living and working in Clinton SC area (Columbia, Greenville: appointed, for sale)

[leaving_md?]

Hi-

I apologize in advance if I mess anything up, I have NEVER posted anything in a forum or chat room before. It took me at least 10 minutes to figure out how to start a new thread - no kidding! I found this site last night while trying to get an idea about the general crime rates there compared to where I live in Maryland.

My husband and I have been seriously considering a move to South Carolina and I have been trying to gather as much info as possible. We even visited the area the first weekend in Feb., but there wasn't much time to get a real feel for the area.
My husband works for CSX railroad and it looks as though he could transfer to a job in Clinton or Laurens and I currently teach preschool and have my elem. ed. teaching certificate and would like to find a job teaching.

SO my first question is - What are these areas like? Is it a good, safe place to work/live? What are the schools like? We live in MD, about an hour NW of Washington DC. The schools in our area are great, but the city is "moving this way" and the housing prices are insanely high. Also - I am a country girl - the farther I can get from any city the better! - and we are looking for a nice, quiet, safe little town to raise our two children, ages 6 and 7 (keeping in mind that my husbands commute would likely be to Clinton or Laurens). I guess you could say we are looking for a place with a slower "pace" and where good old fashioned morals and family values still exist. Our interests are anything outdoors, especially boating, horseback riding and ATV's. I prefer mountains and think Pickens looks beautiful, but it appears to be more expensive. Also - Would that be a reasonable commute or no?

Any suggestions on areas? I would greatly appreciate any input!

[jaford]

Originally Posted by leaving_md?

Hi-

I apologize in advance if I mess anything up, I have NEVER posted anything in a forum or chat room before. It took me at least 10 minutes to figure out how to start a new thread - no kidding! I found this site last night while trying to get an idea about the general crime rates there compared to where I live in Maryland.

My husband and I have been seriously considering a move to South Carolina and I have been trying to gather as much info as possible. We even visited the area the first weekend in Feb., but there wasn't much time to get a real feel for the area.
My husband works for CSX railroad and it looks as though he could transfer to a job in Clinton or Laurens and I currently teach preschool and have my elem. ed. teaching certificate and would like to find a job teaching.

SO my first question is - What are these areas like? Is it a good, safe place to work/live? What are the schools like? We live in MD, about an hour NW of
Washington DC. The schools in our area are great, but the city is "moving this way" and the housing prices are insanely high. Also - I am a country girl - the farther I can get from any city the better! - and we are looking for a nice, quiet, safe little town to raise our two children, ages 6 and 7 (keeping in mind that my husbands commute would likely be to Clinton or Laurens). I guess you could say we are looking for a place with a slower "pace" and where good old fashioned morals and family values still exist. Our interests are anything outdoors, especially boating, horseback riding and ATV's. I prefer mountains and think Pickens looks beautiful, but it appears to be more expensive. Also - Would that be a reasonable commute or no?

Any suggestions on areas? I would greatly appreciate any input!

ANSWER:
I have been a part of the Clinton area for 8 years. This is truly a model city. My child rides her bike to school. It is a short walk to church. There is a college in the middle of the cirty with lots of things going on of every type-music, biology, art, drama. AND my house is for sale. I live in the best section of Clinton (across from the college). Call me for info on the house 982 2423. Good luck!

[RICKY DAWN]

Originally Posted by leaving_md?

Hi-

I apologize in advance if I mess anything up, I have NEVER posted anything in a forum or chat room before. It took me at least 10 minutes to figure out how to start a new thread - no kidding! I found this site last night while trying to get an idea about the general crime rates there compared to where I live in Maryland.

My husband and I have been seriously considering a move to South Carolina and I have been trying to gather as much info as possible. We even visited the area the first weekend in Feb., but there wasn't much time to get a real feel for the area.
My husband works for CSX railroad and it looks as though he could transfer to a job in Clinton or Laurens and I currently teach preschool and have my elem. ed. teaching certificate and would like to find a job teaching.

SO my first question is - What are these areas like? Is it a good, safe place to work/live? What are the schools like? We live in MD, about an hour NW of Washington DC. The schools in our area are great, but the city is "moving this way" and the housing prices are insanely high. Also - I am a country girl - the farther I can get from any city the better! - and we are looking for a nice, quiet, safe little town to raise our two children, ages 6 and 7 (keeping in mind that my husbands commute would likely be to Clinton or Laurens). I guess you could say we are looking for a place with a slower "pace" and where good old fashioned morals and family values still exist. Our interests are anything outdoors, especially boating, horseback riding and ATV's. I prefer mountains and think Pickens looks beautiful, but it appears to be more expensive. Also - Would that be a reasonable commute or no?

Any suggestions on areas? I would greatly appreciate any input!

HEY, I TOO AM NEW TO THIS WEB STUFF. I LIVE IN LAURENS, LOVE IT. WE ARE PUTTING OUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET. WE LIVE IN A SMALLER SUBDIVISION. THERE ARE ONLY 10 HOMES BUILT HERE. THERE IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL, LAURENS ACADEMY THAT I CAN SEE FROM MY HOUSE. I HAVE A 12 YR OLD WHO HAS ATTENDED SINCE K-4. WE LOVE THE SCHOOL. THE HOUSES IN THE SUBDIVSION RUN FROM 300,000 AND UP. WE ARE ASKING 349,000. THE HOUSE SITS ON 1 1/2 ACRES. WE HAVE 2 ADDITIONAL LOTS BESIDE US WE WOULD SELL WITH THE HOUSE FOR A GREAT PRICE. IT IS LOCATED 1 1/2 MAYBE THAT FAR FROM 385. GREENVILLE DRIVE IS ONLY 30 MINUTES. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED LET ME KNOW. DAWNGLASS@CHARTER.NET. I CAN GIVE YOU ALOT MORE DETAIL ON THE HOUSE. GOOD LUCK! I THINK YOU WOULD BE VERY PLEASED WITH THIS PART OF THE UPSTATE. CLOSE TO BIGGER CITIES, BUT STILL THE COUNTRY FEEL AT HOME.

[lmcfarlane]

We're thinking of moving to this area as well...we're also from Maryland...Harford County area - so overdeveloped now...traffic is terrible - even in just the Bel Air area! Plus we're so tired of the overtaxation in this state! My husband is a OTR truck driver for TMC so he can live anywhere, and I currently work at the Aegis (local newspaper) in the Art Dept. I'd kind of like to do something different than graphic design...so I'm trying to figure out the job market...so far have only been on Craigslist.

Ideally we'd like to move this summer...our son is in the 10th grade so it's either now or we wait until after he graduates...so we need to get on the ball and figure out what we're doing! At this point, almost don't even know where to start!

[Toe]

If you are ok with living in a small town, then Clinton is the best! I went to PC (the college...one of the best private colleges in the south), then lived there for several years after graduation, and am considering moving back. Clinton is safe & clean, currently downtown is undergoing major renovations. 60 min to Columbia, 45 min to Greenville, 30 min to Spartanburg. There are plays, art exhibits and concerts at PC, most all are open to the town. You might also look at Greenwood, then you would be right at the lake, and Greenwood is growing quite a bit.

[Tinabean]

I'm from Greenwood and I wouldn't recommend it.... Our crime rates have really gone up, stores are closing all around and there are NO, repeat NO employment opps here. We drive to Greenville EVERY weekend for dinner, entertainment and basic shopping needs. The Lake is nice but the Reedy feeds it from Greenville and all of us locals know the reputation the Reedy has for contamination. As a country girl myself, I can suggest with confidence to look in the 'burbs of Greenville SC. You'll have the best of everything there. Hope this helps.

[Bullet.1]

Just read your message. Laurens is a one hour commute from Pickens. I have a house for sale in Pickens with a view of the mountains, if you're still looking. bullet.1@charter.net.

[NewYorkBorn]

Originally Posted by leaving_md?

Hi-

I apologize in advance if I mess anything up, I have NEVER posted anything in a forum or chat room before. It took me at least 10 minutes to figure out how to start a new thread - no kidding! I found this site last night while trying to get an idea about the general crime rates there compared to where I live in Maryland.

My husband and I have been seriously considering a move to South Carolina and I have been trying to gather as much info as possible. We even visited the area the first weekend in Feb., but there wasn't much time to get a real feel for the area.
My husband works for CSX railroad and it looks as though he could transfer to a job in Clinton or Laurens and I currently teach preschool and have my elem. ed. teaching certificate and would like to find a job teaching.

SO my first question is - What are these areas like? Is it a good, safe place to work/live? What are the schools like? We live in MD, about an hour NW of Washington DC. The schools in our area are great, but the city is "moving this way" and the housing prices are insanely high. Also - I am a country girl - the farther I can get from any city the better! - and we are looking for a nice, quiet, safe little town to raise our two children, ages 6 and 7 (keeping in mind that my husbands commute would likely be to Clinton or Laurens). I guess you could say we are looking for a place with a slower "pace" and where good old fashioned morals and family values still exist. Our interests are anything outdoors, especially boating, horseback riding and ATV's. I prefer mountains and think Pickens looks beautiful, but it appears to be more expensive. Also - Would that be a reasonable commute or no?

Any suggestions on areas? I would greatly appreciate any input!

"I guess you could say we are looking for a place with a slower "pace" and where good old fashioned morals and family values still exist".

You mentioned wanting to live in a place where morals and family values still exist. Unless you are interested in living in a town that has members of the klu klux klan running around, then in my opinion Laurens is not the town to live in....commuting to Laurens for work is one thing.......living in a town like this is another thing. I have passed through Laurens many times.........there are still confederate flag stickers on the bumpers of cars/trucks!! This is the part of the south that many do not want us to know still exists.

From what I have heard this store (the redneck shop) is still open in the town of Laurens in spite of the fact that many of the town residents have tried for years to close it down! The fact that this store has continued to exist says a lot about the mentality of some of the people that live here in the south.

The Redneck Shop
theoriginalredneckshop.com

108 W Laurens St
Laurens, SC 29360-2955
(864) 984-7484
Get directions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhL7U02FAcc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNidPvMVKBw

[cougfan]

I work in Laurens but live in Simpsonville and the commute is very manageable if you thinking of living closer to the Greenville area. Of the two towns I prefer Clinton a bit over Laurens due to Clinton having Presbyterian College. Retail-wise, Laurens has more to offer. Both towns have nice downtown areas IMO. Of course, you definitely want to check it all out for yourself.

And yes, Laurens does have the Redneck Shop - no one tries to hide it. You will also see Confederates flags, too. So, if the thought of being in an area that has that makes you uncomfortable, you may want to think twice.

Oh yeah, a lot of people here have accents, too. Everyone drives an orange 1971 Dodge Charger with "01" painted on the doors and the car horn plays "Dixie" Next thing you'll know, they'll be serving sweet tea at restaurants! When will the madness stop!?!?!?

[cougfan]

What? No snarky comments from the self-appointed "Truth Police"???

Then again I actually live and workin the area versus throwing out my perception of the area.

What was I thinking?