Information on Edgefield,SC (Aiken, Greenwood: crime rate, mobile home, job market)

[hillbilly078]

My wife and I have purchased a house outside of Edgefield, Sc towards Hwy 25. We plan to move there next year. I was trying to get some information on what the town and surroundings are like. From what I can tell it looks like a beautiful small town.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Frankie117]

It's a pretty nice little town, I liked it. Edgefield is not the city it once was though. Most of its industrial base has left town. Are you retiring or in the market for a job...? If you're retiring you should find it a perfect place, if your in the job market...well...you might have a long drive ahead of you to any decent workplaces.

However, you can always go to Augusta, GA for shopping and what not.

[Racelady88]

I will second what the previous poster said. I almost bought a house in Edgefield a couple of years ago. I ended up in Aiken, which also has no jobs. If you have to work it is going to be in Augusta.

[burr]

Hillbilly,
Raised here in Edgefield County, SC, and split time between the farm and town (Augusta). Edgefield County, and surrounding areas, is experiencing large growth from what us homeboys are used to. Old traditional family farms are cut, split, and re-split into beautiful tracts with nice top rate homes built to specs for the snowbirds. Golf, mild winters, and cheaper cost of living is bringin' 'em down here so that one barely recognizes anyone anymore. Room for everyone, it's just that it's different - in the last ten years. And now that I mention it, the traffic is tenfold from just a few years ago (but it used to be nothing !). I've got two brand new neighbors across the way - one from Fla, and the other from NC.
Fifteen minutes to the Augusta National Golf Club, two hours from Atlanta and Charlotte, the coast and the mountains, it is very centrally located. It is NOT what another may be used to, but seem to adapt quickly to a more relaxed lifestyle.
Did I mention the summers ? Kinda muggy for maybe 3 or 4 months, and in serious drout conditions.
You didn't purchase in Mt Vintage, did you ? Top of the line, two golf courses, horses, tennis, hilly terrain, used to hunt it twenty years back...
Edgefield is not big enough to have jobs, although SavannahRiverSite (USGov't Nuclear Res) is 45 minutes, Bridgestone/Firestone plant is 25 min., and several papertype industries are around Augusta/Richmond Cty, 35 min or so. The place (CentralSavannahRiverArea) is bustin' out with growth from people moving to this spot. Where did you say you were from ?

[hillbilly078]

No I did not purchase in Mt. Vintage, thats not in my budget. House is between Edgefield and Hwy 378. I own a construction company in Pennsylvania, so the employment is not really a concern, I'd be out of town a lot. What the crime rate like down there? I love all the pictures I've seen so far, I grew up in the country, and I'm tired of the city life. Plan on moving there to be more relaxed from the fast paces up here. I always enjoyed the "southern hospitality". Just trying to get some more information on the area.

[scyogi]

It is really a cute town. Very small and charming--not much of a retail base. I am almost positive that you have to drive back to the Aiken area for Target/Walmart purchases. (I moved from the Aiken area in June) You will have to drive for your entertainment. If you are happy with clean country living you will be 100% ok! Check out the areas around you--McCormick has an amazing lake (Strom Thurmond), Aiken has miles of horse trails (hitchcock woods), polo matches, and fall/spring steeplechase and Augusta has a 'developing' downtown area. The weather is great in SC for 9 months of the year. Summers can be sultry, to put it mildly. Enjoy and a Warm WELCOME to the south!

[burr]

Okay, HB, you've purchased on the other side of Edgefield, more sparsley populated, more isolated, maybe bigger tracts. I'm not as familiar with this area except to pass through. The explosion has not yet reached your slice of heaven. Travel times to my previous destinations double; it will be a special trip to Augusta. Of course, it may be something you are used to, but down here, it's a ride. You will probably do your shopping, socializing in Greenwood, a nice small college former milltown. They have a blues/barbeque weekend in July that we attend. As stated above, Thurmond Lake is a beautiful resort/reservoir, HUGE, and just around the corner. Also, Lake Greenwood, but I'm not familiar.
As any rural area (at least around here), certain protective steps are required for crime deterrants. Edgefield County has no more than 10 units patrolling DURING THE DAYTIME HOURS. At night, less, unless called out. Of course, fire protection is the same. This is the country. It is a little flatter than southside, less restrictions (from developments), I imagine.

[hillbilly078]

So what your telling me is that with the normal precautions, it should be cool? No big rash of murders,burglaries, or anything of that nature correct?
The country doesnt bother me, I grew up in the Country where is was 25-30 minutes to any Walmarts, or big restaurants. Thanks for all the information.

[hillbilly078]

Does Edgefield itself have any small grocery store or restaurants? Thanks

[scyogi]

Most crime in SC is drug related and family violence. I don't recall any 'horror' stories from Edgefield. 99% of the times its a mobile home that burns and kills the occupents, or Bubby and his girlfriend decided to add to their income by selling local home made narcartics. Since I moved to a much bigger town (Dallas) the news actually scares me here! I long to here that the top story was the 7-11 was robbed.