Looking at moving to SC and overwhelmed (Columbia, Charleston: consignment, houses)

[bornfree]

My husband is in Afghanistan till next January with the army National guard. He wants to start a career with his heating/air conditioning degree. I'm a Hospice home care LPN. I would like to stay in the homecare field. My husband is having a hard time getting a job in his field up here in Upstate NY because he is so newly experienced. We have two children ages 14 and 8. We want to live a simple, inexpensive life below our means. I would like to relocate before my husband comes home. So he can look forward to a bright future. The three counties I was looking at are, Hampton Co., Chesterfield Co., and Orangeburgh Co. because of the low cost of housing. I was wondering about horacain prone areas. I was wondering why are these areas have such a low cost of living. If any one could tell a little more about these counties. We want to live in a small friendly town. Thank you, Nieve in NY

[Akhenaton06]

Those counties have a low cost of living because, frankly, there isn't much demand to live in any of them due to the lack of jobs. However, of the three you mentioned, I'd pick Orangeburg County. It has more going for it than the other counties and is set to get two economic megadevelopments that will bring hundreds of jobs to the county over the next several years.

[waccamatt]

I agree with Akhenaton; of those 3 counties, Orangeburg would be the best choice, but none of the 3 are great places, economically. You asked about hurricanes, none of those counties are close enough to the coast that hurricanes are a major concern. Those counties might be cheap, but you'll have a hard time finding a job there and if you do, the wages will be lower than in an urban area.

[Skyliner]

Have you checked into locating closer to the Columbia area? Usually larger places have more options to offer people looking to live on less - unless you plan to do a bit of homesteading. In addition, Columbia is further away from the coast, meaning you would be less likely to suffer from the affects of a major hurricane when one makes landfall again. Also consider the fact that you both will likely have better job opportunities if you live in or near a larger metro.

If you are set on your decision to relocate to one of these three counties, I would recommend Orangeburg as well, mostly because it seems to have the best potential to grow in the near future.

[Tommy1981]

I'd say your job as a nurse would be much easier to find work, almost anywhere in the state. My mother and Sister-In-Law are both RN's and they've had plenty of work over the years. My mother considered working for Hospice once, but ended up going with the Home Health Care branch of our local hospital instead.

It would make sense to let your husband's job determine where you guys would go, and trust that there will be nursing jobs wherever that ends up.

The cost of living is fairly flat across the state, and much of the south. There are a few "hot" areas as far as housing goes in places like Atlanta, Chartlotte, Raleigh, etc. If you stay away from these areas, you'll probably find the cost of housing, taxes, food, gas, etc, is similar in the south (generally much less than the north).

I think you'd have more success with the HVAC business in a mid to large city to have more potential customers in a serviceable area (especially with gas prices the way they are now. Small town = wider coverage area => much slimer margins).

Check out places like Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, Florence, Greenwood, etc. All of these cities would be a fair size to have business in the HVAC industry, and plenty of hospitals and medical industry for your nursing. Some are bigger than others, some have more out door activities, shopping, dining, etc.

If you provide more information about your priorities I'm sure we could make more specific recommendations.

[bornfree]

Thanks, You all made the picture a little clearer. One of you asked me to be more specific about our priorities. We live in a small town 45 min from Albany NY. So I guess a small town within an hour from a city. We are good christians and want to be around people who share the same values and a good bible believing non-cultish church. Town where people dont live in their own little world and you know your neighbors names. As far as schools. A small school is fine though I might homeschool a while. Within two hours of the ocean would be nice.A town where your house isn't expected to look perfect. We live in a trailer right now and want a little more room. We may get an apt. or live in an RV till we know if we want to stay there and settle down. Kinda like you know, a Mayberry town. If there is such a thing. Thanks Tami

[Tommy1981]

There will be churches in almost any town of any size in SC. Many people refer to SC as the buckle of the bible belt. I'm sure you will be able to find a church to your liking just about anywhere.

Most places in SC would be friendly enough that you'd know the names of the folks on your block. Also most areas in SC have a vareity of housing options. There will be sections of town where trailers are common, other parts with small to mid sized houses, and nicer areas with larger houses. You can find some of each type of housing in every city.

"Mayberry Towns" within 2 hours of the coast that come to mind are: Marion, Dillon, Latta, Darlington, Hartsville, Camden. Each one has their own "downtown" area and southern charm. Some are home to small colleges (Coker College in Hartsville, Francis Marion University in Marion). There are other attractions in places like Darlington is home to a major NASCAR track, Camden has an annual horse race every year.

I'm more familiar with the northern coastal areas. Maybe somebody else would have suggestions for the southern parts.

[aggienanoo]

I am from Chesterfield Co. I lived there for 26 years we transferred with my husbands work. I know first hand the Hospice in Chesterfield is growing, my friend started it, they just built a new office and opened a consignment shop called the Sunshine shop that is doing good. Although I am not sure how it would be starting his own business there. If you don't mind a little more of a commute for shopping the closest malls are Florence, Charlotte NC, Rockingham, and Columbia and Myrtle Beach is about 2.5 hours out. Pageland is a fast growing town in chesterfield county, alot of Charlotte NC traffic is coming in and Cheraw SC in chesterfield co is growing too. For a small school Ruby Elementary is great. Ruby and Chesterfield combine in the 9th grades at Chesterfield High School which is where I graduated. If you are still interested let me know. I know alot of people consider it a slow town but sometimes slow is OK. As far as church SC is loaded. My mom is Baptist, Step dad Methodist and my Dad is Prebsyterian, I am well rounded in chesterfield co churches.

[bornfree]

aggienanoo, I was wondering if that hospice hires LPNs. Do you know?

[locallady]

I lived in Sumter for about 30 years. I know several home-school families. There are also many private schools. My children attended private schools when they were young. Most of my friends were strong christians and that's why, I enjoyed raising my family there. Columbia is one hour away by a dual line highway..... Charleston is about 1 1/2 hours away by interstate.....Florence is also a good place to eat and shop.... It's less than an hour. The beaches are about 2 hours away and the mountains are about 3 hours.......love thoses Tigers. We live at the coast now.