Florence, SC Reviews

Keep looking - 11/1/2022
The short version: high humidty+high temps+mosquitoes, high crime, terrible schools, poor dining choices, no outdoor activities, very few entertainment options, horrible shopping, did I mention the humidity?

Thorough version: I lived in Florence for 25 years growing up and go back a few times a year to see family and have traveled extensively all over the country for my job.

There is a lack of shopping (mall is horrible) and dining is really really bad to the point that you can barely keep a Thai or Indian restaurant open. They have done a good job recently trying to revitalize downtown and there are a few new breweries and restaurants but still lacking compared to cities of similar size.

High crime, crime index is 1 out of 100 with 100 being the safest.

High schools rated 3/10, middle and elementary 5/10

Not much for entertainment options compared to similar cities. They do have 5oclock Fridays downtown and a couple Read More

Incredibly boring, lacks culture, things to do. - 2/28/2020
Some people have actually lived here for 30 years? I can't even imagine what your perspective is or what your life is like. Like anything in life, it's all about perspective. If you have lived your whole life in West Virginia, rural Ohio, or even Mississippi, you don't know any different, and God bless you because ignorance is bliss. If you have lived in a city that actually has some life and energy and positive vibes, then you will find life to be difficult here very quickly. My wife moved here for a job in a nearby city with a company in the middle of nowhere who pays a huge wage, inexplicably. I haven't lived in cities like I mentioned above. One, the traffic here is very bad, especially for such a small city with so few amenities and so little to offer. The city is just not planned well. The roads are very narrow, so you may wait forever just for the privilege of going to a Walmart. Two, a great majority of the employers pay an incredibly low wage. I'm having to work 100% remotely Read More

Florence is much larger than you think - 10/23/2019
I've lived in Florence for over 30 years and think it's a great place to live, work and play. It's a progressive community that is welcoming to newcomers of all ages and it has many amenities not usually found in towns our size. The population numbers are deceiving because Florence is the hub of a 300,000 person region within 30 miles so you will be pleasantly surprised at the shopping, restaurants, recreation and healthcare that is offered in Florence. Read More

Florence is a wonderful and very livable place - 10/22/2019
I have watched this city grow and expand since 1998. I have had the opportunity to live elsewhere in the US and have done that prior to locating here in Florence. This town is incredible for its size. The cost of living is very low, entertainment options are everywhere and the arts are better than cities twice its size. Those that say we don't have great quality restaurants must not get out very often. It's a great place to raise your children and a great place to Read More

Simply. Terrible. - 5/6/2018
This state is so bad that there isn’t even a law that says you can’t tie your dog to a fence on a 2 ft chain without food or water in 100+ degrees for days.
There is a HUGE drug problem here. Many abandon houses on one side of town (within walking distance of the downtown cultural area) where the drug addicted homeless people stay.
Florence finally opened their first homeless shelter last year. It’s been at capacity since.
When the temp drops below freezing they have no plan for the homeless - no “code blue.” People and pets simply freeze to death.
EVERY Florence local is heavily religious. They go Sunday and Wednesday night. You can not make friends with these people unless you are the same devout Christian type.
The handful of Jews here seem tolerated - if only because “Jewish” doesn’t register on locals radar. They have no idea what Judaism is.
There is no decent Chinese restaurant. One Chinese restaurant was caught taking food back out Read More

MOST OF SOUTH CAROLINA IS THE BIG LIE-especially F - 4/28/2014
The "Growth Initiative of Myrtle Beach" extends to Florence, 90 miles inland. There are HUGE disparities in the demographics published and reality.
DO NOT MOVE HERE.

1. THERE IS A RACE WAR. It is a shock to the system to see it. Blacks hate whites and whites are disrespectful to blacks.
2. Economically depressed area cannot even support a Panera Bread or a Pier One.
3. Most of the architecture looks like temporary tenement style.
4. ONLY gasoline and cigarettes are cheaper. EVERYTHING else costs more than living in New York or South Florida.
5. They HATE Read More

Lack of creative restaurants and fine dining - 12/31/2011
Florence is a great place to go out for BBQ or fried foods but it lacks creative or fine dining options. There are some good ethnic options. Not a good town for foodies.Read More

Great Place to Live! - 6/3/2011
Florence is a great place to work and live in SC. It offers an excellent hospital system, adequate interstate infrastructure, and decent shopping. It has an interconnected walking trail and a multi-park system. The cost of living is fantastic (although I realize the unemployment rate is very high). It has a convention center, The Florence Little Theater, and a new fine arts center. It's about 90 minutes away from the beach, two hours to Charlotte, NC. Although there are enough restaurants for the size of the city, it could use a greater variety.  Read More

Indoor season/outdoor season - 6/2/2011
Florence, SC is a pleasant small city in the Pee Dee section of SC between the mountains and coast. Although it boasts pleasant to mild cooler months, the warm months can often make one forget the cooler. Essentially having two extended seasons, summer from mid-May through mid-October and very shortened autumns and springs bracketing a generally mild winter from late November through March. Frequently, the only options available during the extended summers are in the pool or indoors, while the moderate cooler months invite plenty of outdoors enjoyment. If you like or do not object to muggy heat, this can be a very nice place to Read More

Worst Town Ever!!! - 1/6/2011
Florence is sadly not a great place to live... Many "locals" try to cover up all the flaws, but there are SO MANY reasons why someone should never live here. Many local "southerners" are extremely oblivious to reality and what true character means. This town is VERY corrupt, unfriendly, dirty, and UGLY. The people here are not welcoming and do not show any type of "Southern Hospitality" whatsoever. On top of all of that... the town is very segregated and closed minded. I moved to Florence, SC two years ago and I am counting the days till I'm gone!! If someone was thinking about moving to this area... I would highly recommend them to think Read More