A Personal Perspective On Why Greenville, SC Is A Desired Destination

The city of Greenville has seen rapid growth over the last few years. It is amazing to see how this city has changed through the years. Many love the growth, while others hate it and say the city is full. Regardless of which side you are on concerning the growth, I think it is safe to say that the growth will continue for the forseeable future. 

 

I have been living in Greenville for 13 years now. Before moving here I have always been very familar with the city. I grew up in a small town just over an hour away from Greenville. I can remember watching all of the local news channels that are here, and we would often drive up on weekends as a family to go shopping and enjoy other activities that Greenville had to offer. I can remember when some of the locations of  Grenville's most popular venues and amenities were just dirt and trees. Again, it is amazing to see the growth and development of what was once dirt roads and trees, even on roads such as Haywood Road, Woodruff Road and Laurens Road. To those who may be reading this and you are new to the city, believe it or not, those areas haven't always looked the way they do now. There were always local shops and well known chain restuarants, but still a far cry from what it is today. 

 

Greenville now has national attention. There have been several national publications and other media outlets that have named Greenville as a top destination for relocation, one of the best cities in the country for remote work and young entreprenuers, all while remaning one of the top areas for textile and maufacturing. We are also rapidly developing into a significant technology and innovation hub. The diverse industrial base along with a business friendly environment helps to create a strong local ecnomy. 

 

Amidst the massive growth,  Greenville still has that good old fashioned southern hospitality. Its large enough to give a city feel, yet still remains small enough to have a sense of community. I think this aspect not only makes it an attractive city for young professionals, but for families as well. I constantly hear those who relocate here mention how much they love the family friendly attribute of Greenville. Many homebuyers enjoy the surrounding areas such as Simpsonville, Greer, Taylors, Travelers Rest, Mauldin, Fountain Inn and Piedmont as well to enjoy the family friendly dynamic. The surrounding areas have experienced growth as well, which is typically a domino effect when you see growth within the main city. They have grown with local shops, restuarants, parks, great schools and other amenities that help you enjoy your personal neighborhood and community. Yes there has been a great increase in traffic, but its still not as nerve wrecking as you would see in larger cities. 

 

Of course the price of housing is another reason why Greenville has become a destination. Greenville has seen home prices and values appreciate at an alarming rate over the past five years or so, but compared to national averages Greenville remains relatively affordable. I understand affordability is subjective and is based on each individual's personal situation. Many natives of Greenville would say home prices are unaffordable, however those who relocate from states such as New York, New Jersey, and California think homes here are super cheap. During the COVID years I worked with several clients who relocated from New York and they literally thought I was lying when I shared with them the prices of certain homes they were interested in. I remember one in particular who bought a $350,000 home here and stated that same home in New York would probably be priced at $3,000,000! There may have been a mix of truth and sarcasm in that client's reaction, however I share that to reiterate the point that its all about perspective and no one is neither right nor wrong based on their personal perspectives.

 

Location is a factor. Greenville is located right off of a major interstate, which is I-85. We are just over two hours from Atlanta, GA and about an hour and a half from Charlotte, NC. We are three hours away from the lovely coast of South Carolina that contains beaches such as Myrtle Beach, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach. (These are just a few, there are some hidden gems as well that may not be as crowded as the ones named here). There are quite a few destinations within a short drive that you can travel to for a quick weekend getaway or for day trips. We have a international airport (GSP) that does provide direct flights to a handful of major cities. If you are traveling from GSP International Airport you can probably arrive 20 or 30 minutes before your flight leaves and you won't have to worry at all about missing your flight. Thats a joke of course, but it is much smaller than most airports and thats why I love it. There aren't many long lines and you can get through TSA in a timely manner. 

 

Over the last few years I have met many people who told me they just happened to visit Greenville for a weekend and decided to move. Some mentioned they visited and attended events such as Fall For Greenville, which is an annual food festival held during the second weekend of October. Others stated they may have been in town for work and business conferences then immediately began to search for opportunites here and decided to move. Some also mentioned the climate, especially those who relocated from the Northeastern states. They were fed up with snow and cold weather. They wanted to move to a place in which they can experience all four seasons. We actually have a joke here in Greenville that says we experience all four seasons in one day! As I type this we just had a rare ice storm, however our winters are usually quite mild. We have some cold days here and there but not many days when it is freezing cold. Our spring season as well as fall contain cool mornings and during the day you can be comfortable in either a long sleeve or short sleeve shirt. Summers are quite warm, but not unbearable as if we were in the desert.

 

Everyone has their reasons as to why they chose Greenville. It has been exciting to see the growth, and it is equally exciting to see what the future holds. Is Greenville perfect? Of course not, however I truly believe there is something here for everyone. Whether its Greenville or not, its up to us to make the best of where we decide to live by keeping a focus on what's really important to us and our families. If you would like to know even more about what makes Greenville a great place to live feel free to reach out!