Seriously interested in Travelers Rest...how badly would we stand out in the crowd? (Greenville: houses, middle school)

[33458]

My husband and I are looking forward to relocating near the Greenville area, and I feel a draw to Traveler's Rest or somewhere in that general region - it reminds me very much of the Hudson Valley where I spent my childhood.

My questions rise from concern over how we might be received by the townsfolk, as we are a little 'different'...more than a few tattoos and a piercing here and there, all of which we are accustomed to disguising as needed for the sake of professionalism and all-around easiness when in a conservative environment.
I'm wondering if I will be constantly cloaked for the sake of comfort or if the kind folk tend to shrug and laugh off such strangeness?

My husband is an engineer, I am an artist and we have a blended family; our young daughter is originally from China.
The census records are not helping me much as I attempt to dissect the population - I'm wondering if she will in fact have a diverse peer group and if she will find herself the only Asian in her class (or in her school).

We will be traveling up there for a visit, but I thought it might be helpful to get some opinions from anyone living in the area as to how we might 'fit' in that picture.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Trish

[Marks]

It's the south, what would you expect from the south? It's very religious, southern, dixie proud, country, and slow paced. Travelers Rest is about 74% white, average age is about 34, there is only about 5,000 people in the town, avarage "household" income is about $34,000.

I lived in a small town in Texas for many many years with a population of about 30,000 people. They know when new commers come to town. Believe me, in SC and that small of a town, they will know you have moved in. I don't live in SC yet but I can tell they will "notice" you people.

I'm continually amazed how Northerners think they can just run down to the south with their "culture" and be accepted? We have to remember we are going there they are not going to us. We say we like the southern friendliness but one has to respect the culture and not try to change it. Over time we are to pick up the southern ways and teach them to our children not the other way around.

No offence, but maybe a bigger town would be more to your "style."

[33458]

I've lived in the South for 26 years, give or take. I lived most of it in Florida but also a year and a half in the boonies of Georgia, where my "culture" was never a problem...and as for respecting the natives, that's not a problem. I know well the old-fashioned courtesies, recognize double-sided insults...eat grits and drink sweet tea. I have always practiced Southern politeness, whereas judging by the way you responded, you might still be in need of some learnin'.

I have found many small Southern towns to be quite accepting, but this is not the case with ALL places...and that's why I'm asking residents to let me know what it's like up there. If it seems to be too much of a clash, then I'll stay closer to Greenville.

[33458]

(And I should mention on my husband's behalf that he is a 'born and raised' Southerner, having always lived his 43 years South of the Mason-Dixon line...)

[anonymous]

33458, I don't think it's that big of a deal. But I don't live in TR, and I can't tell you with any accuracy how the people of TR would act. My buddies from Greenville use TR as the example of the poorest, most redneck place they can think of.

My opinion:
unless the tattoos are on your face, nobody is going to care. I'd be downright shocked if anyone said anything negative about them, i know plenty of people who have them. I guess it depends how 'extreme' or in-your-face they are.

If you wore black lipstick and had a mohawk, you're probably in the category of "asking for it". but if you've lived in rural georgia, you probably know all you need to know. Florida is about as "southern" as Rhode Island, though, and I wouldn't use that as a reference point.

[33458]

If you wore black lipstick and had a mohawk, you're probably in the category of "asking for it".

Those days are much past us now (too old for all that - we believe in aging gracefully...and not embarrassing our daughter...but I do have pictures...)

South Florida...yeah, not anywhere near as 'Southern' as Bowling Broke, GA. was, but I can call on Loxahatchee and Belle Glade as possible comparisons.

[33458]

Bolingbroke, no W... (Gah! and I lived there 20 years ago...)

[Stargazing Lisa]

[quote=anonymous;18528]33458, I don't think it's that big of a deal. But I don't live in TR, and I can't tell you with any accuracy how the people of TR would act. My buddies from Greenville use TR as the example of the poorest, most redneck place they can think of.
QUOTE]

Thanks Anonymous Senior, I was just going to ask about Travelers Rest also - I'm also wanting to look for a place nearer the Western Mountains of North Carolina and saw
TR right on the border.....but "most redneck place" kind of turns me away - a lot!

It sounded good since they advertise it as being in the "thermal belt" - never gets cold?

But what's this about "historical tornadoes" ?
Is it a big place for tornadoes?

[33458]

Hey Lisa...well, I never thought this thread would see the light of day again...

The three of us went up a few weeks ago and stayed a week in TR while visiting Greenville and had NO problems once met with the locals...a bit further north in to the country and we got a few curious looks (I'd taken the septum ring out, but the difference in physical features between my daughter and I greatly puzzled a few folks ).
While there, my husband was amused to meet two twenty-somethings with ~what!?~ facial piercings and another with purple hair. Heh.

The "redneck" aspect didn't affect us one way or the other (except in Walmart, but that's a given, no?), as we met a variety of polite residents from all backgrounds, and although you will have neighbors here and there with old sofas on the front porch there were just as many well-kept residences, no matter the age. There were definitely areas we would not consider, just like where we are now...but as we headed UP we fell in love with the area. (I also l.o.v.e.d. Laurens and the outskirts.)

Greenville itself actually felt 'colder' than Travelers Rest - go figure...by that I mean after a day further north in the mountains we returned that evening to stroll the avenue with Mo in her stroller and while taking in the sights I noticed more than one member of the higher society there give her a dirty look. Not me. Not my husband. My young daughter. :I She wasn't fussing or otherwise being annoying, as toddlers can sometime be, which will certainly bring about some disapproving glares (from Mama as well). Yep, didn't like the melding of cultures, I guess, but it surprised me because I wouldn't have expected that response from a seemingly educated and well-monied person.

We'll be going back again during the winter months to get a feel for the climate then, but it looks like a go.

I am also curious about the tornado situation since most of the houses I'm considering in the area are very, very old and do not have basements...could build a proper storm shelter, I guess...

I have a link in my profile to our blog and there are a few pictures of the area in there...we'll be adding more as able (hard to do with a wiggling 25 pounds in my lap).

[TR girl]

i do hope you and your family decide to move in the direction of TR. i live here and i love it -- although i'm a little closer in to greenville than i am to cleveland/marietta/north TR. i live close to furman university. i hope you'll find that the people are friendly and non-judgmental, and the weather and scenery is beautiful. if you need a touch of "culture" you can always head to an event in downtown greenville or some of the interesting speakers and performances at furman.
oh - and it breaks my heart that people would judge you or your daughter just because of her asian features. i went to elementary and middle school in TR and had asian students in my class as well as other minorities (admittedly few). if you ever feel like checking out a good church in TR, redeemer church meets in lakeview middle school and has many blended families due to marriage or adoption, so i think you'd feel completely accepted. oh - and you can leave in your piercings for that, too.