back from Simpsonville end of story.lol. (Greenville: hardwood floor, hoa fees)

[Sonrise]

Hey Colson,
My wife and I live in Burbank. You're right we make a good living and can't afford to buy here. For native Greenvillians, just to put it in to perspective; new condos here in Burbank are going for 600k. Yes, I'm serious. We're moving to Greenville by April and I can't wait. Found out about G'ville on ******, it was my #1 and after 6 months of research checked it out ourselves. We visited in June and fell in love with the place. It's even nicer than we thought and we already had a high opinion of it.

We stayed in the LaQuinta on Woodruff Rd during our exploration. Right down the street the biggest WholeFoods that I've ever seen had just opened up a few months earlier. Much bigger than the one in Glendale if you're familiar. Acroos from WF was another new, cool shopping center that had just opened up and has all the upscale stores we have here.

Downtown? All I can say is WOW!!! Main Street and Reedy Park/falls. There's a parade or festivale or fair going on all the time. Btw, my wife is filipino and felt totally comfortable. There are a bunch of japanese/sushi places not to mention chinese, thai and even 1 or 2 vietnamese places. Bottom line, check it out for yourself, you'll love it. Oh, yeah, one last thing. We drove around brand new housing developments for a couple days and the day before we left we found a nice, brand new development in Simpsonville. 3000sf, 5 bedroom, 3 bath on a .25 acre lot. $209,000. brand new. You cant even get a cardboard box under the 5 freeway for that. lol

[colson915]

Thank you this has made me feel a lot better...We live in Valencia and even though we have a home, it's still nothing compared to the home/quality of life I know we can have elsewhere (it might as well be that box under the 5 fwy) .

I can definitely appreciate the Southern Hospitality I have been hearing so much about, its even nicer to hear it from someone who knows where your coming from. We are planning to visit in about a month...I can't wait. I will have to report back.

Thank you again and good luck on your future move!

[tismekll]

Originally Posted by Sonrise

Hey Colson,
My wife and I live in Burbank. You're right we make a good living and can't afford to buy here. For native Greenvillians, just to put it in to perspective; new condos here in Burbank are going for 600k. Yes, I'm serious. We're moving to Greenville by April and I can't wait. Found out about G'ville on ******, it was my #1 and after 6 months of research checked it out ourselves. We visited in June and fell in love with the place. It's even nicer than we thought and we already had a high opinion of it.

We stayed in the LaQuinta on Woodruff Rd during our exploration. Right down the street the biggest WholeFoods that I've ever seen had just opened up a few months earlier. Much bigger than the one in Glendale if you're familiar. Acroos from WF was another new, cool shopping center that had just opened up and has all the upscale stores we have here.

Downtown? All I can say is WOW!!! Main Street and Reedy Park/falls. There's a parade or festivale or fair going on all the time. Btw, my wife is filipino and felt totally comfortable. There are a bunch of japanese/sushi places not to mention chinese, thai and even 1 or 2 vietnamese places. Bottom line, check it out for yourself, you'll love it. Oh, yeah, one last thing. We drove around brand new housing developments for a couple days and the day before we left we found a nice, brand new development in Simpsonville. 3000sf, 5 bedroom, 3 bath on a .25 acre lot. $209,000. brand new. You cant even get a cardboard box under the 5 freeway for that. lol

Thanks for sharing your positive feedback. I have also rec'd a relo packet from Greenville and am awaiting one from Simpsonville. I am surprised at the lack of attention that this area gets on the forum. That could be good
The downtown looks wonderful and if funds are tight, they appear to always have community events that the entire family can enjoy with little to no cost. I understand that it is also close to the mountains and parks.
The home prices look decent and add to that the taxes are better than NC from what I can glean. Could you share what development caught your eye. Thanks again.

[TornadoAlley]

Originally Posted by colson915

Thank you this has made me feel a lot better...We live in Valencia and even though we have a home, it's still nothing compared to the home/quality of life I know we can have elsewhere (it might as well be that box under the 5 fwy) .

I can definitely appreciate the Southern Hospitality I have been hearing so much about, its even nicer to hear it from someone who knows where your coming from. We are planning to visit in about a month...I can't wait. I will have to report back.

Thank you again and good luck on your future move!

I hear you! Let me know how it looks. We'll be there in Sept!

[TallyNJ]

Hi there everyone discovering Greenville SC...we checked it out 2 /2 years ago and I was sold then.....but parents became very very ill and I could'nt leave....still shouldn't but I have two small kids and I have to think of them....so we are back on the hunt....and I found this thread and our visit came back to me accept now the houses are 50K more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...so if you are going to go , GO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And also don't forget there are MANY areas not just Simpsonville...Ryan homes have some great developments but they are in Anderson COunty just down 85 and still considered part of Greenville...the schools from what I was able to tell were better than Simpsonville....larger lots...things have changed but I would'nt discount that area....to make sure you have seen it all...Good luck and I think I'll be looking there too....I was thinkging about Myrtle Beach becuase I love the ocean or Dallas......so confused....so confused......

[skyhigh]

Originally Posted by TallyNJ

Hi there everyone discovering Greenville SC...we checked it out 2 /2 years ago and I was sold then.....but parents became very very ill and I could'nt leave....still shouldn't but I have two small kids and I have to think of them....so we are back on the hunt....and I found this thread and our visit came back to me accept now the houses are 50K more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...so if you are going to go , GO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And also don't forget there are MANY areas not just Simpsonville...Ryan homes have some great developments but they are in Anderson COunty just down 85 and still considered part of Greenville...the schools from what I was able to tell were better than Simpsonville....larger lots...things have changed but I would'nt discount that area....to make sure you have seen it all...Good luck and I think I'll be looking there too....I was thinkging about Myrtle Beach becuase I love the ocean or Dallas......so confused....so confused......

First of all TallyNJ, don't you dare move to Myrtle Beach. Please, by all means vacation there all you want, but just don't think of settling down. SC essentially has about 3 cities in the entire state: Greenville, Columbia & Charleston. I say only three, as you have to have an economy that's not dependent upon one industry to qualify. Myrtle Beach is purely a tourist town, and if something like KATRINA ever hit that little Gomorrah village, oh well.

Anyway, I've been in the G'ville area for about a year. Moved from Charlotte NC. Why? Gotta stay employed Plus it takes a lot more to feed these darn two-legged roaches around my house, and this area's cost of living fits right in with the game plan. I already knew a good bit about the area, as I have friends that have been here a while. And yes, you can get bigger lot and better schools if you live in supersuburban places like Anderson, but jeezz, that's about all you get. Your neighbor - FARM; shopping - a small strip mall next to.......a FARM; entertainment - a 30yr old 6-theatre building with reclining seats that continue to recline until you hit the floor, or the person's knees behind you, and when you come outside you'll first smell........you guessed it.......the FARM. You'll probably enjoy your house, but eventually, you'll have to visit the metro region (20miles closer) anyway. I hope you don't have a large SUV.

If you've looked at the Simpsoville area, I would advise against anything near Woodruff Rd (near Hwy 385). The district's planning committee didn't anticipate the incredible growth (although great for tax collectors) and therefore, ended up with horrible street planning. Feels like Charlotte in some ways. I'd consider heading further down (4-5 miles) Hwy 385 corridor near the Georgia Rd or Fairview Rd exits. You'll still get a decent lot (although no bigger than .3 , but still not feel congested. And yes, there were FARMS, but apparently they continue to be bought out by these aggressive developers. I guess when grandma died, the children came right in and said "SOLD". Damn shame that's the way business get done.

Good Luck either way.

[p2y2r7o]

Originally Posted by Sampy123

Is Greenville really an active little town? We are looking to relocate and I would love to check it out, but my husband seems to think it's out in the country, so to speak. He was focusing on the Myrtle Beach area. Just wondering if Greenville is something we should be considering.

Can anyone tell me more about it?

Your husband has never been to Greenville, has he? Greenville is a very active town, and the third largest in the state next to Columbia and Charleston. If you're wanting to move to SC, you have to do a good bit of research before you jump to a conclusion on a location. You can be upstate (Greenville) near the mountains or lowerstate along the coast. (of course there is the middle of the state, with Columbia, but it's just too hot)

If you're wanting to be on or near the coast, stay away from Myrtle Beach as others have said. It's a huge tourist spot and nothing more (in my opinion). Check out Charleston or Mount Pleasant.

[janrey]

Originally Posted by Laurasnuthouse

Our last night we went to the "city" down in Greenville.It took 15 minutes MAYBE to get there.It was beautiful.The real estate guy said it is like there Manhattan. As we were driving in there was a concert hall which looked to me like our Nassau Collisium...but nicer.There was NO traffic to get in or out. They have the story of Goodnite Moon around town where it's set up for the kids to find little metal mice around the city very cute.Now the best part..you MUST see the suspension bridge with the water under it OMG.. breath taking.They have alittle area set up where they do concerts kind of like our concerts at the park same thing.I could see myself being happy walking through the city with my kids and knowing i'm SAFE!!!
I was content in seeing Simpsonville even though it was alittle empty? maybe compaired to NY but knowing it will be built up and they do have shopping local..but once I saw the city and knowing it's a hop, skip and jump to get there and easy access.I was sold!!How can you go wrong?you have affordable homes, safe/clean neighborhoods, area being built up, good schools, sports,etc then you have also local shopping, concerts, the city, etc.?? You can't beat it!!
One word of advice.. just get your coffee fix now before you leave since the coffee just isn't the same there. Even the 7-11 or Wawa's there just doesn't taste the same. If you want tea they give you 1/2 and 1/2 not milk.Burger king makes you buy a pint of milk if you want it. Board of health does not require them to put gloves on either to serve your food so don't look like they have 5 heads like I did and be told we are clean enough! lol. It was just a question.But all in all we are sold!People who saw our house yesterday we are told liked it.Pray for a sale would ya??They said they were going away and calling the RE agent when they got back.
Anyhow, I can't wait to move.lol.if anyone has questions email me.![/font][/color]

Ok coffee...be aware that Dunkin Donuts biggest franchise guy is moving in here. Soon you should see lots of them but for now the best coffee I've found is Liquid Highway. No it's not in Simpsonville but it's near the Greenville Mall on Halton Road and on East North Street at 291 Pleasantburg. Certainly downtown Greenville has many coffee shops though I've not sampled. There are various Starbucks around but I'm not impressed, never have been. Just whatever you do do not get coffee at any of the Krispe Kreme's. Yuk! You'll find ok coffee's at Panera Breads.

[Hokiegirl]

I moved to the Greenville area about 12 years ago - originally from the DC metro area. Primary thing I like about GVL - the lack of traffic virtually anywhere you go - with the exception of the Woodruff Rd area previously mentioned.

I've lived on the Eastside (Greer, Taylors), moved to Mauldin for about 7 yrs (Centex neighborhood), and moved to Simpsonville (McCar neighborhood) about a year ago - (the Fairview Rd area). Even though I don't personally have kids, I would say that the neighborhood is family friendly (my brother in law and his kids live there too). I have to say I like the Mauldin/Simpsonville side of town better.

South Carolina schools in general would not be where I'd necessarily want to send my kids (personally - if I had any, that is) - but it is what you make of it - I know a couple teachers and from what I understand, sometimes it's the lack of interest from the parents. I think we're ranked like 48th.

Greenville's downtown area has grown and been developed nicely over the last few years. The bridge, the festivals, the concerts, etc are all VERY nice. In addition, we get Broadway shows at the Peace Center and the cost is not what you would pay if you were going in DC or NYC - I think I paid $75 for seats in the first 20 rows for Phantom. And you can get there in about 20 mins.

You will still run into some people that are not as 'open minded' as you would like - but then you get that anywhere. There aren't any 7-11s (which I do miss!) and you may notice an 'abundance' of churches. This is still the bible belt - just my opinion. There's a 'university' here - Bob Jones. The women still have to wear long skirts and hose and dates are chaperoned. They get (or at least used to, not sure) state funding.

Moving from a major metropolitan area to GVL does take some getting used to initially - as you don't have quite the 'city' feel to it, but it is nice. People say hi and/or make eye contact when you walk down the street - something else you might have to get used to, LOL.

[Skyliner]

Greenville used to have 7-11s, but they have since been converted into other places. I believe I heard one is coming to exit 39 on I-85 (Powdersville), just southwest of Greenville.

Before generically criticizing BJU, you should check out the many positive contributions it offers the city. I have met many people in the professional workforce who were highly trained at that university. Sure they may teach some things that most people do not believe these days, but that is no different than places like BYU or TCU. There are other great options here as well, including, Furman University, North Greenville University, Clemson University, and many more via the University Center of Greenville on Pleasantburg Drive.