Your input on Greenville, Pickens, Oconee Counties and their towns? (Anderson: appointed, apartment)

[sonavogel]

Hi, everyone~

This is my first (substantive) post on the Greenville subforum, and I’ve taken a long time to make it because I’ve been getting so much good information simply by reading the posts of others so far. Still, the more I’ve learned, the closer I’ve come to having a few questions of my own that I would like to pose here, in hopes of getting feedback—lots of it, I hope —from those of you who live in Greenville and the surrounding areas.

I’ll set it up first (sorry).

My (our, actually) story is a common one: My husband and I are in our late 50s, residents of New York City (where my husband has a job in corporate America and I work out of our home office in a tiny rent-stabilized apartment); he’s hoping to be able to retire soon (if he’s not downsized), and I can work anywhere (thank heavens).

Because our children are grown and on their own in NYC, there is a tie to this area that my husband especially (as a native-born city resident) would like to maintain through our apt (to visit the kids/grandkids when any). But we’re planning to seek and find a home for ourselves—at first, perhaps, for just four months of the year; then, as we grow older and more familiar with our surroundings, a full retirement—in a town near the mountains in the Upstate of South Carolina, where we could buy (rent at first, to make sure of our decision) a single-family, one-level home in a (pet-friendly, in deference to our dog and cat) development where the homes sit on at least .5 acre and the community is near the usual: mountains, lake, health care, shopping, transportation, university/culture.

Not like we’re asking for much, is it!

Anyway, I’ve been researching Greenville and the areas and counties around it. Greenville County, Pickens County, and Oconee County in particular; towns of Greer, Easley, Travelers Rest, Seneca, Clemson, Powdersville.

I have become aware, thanks to posts here, that the city of Greenville is blessed with a forward-looking city council that has been guiding the city carefully and well toward the explosive growth being seen in the area. My question to anyone/everyone reading this is:

What are your opinions about the city councils of these other towns—the towns I mentioned (and any others you think might fit our parameters)? Which do you feel have a government in place that is working equally as well toward guiding their town to best handle the development and growth that seems inevitable?

In addition, I’d like to ask the same question about the county governments—the three we’re interested in, Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee, likely have different governmental structures and “public servants” leading their county. How do you feel they differ, and where are they in the progression of things?

From the point of view of a prospective resident, what should I be aware of with respect to these counties as we visit their towns, browse their libraries and grocery stores, step into the hospitals to look around and ask questions, take a trip on their buses, and so on? (I’m talking about, for instance, their government; their property tax or other tax structure and possible evolution, the services they have added or are planning to add [how difficult is cable/Internet service to come by in the more rural areas? are the county or city governments working to ease congestion where growth is particularly explosive?], their plans for the future; and so on.)

There are reports and demographics on all this, but that isn't the same (can't be the same) as getting firsthand impressions and experiences from those living in the areas.

My husband and I are planning a trip in January (cold month, to try to get a sense of how it feels weatherwise), and I’ve already got information on about 15 different developments in the areas I mention; I’m hoping to narrow that down in the months to come, but I’d like to have input from those who live in the areas about the way things are being handled in other towns (as opposed to how they’re being handled in Greenville city proper) and if you’d feel that one county, or one town, might be a more difficult environment in the years to come for a prospective retiree—vigorous and healthy now, but looking ten-plus years ahead to when it may become more important to know that where you live is more than an address: it’s a friendly, affordable, safe, interesting, and user-friendly home.

Sorry to ramble on so! I hope people will respond, especially since I’m unlikely to learn about the inner workings of these counties any other way but through the experiences and impressions of their residents.

Thank you,
Sona

[guestposter24]

Liberal or conservative?

This area is conservative, especially in your age group. Maybe that's your thing though, or maybe you could care less either way.

Good luck.

[pgriss]

Speaking for Easley I think our government is doing a pretty good job of getting things done. Our downtown is small compared to Greenville, but it is being revitalized. Some of the merchants are moving to condos over their business. Sidewalks, lights, tree planting and crosswalks are being re-done. Their will soon be a new shopping plaza, we have a variety of grocery stores and a hospital. There are some rural parts and the closer you get to the mountains the further away from the main corridor of Highway 123 you will be. The town of Pickens has a main street as well and is closer to the mountains. More small shops and a little less choice in grocery stores.

Oconee has most of the same things as Easley, grocery stores, a hospital, Lowes, Home Depot etc. It is convenient to Anderson & Clemson.

[motonenterprises]

Greenville isn't nearly as conservative as some make it out to be. I have mixed children and downtown definetly doesn't feel conservative.

[guestposter24]

Originally Posted by motonenterprises

Greenville isn't nearly as conservative as some make it out to be. I have mixed children and downtown definetly doesn't feel conservative.

Not that all Baptists are conservative but most likely they are, Greenville County is 25-50% Baptist. Mike Huckabee won Greenville County in the Republican primary.

Why did we need to know about your children? Are you saying conservatives are racist?

BTW, I'm not a conservative.

[motonenterprises]

For the most part they seem to be. They aren't very good at accepting anyone or anything different from themselves. They usually hate change, but Greenville is definetly changing. They don't all think like that though.

[guestposter24]

Yes, they might be more likely to be racist but c'mon.

Are there any conservatives in here who would like to defend themselves?

[rxlynn]

Hi - my family and I just returned from Seneca/Clemson for a fact-finding visit. I was pleasantly surprised by the shopping available in Seneca considering the size of the town. Multiple good options for grocery, Belk, Wal-mart, Home Depot, Lowes, several decent chain hotels, lots of chain restaurants as well as a few nicer local-looking places. The hospital is building some sort of new adjacent building - not sure if it is more hospital or doctor's office space. The library there appeared small but serviceable - it is not the main Oconee County library, but a branch. You are about 10-12 minutes from Clemson, which has a bit less shopping. However, the university does have a very good (relatively new) performing arts center as well as other types of activities, concerts, etc. throughout the year.

We also toured Seneca downtown - I was frankly a bit disappointed. They have a one-block historic district with a few restaurants and shops - has potential but is not there yet in my opinion. Rest of downtown looked very spotty - nice store next to empty store, multiple closed store fronts, etc. Downtown of Clemson definitely looks better at this point - of course, it has more traffic much of the year because of the college students.

The area has a really great bus system - CAT - which serves Seneca, Clemson, Pendleton, Central, etc. with multiple routes and riding it is FREE! When I first read that I thought I was confused

We also spent a little time looking at houses (not with an agent, but just on our own). Looked like a lot of variety - everything from 60's brick ranches to multi-million dollar houses on Lake Keowee. We're interested in something in between that, and found several options we liked.

We're not ready to commit to moving there yet (we still have about 1 1/2 years before I get out of school to decide), but we liked the area.

[sonavogel]

Thank you all for your replies! I hope there will be others--everyone's input helps so much.

Conservative, liberal, or in between: My interest is in hearing impressions and thoughts, learning about what's been done or is being done (or not) and how residents feel about it; changes that have been affecting you in these areas, what you see in the other cities or counties I mention and wish you had where you are (or the opposite)...

These areas are certainly receiving a great deal of new residents, that's for sure! If it's inevitable--which it may not be, but seems to be thus far--then the city and county governments are surely thinking about the growth and some may be working or planning on ways to maintain what exists, preserve what is best and beautiful, while brainstorming on how to best accommodate the growth. Or maybe they're not, and it's causing problems. Or maybe they ARE, and it's causing problems!

So if you have an opinion, I'd like to know. It won't decide me one way or the other, but it will add to what I'm trying hard to learn about the different counties and towns.

And in January, when I visit, the information I've received in advance (along with all the demographics sites that exist) may help me get around, know what to expect, anticipate.

Again, whatever affiliation politically or otherwise is in place...that's the way it is. I'm not looking for one or the other or anything in between--I would just like to know what you think.

Best, sona

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by sonavogel

Thank you all for your replies! I hope there will be others--everyone's input helps so much.

Conservative, liberal, or in between: My interest is in hearing impressions and thoughts, learning about what's been done or is being done (or not) and how residents feel about it; changes that have been affecting you in these areas, what you see in the other cities or counties I mention and wish you had where you are (or the opposite)...

These areas are certainly receiving a great deal of new residents, that's for sure! If it's inevitable--which it may not be, but seems to be thus far--then the city and county governments are surely thinking about the growth and some may be working or planning on ways to maintain what exists, preserve what is best and beautiful, while brainstorming on how to best accommodate the growth. Or maybe they're not, and it's causing problems. Or maybe they ARE, and it's causing problems!

So if you have an opinion, I'd like to know. It won't decide me one way or the other, but it will add to what I'm trying hard to learn about the different counties and towns.

And in January, when I visit, the information I've received in advance (along with all the demographics sites that exist) may help me get around, know what to expect, anticipate.

Again, whatever affiliation politically or otherwise is in place...that's the way it is. I'm not looking for one or the other or anything in between--I would just like to know what you think.

Best, sona

Good deal! I don't know why politics always pops up anyway. Who gives a crap right! Greenville is a very progressive city regardless of politics.