrow, pre-conceived notions of what liberals stand for.

Originally Posted by JViello

I'm confused.

Originally Posted by JViello

No no, not confused at all.

Which is it? Cause now I'm confused.

I am now done feeding today's troll. Either answer their questions (which inadvertently you may have done), or take it to the politics forum.