Moved to PeeDee - Big Mistake?

[Texas Tornado]

Originally Posted by GoPadge

Where in SC are you Texas Tornado?

Right now I am in Dillon, working at Crenlo. Saving until I come back to TAJAS

[bon915]

My husband & I are new yorkers who were thinking about moving to Florence SC. What is the cost of living like in florence. Can people tell me what the health insurance costs are like, what a gallon of milk goes for, what it costs for a hair cut etc. Your help would help us make a decision.


Thanks your help would be appreciated

[SCGamecock]

The cost of living in Florence is lower than the national average but that also means wages are lower. Although it has two excellent hospitals, McLeod Regional Medical Ctr. and Carolinas Hospital System, health insurance in the area is higher than other parts of the state. This is because the area is known for having some of the highest heart attack and stroke rates in the country.

Gas is cheap because of the low taxes ($2.72 gal) but the roads are not properly maintained so you spend more on car repairs. Milk is $2.89 at the CVS, $3.49 at Walmart, and $3.59 at the local grocery stores. There is a 5% sales tax on groceries, to be reduced to 2% in November, and 8% sales tax on everything else. Taxes on car purchases are capped at $300. There is an annual property tax on vehicles based on their value.

[wesacat]

Marx...omg...Im so sorry but I laughed until my sides hurt over this whole thread!!! I know thats bad because I know what your going through but, darn it, it was just so doggone good to hear someone FINALLY speak the truth about SC!!!!
And before all ya'll get your feathers up, Im a SC native, born an bred. I've lived here in a small town in the Lowcountry my entire life (and in true Suthun womanly stahl, I'll not admit to mah age) and I know EXACTLY what you mean. SC has two faces...the one they put on for the tourist (Can ah git ya'll some moah tea?) and the one they put on when they get home from work! (Did you SEE what that dam Yankee lef me foah tip?). As far as I can tell, from reading my SC history and listening to tales from my great-grandmother, SC has ALWAYS been that way and there isn't much foreseeable change on the horizon. Do what you want to "help the community"...God knows I have over the years...but you won't change the heart and soul of these people. Racism, ignorance and intolerance are bred into us from birth. It took me years to overcome it myself. Even though I was always a bit "different"...I didn't enjoy sitting around tellin N****r jokes, I didn't like listening to my family members denegrate the neighbors because they were of a different religion, I didn't enjoy listening to sick comments about people with a different sexual orientation,yet, I still found myself harboring some of these feelings when I became an adult. It takes a conscious act of will to throw it off and try to treat all people with respect.
I don't have a solution to your problem, other than do like the Texan...and I...are doing, save your money and move. In the meantime, I wish you well and thanks again for your candor and honesty!

[donnaba]

Sorry you had to experience that area. I have lived in South Carolina all my life, Rock Hill. I have never experienced any crime or poverty,drugs etc.I have traveled through that area going to the beach to see my parents many times,and have learned the area just by passing through. Rough.I have no predjudice, however in the south if the black population is high so is the crime rate.That is just the way the South is. I have friends up North that have visited here and said that they could see a difference in the black population here than in Penn.I also have black friends that agree with me.

[mbnybor]

Originally Posted by marx404

Hi to all. I just stumbled upon this forum via Google. My wife, myself and her family have moved from WPB, FL to Hartsville, SC. We thought we had carefully researched everything from shopping to demographics. .

Did you ever visit the area beforehand?
When we moved from NJ/NY area to Myrtle Beach we did so only after vacationing for several years.
We are looking now to move either inland(but now leary from your descriptions) or Aiken.
We still LOVE MB but the traffic is overbearing. I can shut off my car, make two calls and do some paperwork at the light on 501/CFB.
When we moved we wanted something small because it would have taken us nearly two years to finalize and get jobs here. We/I want something bigger now, something with acreage for horses.
I am going to go down to Aiken this week to look around. Maybe stay a few days. I can't imagine moving to a place I hadn't visited.
That said, sorry you had such a horrid experience.
I have found nearly everyone to be warm, friendly and kind.
I have had a few meth heads come to the door "selling magazines" but no criminals that I can tell.
My job translates anywhere I go but my husbands does not. He too is in IT with over 15 years experience.
Hope things work out for you and your family.

[Flo4usthree]

Are you still having a hard time adjusting to Florence , SC? We (husband and I) moved here in Nov. 08 from VA. We LOVE it here! We have lived in numerous places (husband is a retired Marine). I feel that one of the reason we LOVE it here is because we have volunteered and joined clubs ( Marine League) where my husband and I have met nice freindly people. I agree with a lot of your remarks( low pay and high crime rate), but every state and city has problems and issues (so did the Hampton Roads area of VA). We now live in a neighborhood where more people are from out of state then locals. We make it a point to meet and invite all our neighbors over. We have also started the neighborhood watch program in our subdivision. Life is truly what you make it and I hope that you find a way to at least like Florence. I work part time and this has given me the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people. My favorite place to visit (and work) is Lamar. This is a very small town but when I arrive to do my job (merchandiser) I'm met with fondness and open arms. It's a pleasure to be work in a town where everyone knows each other. We talk and have a great time. Everyone ask where I'm from (orginally New Orleans) they hear my accinent and remark on it. I LOVE the slower pace of life and people whom do not put on "airs". They truly know who they are and are find with it.I have been here a year and have never been caught in a traffic jam (this was an everyday thing in VA).I have never been treated rudely in a traffic situation either. I hear thank-you and excuse me all the time, (people have manners). Try not to focus so much on what's wrong with Florence, just get out and enjoy it. I know my husband and I will retire here because of the people we have met in only one year of living here. I too am Catholic but I have visited several churches( people are always inviting us to their churches) and we have really enjoyed them too.I feel for you because everyone wants to fit in please give Florence more time and please make an extra efford on your part to be more accepting of people.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by donnaba

Sorry you had to experience that area. I have lived in South Carolina all my life, Rock Hill. I have never experienced any crime or poverty,drugs etc.I have traveled through that area going to the beach to see my parents many times,and have learned the area just by passing through. Rough.I have no predjudice, however in the south if the black population is high so is the crime rate.That is just the way the South is. I have friends up North that have visited here and said that they could see a difference in the black population here than in Penn.I also have black friends that agree with me.

????????????????????? no crime poverty or drugs in Rock Hill? are you kidding me?

[Colddiamond102]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

????????????????????? no crime poverty or drugs in Rock Hill? are you kidding me?

Thats what I was thinking...from the new reports there's plenty of both.

Anyhoo, I'll agree with all the other posters and say that its not a good idea to move to a small town if you dont have that Southern drawl...we're a bit clannish, and this is especially true in small places.

Sorry, but Florida is not the South except by geographical location. We've disowned you Floridians. You talk like Yankees.