25 Things To Know Before Moving To Greenville, South Carolina
According to recent data by MoveBuddha, South Carolina ranks No. 1 in top moving destinations in 2023 and Greenville keeps ranking as top cities to move to in 2023. They conducted an analysis of post-pandemic trends and patterns to identify states and cities that have become popular lately.
Looking to move to Greenville? If you’re planning to join that number, this post will give you insight into your future home before it’s time to unpack. From what kind of weather to expect to where you can shop for the things you need for your new home. It’s helpful to learn a few basic things you should know before moving to Greenville and see the pros and cons of the area. Use this guide to gather information before you move. Knowing these 25 things before moving to Greenville will make your transition smoother and more enjoyable.
Reference Guide
Below is a reference guide to all the topics covered in this post. Click any parts that most interest you.
There's always something new to look forward to in Greenville development-wise. Over the years, we've seen Greenville grow and evolved into what it is today. With developments and new developments planned for the future, Greenville continues to develop as a thriving city.
Even with the pandemic challenges, projects in the greater Greenville area continued to advance. As a matter of fact, there are several projects in the works right now from hotels to mixed-use developments. The following are the key projects to watch out for:
Greenville Triumph New Soccer stadium in Mauldin
BridgeWay Station - A new stadium built on a 38-acre mixed-use urban village development at BridgeWay Station in Mauldin, SC. BridgeWay Station was chosen due to its proximity to not only interstate travelers but the Swamp Rabbit Trail that will connect via a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 385.
United Community Bank headquarters - This building will rise on 200 E.Camperdown Way in Greenville and will serve as as United Community Bank's headquarters. Completion is expected in early 2024.
Downtown Conference Center - Plans for this conference center is still in the early planning stage and will be located between the river and Academy Street across from the Embassy Suites hotel. The project will consist of 184,000 sq. ft of mixed-use space including a conference center, support space, and two museums.
West End Apartments - There are major housing developments in the works close to one another in downtown's West End. The first one called The .408 is well underway and the other one is yet to begin.
Trueline Music Venue - This development is yet to begin and planned for 401 Rhett St. in the West End of downtown Greenville, construction planned in 2024.
Affordable Housing in Nicholtown community - A massive affordable housing development project is in the works for the Nicholtown community in Greenville. The planned location will be at the corner of Laurens and Ackley Road. They will build a 112-apartment unit with some retail and commercial on the ground floor.
Of course, there are other costs involved when you move to Greenville in addition to housing. There are utilities, fees, taxes, transportation, and other expenses to factor in as you set your budget for your new life in Greenville.
Most of us would prefer to have more money to spend and save. The good news is, when compared to other states, Greenville's cost of living is lower than other metropolitan areas in the country so there'll be some breathing room in your budget. Take a look at the comparison table below:
We’ve covered what's the cost of living when you move to Greenville, the next question is what employment opportunities are available in the area? As employment opportunity remains a crucial and often decisive factor in your decision on where to live. Let us begin by saying there are many employment opportunities in Greenville.
Greenville is home to a diverse range of businesses and industries and is considered to be the ‘economic engine of South Carolina’. Did you know there are more corporate headquarters in Greenville than in any other region in South Carolina? We have Fortune 500 companies including 3M, Lockheed, GE, and more.
The biggest employers in Greenville include Prisma Health, the School District of Greenville County, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Michelin North America, GE Power & Water, as well as the county, state, and federal governments.
Even when you move to Greenville, taxes won't elude you but at least in Greenville, taxes aren't a big burden. Did you know that South Carolina is one of the top states with the lowest state-local tax burden? Also, the state has some of the lowest property and gas taxes in the nation.
If you are considering moving to Greenville, South Carolina, you may have questions about the state's tax structure. The following is a simple tax guide:
Individual Income Tax Rate: 0% to 7%
Property Taxes : 4% - 5% of fair market value
Sales and Use Tax: 6%
We are going to be blunt, Greenville has crimes. In fact, the crime rate in Greenville is slightly higher than the state average. But no fret, crime in Greenville is still lower compared to the U.S. average.
The violent crime rate in Greenville, SC in 2019, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Crime in the U.S., was 528.67 per 100,000 population, a 12.2% decline from 2017. Violent crime includes instances of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The property crime rate in Greenville for 2018 was 4036.89 per 100,000 population, a 1.72% decline from 2017. Property crime covers burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.
If you wish to see more details and specifics about crimes that have happened in the greater Greenville area. You can use this Greenville crime map to find which part of Greenville is the safest.
Although Greenville has crimes, and let us be objective here, there's no town or city in this world where we can live in a utopian society where crime never happens, Greenville is still home to a number of communities where it's safe and family-friendly. In fact, Greenville is among the top 20 safest cities in South Carolina.
If you have school-aged children, this would mean school is an important factor in your decision to move to Greenville. It's only natural you want to make sure that your children will be able to go to a good school that will help them develop to their potential and achieve a bright future. The good thing, Greenville has an awesome school system.
Greenville County School District is a highly rated, public school district in Greenville. It is the largest school district in South Carolina with more than 70,000 students in grades PK, K-12, and a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. Students attend schools based primarily on the geographic location of their homes.
In addition to public schools, Greenville also has a number of private schools serving students from all school levels. For higher education, Greenville is home to several colleges and universities within the city limits and in other parts of Greenville County. These include Bob Jones University, Greenville Technical College, Furman University, and North Greenville University. Other popular Universities outside of Greenville have campuses in the area including Clemson University and the University of SC School of Medicine Greenville.
Check which schools area the best in the greater Greenville area.
Greenville has outstanding medical care services and facilities. The two major hospitals – Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System – is the largest not-for-profit health organization in South Carolina. They are recognized as the state’s most comprehensive healthcare provider and one of the Southeast’s leading medical facilities. In addition to these hospitals, Greenville is also home to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, as well as a number of other healthcare groups.
Click here to find more information about healthcare in Greenville, SC.
Greenville falls under a subtropical climate that creates hot and humid summers and short and mild winters. During the warmest part of the year, temperatures go in the mid to upper 80s. you can expect to break out your shorts and tank tops and enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, golfing, and boating.
Winters are short and generally cool, with a daily temperature in January of 42.2 °F. On average, there are 59 nights per year that drop to or below freezing, and only 1.3 days that fail to rise above freezing. April is the driest month, with an average of 3.36 inches of precipitation and July is the city's wettest month.
If you’re wondering about more extreme weather in Greenville, you should be aware of the potential for hurricanes. The hurricane season in South Carolina is from June through November with peak time from late August through September. Fortunately for Greenville, it is in a very low-risk hurricane zone. There were only 28 hurricanes that have been recorded in the Greenville, SC area since 1930. The largest hurricane was Ivan in 2004 and the most recent Greenville, SC hurricane was Cindy in 2005. The greater Greenville area is at high risk for tornadoes though as the Southeast has seen an increase in tornado activity in recent years.
Winters in Greenville are mild, with temperatures rarely falling below freezing. January and February can be chilly, with an average temperature of 43 °F. The city is a welcome escape from places with harsh winters. We only get about 4.7 inches of snow occurring mainly from January thru March.
Having seen rapid development over the past two decades, Greenville's population continues to grow in response to the explosion of growth in the area.
Greenville County is home to around 548,000 people. Greenville city, the seat of Greenville County has a population of 70,720 as of the 2020 Census. It has grown by 21% since 2010. As the population grows, many parts of the city changed as well.
Greenville is a city that has so much to offer to anyone of any generation. As a result, this city has proven to be one of the "Best Places to Live" from Money in 2019, and "Best Place to Live in the USA #22" from U.S News and World Report in 2019. Greenville and Spartanburg were among five South Carolina cities mentioned in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 list of the 150 "Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Greenville offers a fairly diverse landscape. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Greenville County’s population reached 547,950 in 2022, putting the population density at 574.7 people per square mile. This population is made up of 73.8 percent white, 18.1 percent African American, 8.1 percent Hispanic, and 2 percent Asian residents.
More than 91 percent of people living in the city of Greenville have a high school diploma and 50.8 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher-level education. The average household is made up of 2.05 people.
The average household income in the city of Greenville is $58,259 with a poverty rate of 12.1%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $1,013 per month, and the median house value is $332,700. The median age in Greenville is 37.2 years.
If you are moving to Greenville, you will be able to enjoy the city’s vast number of festivals and events happening all year round. From January to December, there is always something happening that fills the city streets, parks, or entertainment venues with revelers enjoying all types of events from concerts, food, art, and music festivals, to sports events and more. These events serve an important purpose—they mark history and a sense of pride, plus they showcase talent, creativity, and culture.
Some of the major events in Greenville include: Euphoria, Wells Fargo Red, White, and Blue Festival, Downtown Alive and Main Sreet Fridays, Fall For Greenville, Artisphere, Oktoberfest, and so many more. Check here to see all the events happening in Greenville SC all year round.
People who choose to relocate here in Greenville will enjoy all the things the city has to offer. Greenville is a beautiful city and a common site for recreation.
Experience a diverse roster of shows and events at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, enjoy a live game at Flour Field, home of the Greenville Drive, or take in a show surrounded by other downtown Greenville nightlife options… just to name a few.
Greenville is known for its free weekly and recurring outdoor events and concerts so you definitely won't get bored living in Greenville, SC!
Leisure and sports activities play an important role in Greenville communities. Having many sports and leisure facilities that promote the health improvement and well-being of individuals in our communities is one of the reasons why Greenville is a great place to live and play.
The city has invested in facilities such as the MeSA Soccer Complex, Greenville County Aquatic Complex, Fluor Field, Conestee Park, and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena to improve the lifestyle and well-being of its people. Not to mention that there are several other Greenville communities that have baseball and softball complexes, multi-purpose fields, parks, lakes, rivers and trails, and the community is engaged with these indoor and outdoor activities. There are sports clubs, teams, and clubs of different interests that people of all ages can join.
Yes, Greenville is a car-centric city. Although the city does have a public bus system, a car will give people the most freedom to move around. But for those that rely on public transportation for mobility, Greenville has Greenlink – Greenville County’s public transit system – that provides transportation services for the community. Nevertheless, the local government is working hard to improve the area's transportation and mobility.
As the number of jobs grew over the years, you might have to wonder how much time people commute to get to their place of work. A recent study from the local government admits the number of Greenville residents who commute outside the city for work grew. That translates to traffic volumes on major thoroughfares. In particular, traffic counts have increased by more than 30% on several streets in and around downtown Greenville, the Verdae Boulevard area, and the Haywood Road corridor. Average travel time to work for Greenville residents has increased by less than a minute since 2000 and now stands at 17.5 minutes.
If you're moving to Greenville, you will love the vibrant downtown area. It has been one of the Upstate's most popular destinations for entertainment, dining, and shopping. Livability recently ranked it one of the Top 10 Best Downtowns in the country.
The downtown is absolutely beautiful with amazing scenery such as the Liberty Bridge that overlooks Falls Park, its wide sidewalks, outdoor plazas, and streetside dining.
Downtown Greenville is totally walkable. If you look up the walk score of downtown Greenville, it paints a different picture compared to the walk score of the city. The downtown area boasts tree-shaded sidewalks lining both sides of the two-lane streets and arrays of shops and restaurants. Most errands can be accomplished on foot. You can walk to get to restaurants, CVS, shops, and supermarkets.
There are two areas in downtown Greenville where you can park for free on weekends. The Richardson Street Garage is free after 6 pm on Fridays through 6 am on Mondays and the West Washington Street Deck is free from 6 pm to 6 am Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday.
So if you are visiting the downtown area to shop, dine, or enjoy the cultural and entertainment options you can park for free at these two downtown locations. As for the other parking garages in downtown Greenville, you can still have free parking no matter the day or time. The first hour is free in all the parking garages. You only pay for parking after the first free hour. View Interactive Parking Map in downtown Greenville here.
if you are a foodie and moving to Greenville, you will find downtown a delightful place. Greenville boasts more than 100 different restaurants in the downtown area alone, offering a wide range of cuisines. Whether you’re searching for an alfresco place to eat, an intimate fine dining experience, or just simply popping into a deli, dining here is a mix of foodie culture and Southern warm service.
Find out where to eat in Greenville, SC.
Greenville is a great place for nature and outdoor adventures with plenty of parks, gardens, playgrounds, and more! Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of Greenville’s most popular and accessible recreation options in downtown Greenville.
Paris Mountain State Park is just 10 minutes from the downtown area if you are looking for a more outdoorsy type of adventure. The State Park has four lakes, a swimming area complete with kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats for rent, there's a playground too, a campground, and a 15-mile trail for hiking and biking.
When you move to Greenville, don't miss the chance to hike to Caesars Head State Park or the Table Rock State Park to see breathtaking panoramic views.
Here are some outdoor activities to enjoy.
Greenville has established itself as a hub for cultural attractions in Upstate. With a wide variety of museums, theaters, symphonies, and performing arts centers making their home in the area.
Greenville strongly values and celebrates its local artist community and cultural assets. This is demonstrated in Greenville’s thriving art galleries, entertainment, venues, and cultural events.
One of the many perks of moving to Greenville is that it is well-connected to the surrounding states. The city is just a few hours away from the East Coast and its many beaches, Asheville, NC and other major cities like Charlotte and Atlanta. Greenville's proximity to these cities opens the door to a lot of opportunities.
Greenville's real estate market has been one of the hot markets in the state since the beginning of the year. Even with the challenges of the pandemic, our real estate market didn't falter. Unfortunately, much like other real estate markets in the country, Greenville's housing market can't keep up with the demand. Take a look at the graphic below.
A snapshot of the last 10-year inventory trend for Greenville
Click here to see the current market stats for Greenville.
As of this posting, the median home price in Greenville is $298,000. Many homes in that price range will most likely sell within a few hours of getting on the market. It's a tough market right now as we see multiple offer situations on most listings at or below the median home price. That's why it's important to work with an experienced agent to help you in the home buying process.
If you are shopping for homes for sale in Greenville, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Our team of Real Estate Agents loves to help people relocate to Greenville.
Greenville neighborhoods vary from historic neighborhoods that boast a lot of green spaces and parks, neighborhoods that enjoy beautiful vistas and idyllic charm, to family-friendly neighborhoods in newer communities. Click here to get to know more about Greenville's popular neighborhoods.
With a variety of real estate options that meet different lifestyles. Homebuyers are sure to find the right neighborhood to fit their real estate needs.
Receive a Complimentary Greenville Relocation Guide. This relocation guide will assist you in your personal research. It includes interesting general tidbits about the Greenville area and Home Buyer’s Guide to Relocating to Greenville. Please fill in the form below and request your FREE relocation magazine.