About the Area
About Greenville South Carolina
By Contributing Authors, LOCALJOBS.COM
Feb 20, 2006, 04:31 PM

Featured in Southern Living magazine as South Carolina’s “City of the Arts,” Greenville South Carolina sits proudly at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Embellished by nature’s artistry, the abundant visual and performing arts programs of Greenville are quite at home in this town of just over 56,000 people.  Full of historical landmarks, the community remains rooted – it is quite common for Greenville citizens to raise their families, engage in an active career, and then retire without ever moving from the city.  Known for having a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit, it is a perfect place to start and run a business.  In fact, many have done just that.  The Greenville Chamber of Commerce holds up such self-started companies as Datastream Systems, Hartness International, and ScanSource as evidence of Greenville South Carolina’s fertile business and economic environment.

Education is another of Greenville South Carolina’s strong points.  According area publications, Newsweek Magazine’s Challenge Index recently highlighted five Greenville County high schools for having top SAT scores in the country, averaging 110% of the U.S. average.  In addition to having great high schools,

12 Greenville County schools have been noted for their excellence. These facts, combined with a comfortable climate (lows in the 30’s, highs in the upper 80’s – low humidity), low cost of living, and a conquerable unemployment rate, make Greenville South Carolina a perfect place to live.

Living in Greenville South Carolina

According to CNN Money, the average cost of a home in 2005 was $114,544 with a home price gain of 4.36%.  Rents for one and two bedroom apartments are reasonably priced and they are fairly easy to find. The average Greenville South Carolina resident is 36-years old with a family income of nearly $40,000 per year.  The US Census Bureau race and ethnicity breakdown as of 2000 is as follows:

        White  77.5%

        Black or African American persons, percent         18.3%

        American Indian and Alaska native            0.2%

        Asian persons           1.4%

        Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander          0

        Some other race       1.4%

        Two or more races    1.1%

        Hispanic or Latino origin, percent   3.8%

The cliché, “something for everyone” very well may have been born in Greenville South Carolina where the statement, at the very least, is most definitely true.  Those who enjoy fine dining will feel as much at home as those who prefer a basket of chicken wings and a soda.   Likewise, outdoors enthusiast will find Greenville South Carolina to be a magnificent place to explore, while the cultured set will find enough art displays, theater, and museums to keep them well occupied.

Food and Lodging

In Greenville South Carolina, residents use their meal times to be social, conduct business, or to relax.  Some eat for entertainment. Regardless of the purpose the meal, it is nice to have a choice as to what you’ll have for dinner – and Greenville has them. Some Greenville South Carolina restaurants include:

        Buffalo’s Café

        Dragon Den (Chinese)

        Thai Cuisine of Duncan

        Brick Street Café

        Peter David’s Fine Dining

        Ragtops Classic American Diner (a soda shop straight from the 1950’s)

        Ristorante Bergamo

        Romano’s Macaroni Grill

        Sakura (Japanses)

        Stax’s Peppermill

        Wild Wing Café

        Aussie Bush Burgers  

Scattered in and around the larger restaurants are wine cafés, pubs, and bistros.  The variety of national chains and local mom-and-pop store fronts promises that no appetite or craving will go unfulfilled in Greenville South Carolina.  There are also Bed and Breakfasts and hotels most always available for visitors.  Some of these establishments offer unique experiences to area resident in addition to their regular flow of visitors from out of state.  Pettigru Place and Walnut Lane Inn are two of the most popular Bed and Breakfasts in Greenville South Carolina.  The Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Regency are two of the most often highlighted hotels in Greenville, but there are many more available that fit all types of budgets and travel plans.

Transportation

Greenville South Carolina is serviced by three airports.  They are: Donaldson Center Airport, Greenville Downtown Airport, and Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, which is the closest commercial airport.  Local bus service is offered by the Greenville Transit Authority, which provides transportation services throughout the city with 19 fixed routes. Taxi cabs, limousines, and rental cars are also available to those who need them.

Colleges and Universities

There are a variety of public and private colleges offering certificates, diplomas, degrees, and advanced education in and near Greenville South Carolina. The University of South Carolina, ECPI College of Technology, Furman University, ITT Technical Institute, and Bob Jones University are some of the many options available.  The University of South Carolina offers the widest and most varied range of programs, while ECPI College of Technology is a two-year college for those pursuing a career specifically in technology, health, and business.  Furman University was noted in US News and World Report as being “ranked No. 38 among national liberal arts colleges, No. 4 in the category of 'Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects' and No. 25 among 'Great Schools at Great Prices.'"   Bob Jones University is a private Christian university consisting of seven colleges: Arts and Science, Religion, Fine Arts, Education, Business Administration, Applied Studies, and Seminary and Graduate School of Religion. ITT Technical Institute is a specialized school, offering programs in technology, business, drafting, and design.

Healthcare

In Greenville South Carolina, medical and health resources are plentiful. The Carolina Center for Behavioral Health, Greenville Hospital System, Greenville Shriners Hospital, and the Bon Secours St Francis Health System, take care of the health care needs of Greenville South Carolina area residents.  The Greenville Hospital System is academic, therefore on top of cutting-edge technology and medical advancements.  Not only is the medical staff a pioneer in new therapies and treatments, but a regional authority in cancer, heart, pediatrics, and women's medicine. 

Working in Greenville South Carolina

Textiles, automotive, and technology are the primary Greenville South Carolina industries. Some major employers in the area include the following:

        General Electric Company

        Michelin North America Incorporated                         

        JPS Automotive

        BMW

        Michelin North America

        Coats & Clark Incorporated     

A person who is not trained in any of the local industries will find that Greenville South Carolina welcomes original thinkers.  Those with business ideas of their own have plenty of support.  The Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of South Carolina maintains an office in Greenville South Carolina, offering resources and training to individuals and small business.  According to Clemson University, the SBDC staff members “offer a variety of services and management training courses… [and] provide management and technical assistance to those wishing to start or expand an enterprise.

Playing in Greenville South Carolina

The Greenville South Carolina Chamber of Commerce boasts that bike riders have some of the best paths available to them in the country.  In support of their statement, the Chamber notes that Greenville has been rated one of Bike Magazine’s “Top 5 Best Places to Live and Ride.” In addition to bike riding, residents and visitors enjoy mountain hikes, outdoor concerts, golf, horseback riding, and much more.  Sports fans support Greenville’s Braves Baseball Club and the Growl Hockey Teams with regular attendance.  In addition, the town is not without its museums, landmarks, and attractions. Some places to go and things to do include:

        16th SC Volunteers Museum of Confederate History

        Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery

        Carolina Ballet Theatre

        Furman University Thompson Gallery

        Greenville County Museum of Art

        Cultural Exchange Center

        Greenville Zoo

        Greenville’s Symphony Orchestra

        Paris Mountain State Park

        Peace Center for the Performing Arts

        Pleasant Ridge County Park

        Reedy River Falls Historic Park & Falls Cottage

        Riverbend Equestrian Center

        Roper Mountain Science Center

        Sassafras Mountain

There are also several theaters presenting a variety of types of work.  Combined, they offer theater lovers everything from children’s theatre to Shakespeare.  History buffs can enjoy mansion tours.  Among those to see are the following:

        Beattie House -- an Italian Gothic house

        Gassaway Mansion -- a stone castle

        Kilgore-Lewis House

        The Cherrydale Mansion -- once the home of Furman University’s first president

Greenville South Carolina is a town that likes to celebrate.  As a result, festivals and other special events are heavily scheduled throughout the year.   And while there are many, four festivals are especially anticipated all year.  Fall for Greenville is perhaps the biggest Greenville festival, occurring in October of each year.  Fall for Greenville includes food samplings from area restaurants, a bicycle race, and lots of live entertainment.  Normally a three day event, events scheduled during previous festivals have included ice carvings, cook-offs, and craft activities.  The Greek Festival is also big.  Held annually in May, the festival features Greek food and cultural activities. Arts in the Park and the Reedy River Run are also popular Greenville South Carolina festivals.  

Greenville South Carolina is a campus of thriving social lives, rich educational opportunities, top-notch healthcare systems, and a reasonable cost of living.   For most, working and living in Greenville South Carolina leads to a satisfying retirement without ever having to leave the town’s boundaries.