Has anyone regretted their move to Greenville area? (Spartanburg, Greer: transfer to, taxes)

[Tikatu]

The OP asked, "Has anyone regretted their move to the Greenville area?"

I haven't.

Why?

Well, jobs for one thing. They were far more plentiful here when we moved in '91 than they were in central PA. And with the growing economy here, they're are still good jobs available even now.

Climate? Yeah, I'll buy that. The winters are very tolerable, the summers less so, but we've got AC and we don't suffer. (Can't say the same for Hubby; he works outdoors all year round.) Spring and fall are fabulous.

The city? Oh yeah. We don't live in one of the posh neighborhoods or anything; in fact, ours is probably one of the older, more culturally diverse ones - Sans Souci, in the county. It's affordable, and to some extent, a bit more dangerous than other neighborhoods. But there hasn't been a whole lot of trouble and the police are on the ball when it comes to crime. The downtown is great; the Cherrydale Point area is close and fun to shop at. The recreation system is good; the county library system is terrific! Wish I could visit the Peace Center, etc., more often, really. I do love going downtown and visiting the Falls Park, seeing the Canadian geese raising their goslings during the spring, or walking the 2.5 mile path from the Children's Garden to the Zoo.

The schools? We took our kids from Christian school because of financial considerations. I had quite a bit of trepidation putting them into the Greenville County school system. But it's been a far better experience than I expected, and I'm happy with the decision we made. My kids are smart, and though every single school they go to is Title 1 (high percentage of low income families), the schools have done everything possible to make sure they are challenged. The rebuilding program has brought the school system into the 21st century with technology to help each child achieve, no matter what level they're at.

Hospital system? Uh huh. The doctors around here are first rate, and the fact that we have two hospital systems means we get first-class care.

Public transit? Now, here's where I'm not pleased. This is one area that Greenville needs to improve on, and improve a lot.

Urban sprawl? I see that beginning to happen, and a lot of what makes Greenville so green is disappearing to build more houses - and not always affordable ones either. I can see the need for replanting, and for preserving some of the older stands of trees that shade the city and keep it "Green"ville.

Attitudes? I find a general sense of politeness down here that I don't find up North. Just in little things, like holding doors, and "yes ma'am" or "yes, sir". I've also heard and seen things that made me realize that racial/cultural relations down here aren't all they could be, and living here has made me more conscious of my own attitudes toward other cultures. It's a sensitive issue, moreso because it's a Southern city, so I find people are far more conscious of it than perhaps they would be elsewhere.

For the record, I'm originally from MA, and my husband is from MI. We met here at Bob Jones (yes, there!). When we left Greenville for central PA, I said I'd never come back. I learned to never say "never".

Greenville's not perfect, but it's the right place for my family, and I'm glad I live here.

[ShabbyChick]

We are currently living in Michigan and trying to decide between Greenville and Spartanburg. I've read several of the posts here and I have a couple of questions. First, we are looking for a town where people sit out on the porch swing and talk to one another. Where you get to know your neighbors and people are just "down home" folks. At the same time, we have a family of 6 and need to have a good income (currently we make 6 figures). I have an Interior Design Business (I work out of home), but mainly my husband is the bread-winner as a Real Estate Broker. So, good jobs are a must.
And, please not a town that embraces the gay community, we are very conservative Christians.

So, is it Spartanburg, or Greenville? Thank you for any help you can give!!!

[Biscuits&Gravy]

Firstly I would suggest you stay closer to Greenville than Spartanburg. Greenville just has so much more to offer. As far as looking for a town where people swing on thier porches etc... I have found that to be more specific to the neighborhood you choose. Do a little research on the hoods you like before committing. We did, and we live in a fantastic neighborhood full of vibrant professionals with stay at home moms and lots of children. We have regular planned an unplanned get togethers all the time and big block parties on some on holidays and other special occasions. It is a dream of a neighborhood considering where I come from up in Boston. Interesting fact about my hood, is that 80% of them are northerners who came down for a better life and we are all making that happen. Good luck!

[SomewhereElse]

The problem is rude northerners moving here. Upstate SC is a great place, because of the people. When you get 1000's of northerners to move here, it losses the southern flair, there is nothing worse than going into a store in South Carolina and the clerk or whomever starts talking with that Brooklyn accent, what a turn off. Makes me turn around and leave.

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by ShabbyChick

And, please not a town that embraces the gay community, we are very conservative Christians.

Not Greenville then....you may run into my partner and I. A gay couple.
Greenville is working toward embracing ALL, regardless of beliefs, race, gender, faith, sexual orientation, etc.

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by SomewhereElse

The problem is rude northerners moving here. Upstate SC is a great place, because of the people. When you get 1000's of northerners to move here, it losses the southern flair, there is nothing worse than going into a store in South Carolina and the clerk or whomever starts talking with that Brooklyn accent, what a turn off. Makes me turn around and leave.

If your spouse got a great job offer in Boston and you HAD to move from the south to Boston, I am sure you would want to be treated better by the northerns than your statement above.

[SomewhereElse]

Wrong, I wouldn't move to Boston or anywhere up in the NE. Family is what's important, I would never sacrafice my family for a job, just to make more money and possibly live worse. My family income is around 90K here in Upstate SC. I'm starting to live a happy life, since moving from expensive SFL this past year, where again MANY northerners have migrated from, which makes it a very rude place to live!

[FrozenAngel]

Originally Posted by SomewhereElse

Wrong, I wouldn't move to Boston or anywhere up in the NE. Family is what's important, I would never sacrafice my family for a job, just to make more money and possibly live worse. My family income is around 90K here in Upstate SC. I'm starting to live a happy life, since moving from expensive SFL this past year, where again MANY northerners have migrated from, which makes it a very rude place to live!

Aren't you lucky that you make a good living and will NEVER have to move and take a job somewhere else in order to feed your family. Yup, that is how it is for everyone else, too. And shame on those people who move to be able to feed their families. Nope they should stay where they are and let their families starve to death. Hopefully you get how stupid this is .....

[ShabbyChick]

Originally Posted by gsupstate

Not Greenville then....you may run into my partner and I. A gay couple.
Greenville is working toward embracing ALL, regardless of beliefs, race, gender, faith, sexual orientation, etc.

Please try to understand my position. I read a post on one of these forums where the man was an "agnostic", "artsy", etc.
He asked SPECIFICALLY whether Bob Jones University is representative of the culture in SC, because he didn't want to be around the "narrow minded Christians".

Now, I'm not setting out to upset you, BUT we are not going to cater to the "politically correct" crowd on this issue. You wouldn't want the bible shoved down your throats, neither to we want to live in a town that caters to a lifestyle that we believe to be immoral. Fair enough?

[JViello]

Originally Posted by FrozenAngel

Aren't you lucky that you make a good living and will NEVER have to move and take a job somewhere else in order to feed your family. Yup, that is how it is for everyone else, too. And shame on those people who move to be able to feed their families. Nope they should stay where they are and let their families starve to death. Hopefully you get how stupid this is .....

Most folks transfer to the South for a better opportunity, not to feed their starving children. No offense but that's the reality 99% of the time.

I think you are seeing a very real example of ideological difference (Speaking in generalities) between "Northerners" and "Southerners".

Northerners generally sacrifice more for the rat race at family expense while Southerners generally sacrifice material things in exchange for a stronger family unit. Money does not make a family.

There are exceptions of course but having lived in both places and looking at a macro view, that has been my experience and findings.

I think what somewhereelse is saying, is that those ideologies follow most Northerners and they don't even realize it and without realizing WHY you "had" to leave your home because it became a rude, expensive craphole you ultimatly turn your new home into the same thing...I.E. Southeast Florida...Brooklyn with palm trees.