Best place to teach? (Columbia, Greenville: good schools, pros and cons, to live)

[amyel429]

I am from Ohio looking to move to S.C. for a teaching job. I do not want urban or inner city. I want suburban school that is safe, positive, and has good achievement. Any Ideas? Thanks

[Tommy1981]

SC doesn't any big Cities. Columbia is our largest, and its really nothing compared to Atlanta or Charlotte. The majority of the schools even in our largest cities would be considered Suburban in other places.

There are probably 10 or more districts in the state that are "equally" top notch. There are a couple in Greenville/Spartanburg, Several in the Greater Columbia Area, and others in coastal regions.

If I had to recommend one place, I'm partial to Spartanburg. My in-laws are both teachers there in the Spartan High district and really enjoy teaching there.

There are probably good schools to work for in just about every place that is desireable in the state. You may want to choose an area you like and then find the good schools there. The state is effectively divided into 3 regions: The upstate (north and west corner), the Midlands (aka Lakelands, in the center portion of the state), and the Low Country (or Coastal Region, obviously located by the coast). There are at least a couple of places inside each region that I would consider the best places in SC to live. Each region has its pros and cons. Most of it comes down to weather you like the beach or the mountains, or want a short drive to both. If you prefer mountains, go with the Upstate. If you like the beach, go with the Low Country, and if you can't choose go with the Midlands.