the good and bad about Aiken
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6/17/2011
I have lived in Aiken for a few years now and have seen quite a bit of change. As someone in their 30s I am mostly ambivalent about living here. I don't love it but I don't hate it either.I could commute to work from Columbia or Augusta but don't dislike it enough to justify commuting. It is growing in terms of businesses and people. The comments about it being an old money horse community and a place for retirees I find to be true but there seems to be a rise in family oriented activities (I don't have kids). There does seem to be a class and racial divide here. Housing is not that cheap relative to other parts of the south but the reason is because a lot of people have chosen to live here and there simply was not a lot of housing. New developments are springing up around the city even in this housing market. I do think some of the population growth is families and "youngerish" people. The town is still very conservative but the economy has forced some progressive changes to accommodate what I see as a more diverse age demographic emerging (but there are still retirees coming here too). For example, Blue Laws are GONE- too many people going to GA on Sundays to shop/spend their money. There is a new bar downtown with "scantily clad" (lol- they are not that bad) waitresses. there was A LOT of protest about this bar, and apparently in the past the city blocked a Hooters form coming, but the protest to keep "this sort of thing in Augusta" and keep downtown a family place fell on deaf ears as the city said we have empty store fronts that need to be filled. This place is probably making more money than any other downtown establishment- the bottom line is people were going to the bars in downtown augusta and I think the city realized that once again being too conservative is costing them $.
Overall, Aiken is a cute place with beautiful horse farms, nice people (southern hospitality), nice parks, and southern charm. Crime is bad but the police here are making a good effort in my mind and stepping up to the plate- a lot of growth quickly forced them to reassess a bit but they are doing it. Having the horse community and a lot of retirees are not a bad thing at all as long as there are things for all ages and lifestyles which I see more of here than 5 years ago.
Elizabeth | Aiken, SC