SC native ... will answer questions (Columbia, Charleston: real estate, sex offender, crime rate)

[kat2k]

Thought I'd jump in on the discussions and start a post of my own ... SC native and I have lived in Beaufort, Greenville, Irmo, and for a short while stayed in Aiken. I have visited every city just about in SC [Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Spartanburg, Aiken, Anderson, Florence, Sumter, Laurens, ect, you get the idea...big road trip taker here], and with my jobs in Greenville and Columbia, heard many of the dislikes and likes of the newcomers and people moving away, so maybe I can help some of you that are moving from another state, already in SC and moving somewhere else, or just visiting the state for a vacation. Moved to Brunswick, GA over 2 years ago for career reasons, but still keep up with all of the cities as much as possible and visit family a lot. I know my SC stuff.. I may not be able to help with neighborhoods and exact things like that, but can help with more general things.

Anyway, if anyone has a question about any of the cities in South Carolina, feel free to ask me and I'll try my best to answer.

Oh and ... I'm not a real estate agent or trying to make sales, just trying to help people out and share the information I know.

[carolinajack]

SC native here too

[capemom24]

Hi Kat2K

We (husband and 2 small children will be moving to SC as soon as our house sells here in MA. We are looking at Simpsonville and maybe neighboring towns. Any recommendations? We want to be close to Greenville (my job) but my husband liked the schools and crime rate stats in Simpsonville. I am looking for a pretty area for my kids, good schools with things to do. Just a good town to raise our family. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by capemom24

Hi Kat2K

We (husband and 2 small children will be moving to SC as soon as our house sells here in MA. We are looking at Simpsonville and maybe neighboring towns. Any recommendations? We want to be close to Greenville (my job) but my husband liked the schools and crime rate stats in Simpsonville. I am looking for a pretty area for my kids, good schools with things to do. Just a good town to raise our family. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Capemom

Simpsonville is a very nice town ... I was just there a couple of months ago and new subdivisions are going up in quite a few places! There are three or four grocery stores, Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, Belk, it has grown quite a bit. Simpsonville is not far at all from Greenville, depending on the area. You may also want to look in to Greer [a little ways north of Simpsonville] and Travelers Rest [north of Greenville]. All three areas are growing and nice, safe towns. There is a good amount of stuff to do in Simpsonville. Almost everyone I've encountered likes living there.


Oh and if any of the other natives or long-time residents want to jump in and help, go ahead !

[mjetch]

Thanks for being very generous on giving info. I have been thinking of SC until I read most of these posts. First of all the crime rate. Is it really that damgerous to live there? Break ins and the sex offender list has a ratio of 115 to 1. We were looking at the anderson area. I am married and have 4 kids all under the age of 10. I was also wondering about job pay? Houses seem cheaper down south, but what about the pay scale to compensate?

Thank you for answering my questions.

[threeputtfromanywhere]

If any of you wouldn't mind I would love it if you would read my post "thinking of moving from so. cal." and address my questions. It would mean a great deal to me. Thank you

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by mjetch

Thanks for being very generous on giving info. I have been thinking of SC until I read most of these posts. First of all the crime rate. Is it really that damgerous to live there? Break ins and the sex offender list has a ratio of 115 to 1. We were looking at the anderson area. I am married and have 4 kids all under the age of 10. I was also wondering about job pay? Houses seem cheaper down south, but what about the pay scale to compensate?

Thank you for answering my questions.

As far as the crime stats are concerned, particularly when compared with other states, you have to take those with a grain of salt. SC tends to report most of its crime data, from a variety of reporting agencies, whereas other states tend to have less consistency in that regard. Of course I'm not claiming that SC is some crime-free mecca, but the situation isn't as dire as the statistics themselves would show.

[kat2k]

Originally Posted by mjetch

Thanks for being very generous on giving info. I have been thinking of SC until I read most of these posts. First of all the crime rate. Is it really that damgerous to live there? Break ins and the sex offender list has a ratio of 115 to 1. We were looking at the anderson area. I am married and have 4 kids all under the age of 10. I was also wondering about job pay? Houses seem cheaper down south, but what about the pay scale to compensate?

Thank you for answering my questions.

The pays are good, but lower than a lot of parts in the north - however, the lower cost of living and home price makes up for it. Crime happens everywhere, and there is really no crime-free place ... like the other poster said, you have to take it with a grain of salt. I wouldn't really worry about it.

If safety is a big concern, have you looked in to Simpsonville, SC? It is a pretty safe area with shopping and things to do for families, and it is not far from Greenville - here is the page I found on City-Data with the crime [although it has risen lately, but it has rapidly grown over the last 5 years].

http://www.city-data.com/city/Simpso...-Carolina.html

[DadofTwo]

so what are some thoughts on the following ....irmo, camden, any where along n. columbia , cayce, eastover....we hoping to relocate to columbia area after our house sells here in orlando....i have already accepted a teaching job. Thanks for the inof

[bunchakids]

kat2k==We are a family of 9, 7 kids, one in college and the rest in h.s., jr. high, and grade/preschool. So I'm looking for a nice town that has good schools and nice people! My kids like to be involved in activities, as well as my husband and myself, who enjoy sports. We were looking at Anderson, which looks like a nice town, not too big or too small. My husband is transferring from Pepsi, and he could go to Anderson or Spartanburg area. Any thoughts on nice neighborhoods? I really don't want the cookie-cutter houses anymore, so new construction is out. Would really like to get a decent house that we could fix up with a decent sized lot (1/2 acre-2 acres).
I like that side of the state because I love the mountains. Don't need to be in them, but would love a view!

Thanks alot for your help! It's nice of you to do this! We're coming from PA.