Sumter (Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston: crime rates, felon, attorney)

[sgfludd]

Oh yeah - Alice Drive Elementary - is the best public elementary school in town - so make sure the houses you look at are zoned for that school if possible.

[santeeheel]

I lived in Sumter from '88 to '96. My family moved there when my father was stationed there for the Air Force. I went to elementary school and middle school at Alice Drive, and high school at Sumter High (the public school).

I enjoyed my time in Sumter and never had any trouble with crime (though there were fights occassionally at the high school...not sure what it's like now, but this was 11 years ago).

I'd agree with the above poster that you should not expect to have any crime in the nicer neighborhoods (of which there are many). Stay away from the "ghetto" (which every city has) and you'll enjoy your time there. I never felt unsafe while living there. I lived in a neighborhood called Indian Hills, near Wise Drive & Wilson Hall Rd.

It's a fairly slow and laid back town, but I found the people to be nice. I am still good friends with many of the people that I went to school with.

[Nausikaa]

I lived in Sumter for a little over 2 years. Lived in a brand new house, in a lovely area. On a nice side of town. It could have been small town America anywhere. No crime around us. Although, there is crime in certain areas - but I'm sure you wouldn't be living there. It's like every town - it has a rough side.

What to expect. Well, there is not much shopping - have to go to Columbia for that. Most people seem to be involved in the Air Force Base, or their church (and own circle of friends). It's a small southern town, full of very very nice people, but there isn't much excitement. A lot of fast food and chain restaurants. Sort of a long drive to anywhere else, i.e. Columbia, Charleston or MB.

It's nice if you like the quiet life, nice homes that are reasonable, church, fast food. Crime - never saw it, ever.

[sumtersucks]

Just so you know-I have lived here my whole life and hate it!!!!!!!!!I have traveled and leave every weekend just to get out of Sumter. I can't believe anyone would tell you Sumter is in any way an attractive town to live in. It is hot and humid beyond belief, it is crime ridden, it is no jobs what -so -ever, it is boring, it is very clickish, it is dog ugggggglllyy, the downdown looks like a crime infested little detroit, swan lake is a 10 minute stroll and you have seen it all, it totally SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way I will leave this dirty little town as soon as my son graduates from high school!

[Ceezer]

Yeah, I moved here in '04 with a good job and left it a few weeks ago. Since then I've not been able to find anything that comes even close (the best offer I've had was at about half of what I was making, and that was from the police dept). Now that you mention it, it is kind of like a mini-Detroit.

[anonymous]

lol. "Mini Detroit".

I've never been to Detroit, outside of the airport. But from what I've been told about the Motor City, that sounds about right.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Mini-Detroit?

I've lived in both. Sumter may not be the best place in the world, but there's no real comparison.

[Ceezer]

I think there's more of a comparison than you're aware of. Only Memphis seperates the two in violence. From The State, according to reports from the FBI:

"Sumter’s per-capita violent crime rate ranked third in the nation — behind Detroit and Memphis — and Florence ranked fifth — behind Shreveport, La. — out of 350 metropolitan statistical areas."

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

I'm aware of the numbers. Still, I grew up in Sumter. My family has been there for generations. I've also lived in Detroit, and even worked in the public school system there. The sheer level of decay is staggering. You also have the difference between the Rust Belt and a southern city that has plenty of woes, but is arguably on the upswing.

Sumter is rough in spots and by no means paradise. Still, I appreciate its virtues more now that I have lived in places like Detroit where your basic choices are urban decay or suburban sprawl.

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

The sheer level of decay is staggering. You also have the difference between the Rust Belt and a southern city that has plenty of woes, but is arguably on the upswing.

Sumter is rough in spots and by no means paradise. Still, I appreciate its virtues more now that I have lived in places like Detroit where your basic choices are urban decay or suburban sprawl.

Sure, of course there are major differences between Detroit and Sumter. But in light of those very obvious differences, there are similarities - crime, the economy, de facto segregation, poor public education, low income/poverty, etc..

You pointed to the "sheer level of decay" as the primary difference between Detroit and Sumter. To me, it goes without saying that Detroit's problems are of a far greater magnitude than Sumter's.

You're right that it is arguable whether Sumter is on the upswing or not. I would argue that it is not, but I haven't been paying close attention in the past 5 or so years. Shaw AFB is like our version of the Big 3 automakers. If Shaw goes, Sumter's economy goes with it.