Possible move to Greenwood from Philly (Charleston, Greenville: fit in, rentals, houses) - City-Data Forum

Drayb3 · 08-27-2010, 06:45 AM

Hi everyone. I have a phone interview next week for a job in Greenwood, and I'm 99% sure I could get the job (it's with the same company I currently work for). Anyway, I'm wondering if my girlfriend and I would be a good fit in Greenwood. We're 23 and 24, and currently live in Philadelphia, PA. We're both white and pretty conservative. My girlfriend is originally from York, SC, and has been wanting to move back to the South. I've been to SC many times and really love it. We're also both tired of fast-paced city life (that's been my whole life, I'm originally from north NJ, just outside NYC).

So, what is there to do in Greenwood? What is the cost of living? It seems waaaayyy cheaper than Philadelphia. We would be renting if we moved...at least for a while. Are there good cheap rentals? What part of town is safe and affordable?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Drayb3 · 08-27-2010, 11:25 AM

Anyone?

Tinabean · 08-27-2010, 11:27 AM

Hey Drayb....
Congrats on your job opp. This area is particularly hard hit by the recession so you are fortunate.
I'll try to keep it simple..... Greenwood is a better town for married couples raising kids than young singles. There is a small university here but there is nothing in the way of entertainment really. The cost of living is good here. I'd research some of the rental companies and call for rental rates and availability. Let us know what you are leaning towards and I'll help you to identify if it is a good area of town or not. My strong suggestion to you is to do what other colleagues of mine coming from other areas do -- live in Simpsonville (50 minute commute from Greenwood). Most folks in your circumstances who come here usually wind up moving to Greenville/Simpsonville and commuting down to Greenwood. Most of us here in Greenwood usually go up to Greenville for shopping (we don't even have a Target here!), dining and all nightlife.

Good luck on the job and the move. SC is a terrific place and Greenwood has some good points but I've been in your shoes and you'll be happier commuting in I'm sure.

All the best..

Drayb3 · 08-27-2010, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the advice.

We're both pretty much homebodies, me more so than she is. I love the outdoors and quiet, but we both do enjoy going out to eat and going to the movies. I have a feeling living halfway between Greenwood and Greenville would be a good idea. My girlfriend went to the Governor's School in Greenville, and she loves that town. Plus, it'd be easier for her to find a job there than in Greenwood.

arrgy · 08-27-2010, 08:32 PM

Well, the Eagles play Jacksonville in Jacksonville in October I think, so that is something to look forward to. You won't find any Cheesestakes, no Amoroso's, no delis but you might find a tastycake. Forget about any good food like that, no pizza joints or Italian restaurants. I have seen a Rita's and a Soft Pretzel shop in SC. Not many people complainin about the Watermelon Man or the backups on the Schuykill or the Vine. Your closer to Atlanta so you get all the Braves games...yuck. Cost of living is cheaper, and there are no SEPTA strikes, or gunfire around Temple or Penn. You can't go down the shore here but you can go to the beach which is nice, since you don't have to worry about the tolls on the expressway or beach tags. People complain if they have to pay $2 to park for the day, which is nothing like center city. You won't have to worry about any parking authority vultures ticketing and impounding your car. We don't have state stores and you can get alcohol on a sunday at the food store.

But I still miss my home....

NewYorkBorn · 08-29-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drayb3

Thanks for the advice.

We're both pretty much homebodies, me more so than she is. I love the outdoors and quiet, but we both do enjoy going out to eat and going to the movies. I have a feeling living halfway between Greenwood and Greenville would be a good idea. My girlfriend went to the Governor's School in Greenville, and she loves that town. Plus, it'd be easier for her to find a job there than in Greenwood.

There is nothing in between Greenwood and Greenville but rural small towns, undeveloped land and gas stations. Used to work in Greenwood....but ended up purchasing a home in Greenville because it had way more to offer than Greenwood. I am originally from NYC.....worked for Pfizer in Manhattan and made the mistake of transferring my job to their location in SC (Greenwood). Needless to say liked most things about the move with the exception of South Carolina's job market......long story short......after a lay off, almost a year looking for work in SC and seeing that it has way more $9 an hour jobs then it does good paying jobs....headed back to NYC. I always say to those who are interested in relocating.....spend the first few years renting.......don't rush into purchasing anything.....this way if you see that things are not working out it will be easy to simply pack up and leave without the headaches of trying to sell a home in a down housing market. Because the cost of houses in SC are so cheap many of us get excited and rush into big purchases.

Also understand that while Greenville is bigger than Greenwood and does have way more to offer.......it too has been hit hard by unemployment.

Good luck...

mzm1219 · 08-30-2010, 11:46 AM

DrayB3. I live in Greenwood. Moved here from a suburb (75K pop) of very large midwest city....about 3M people. I will be honest, it is a culture shock. But comparatively speaking, you could consider Greenwood to be a suburb of Greenville. Outdoors and quiet can be found here. There is a movie theater and Greenwood has a ton of restaurants. If you want more, yes, you can go to Greenville. We do that too. We shop there quite often. But if you like the idea of being able to drive across town in about 15 minutes, then you will like it. If you like the idea of being able to afford to buy a house instead of renting, then you will like it. It is a small town that is trying inch by inch to grow up. There is opportunity here too. There are a lot of pluses here. I agree though, don't rush into buying. Maybe rent in Greenwood for a year and see how you like it. If not, then there is always Greenville. I have seen Tinabean's post on this board and she has a negative opinion of Greenwood. I don't know why. But she shows it in her posts. Get some more opinions. Like I said, it is a culture shock when you come from a big city that has everything. Occasionally I get "cabin fever" and for that there is Greenville, Charlotte, Clemson, Atlanta, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Beaufort, Hilton Head.......but then I come back here and drive across town in 15 min and don't sit in traffic. That you will not miss, I guarantee.

Tinabean · 09-01-2010, 06:09 AM

Hey OP -- no negativity here

Some folks get their wittle feelings hurt when someone disagrees with them about neighborhoods, schools and such. Good luck and keep us posted with your decision!

Drayb3 · 09-01-2010, 08:15 AM

I'm pretty excited about the possibility of a move! Hopefully I'll be hearing if they want me to come into the office within the next few weeks. The phone interview went amazingly well. I'll be able to check out Greenwood when I head down, and probably spend a day or 2 looking at various rental properties. I think at first I'd live in the town, and maybe eventually move outside it, closer to Greenville. I'm not the kind of person that needs a ton to do wherever I live, so I think I may be happy in Greenwood.

ss20ts · 09-01-2010, 08:23 AM

There may not be a Target, but hey there's a Cracker Barrel! So if you get too bored, you could always sit on the rockers on the front porch and play some checkers.

I never heard of Greenwood until yesterday when I went up to Greenville. Considering how far it is from Greenville, that town is booming! There's lots of shopping, dining, movies, etc. I was surprised. It seemed like a decent quiet place.