Small Cities and Towns of South Carolina
Well we’re heading into the home stretch of our journey through the best places to live in North Carolina and South Carolina, small cities and towns that is. Remember, this trip was all about visiting those cities and towns with a population of 30,000 or less.
Our next journey will be through cities and towns with a bit larger population.
So today as you may have already guessed, we start our journey through “Upcountry” or “Upstate” South Carolina.
The northwestern part of the state is where you’ll find the southern part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its foothills as well as several of our best small towns and cities to live in South Carolina.
I know, most people when they think of South Carolina think of beaches or tidewater river communities. But believe you me South Carolina’s Upcountry or Mountain Region is a real change of pace and has just about everything you could be looking for.
There is amazing natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, a moderate climate, numerous cultural outlets, affordable housing, low cost of living, major colleges and universities and a diverse and strong local economy.
Is it any wonder this area attracts large numbers of young and old; those starting new careers and those moving from careers into that next phase of life?
Whether retirement or relocation of your family, the South Carolina Mountain region as I refer to it may just be your best place to live in South Carolina.
Without further ado our first stop today is the city of Greenwood, SC, population 22,533.
Greenwood, SC sits in the southwestern corner of the Upcountry region among lofty pines and long lakes not far from the Georgia border.
I’ve always been very impressed by Greenwood, SC because it’s got a lot of the things I value.
Sitting not far from the Sumter National Forest, Greenwood obviously has natural beauty and outdoor recreation in spades but also a climate that makes enjoying the outdoors a year round proposition.
Another thing I like is that the convergence of several state highways in and around Greenwood and its proximity to major interstate highways makes getting around the state, region and even the East Coast that much easier.
Greenwood, SC offers a charming small-town setting with a lot of the amenities of a larger city from a diverse and healthy business climate to a well-developed cultural scene that includes museums, art galleries and theater.
The median home value in Greenwood, SC is $96,500 and the average rental cost starts at about $394 a month…
oh, and before I forget, don’t miss the South Carolina Festival of Flowers every June!
If we head 35 miles north on US-221 from Greenwood, SC we run into our next stop, the city of Laurens, SC, population 9,599.
The words “great location” comes to mind when I think about Laurens.
Not only is it near major parks and other great places to spend time outdoors like Lake Greenwood.
But one of the best advantages just may be that Greenwood, SC is situated between the Greenville, SC, Spartanburg, SC and Columbia, SC metropolitan areas.
That fact alone has made the Laurens area one of the fastest growing areas in South Carolina over the last ten to twenty years.
Think quiet small town life with the added benefit of big city jobs, entertainment and services not far away.
The median home value in Laurens, SC is $88,000 and the average rental cost starts around $343 a month.
Our last stop today is in Abbeville, SC, population 25,404, about 50 minutes southwest of Laurens not far from the Georgia border. To say the area around Abbeville is picturesque doesn’t do it justice.
Rolling farmland, rivers, lakes… simply beautiful. Moreover, Abbeville has a lot of history and attracts a fair amount of tourists who peruse historic buildings and antique shops while strolling around a classic town square and green.
I love the laid-back atmosphere and friendly people in Abbeville and you will too!
The median home value in Abbeville, SC is $115,000 and the average monthly rental price is around $349.
Don’t go anywhere because next week we’ll be hitting more of our favorite towns and cities of less than 30,000 people in South Carolina’s Mountain region.
Remember, if you want more information about any of the places we’ve visited today, check out our SC Best Places section.
See you next week!
About Bob Bencivenga
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Bob Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location analyst for major corporations and has been researching the growth of NC and SC to find the Best Places to Retire or Relocate that are still affordable. |
| Visit his blog The Carolina Report and sign up for FREE updates by email,his FREE Affordable Best Places To Live Report and, get FREE Expert Advice on how to find Your Best Place to Retire or Relocate to in North Carolina and South Carolina, additional resources, and a lot more.
Bob does not sell real estate. |
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Comments on Small Cities and Towns of South Carolina
It appears that there are so many beautiful areas to move to in South Carolina, I am from New Jersey and we have our Home on The Market For Sale. We are in need of School for the children that are age eight and we have two that are in College.
We also will need to work and will be looking for employment. We would like to have good Schools, we like to live near a lake and not be far from the Beach because we are now only twenty minutes to the beach in New Jersey. We want to move to a beautiful area with people age group from 30 to 60.
We will be coming out there within a week or so can you tell me the top areas that you think we would like to move too. Also you said you have a number that we can call to set up not spending as much to travel so we can get set up for our move. Any information we would be so thankful for. We were really only thinking about South Carolina, but people are saying to also consider North Carolina. Which would suit our Family More.
Sincerely yours,
Jean & Salvatore