What's in Western SC? (Greenville, Spartanburg: for sale, new house, income)

[Jammie]

Can anyone tell me what's in the western part of SC? Is it hilly, mountainous, etc? Also, what parts of the state have the most plush settings? We love colorful bushes and flowers and thick, plush grass. Any info will be so much appreciated. We plan on visiting there again this autumn and would like to travel around a bit and it'd be so great to know in advance an area that we'd be interested in.

[Maggie]

The western border of South Carolina is the Savannah River. One look at a map will reveal that North of Augusta, Ga there are 3 large lakes created by 3 dams. Below Highway 20 in Western South Carolina you have relatively flat land and in summer you have to deal with the bugs. Just South East of Augusta there is 50 square miles of what is the Savannah River Plant and although people don't like to talk about it, all the world nuclear waste is currently gets processed and stored there encased in glass and stored in underground caves.

However North of Augusta begins the hill country and at the very northern part of the state there are low Mountains. From Augusta North is just get more and more beautiful. Right now the Wisteria, and dogwood and red buds and azaleas are rampant. We just got back from a trip up north and you can smell the sweet floral scents in the air here right now. The Lake is a wonderful wonderland for fishermen.

[Toria]

Maggie, how are the bugs in the Greenville area, and is it less humid there than other parts of the state? Thanks for any info...

[Maggie]

I don't live in Greenville and don't go through it very often so I can't tell you about the bugs. I can tell you that Greenville and Spartanburg are both growing very fast and neither is any longer a small town. Generally I think the bug problem is less noticable the further North you go but there seems to be a break point about 20 to 30 miles South of Greenville around the Clinton area where you have areas above and below the ice belt. What I mean by that is that above that area there are generally a couple of ice storms each winter that may knock out Electric service for a couple of day. South of that area the ice storms are less frequent but still possible.

In McCormick County which is west and North of Edgefield County and Aiken County you will find waterfront land which is raltively inexpensive. This is a very well kept secret. There is a residentual community that was started about 15 years ago called Savannah Lakes. They have two golf courses and a natatorium and a couple of diiferent club houses and activity center. When you own property in this development you must pay a utility assessment and club dues of $80.00 per month but the area is restrictive in that houses must be built to certain specifications. The average cost of a 2000 sq ft house is probably under $200,000 if you can find one that is for sale in a resale. There a lots of lots for sale but of course building a new house keeps getting more expensive as each month goes by. At the time Katrina hit there were almost 40 houses for sale in this development. Within a month of Katrina the inventory disappeared since many people are relocating here to get away from the hurricane zones. Augusta, Georgia has 2 very large VA hospitals which are top notch and there are also three other large medical facilities in Augusta. Also for retired military there is Fort Gordon with PX and commissary.

South Carolina does have an income tax and even retirement income is taxed however Seniors over 65 get a pretty sizable exemption.

[Toria]

thanks for the info, very helpful!

[Arteest]

Northwest S.C. is beautiful. You have some very nice mountions leading up to the N.C.border and lots of lakes ( do a google image search for "Whitewater Falls" or Stumphouse tunnel")
Seneca is in the area and is a nice southern small town almost exactly half way between Atlanta and Charlotte (110 miles from Atlanta and about 120 miles to Charlotte and 40 miles from Greenville )