Can't Find A Town...Help! (Columbia, Charleston: houses, construction, school district)

[DAGoerig]

Hi all,
My husband and I are thinking about moving to SC. Cost of living is killing us up here in PA. My problem is that I keep searching for a town that we might be interested in but are striking out with pictures and information. If anyone can help us, I'd greatly appreciate it.
The type of town we're looking for has a small town feel to it. We'd love something historic looking with trees and lanterns lining the streets and Main Street. The town should have a community feel (ie. 4th of July parades/picnics, etc.) We have to be out of the hurricane region. Good schools are important too. If there was a town that was into Christmas that would be great also.
Thank you for the info.
Dale

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by DAGoerig

Hi all,
My husband and I are thinking about moving to SC. Cost of living is killing us up here in PA. My problem is that I keep searching for a town that we might be interested in but are striking out with pictures and information. If anyone can help us, I'd greatly appreciate it.
The type of town we're looking for has a small town feel to it. We'd love something historic looking with trees and lanterns lining the streets and Main Street. The town should have a community feel (ie. 4th of July parades/picnics, etc.) We have to be out of the hurricane region. Good schools are important too. If there was a town that was into Christmas that would be great also.
Thank you for the info.
Dale

Hello Dale: we live in Tega Cay, SC which prides itself on volunteers and recreation. There is always something going on: Summer Concerts, Fourth of July parade and fireworks, free waterski shows by the Carolina Ski Team off Lake Wylie, Fall Festival, Tega Cay Fire Dept BBQ, Easter Egg Hunt, Father-Daughter Valentine Dance, Santa comes down every street in Tega Cay sitting atop the Fire Truck waving and tossing candy on Christmas morning..plus more. The only thing we don't have is the quaint old fashioned main street but for that we just go down the road to the city of Fort Mill. Fort Mill has several festival and parades..which includes the Christmas parade. You don't mention schools but the children in Tega Cay and Fort Mill have very good schools (Fort Mill School District). Hope that helps some and wishing you the best of luck!

[bird_egg]

Hi Dale,

Here is just a short list of places to consider. Look up the stats to see how they measure up for you!

Abbeville - One of the prettiest small towns I've ever seen. Beautiful town square with brick streets, annual spring festival. Schools are good, but not great (although I went there, as did my daughter). The county is steeped in history! (Called the Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy). Land is reasonably priced in this mostly rural county, and jobs and good schools are within an easily commutable distance.

Ninety Six - historic town, excellent schools, in Greenwood County.

Anderson - beautiful revitalized downtown area, pretty good shopping, reasonably close proximity to more metro areas (greenville, even atlanta), some good schools. Big festival with hot-air balloons (Freedom Weekend Aloft) during Memorial Day weekend.

Pendleton - excellent schools, pretty downtown area, spring festivals, near I-85, nearby college sports (Clemson), nearby professional and semi-professional baseball, hockey (greenville, atlanta)

All of these towns are close enough for a day at the lake or the mountains, and are a half-day (4-5 hours) away from the beach.

Good luck in your search!

Cathy

[anonymous]

DAGoerig, I'd recommend Camden. It's a small rural town (less than 10,000 people), and about 30 miles away from Columbia, about 75 miles from Charlotte, and about 100 miles from Charleston & Myrtle Beach.

I'm not sure what qualifies as a "hurricane region." Obviously the upstate isn't as vulnerable, and obviously the coast can get hit pretty hard. But I honestly wouldn't consider hurricanes a priority unless I lived right on the coast (within 50 miles). Maybe someone else can give you a more precise answer on this.

I can't give you all the details of its historical value, but it has a quaint downtown with lots of interesting antique shops and such. It is known for its horse races as well. Its close to Lake Wateree (10 or so miles), which is by far my favorite lake in SC.

I would also recommend Aiken, it has historical value and a nice little downtown area as well. It is bigger than Camden (~25,000 people) but I'm not as familiar with it.

[salatheel]

How about Summerville? Half hour to the beach and Charleston. Nice town.

[anonymous]

Summerville's not bad - but if you're worried about hurricanes, being about 20 miles from the coast you're going to get hammered if one comes to town.

It's a really fast growing place, almost a suburb of Charleston. It has a reputation of having a lot of "undocumented workers" (if that's what you want to call them) that commute into the greater Charleston area to work construction.

[Kathydd]

We are from PA looking for the same....in SC not to far from our kids who moved to Mt Holly, NC. Thanks, Kathydd

Originally Posted by DAGoerig

Hi all,
My husband and I are thinking about moving to SC. Cost of living is killing us up here in PA. My problem is that I keep searching for a town that we might be interested in but are striking out with pictures and information. If anyone can help us, I'd greatly appreciate it.
The type of town we're looking for has a small town feel to it. We'd love something historic looking with trees and lanterns lining the streets and Main Street. The town should have a community feel (ie. 4th of July parades/picnics, etc.) We have to be out of the hurricane region. Good schools are important too. If there was a town that was into Christmas that would be great also.
Thank you for the info.
Dale

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by Kathydd

We are from PA looking for the same....in SC not to far from our kids who moved to Mt Holly, NC. Thanks, Kathydd

so how close is close?...within 30 minutes, or say a hour or more?

[ChristopherinSC]

Maybe Fountain Inn? It is an older town they are very big in too Christmas there.. They have Horse drawn carriage rides in the winter. Most of the houses near main street compete for the best looking Christmas lights in the winter /Best lawns in the summer. They have a small sitting area where people come and play live music. And it's not that far from Greenville....

[bobizzy3]

Check out Aiken,,,it has a lot of what you described