What about SC? (Columbia, Charleston, Greenville: home, job market, subdivisions)

[reggie_michaels]

Hi, I am 31yo Accountant looking to make a move to the east coast from Minnesota. I am new to these forums and have spent some time trying to take in some of the comments and suggestions made in regards to living in South Carolina. Overall, I got a mixed concensus about the attitude of the people and the fondness for all of the quaint areas all around the state. Not a stranger to the south, (former Floridian), I know how distinctly different northerners and southerners can be. All that aside, my real interest is finding out what it's really like to live there. Such as: job opportunities, cost of living, metro areas. Since I am nowhere near retirement, I must consider how I will be able to support myself and if the job climate is worth the move there. Not to mention, b/c it has been mentioned, whether racial differences is going to be an issue. I know we all like to think it isn't that bad, but one poster mentioned a Klu Klux Klan store? Anyway, I'd like to move to an area/state/city that would be just as happy to have me as I would to be there. I am very open-minded, personable, but happy to keep to myself, if someone with my chatty personality is considered annoying. I thought SC would be a nice fit for someone looking for a great home, great job, and potentially great friends. Your honest feedback is welcome.

Thanks,
Reg

[Rapture]

What parts of SC are you considering?

[waccamatt]

Reggie, while there are still some pockets of the things you fear, they are mostly just in a few small towns and rural areas, not in most cities. I'm a transplanted New Jerseyan and I love it in Columbia. You'll find lower salaries here, but a much lower cost of living, especially housing and property taxes. If you know of a few qualities that you would like in a home town, list them and we'll try to make some recommendations.

[transplantct]

I think you could find all the things you want here, but I would visit a lot before making a decision. It's strange, but sometimes having all the things you'd like still doesn't make a place feel like home.

[reggie_michaels]

My options are wide open at this point. I will say that I am a city girl so I would like to work and live in a big metropolis area with surrounding suburbs. As long as the job market is good, then I don't think I'll have a hard time finding a decent place to live. Anywhere in the state of South Carolina is fine keeping in mind my preferences above.

[transplantct]

I think the biggest metropolis would be Charleston. Columbia has a little of everything, but I would consider it to be a very small city. I don't know about Greenville.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by transplantct

I think the biggest metropolis would be Charleston. Columbia has a little of everything, but I would consider it to be a very small city. I don't know about Greenville.

Actually, transplant, Columbia is quite a bit larger than Charleston. Columbia's city population is about 15% higher than Charleston and Columbia's metro population is about 16% larger. The 2006 Census Bureau estimates are 703,771 for Columbia's MSA and 603,178 for Charleston's MSA. Greenville's MSA was 601,986 in the 2006 Census estimate.

[transplantct]

I would agree that Columbia is larger than Charleston, but I guess when I think of "metropolis" (and I might be incorrect), I'm thinking bigger downtown.

Columbia is a wide area. It has a small downtown and "happening" area like the Vista, some "intown" suburb living and shopping in the immediate outskirts, and the northeast area which is 10-15 minutes out and probably should be it's own town. And that is comprised mainly of strip malls and subdivisions.

When I think of Charleston I think more of what a city like Boston has to offer in terms of shopping, restaurants, and a more energetic atmosphere.