Small Towns near G'ville: Laurens? (Greenville, Anderson: real estate, homes, schools)

[BishBash]

Searching online for homes for an anticipated move from Mass. to SC this summer, I came upon Laurens. It looks about 40 minutes from downtown G'ville, and maybe 35 from the Haywood Mall /Woodruff shopping area.

Is Laurens one of the nicer small towns that has an actual "quaint" downtown? I've been to Easley and see they are working on their main street. I've seen Travelers Rest too, which has big plans for renewal but isn't too quaint at the moment.

Wondering if Laurens is "too far out" to commute in Greenville/Main St area. Appreciate your always helpful opinions!

thanks

[Webster_MGT_student]

Insert random Redneck Shop joke "here". Try Simpsonville or Greer, trust me.

[MichelleEllyn]

Yeah, I agree, Simpsonville or Greer if you want to be near Greenville, but not in the city of Greenville. The housing market is really good in those cities right now too. I haven't seen Greer's downtown, but Simpsonville's downtown Main St. is definately "quaint" and charming.

[janrey]

It's further than 40 mins from downtown. Laurens is too far out if you're wanting to commute to Greenville. As others stated Simpsonville is a good option. Don't expect "towns" like in Massachusetts. South Carolina is more a county structure than small towns. I moved from Massachusetts almost 20 years ago.

[sistajane]

I agree with janrey, no "towns" just burbs that run into each other and its hard to tell wherre one ends and the next one starts. If you want an actual town try Anderson, has a college, mall etc.

[pgriss]

You may want to look at Fountain Inn, SC as well. Horse drawn carriage rides at Christmas. It is smaller than Simpsonville but very close to it and home prices are good there as well.

[BishBash]

I did some searching on this board and posts from the last few years tend to agree-- there are better small towns that Laurens. I guess the schools are not the best either.

I would disagree (politely!) with the person who said there are no small towns like those in Massachusetts in greater Greenville. From appearance sake only, I would say Laurens has charm. I'm sure it has an underbelly, but the downtown and beautiful old homes and public buildings and churces I've seen pictured are not to be found everywhere, up north or down south.

thanks everyone.

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by BishBash

I did some searching on this board and posts from the last few years tend to agree-- there are better small towns that Laurens. I guess the schools are not the best either.

I would disagree (politely!) with the person who said there are no small towns like those in Massachusetts in greater Greenville. From appearance sake only, I would say Laurens has charm. I'm sure it has an underbelly, but the downtown and beautiful old homes and public buildings and churces I've seen pictured are not to be found everywhere, up north or down south.

thanks everyone.

I think what that poster meant is all of these areas are connected. In other words your driving and the signs change cities but the towns blend. Like Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville, etc.

[ckeegan]

I wouldn't totally discount Laurens without seeing it. Many people love Laurens, including a family I helped move from Boston a couple years ago. They found a 4 year old home, 2,300ish square feet, on almost 19 acres. Paid less than $300,000! Try finding that in any other area mentioned.

If you're making a trip, you might as well make the most of it, and at least drive through the following downtowns: Greer, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Laurens...

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by ckeegan

I wouldn't totally discount Laurens without seeing it. Many people love Laurens, including a family I helped move from Boston a couple years ago. They found a 4 year old home, 2,300ish square feet, on almost 19 acres. Paid less than $300,000! Try finding that in any other area mentioned.

If you're making a trip, you might as well make the most of it, and at least drive through the following downtowns: Greer, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Laurens...

There is a reason why these other places have higher real estate values than Laurens. I have a friend that lives in Laurens, it has a backwards feel that is uncomfortable to some.