North Carolina or South Carolina? (Parris Island, Jackson: taxes, military, moving)

[Allena]

Hi Everyone,
I've posted on the NC forum but since seeing pictures of SC I've directed my attention to here.
My boyfriend and I are in our late teen years and plan on moving soon.
He's from Ireland, and I'm from Tennessee.
Although I'm from the south, I don't know much at all about SC.
My father was born there and that's about the extent of my knowledge of the state. I've heard SC is a military state, and I'm not sure if that would be the best atmosphere for a young couple.
Can anyone answer some questions or give me any info on SC?
Is it more expensive or less expensive than NC and most other southern states?
Are taxes a problem?
Are jobs (not anything corporate) hard to come by?
Is SC racially tolerant?

Thanks

[Akhenaton06]

SC has a few military installations (Parris Island, Ft. Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base, etc.), but I wouldn't really call it a "military state."

It's typically less expensive than NC, if you're speaking of the larger urban areas.

I don't think taxes are too bad here, but then again, I'm not a homeowner.

As far as jobs and the social climate as far as race relations are concerned, stick to the major urban areas, and you'll be OK for the most part.