Advice for moving? From a college-age girl (Greenville, Spartanburg: movie theater, schools)

[StarMasayume]

I've been roaming the forums more than anything to see discussions on SC cities, reasons why people like it, why they don't, etc. But I would like more personalized feedback for a college-age girl from Florida with my anime interests and artist/designer occupation. Also if there are any cities you could recommend me to research, that would be appreciated as well. Maybe an outskirt city that is close to Greenville or similar? What are the biggest culture shocks I might experience from Florida to South Carolina?

(skip the rest if you don't want to read a lot of text! I might get better input if you read it, though...)

My family originated from New Jersey where I was born but all of them have migrated down to Florida in which I've now lived since I was 7 yrs old. I am now 23 but am very close to my parents. On a recent trip I asked, half serious, if we could move up north--My mother can't stand the cold, and neither my dad and I can stand the three-quarters a year of heat and humidity. (Is South Carolina a good compromise?) Palm trees annoy me and I go to the beach only to read in the shade. The problem is now I'M the one with all the ties to our little growing city.

Would it be a good idea moving to SC? My parents seem pretty serious about it but it's apparently up to me to make the final decision (they're afraid I'll end up staying and rooming with a friend in FL if they go up north).

I and my family are Christians so I'm glad there doesn't seem to be shortage of churches in SC. I think I saw there are Seventh Day Adventist churches in quite a few places too including Greenville.

SOCIAL & ENTERTAINMENT RELATED - I was not a very traditional teenager, and that hasn't changed at college age. I can do without bars and nightlife or big entertainments (though I enjoy the rare concert or seeing a broadway musical). Books and movies are my main entertainment so a good local bookstore and movie theater makes me happy, but down here I have an entire network of friends who share my interest in Japanese Anime. We live in a small city that has grown very fast and has a lot of youth (schools, churches, and a Mcdonalds at every bend). I appreciate not living in a really big city, but enjoy the benefits of only being 20-40 minutes from Tampa and a little over two hours to Orlando. Usually there are a few good-sized anime conventions between both cities (but none in SC). Though I'm usually content with a book, I enjoy interacting with friends who share my interests so that's one of my biggest fears of moving. Will I be a duck out of the water?

JOB RELATED -The next biggest problem is I was just recently hired for a nice entry-level web design position. I have been educated in graphic design. I have worked for three years at Busch Gardens theme park drawing caricatures and have gradually been doing more with my artwork and illustration talents. At least in Florida I seem to be able to find events for caricature gigs or places to sell my art or find commissions for artwork. What are the career prospects, if any, for an artist in South?

PETS: Are there any problems with owning a skunk, sugar gliders, or flying squirrels as pets in SC? We have all of those among the normal pet variety. I think we needed a cheap license for the skunk and sugar gliders.

[JS1]

Originally Posted by StarMasayume

Would it be a good idea moving to SC? My parents seem pretty serious about it but it's apparently up to me to make the final decision (they're afraid I'll end up staying and rooming with a friend in FL if they go up north).

Why do they care? Your parents should move wherever they wish as should you since you're 23 years old.

I and my family are Christians so I'm glad there doesn't seem to be shortage of churches in SC. I think I saw there are Seventh Day Adventist churches in quite a few places too including Greenville.

not a problem there, you'll have lots of company

What are the career prospects, if any, for an artist in South?

pretty low I think

I would stay in Florida if I were you. I lived in Greenville for 5 years and very glad I left. Surely there are fundamentalist churches in Florida. That's not a reason to move unless you want to live somewhere where everyone goes to a fundamentalist church.

[Greenville]

JS1, how can you say that the career prospects are "pretty low" for an artist in Greenville?!? You obviously don't know much about the arts scene in Greenville. I doubt there are many places in Florida that can match it.

[innovator82]

StarM,

I agree with the above poster. There is a surprisingly vibrant arts scene in both Greenville and Spartanburg. I'm not into all the artsy stuff myself but I read and hear about it in both cities all the time. You may want to check out Spartanburg which has a strong alternative arts scene centered around a venue called Hub-Bub (you can Google it) that has things like independent film house, artists-in-residence, arts walks, independent shows, etc. There is also a very active Seven Day Adventist church in Spartanburg on John B. White Blvd.

In Greenville I think there are a couple of neat local book stores such as one called "Fiction Addiction" which does events and stuff like that. Plenty of Broadway shows come to the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Greenville.

[Kkirch123]

I think you would really love it here. I too am from florida just moved last year. Although I am 8 yrs older and have kids I think you will enjoy it here. There is a big art scene here and musicals concerts etc. We actually moved because there was more to do here then fl (sarasota area). As for the pets...we have a friend with a sugar glider. I would think that would not be an issue. Good Luck and if you have any questions just ask!