What do you like and dislike about Aiken? (Columbia, Charleston: transplants, apartments)

[TreehouseNC]

I am considering a move a little further south from the NC mountains once I can get my house sold. Can anyone tell me about things to do for a 50's couple with no kids? We were in Aiken very briefly two weeks ago coming from a visit in Summerville and drove around through a few subdivisions and fell in love with the pleasant atmosphere. Just wondering. Thought we would love Summerville near Charleston, BUT...not sure about that. Thanks

[TreehouseNC]

No replies? Anyone? Trying to get a feel for the area.

[scyogi]

I posted a reply in another thread that you were on BUT.....I will be more than happy to do it again. I lived in Aiken for almost 10 years and loved it.
Like:
Downtown AIken (Davors, Art Center, Brew Pub, Tea Garden Gifts, Plum Pudding, The Alley)
Great people
Enought ammenties (basic shopping/movies/library) to keep you happy
Hitchcock woods--a great wooded walking/riding trails (horse not bike)
Being 3 hours or less to the beach, mountains, and 2 major cities--Atlanta & Charlotte
Great weather--except those horribly hot August/September months!
plenty of outdoor activites golf/tennis/trail running OR riding
cheap property taxes
Rick's produce
Steeplechase (spring & fall)


Dislike
thought the vehicle tax was high
driving 45mph everywhere
lack of bigger retailers so for nice events I would have to shop online
a 20+ minute drive to the nearest highway
traffic on whiskey rd. on Friday afternoons

[randy7445]

I moved to aiken two yrs ago and it was the best thing I ever did. Because there are a lot of people here who relocated from elsewhere..it is very easy to make friends. I love the southern small town feel of downtown and all the different activities yr. round. Steeplechase, Lobster Races downtown, Hopeland Gardens concerts, Farmers Mkt .......etc.
Friendly town

[Rapunzll]

I moved to Greenville and love it, but Aiken would have been my first choice if the job situation there was better. If I get a job where I can live where I like, and that is a possibility, I might well move to Aiken, although I recently visited Clinton and thought it was a lovely place too. Both those towns were more what I was looking for when I initially started my search for a new place to live.

[elvislives]

You will love Aiken here are some activities to enjoy,



A 19-year-old man is in jail on allegations he and an accomplice held up two men playing basketball in New Ellenton, stole their clothing and car, then attempted a carjacking in Augusta, officials say.Alan Duane Morris Jr., 19, of East Pine Drive, is being held at the Aiken County detention center.Morris has been linked to an evening crime spree throughout the CSRA that started when he and a still unidentified man held up two men in New Ellenton around 11 p.m.

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford requested stimulus cash for the state's schools Monday, telling the U.S. education secretary he's doing so under duress and the $700 million in bailout money will create more problems.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office arrested a New Ellenton woman Monday on allegations she was somehow involved in a holdup on June 1 at the South Main Street convenience store while she was working as a clerk, according to officials.Tyeshia Newton, 19, of the 400 block of Long Street in New Ellenton, is charged with armed robbery. Investigators have determined that Newton was involved in the 10 a.m. holdup at the Hot Spot convenience store, 831 South Main St. According to customers inside the store, a gunman entered the business and ordered everyone inside to the floor. The suspect demanded and received an undisclosed amount of money from the clerk. The suspect then got into a red or burgundy four-door Dodge Stratus.Capt. Troy Elwell, a spokesperson for the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, stated in a press release that investigators believe the woman knew there would be a holdup, but he did not say whether she helped orchestrate the armed robbery.The identity of the gunman is still under investigation, the sheriff's office captain added.The suspect is described as a black male between 20 and 30 years old. He is between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds.Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709 or CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.Officers investigate holdup on FridayThe Aiken County Sheriff's Office is investigating a holdup at the Golden Pantry on Trolley Line Road that occurred Friday, according to Aiken County Sheriff's Office Capt. Charles Barranco.The suspect, dressed in black with a beige hat, was armed with a gun and demanded money from the clerk.No injuries were reported.The Aiken Bloodhound Tracking Team responded.Purse snatching reported SaturdayA 73-year-old Aiken woman was reportedly the victim of a purse snatching Saturday at the 2000 block of Whiskey Road, according to police reports.The victim said a young black male, between 16 and 21 years of age, who was about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 165 pounds, snatched a white Wachovia envelope containing money from her and ran away.She said she was approaching her vehicle when the young man came up behind her and snatched the envelope. The thief ran from Wal-Mart toward Ryans, behind the Cork and Bull and then through the Staples parking lot, according to police.The woman began yelling for help.The incident is under investigation.Cars broken into at Churchill CommonsAiken Public Safety is investigating at least three car break-ins at Churchill Commons Apartments broken into overnight Friday or early Saturday, police said.Police found one vehicle with a broken window and two others where it appears as if the subject slid windows out of the vehicles, placing them nearby, according to reports.Electronics, cash and other assorted items were reported stolen.Victim hurt during armed robbery The Aiken County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted burglary, assault and armed robbery reported early Sunday at the 100 block of Delehanty Court in Beech Island. According to Aiken County Sheriff's Office incident reports, the resident was approaching his house when he spotted an unidentified man crawling through a bedroom window. He told deputies he yelled at the suspect, who then turned around and pulled out a black pistol and pointed it at him, demanding his money. He said he gave the man his wallet and the gunman then pistol whipped him, striking him in the face with the gun. The victim was taken to the Medical College of Georgia by Aiken County EMS.Canal St. buildings sprayed with paint.

Looking for ways to better secure the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center on Whiskey Road, Aiken City Council members have talked with other agencies in the state and public safety officials about short- and long-term solutions.The security review falls on the heels of a May 17 shooting that occurred during a pickup basketball game.

[kat in aiken]

elvislives, Not a bad amount of crime for the last couple of weeks. Don't forget about the robber that shot at the gas station at Citadel and Whiskey. Shot in the hand or foot, wasn't it? A couple of months ago. And the horrible amount of traffic on whiskey road. and the lack of a dog park so far. and all those transplants.

[Sudcaro]

I've been in Aiken for only 5 months but I enjoy living here, it's quiet and conveniently situated.
I think this town has its + and -, just like any town in the world! And depending on what we are looking for in a place to live in, we'll like it or not.
And I'm a bit sad to read discouraging posts such as the two above mine - it's true, but "crime" should not be the only thing you have to say about Aiken! It's a nice city to live in!

[foxhilldreams]

There are always people on this forum who post negative thoughts. They just dont want newbies, so with that in mind, this is my third summer in Aken. the past 2.5 years have been wonderful. the people are wonderful, Everyday I find something more interesting and beautiful from the day before. The people that I have met have only been kind and helpful, and yes, some of them are originally from Aiken. So please, if you fall in love with Aiken, like I did, dont let the nay sayers get you down. I knew it was love at first sight. No one place is perfect....Aiken is as close as it gets.....

[trinkit]

To jump to Elvis' defense (not that any is needed) I've read enough of her(his?) posts to recognize the strong hint of sarcasm. What MOST of the locals (if not all) object to is the transplants wanting to change things to what they were wherever they came from. (Big box stores, tailgating, wanting everything NOW, McMansions being built where there was once open fields to run and play in, local swimming holes being restricted, etc., etc.) And my opinion is that if things were so great THERE, then they should have stayed there. One sure way to turn the locals against transplants is to say "we did it this way in ____(fill in the blank)" and I can't blame the locals from being upset.