where oh where can I move? (Columbia, Greenville: house, to buy, luxury)

[JerseyGirl3624]

Looking to relocate down south someday. Completely confused and cannot figure out WHERE!

The town I live in NJ has a beautiful downtown that has mall stores along with mom & pop stores. Lots of restaurants and great stores like Traders Joe and Wegman (grocery stores) nearby.
I would love to live in a town (30,000) that offers a nice downtown area with a decent mall and Costco within a 30-60 minute drive.
It has to be safe and of course I need to work.
I am an Administrative Assistant, so there must be a job or two I can find. Don't panic, I'm an "old time Jerseyan". We're friendly and not rude.
Hate to move from Jersey, but the way property taxes keep going up, I won't be able to afford living here much longer.
Expenses are rising faster than my income.
Yes, I know salaries won't compare to what I'm making up here, but if I sell my house and able to buy a less expensive one down south; then I can bank the balance for retirement savings.
Your help would be greatly appreciated!

[g-man430]

^^Sounds like Greenville. Costco in the area too. Check out some photos here: Greenville, SC photo thread - SkyscraperCity and here: Greenville Daily Photo - living downtown

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by JerseyGirl3624

Looking to relocate down south someday. Completely confused and cannot figure out WHERE!

The town I live in NJ has a beautiful downtown that has mall stores along with mom & pop stores. Lots of restaurants and great stores like Traders Joe and Wegman (grocery stores) nearby.
I would love to live in a town (30,000) that offers a nice downtown area with a decent mall and Costco within a 30-60 minute drive.
It has to be safe and of course I need to work.
I am an Administrative Assistant, so there must be a job or two I can find. Don't panic, I'm an "old time Jerseyan". We're friendly and not rude.

Hmm you're not talking about Marlton are you?
As far as the 'hot spots' for northerners down south,NC is probably one of the main places where the economy isn't bad for the south. You also probably couldn't go too wrong with staying in large metro areas such as Atlanta etc.

[Doctor Avery]

Hey Jersey Girl...Some info I copied for you from a previous post:

Myrtle Beach, SC has wonderful Golf Courses all at very reasonable prices. Its amazing how far along in the past few years Myrtle Beach has come in upgrading. "It's not your Dad's Myrtle Beach any more". This statement is coming from everywhere! Horry County Goverment is spending multi-millions on "refurbishing" MB. Although there will be alot of visitors to MB throughout the years, ALOT of people are purchasing homes to retire to in the future. It looks like it is on the way to becoming becoming a Luxury retirement market! The price points are GREAT comparing to most all other destination areas. I have been very pleased with all the positive news lately on MB and the housing market.
AND YES WE HAVE A NEW COSTCO! And very cool marketplaces etc... All new development

[sheena]

Originally Posted by Doctor Avery

Hey Jersey Girl...Some info I copied for you from a previous post:

Myrtle Beach, SC has wonderful Golf Courses all at very reasonable prices. Its amazing how far along in the past few years Myrtle Beach has come in upgrading. "It's not your Dad's Myrtle Beach any more". This statement is coming from everywhere! Horry County Goverment is spending multi-millions on "refurbishing" MB. Although there will be alot of visitors to MB throughout the years, ALOT of people are purchasing homes to retire to in the future. It looks like it is on the way to becoming becoming a Luxury retirement market! The price points are GREAT comparing to most all other destination areas. I have been very pleased with all the positive news lately on MB and the housing market.
AND YES WE HAVE A NEW COSTCO! And very cool marketplaces etc... All new development

Very true, they just need a decent mall with a Macys

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by sheena

Very true, they just need a decent mall with a Macys

I think the only Macy's in South Carolina are in Columbia and Greenville.

[vickiegambrell]

Check out Anderson it is a small town undergoing a major renovation and it is looking good. We are 30 minutes from Greenville, major shopping. We have lower taxes.

Carolina Tax Benefits for Retirees

We have great lakes and are an hours drive to beautiful mountains and the Blue Ridge parkway.

Here are some pictures and links to get you started.

Visit Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson Daily Photo

Low cost Living - Vickie Gambrell

MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2007: Anderson, SC snapshot

[AmySellsMyrtleBeach]

I would definetly consider the Myrtle Beach area! Although one warning about South Carolina, your salary will be much lower than what you are used too up in New Jersey. But hey, look at all the money your saving with our lower taxes!

[Doctor Avery]

Macy's and HIGH END shopping are on their way to MB. A Community called Grande Dunes (Burroughs & Chapin Co.) are doing the Marketplace at Grande Dunes and the Shoppes at Grande Dunes. It will be filled with high end shops and boutiques. The Ruth's Chris steak house is opening soon at Grande Dunes! Very exciting things happening.

[GJM]

Oh how I miss Macy's so much. I heard they were building a Norstrand there, how I hope it will be a Macy's!