Husband maybe transferring close to Orangeburg, help about the cost of living (Columbia: to rent, homes)

[Powerball1]

My husband may be transferring to Cope which we have looked up and it is close to Orangeburg. We are planning on renting for a year or so before buying a place. We live in Florida now. How is the cost of living there? I've heard different things from different people. Is it better than Florida?

[waccamatt]

The cost of living will be much cheaper than Florida, but I doubt you'd want to live in Cope, it is an extremely small town. Orangeburg is a small city of less than 20,000 and should be very affordable. Columbia is the nearest large city, about 40 miles from Orangeburg. Charleston is about 65 miles in the other direction.

[ljkbsb]

We moved to Orangeburg last year from Kansas and the cost of living was comparable, both of which would have been lower than Florida. Although Orangeburg has a population of around 20,000, in reality it is more like 45,000 because most of the people don't live in the city limits. However, we found out after we moved that many people send their children to private schools, which would be an added expense if you have kids.

[Genmgr1]

We moved to Orangeburg from New York City in 2000 and have never regretted it one bit! There are not 20,000 people living here: contrary to what the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce says, not 13,000 but more likely 10,000. The "city" has many lovely residential areas, good shopping (it's not Columbia 40 miles away with it mega shopping malls or Charleston 70 miles away with its many botique stores) but you can get anything you need right here! And there's always the Internet.

Cost of living is way below "up the road" (meaning North of the Mason-Dixon) and there is a great feeling of community. There are two very good golf courses, some (not many) good restaurants.

A great town if you don't have kids of school age. The schools here, as in ALL OF SOUTH CAROLINA, really suck. There are are several private schools with very good academic records and the tuition is VERY LOW compared to those "up the road.

Orangeburg - it might not be Eden, but, it's the closest thing I've found.

George MacPherson

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by Genmgr1

A great town if you don't have kids of school age. The schools here, as in ALL OF SOUTH CAROLINA, really suck. There are are several private schools.
George MacPherson

Please don't lump ALL SC schools into one category...that's not fair nor accurate. Unless you have personally visited every school in the state or sent your kids there, your generalization really doesn't have a leg to stand on.

True, the public schools in Orangeburg don't have the best reputation and it is true that most of the local children (let's be honest - mostly white local children) attend Orangeburg Prep. BUT, there are some excellent public schools in other towns & cities in SC. I taught for 4 years in Ohio and 24 years in Charleston and can honestly and authoritively say that the school I currently teach at is much more advanced than any public elem. school I attended or taught at in Ohio. FYI - South Carolina has the 2nd most National Board Certified Teachers in the nation (I am one of them) - which is the highest ranking/qualification a teacher can earn.

As for Orangeburg in general, my mom lived there for 5 years and it does have a small town feel. She lived in a nice area where there were a lot of older homes up over the hill going towards the mall. Sidewalks, large shade trees, nice lawns and friendly neighbors....but not much in the way of shopping or good restraunts as someone previously stated. Charleston and Columbia are reasonably close by for cultural events and entertainment. Good luck on your move!

[nooneknowsmyname]

Originally Posted by SCBeaches

True, the public schools in Orangeburg don't have the best reputation and it is true that most of the local children (let's be honest - mostly white local children) attend Orangeburg Prep.

What? You're joking, right?

[waccamatt]

There are plenty oof good schools in South Carolina, but they are not located in small towns and rural areas, they're in the metro areas. I don't know about Orangeburg, but in Columbia, the comments by SCbeaches are not accurate.

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

There are plenty oof good schools in South Carolina, but they are not located in small towns and rural areas, they're in the metro areas. I don't know about Orangeburg, but in Columbia, the comments by SCbeaches are not accurate.

I think you misunderstood me....I did not say anything about the schools in Columbia, nor did I say the schools in small towns and rural areas are necessarily "good". What comments made by me are "not accurate"? Everything I stated IS the truth....I was just trying to set someone straight on the statement that "ALL schools in SC suck". They don't. I was also saying that Orangeburg has its qualities but the public schools there leave something to be desired....and that there is more shopping and are more entertainment venues in Charleston and Columbia than in Orangeburg. I think you have to agree that those are all accurate statements.

[Ftaylor]

SC cost of living seems to be alot better than Florida's. I lived in Pembroke for 2 years and presently I'm living in Massachusetts (BIG MISTAKE). At the end of the month I moving to Florence SC and I've decided to rent for a year and then buy a home. But anyway you will love SC.

Originally Posted by Powerball1

My husband may be transferring to Cope which we have looked up and it is close to Orangeburg. We are planning on renting for a year or so before buying a place. We live in Florida now. How is the cost of living there? I've heard different things from different people. Is it better than Florida?

[SCBeaches]

The cost of living here is much more affordable than FL, especially if you stay away from the coast. I have lived here for 24 years and love the people, love the weather (even the heat!), love the geographical features (beach and mountains within a few hours - best of both worlds!), and love the culture! Once you've tried She-Crab soup or shrimp and grits, you'll never want to live or eat anywhere else.