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The places are so different from one another, it's hard to compare them. Specifically, what would your ideal scenario be?
Greenville is the business/commercial center of the Upstate and its largest city (but by no means a metropolis). Decent public schools overall, and some really good private ones. Good shopping, good arts scene and great dining. There are endless housing possibilities, with suburban, urban (downtown & West End) and established lovely older neighborhoods. In Greenville you're much closer to the airport if you travel much. The Peace Center for the Performing Arts is just wrapping up a major renovation and is a great facility. There's a waterfall in downtown! We have an extensive and growing greenway system (the Swamp Rabbit Trail) and some lovely parks as well. Greenville has two major hospital systems, and is now welcoming the first medical students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. I could go on and on!
Anderson is a smaller city than Greenville, but bigger than Clemson. Part of it is on Lake Hartwell, so there's easy access for recreation. It's more rural and "country" feeling, but has a decent variety of housing options and most amenities (including a large hospital system with multiple campuses). Shopping is typical suburban/big box type stuff. It's close to Clemson if you get into college football, etc. Not sure about schools in this area - I just don't have any experience with them. Anderson is trying to revitalize its downtown, and there are a few restaurants and shops there now. There is a form of public transit that connects Anderson and Clemson.
Clemson is a college town. But many have been retiring to it and other college towns, so it's not exclusively collegiate. Its downtown is cute and well-kept, but being adjacent to Clemson University, downtown is mainly for students. It is on the northern end of the Seneca River arm of Lake Hartwell, so access to recreation is again good. Clemson is an attractive town/area, and is about 20 min to shopping in Anderson, or about 40-45 min to Greenville.
Good luck, and ask any specific questions you have - there are plenty of knowledgeable folks here who can answer them!
Here is my scenario. I am searching for an area to buy a home in that will suit myself, my 19 year old, my 10 year old and my parents, both 80.
Because of my parents age and health conditions, we need to be near quality healthcare. Within a short (15 min or less) driving distance.
My 19year old is going to college here in NC, but wants to transfer . . . he's undecided about major, at this time, but would like to live at home, and drive to campus.
He also likes to fish, hunt, hike, yet wants to be close to a place that has cafe's, bookstores, and some nightlife as well as arts. As a family, we all love fishing as well.
My daughter is an avid softball player. She is also gifted academically, and would like to be near a good middle school and highschool.
We currently live in a small town in NC . . .volunteer fire department, a 25 minute ambulance ride to the nearest hospital, not enough funding for Recreation sports . . . and public lake access is also 20 or more minutes away.
As for myself, Im caring for my two parents, and if I can find a place that is suitable for all of us, than I would be happy.
What size home (#br's & baths) & what price range are you looking in. Greenville Hospital System is the largest but they have facilities on both sides of town as well as St. Francis. There are several lakes around but most people I know go to Lake Hartwell (Anderson) or Lake Keowee (Seneca) neither which are too much of a drive from Greenville. There are some smaller lakes as well and then there is the close proximity to the mtns. where you could do some trout fishing.
I sometimes feel like I always recommend the Powdersville area but it makes a lot of sense for you.
Powdersville has excellent public schools for your 10 year old (Anderson District 1).
Most of the Powdersville area is a fairly easy commute to Clemson for the 19 year old.
It's a pretty short drive to either Saint Francis or Greenville Hospitals from Powdersville.
For the outdoorsy person it is a bit closer to the mountains while still being within 20-30 minutes of the stuff in downtown Greenville and not too far from all the stuff around Haywood mall, either. Public lake access would still be 20 minutes or more away but Hartwell, Keowee, and Jocassee are all within 30-45 minutes away.
Thanks for the ideas guys. I didn't consider Powdersville, but will check it out.
I'd like a 4 bedroom but will take a 3 bedroom, and share with my daughter, let me son and parents have their own space . . .
Didn't know about the hospital being on both sides of town . . . any more ideas welcome, and thank you so much, I've learned so much from the people on this site!
Actually, it is appropriately named because the most believable local legend says the name origin is directly associated with black powder (gunpowder), which has been used to kill countless innocent lives over many generations.
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