Can I hear more about suburban areas/counties outside of Greenville? (video, love)

[KevinInPickens]

If you are looking for a small town with easy access to Greenville, then you will love Pickens. We live in Pickens and the ease of getting groceries or going to one the "mom and pop" restaurants for dinner is great. When we want to go to the mall or to busy downtown life, we are just 25 minutes from downtown Greenville.

[guestposter24]

Never been there but Pelzer has 97 people so I think it's probably pretty country. If that's not big enough West Pelzer has 879. lol.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by KevinInPickens

If you are looking for a small town with easy access to Greenville, then you will love Pickens. We live in Pickens and the ease of getting groceries or going to one the "mom and pop" restaurants for dinner is great. When we want to go to the mall or to busy downtown life, we are just 25 minutes from downtown Greenville.

I have always wanted to visit "Michael's on Main," but have never been there yet. Is it everything I imagine in a great small town diner/restaurant? Something about the exterior brings back memories of one of my favorite small town restaurants in charming Archbold, Ohio, called, "Home Restaurant."

[southerngentleman]

There are several really cute little towns around the area, that I have really enjoyed exploring. Abbyville is very nice it is not too far away from greenville and is close to Anderson also. There is an opra house that has events still and a beautiful town square with great little shops. Laurans also is a really neat little town with a town square that still has commerce.Outside Clemson there is a nice little town too,but I can't remember the name!

[KevinInPickens]

Michael's on Main is good. My daughter use to work there. Good food, great portions for the money. Another good spot is Auntie Anne's off of hwy183. But bring cash, because they don't take mc/visa.

[OconeeMountains]

The town of Walhalla in Oconee County also provides a small town feel and is quite quaint. Its about 45 minutes from Greenville and is literally at the base of the Blue Ridge. It is also right next to Lake Keowee. They have some good homestyle restaurants and the people there are great. Westminster is also a quaint little town in Oconee County within 45 minutes of Greenville - though a bit smaller than Walhalla. It is also in a great location, near the lakes, the mountains and scenic rivers. The surrounding area (Oconee County generally) is very rural, rugged, and quite beauftiful. There are many pastoral farming landscapes in the rolling green hills that characterize the area. Enjoy taking time to look at the variety of communities mentioned - they all add to the overall charm of this great area.

[ckeegan]

Then funny thing is that you can drive 7 minutes north or south of Woodruff Road and be surrounded by farms. It won't be that way forever, but it's nice for now.

Kerry, you will have no problem finding a small town atmosphere, while still having convenience to downtown Greenville (20 minutes or less).

[normie]

Originally Posted by OconeeMountains

The town of Walhalla in Oconee County also provides a small town feel and is quite quaint. Its about 45 minutes from Greenville and is literally at the base of the Blue Ridge. It is also right next to Lake Keowee. They have some good homestyle restaurants and the people there are great. Westminster is also a quaint little town in Oconee County within 45 minutes of Greenville - though a bit smaller than Walhalla. It is also in a great location, near the lakes, the mountains and scenic rivers. The surrounding area (Oconee County generally) is very rural, rugged, and quite beauftiful. There are many pastoral farming landscapes in the rolling green hills that characterize the area. Enjoy taking time to look at the variety of communities mentioned - they all add to the overall charm of this great area.

I'd love to hear more details about Walhalla, sounds like it has everything. Do you have any photos?

[OconeeMountains]

I don't have many pictures of Walhalla myself, but please browse the photos in the City-Data 'Walhalla, SC' page (Walhalla, South Carolina (SC) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders) and visit the website Oconee County SC Information and Activities which provides more information about the area and has some pictures of the town and area. In terms of what you can expect by the looks of the town, you will see everything there from beautiful historic homes to mobile homes on side streets. It is a real mix. The main street also has historic commercial buildings. Like many small towns in this modern age, the main street has suffered some from the Wal-Mart and big box stores 10 minutes away. That said, there are some great small businesses and restaurants that remain on main street. As the county seat, the County Courthouse is located there as are many of the county offices. The main street of the town literally turns into Hwy. 28 which quickly ascends up the Blue Ridge as you exit town going west. Walhalla, in fact, operates facilities for 'Issaqueena Falls' (a great waterfall) and 'Stumphouse Tunnel' (a historic unfinished tunnel) right up Hwy. 28 that is worth a visit from anyone in Upstate SC. Lake Keowee is due east of Walhalla no more than 10 minutes away.
In sum, it is a very unique area. It does offer a lot if you are looking for a small town atmosphere in rural surroundings within a 45 min. drive of a large (and great!) big city in Greenville. Other towns in the area, like Pickens, are similar to Walhalla in that they are defined by the kind people and small town feel. Things move slower and they are certainly not resort towns (not 'polished' or contrived in any way) - they are the type of places to live simply, amongst great folks, in beautiful country. They are not perfect places, but may suit one well who seeks a slower paced life in such a locale.

[Skyliner]

Here is a video from the Walhalla Christmas parade last year.


This is a video from the well-known Oktoberfest. Walhalla was originally settled as a German hermitage, so the roots go back quite awhile.


Issaqueena Falls


Part of the famous Chattooga River, nearby on the SC-GA state border. (
2)


Stumphouse Tunnel