While it takes a true leap of faith to land a new job and move to a new city, Greenville, South Carolina is one of those communities you’ll never regret calling home.
In 2019, it landed on the list of Best Places to Live according to
Livability, and both Conde Nast and National Geographic have mentioned Greenville, SC as one of the best cities in the country to settle down, making moving to Greenville, SC, worth any perceived risk of change.
Greenville is a hub city
Halfway between Atlanta, GA., and Charlotte, NC, Greenville is growing rapidly, but it still is small enough that it feels relaxed and welcoming.
Because the city is growing, the industry is expanding and there are more job opportunities to make moving to Greenville, SC more appealing.
Industries include BMW, Michelin, 3M, GE, Bosch, Fluor, Magna, Honeywell, United Community Bank, Southern Tide, the International Center for Automotive Research, and Lockheed Martin, among many others.
The best eats
Photo courtesy of Jianna
In 2020, Forbes honored Greenville as a city meant for foodies, and there is plenty to choose from.
While it’s difficult to pick the best restaurants out of the many Greenville has to offer,
Jianna makes a lot of favorite lists (including my own), and chef Michael Kramer draws from Italian inspiration but gives it a modern appeal. Try the whole roasted branzino paired with fennel and shaved asparagus, or the prime beef tartare that’s sweetened with apple which mellows out the horseradish aioli. Honestly, everything there is my favorite and between the menu and the view, you cannot go wrong!
Eater recommends the terrace for the best seat in the house, as it overlooks Greenville’s famed downtown,
Falls Park.
Forbes gave props to
The Anchorage, which takes advantage of seasonal produce and proteins. In spring, that means baby spinach and asparagus, served alongside a global menu featuring rice congee, ponzu-flavored tuna Crudo, and grilled Halloumi, chewy cheese with a nutty taste that pairs beautifully with an eggplant puree, wood-roasted to amplify the flavor.
Another Forbes favorite, the
Oak Hill Café and Farm, merges restaurant, farm, and market. The restaurant offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan fare, and the menu is elegant (charcuterie, risotto, and a chef’s tasting menu) but completely approachable, with juicy steaks and burgers rounding things out.
Chef Tyler Florence is a native of the city, so its foodie roots run deep. One of the things I love about Oak Hill is that they literally have a farm behind the restaurant where they source their ingredients.
Arts abound
There’s so much to love about Greenville – the city is rich with museums and galleries – making it a mecca for art lovers worldwide.
Some of the museums you’ll find yourself visiting again and again include:
- The Greenville County Museum of Art features works of art by some of the world’s most important painters, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, and the Andrew Wyeth Collection. The museum offers regular activities for children and adults. Admission is free.
Photo Courtesy of Mapio.net
- Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum & Baseball Library. The Major League Baseball legend – who got his nickname while playing in the minor leagues in Greenville, when a sore foot caused him to kick off his shoes – is the subject of a museum that tells his story alongside plenty of baseball memorabilia. Hours are limited but admission to the home where “Shoeless Joe” lived and died is free.
- The Military History Center of the Carolinas. Founded by an organization dedicated to preserving the region’s military history while paying tribute to the families who fought and sacrificed, the museum takes items on tour for special events. It, too, has limited hours. Exhibits focus primarily on 20th-century military history.
Photo Courtesy of The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
- Greenville Center for Creative Arts. Founded by arts advocates and educators, the Greenville Center for Creative Arts offers gallery shows that celebrate the region’s diversity, along with classes and other opportunities to take advantage of Greenville’s thriving arts community.
- The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. The Children's Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) has welcomed families from across the country and world through its' doors every year. The museum has two locations in downtown Greenville and Spartanburg. As one of the nation's largest children's museums and one of the first to become Smithsonian-affiliated, TCMU-Greenville offers 60,000 square feet for fun, learning, and play - providing an experience like no other for play-based learning and hands-on engagement for all families.
- Upcountry History Museum– Furman University connects people, history, and culture. With a focus on providing educational experiences and fostering community interaction, the museum is accessible to the public and provides opportunities for all individuals to explore our area’s history. The facility includes a traveling exhibit area, archives storage, learning center classroom and conference room. In addition, a 100-seat theater and gift shop is also available.
Parks? You bet!
Falls Park on the Reedy is Greenville’s downtown park, and the highlight of the 26-acre park is the Liberty Bridge, a gorgeous bit of architecture that is considered the heart of Greenville.
Paris Mountain State Park is just a few miles outside of Greenville and offers mountain biking, hiking, boating, swimming, camping, picnic shelters, and plenty of history – since the Civilian Conservation Corps built it during the Depression.
Unity Park is Greenville’s newest park featuring four playgrounds, including a splash pad, green spaces, sports courts, and access to Swamp Rabbit Trail. Several looped walking trails spread throughout the park, along with many bike rack stations for those who prefer to pedal.
Cleveland Park, Falls Park, and Conestee Park are just a few other scenic parks throughout Greenville. A personal walking tour through Greenville – the best way to get to know a community – will turn up many
more parks and playgrounds that will make you feel at home.
Thinking about making Greenville your home?
If you’ve fallen in love with Greenville and its many amenities, your first move is to find an experienced
real estate agent like Kiersten Bell, who understands the region’s upscale communities and can help you find the right home to suit your needs.
Whether you’re looking for Greenville real estate on which to build your dream home or you are hoping for a turnkey-ready home to call your own, the right agent can find exactly what’s best suited for you.
There are several high-end neighborhoods worth looking at, including
Greenville Country Club, with superb amenities including three pools and an athletic program for kids. Chanticleer is another high-end neighborhood coveted by those who appreciate the close proximity to downtown shopping, dining, and schools.
Hampton Pinkney and the North Main, Augusta Road neighborhoods are ideal for history lovers, as they feature grand-scale Victorian and Crafstman homes alongside equally upscale renovations. North Main also features plenty of inviting green space.
Montebello is a gated community nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it offers single-family estates, condominiums, and townhomes, depending on your needs. No matter what Greenville real estate you’re considering, the view will undoubtedly be phenomenal.
West End Historic District includes Falls Park on the Reedy meandering throughout, meaning there is plenty of green space, even if downtown is just a few steps away.
Ready to take the next step and start looking at Greenville real estate? Reach out to
local luxury real estate agent Kiersten Bell for expert guidance.
*Header photo Courtesy of The Daily Meal
