Nestled in the northwest corner of South Carolina, Greenville offers a conveniently-located city with a more moderate pace than a larger city like Charlotte or Atlanta. Greenville has a number of refurbished and restored buildings lining its downtown streets, which now hold everything from luxury South Carolina real estate to breweries, restaurants, and more.
With a charming atmosphere and friendly locals that reflect true Southern hospitality, Greenville, SC, is on the up and up, so the sooner you jump into this quaint, charming community, the better! Here are 6 reasons to relocate to Greenville.
Greenville’s Central South Carolina Location
One of the biggest reasons to relocate to Greenville is because you’ll be within driving distance to some of the South’s most iconic cities, giving you easy access to urban metropolises, mountains, and beaches. Greenville, SC, is 4 hours away from Myrtle Beach, a little over an hour to the mountain city of Asheville, NC, an hour and a half to Charlotte, and 2 hours from Atlanta. Whether you travel frequently for leisure or business, simply hopping onto Interstate 85 or 385 will have you at your destination in no time.
Affordable Cost of Living in Greenville
Luckily for anyone relocating to Greenville, you won’t have to sacrifice convenience and culture for affordability here; you’ll get the best of both worlds! Despite Greenville, SC, being a flourishing city with plenty to do, the cost of living is rated at 89.8, which is a little over 10% lower than the national average. Things like transportation, groceries, and real estate in Greenville are all more affordable than most other southeastern cities of a similar size.
Greenville homes for sale have a median listing price of $341,900. For reference, here is the median cost of single-family homes for sale in other similar cities near Greenville:
- Homes for sale in Charlotte: $444,900
- Homes for sale in Asheville: $350,000
- Homes for sale in Atlanta $350,000
The cost of utilities in Greenville is about 4% lower than the national average and 7% lower than the South Carolina average. In addition, the cost for groceries is slightly lower than the national average by 1%, and the cost for things like gas and auto insurance is a whopping 24% lower than the United States average!
Excellent Economy in Greenville
For a relatively small city, Greenville’s economy packs a punch! Greenville has a low tax rate and unemployment rate, attracting several big-name companies, including BMW, Michelin, Lockheed, 3M, and General Electric. The two universities in the area, Furman University and Bob Jones University have increased the prominence of the education field in Greenville’s economy, providing jobs for those in academia and granting several opportunities for newly graduated professionals.
The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has helped Greenville become one of South Carolina’s primary transportation hubs, creating a plethora of job opportunities in the transportation field. The healthcare industry is also prominent in Greenville, with Greenville Health System and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System ranking as two of the best hospitals in South Carolina and providing plenty of healthcare jobs. Overall, the city’s diverse and growing economy is one of the major reasons to relocate to Greenville.
Plenty of Entertainment in Greenville
Another great reason to relocate to Greenville is that there are endless ways to stay entertained, starting with Downtown Greenville. The tree-lined main street is strung with glimmering solar lights and blocks of local businesses running up and down every road. Downtown Greenville is extremely pedestrian-friendly and you’ll often see people jogging, strolling, and biking throughout the area both day and night.
Aside from the quaint amenities, you can find downtown, the Carolina Music Museum and Greenville County Museum of Art are some popular and educational ways to spend the day exploring. If you’re itching for a night out with friends, the Alchemy Comedy Club provides stand-up comedy and improv shows that are sure to get you laughing.
On a grander scale, Greenville is a hot spot for musicians to perform, with the Peace Center and the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park showcasing everyone from local artists to iconic names like Willie Nelson and Mumford & Sons.
Greenville’s Moderate Year-Round Climate
Weather is often a determining factor in deciding where to move, and relocating to Greenville will earn you some of the best weather in the U.S. Greenville experiences all four seasons, and the harsher seasons of winter and summer remain mild year over year. As Greenville is situated at a higher elevation than many southern cities, you’ll find less humidity throughout the year.
Summers stay warm and sunny with an average temperature of 90°F, and winters are short and moderate with an average temperature of 42°F. With 220 sunny days per year, higher than the national average, Greenville provides ample opportunities for getting out and enjoying the weather.
Access to Outdoor Adventures in Greenville
Partially due to its location near the Blue Ridge Mountains and partially due to its excellent weather, Greenville is an ideal city for those who love to spend time in nature. In just a short drive, you can find waterfalls, wildlife, lakes, rivers, and mountains, all within Greenville city lines.
A local favorite hiking spot is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 20-mile trail along an abandoned railway line that is perfect for walking, biking, or going for a run. If you are more interested in exploring the diverse wildlife of Greenville, Lake Conestee Nature Preserve offers 400 acres of paved trails, benches, and wildlife, including over 200 different bird species. Paris Mountain State Park is another great hiking location, but it also offers activities on the water, such as fishing and kayaking, along with campsites in case you’d like to make a weekend trip out of it. The area’s many natural activities will impress even the most experienced nature-enthusiast and are one of the many reasons to relocate to Greenville.
Living in Greenville FAQs
Where will I find condos for sale in Greenville?
As an up-and-coming city, there is a wide variety of condos for sale in Greenville, with most of them sitting along the Reedy River. While there are a couple of condo complexes peppered throughout Greenville’s historic district, the most concentrated area for condos is between Linky Stone Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Is Greenville a walkable city?
Downtown Greenville is exceptionally pedestrian-friendly, with sidewalks lining street after street. After that, Viola Street and McBee Avenue are the most walkable areas in Greenville.
However, the farther you go outside of these main areas, the more you’ll need car. Greenville, as a whole, has a walkability score of 43.
What are the best suburbs of Greenville?
The best suburbs of Greenville are:
- Five Forks
- Reidville
- Powdersville
- Taylors
How far is Greenville, SC, from the beach?
The closest beach to Greenville, South Carolina, is Myrtle Beach, about a 4-hour drive (251 miles).
Top 6 Reasons to Relocate to Greenville, South Carolina
We hope we have helped you better understand the top reasons to relocate to Greenville and what makes the city so special. Have you decided that you’d rather live closer to the coast? Check out the 7 reasons to relocate to Charleston, and reach out to a local real estate agent to help you find your perfect new city.
