Thanks guys!!! We're very interested in both Aiken and Greenville. Can you tell us neighborhoods to look at and neighborhoods to avoid. And does anyone know anything about radioactive ground water from SRS. Is that something to be concerned about?[/QUOT
So you want a few acres? Do you want to keep any animals? Want rural, secluded, or a neighborhood? how far from downtown? Realize downtown Greenville is mostly entertainment not extensive retail. The big retail centers are east along the Woodruff road corridor. Traffic there is bad. You couldn't pay me to live near there. And traffic on I 85 leading in and out of town is also heavy at rush hours, especially on the north side. So that leaves the northern part of the county towards Tigerville or Travelers Rest. It's somewhat conservative and religious, but good people. That's more scenic, closer to the mountains, hiking trails and rivers. Or west towards Pickens county, near Easley or Dacusville. Also scenic and rural, and close to the big lakes of Hartwell, Keowee, and a Jocasse. Or south towards Lauren's county. Not as mountainous, more pastures and cattle, but still an easy drive to Greenville. But not much that direction as far as hiking trails. I would avoid Simpsonville or Greer, not because they are not nice, but those are the areas of uncontrolled growth and subdivision booms, so traffic is much worse. But that's where most newcomers settle, I guess because there are many homes to choose from and they don't know any better. I'll go there to shop the big retail chains but only if I have to.
These rural areas are all within 15 or 20 miles from the city center. That far out will offer much cheaper land and home prices. But if you want closer with a house and lot rather than acreage, that's possible too. Just depends on what you want.
Greenville is the medical center of the upstate. There is a medical school here. So healthcare is good. The closest other big city medical center is Columbia, our state capital. Columbia is nice, but a good bit hotter in summer. Northern Greenville county is close enough to the mountains to be a little cooler. A little more snow, but very infrequent. And it's gone in a few days.
Hope this helps.
As far as Aiken, my understanding is that the horse community is small, mainly race horses and polo. So it's a high society monied crowd. But I may be wrong. Aiken is a nice town from what I hear but Greenville has more to offer in my opinion. Consider BMW decided to locate their US headquarters nearby. And Michelin USA. And Cabelas just built a huge retail store here. Bass Pro is coming nearby. Clemson university is building an automotive research center here. I think these corporations are high on this area too. Aiken is not near anywhere ( well maybe Augusta Georgia). You rarely go thru Aiken to get anywhere. Whereas Greenville is on I-85 and I-26 which are main pathways to Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia, Asheville, etc. and we have a larger airport if that matters. Not dissing Aiken, as I have friends there. but I love Greenville's proximity to the mountains. The climate of Aiken is more like Columbia's. I doubt there are many hiking trails near there, certainly none at higher elevations.
Don't know anything about the SRP other than it has a reputation of being very secretive. But the downsizing of nuclear weapons programs really hurt the economy of Aiken. I suppose they are recovering.
