Moved to South Carolina - HUGE MISTAKE (Charleston, Hilton Head Island: public school, gated)

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by susie4

flgargoyle
...Now my son-in-law just needs to find work - he worked in IT and has an enginerring degree.

Susie4, Greenville has a HUGE engineering population and it is booming right now with many new positions needing to be filled. Check out this article from just over a week ago to see what I mean. Read more in this article, and more from Fluor (company website) and Jacobs Engineering Group.

[hiramflet]

What a great reply..kudos to you!!

Originally Posted by flgargoyle

I've always noticed that once someone decides to leave an area, it suddenly becomes 'the worst place they've ever lived.' I've always been pretty happy everywhere I've lived, b/c I like to adopt the local lifestyle, rather than change it. I have a friend who is a very pushy, loud New Yorker, always in a hurry. He moved to the NC mountains, and quickly became upset b/c everything wasn't like it was in NYC. I will even pick up the local accent after a while. To me, half the reason to move to a place like SC is to become one of them, not bring my own agenda. When I'm up in the country, I wear overalls, not a suit.

[susie4]

Skyliner

Thanks. I've passed on this information to him.

[jorsich]

I've been thinking of moving there from Ohio, as I'm Areal estae broker and the market is really bad here, but thought it was good there.

[ann onymous]

Originally Posted by anonymous

I'm sorry you don't like it. I can understand how, being from Chicago, it was not what you expected it to be. Things sometimes happen like that. If it was what you had expected it to be, I probably wouldn't call it home.

But I'm curious about this comment. I constantly hear that "Southerners are stuck in the Civil War". Yet, in the south, I don't often hear anything about the Civil War. Sometimes I think transplants take all the cultural differences that southerners have, and the way of life that we have, and just mash it up into one phrase about the civil war. So, do you mean this literally, or figuratively?

Can you elaborate about this?

Well here's some examples, that the Civil War is still referred to as the War of Northern Aggression, mind your manners if you're from the north east, some southerner who was pretty fired up when visiting Gettysberg and wouldn't let his wife take pictures, granted none of these people were from SC.

[Skyliner]

It is Gettysburg and I have been there more times than I can remember. It is a very humbling experience and a memorial worthy of visitation by every citizen of the U.S.A.

[orangeburghomes]

Originally Posted by orangeburghomes

What constitutes a big mistake is coming into any area and expecting it to be just like where you came from-- people move for reasons- if they liked where they were or if they could make a living there or totlerate the taxes/crime- they would have stayed where they came from--

GRANTED Orangeburg is not New York--- and for that we are glad--
as to being back in the 60's ..... I guess what you value from the life God has given you will dicatate how that affects your life.

Welcome to Orangeburg-- or South Carrolina for that part!!

THERE IS NO PERFECT palce but heaven- and it will not be over-populated or over-taxed--- but, I have been in Orangeburg since 1975 and have learned to love it- people are people- the government is the government- the one here is a bit immature- that is good- they are not charging taxes on water from the earth yet- and much more:

[Tree_1967]

I've lived a lot of different places. PA, CA, NY, IL/MO, & FL. All these places are exactly the same. It's what you make of where you live. Lived in red-neck central and lived very close to the city. The best by far has been FL, with PA a very close second. If unemployment wasn't horrible in PA, I'd probably move back there. They all have their issues. Weather it's crime, unemployment, or whatever.

I will say, I hate the mid-west. There are very little redeeming qualities here. I have been here since 1989 and can honestly say I can count my true friends on one hand. I know everyone and their brother, but only a few true friends. As far as the church community goes, the ones you see in church on Sunday are the same ones flipping you off Sunday evening. There is no limit to the hypocrisy. I have done what I can to make the best of this area, but I know it's just not for me. However, I do make the best of it, and have as much fun as I can.

The weather is horrible. Extreme heat in the summers, and miserable cold and wet winters, with very little snow. Every year we have a week of 60-70 degree weather in Jan. or Feb. 30+ degree temp changes are hard on the knees and other joints.

Chicago is "special" in IL. The majority of the population is there and every where south of that doesn't count. Our wonderful governor lives in Chicago and commutes to the state capital (Springfield) several times a week. Costing us taxpayers about $84K a week! The people of Chicago don't care, so it doesn't matter. There are not enough people downstate to vote him out of office. Schools are not good, and most kids are dumb as a box of rocks.

Remember this, just because you are educated, doesn't make you smart, or capable for that matter.

So, I'm giving SC a shot. Have accepted a temporary position there to test the waters. If I like it, I'll stay. If not, I'll move back to my current location. It sounds like the people are good folks. I consider myself to be a white collar, red neck. I have manners, and usually very polite. I try my best not to judge anyone.

Life is too short to spend it in discontent. If you don't like something, change it.

Later,

Steve

[usc_gal98]

If I've previously posted then forgive me for my oversight.

I was born and raised here. I've visited every area of SC there is to visit.
We do have negatives such as lack of public transportation. We should have a train, bus or something for people who do not have cars. I know that in chicago, they have all of that.
Also, the schools could use improvement. Some of the old towns could use some serious renovation. Don't even get me started about the roads here! The heat is something to be less than desired but that's part of the environment here. It's hot....period! The wages are probably lower than most places. That's just something that you have to research and accept.

Having said that, there are so many positives to this state. The laid back lifestyle is wonderful. I could not imagine living in a huge city and being in a rush 24/7. People actually have a chance to enjoy their lives in this state.
Another positive would be that we are close to other great states/cities. You have that atlantic ocean, the mountains, the lakes, and many other great things about SC. Yes, the water is darker than it is in most states but that has to do with the ecosystem here.

I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. SC is what it is. Comparing SC to Chicago is like comparing apples to oranges.

[GoneWiththeWind]

I lived in a tiny town in rural Maryland which had 50 households. Then my (future) husband came along and he was rah-rah about South Florida and had a tiny condo here. In 2004 we got slammed by hurricane every couple of weeks and, in 2005, Hurricane Wilma flattened Broward County and destroyed our condo community sending us into exile. Eventually we found a buyer who likes wrecks and sold after nearly two years of renting. In a couple of weeks we will be visiting in Augusta and seeing local area real estate including properties in Aiken County.

Once upon a time when I was a teen I HATED small towns and rural hamlets. Considered it a living death and couldn't wait to get away. Joined the WAVES to get outta town. But that was way back then. At this point my husband is 75+ and I will be 61 next week. In order to hang in here waiting for a sale of the ruined condo I have worked 6 days a week for years to pay the rent on a small apartment in a decent part of town here. It's been a tredmill existance and what kept me going is the dream of a little place in the country with land and where the living is easy and crime isn't rampant. We've found such a place in the New Ellenton area. What can anyone tell us of the life there? Also, we are unacquainted with the concept of 'personal' tax on automobile and such. Is it expensive? We have an old car. Is propane for heating affordable? Much of SC has area code 801 and I wonder how wide a calling area New Ellenton has before a call becomes long distance? I am thinking about internet providers. What businesses are in/near New Ellenton?

Anything you might tell these two old geezers will be gratefully received.