Greenville is wonderful!
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11/24/2006
Count me as someone who has fallen in love with Greenville. I can say that after having lived in places like Charleston, SC, Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and Boston, MA (all great places in their own right). Despite loving my time in each of those other cities, and realizing that they each have great things to offer, Greenville stands out.
Do not let Greenville's "city population" of ~56,000 fool you. South Carolina has strict annexation laws, preventing the city from gobbling up adjacent land like most cities. Greenville County's population is over 400,000, and like the city of Greenville, is the most densely populated in the state of SC. The Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metropolitan area was around 1 million in population as of the last census, and has been growing at a steady rate.
And guess what? Greenville is a progressive place. You might be shocked to hear that if your perception of Greenville is conservative politics and Bob Jones University (both have little influence on the area as a whole, especially the latter). The city just banned smoking in all restaurants AND bars, and the county just passed a 2% tax to fund parks and tourism. The region tends to be conservative as a whole, but individual differences are embraced. It is not uncommon at all to see interracial couples or gay couples walking down the street in peace. It is also not surprising to hear people speak different languages and embracing their culture (the international presence is strong, thanks in part to companies like Michelin and BMW having their major North American operations here).
The downtown area is amazing. It is clean, charming, and there is a lot to do. The city has put a lot into the urban core over the last 15 years or so, and it has definitely paid off. There are great hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. I have taken numerous visitors (both personal friends as well as business clients) there and they are almost always blown away. It's almost as if people don't know such a treasure exists here. That secret is quickly becoming more known, though. The city has a wonderful river (with waterfalls) running through downtown, and developments are springing up all around it. The arts scene here is great! And if you are an outdoor enthusiast and/or enjoy the mountains, opportunities abound.
I guess I have rambled enough, but I will conclude by saying that this place is much more than I ever expected it to be. I moved here thinking it woul
Jonathan | Easley, SC