Well if it is high school football you are looking for, then you are on the right track. When I saw your subject I figured it had to do with this. First I would say that you should seriously consider limiting your search to Byrnes (Spartanburg District 5) and Dorman (Sburg District 6). Gaffney is a much smaller area, the high school is not as good academically, and there is a much smaller number of transplants there (if any). I am a 2000 grad of Byrnes High School (for full disclosure) and I live on the west side of Sburg which is generally Dorman area.
Byrnes is THE football powerhouse in SC with six of the last seven state 4A championships. Dorman also has a strong athletics program and football team as well but just doesn't get all the media hype that Byrnes does.
Both are growing schools, Byrnes is growing at a slightly faster rate. A plus to Dorman is that it is a brand new school facility that is recognized statewide--only high school with stadium seating in gymasium. A plus for Byrnes (or at least many think it is) is that it has the smaller student body of the two: 1,500 to Dorman's 2,300. That was a big consideration for my family choosing to move in District 5 instead of 6 over fifteen years ago.
I think both schools are comprable academically for public schools in SC but this probably requires further investigations. You can look up stats for each school here:
2008 State of South Carolina Education Accountability Act Report Cards - South Carolina Department of Education
These are the 2008 report cards and just came out last week.
As far as area to live in District 5 and 6, I imagine you could find more house for your money in District 5 if you are looking to stay around 150k. For District 5 (Byrnes) most of the areas you'll want to look are off of Hwy 290 between I-85 and Hwy. 221 as well as Reidville Rd. between Nazareth Church Rd. and Hwy. 101. There are some nice middle class subdivisions off of 290 on Rogers Mill Rd. or directly off of 290 south of the intersection of 290/Reidville Rd.
In District 6 there are tons of developments all over--for 150k you may want to look at neighborhoods off of East Blackstock Rd. going away from the mall but in and around Dawkins Middle. Also tons of housing develoments off of Reidville Rd. and Hwy. 29--not sure about prices but they may have come down now.
Hope this helps.
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Gaffney vs Byrnes vs Dorman WHICH ONE?
Anyway... I am curious what the locals view as the best area to live in/around spartansburg. I am interested in these schools for their athletics as our oldest eats/sleeps/and breaths football and the younger two aren't following too far behind. 
I suppose my concerns are 1. which schools are in the best areas, and possibly which towns/zip codes should we focus our real estate searches in 2. which schools have strong academics and involved teachers 3. We are hoping to spend around 150k for a house if that matters 4. do any of these schools have a lax team? 5. do you have any advice or pro/cons for the schools
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