moving to SC...PLEASE HELP ASAP! (Columbia, Greenville: crime rate, homes, buy)

[golden heart]

Hello All! My family is relocating to SC in a couple of weeks, and we need some additional input from all of you, although we have done a great deal of research, We are interested in the Florence area, along with other small towns such as Pamplico, Conway, Darlington, and Lamar or Sumter. Can anyone give us additional feedback about these areas...cost of living, schools etc. etc? Thanks!

[friendnc]

Is there a particular reason you're looking in these areas (to be close to the ocean, ect)? Are you just looking at small towns? Small town inside metro areas? Outside metro areas? If you could give a little more info, I might be more helpful.

[golden heart]

Yes, we are looking into some of the smaller towns, we have heard that pamplico,and lamar is nice... just wanted some input on what others think about the schools, crime rate etc.. we are looking to purchase a home with acreage, and didn't want to go to the bigger cities. any suggestions?

[friendnc]

Not familiar with those towns at all. A really nice small town is Newberry. It's a really pretty college town (small college, that is - Prebyterian College) not in a metro area, but is about 50 miles NW of Columbia.

[anonymous]

goldenheart, Florence and Sumter are pretty similar. (I grew up in Sumter) Darlington and Pamlico are quite a bit smaller.

If you are into the 'country life', you are looking in the right areas. The cost of living is very low, you can buy cheap land all over the place. If you like to hunt, fish, and go to church, then you will be like peas in a pod. But just be aware of the downside to all of it.

There is little to no entertainment or culture, the schools are a mixed bag at best, and the areas you are talking about are basically all in the Pee Dee Swamp, so it is hot and humid. The economy is hit-or-miss as well. The area has very few high-paying jobs. Former President Clinton declared Sumter a "new urban empowerment zone", which is a fancy way of saying that we really needed federal assistance, just to pay for basic services that a city/county should be providing.

Some people don't have much experience dealing with "Race in the South", and moving here, you will probably have to confront the topic in some way or another. Blacks and whites get along, but they generally live in different parts of town, and there is a huge cultural and economic gap between them.

I'm not trying to run you off or anything, I just felt it would be more helpful for me to be critical than it would to just talk about the positives. good luck in your decision.

[golden heart]

Thanks alot for the info. that helps!

[NikkiC]

florence isint a bad place to live.. pretty affordable & growing nicely

Darlington you couldnt pay me to live there.. i worked for a bank as a floater for the florence area & had to work darlington some.. HATED IT

Hartsville isint half bad..

[golden heart]

Thanks for the input. I am very interested in florence...can you give me any additional info about the schools, and crime rate? also do you know anyhing about lamar or pamplico? thanks

[bacoker]

Homes with acreage would be available in the Wedgefield area (great horseback riding area) or out toward Turbeville, and/or Florence. Sumter's service area includes approximately 100,000 residents from Lee, Sumter and Clarendon counties. If I had small children, the Alice Drive School area (Elementary and Middle School) would be highly appealing, as would Sumter High School which is one of the largest schools in the state and offers great opportunities for a good student to receive a great education. USC Sumter is located here for those who wish to continue living at home while earning a college degree. Homes in the Alice Drive area of the city range from about $120,000 up but most are normal size lots (100 x 150 or so). The downtown area is being restored and is very attractive. We are close enough to the beaches to drive there and back on a day trip. We do not have the congestion of the I-95 area which affects Florence. Dillon Park and its ball fields is a major attraction area for special events, as is Swan Lake/Iris Gardens. Tuomey Regional Medical Center is one of the largest employers in the area and is also one of the finest hospitals in the state. We have great shopping, friendly people and peace and quiet when you need it. Take a closer look at Sumter. It is a great place to raise a family.

[normbarnes]

How about a beautiful home at 420K in Terra Oaks at Greenville SC -- want info email

Norm