Handsmill on Lake Wylie
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
What It Is Like to Retire in Greenville
Greenville is a fast growing town in northwest South Carolina. Although 70,720 (2020 census) people live in the city proper, the MSA area including Spartanburg approaches 1 million. Greenville has an interesting downtown and several great neighborhoods. Downtown Greenville is unique in that it is located right at its scenic falls and along a beautiful park and trail system. Home to many restaurants, boutiques, and weekly festivals, the downtown is busy even on Sunday mornings. The Haywood Mall is a major mall in the area. The downtown has been the subject of intense and successful redevelopment efforts It won Great American Main Street awards from the National Trust for Historical Preservation in 2003 and 2009. The city has a diverse industrial and commercial base with manufacturing plant including Michelin. It is home to a number of colleges and technical colleges, including Furman University and Bob Jones University. It is host to several minor league sports teams including Drive, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, who even have a replica "Green Monster" to enjoy. This is a thriving community for the arts. See our detailed article about Greenville Watch this short Youtube video presented by VisitGreenvilleSC
Where to Retire in Greenville and Home Prices
Greenville has many wonderful neighborhoods for boomers as well as families and people of all ages. Some retirees are buying condos or townhomes in or near the downtown and its 100 restaurants. It also have many developments: see our Greenville active adult and 55+ communities. Real Estate Values Greenville is a relative bargain. According to the NAR, the median sale price of a home was $319,000 in the 1st quarter of 2023 in the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin area, although that would be higher in many active communities or upscale neighborhoods. Property taxes on a $200,000 home is about $1,100 to $1,400 in the area.
What Is Special about Greenville
Restored, award-winning downtown that is rated one of the best in the country. An expanding system of parks and trails along the Reedy River and the Falls goes right through the heart of the downtown - it is very unusual and beautiful. Many colleges and universities such as Furman. Wide diversity of neighborhoods to live in. Named as a great place to live by Money.CNN.
What Is Not Special about Greenville
Crime is higher than the US average but has been dropping over the last ten years, now a third less than in 2000, while the population in the area has been constantly growing. Traffic congestion is a growing problem. Woodruff Road can be brutal, especially on the weekend as this road is a major retail corridor. There is a bus system but many feel it is seriously underfunded.
Who Will Like Retirement in Greenville
People who like the idea of living in the Carolinas will be able to have an attractive lifestyle at relatively low cost. The city is conveniently located half way between Atlanta GA and Charlotte NC (about a hundred miles in either direction). The mountains are about an hour away and the coast is about 3.5 hours away. The city has a diverse population.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Although it was once a textile capital Greenville is now home to many large foreign companies related to the automotive business. Colleges and hospitals are also important to the economy.
Climate and Physical Environment
Greenville is located in northwestern South Carolina about midway between Atlanta and Charlotte. The average July high is 89. The average January high is 50 and the average low is 31. The wettest month is March.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Southern Exposure is an annual three day event held in the Wyche Pavilion at Larkin's on the River. Greenville County Museum of Art specializes in American art. The Warehouse Theatre and Centre Stage offer performing arts venues.
Crime
The crime rate is well above the U.S. average.
Medical facilities
Bon Secours St. Francis and the Greenville Hospital System serve the Greenville area.
Transportation
Greenville-Spartanburg Airport serves Greenville. There is AMTRAK service as well as bus service by the Greenville Transit Authority. Greenville has a "somewhat walkable" Walk Score of 52. The downtown area is extremely walkable for the many people who live there.
Comments on "Greenville"
Barry Vogt says:
I retired a year ago in Boston were I live for over forty years but looking to move maybe South Carolina beside I grew up in the low country there