16 Pros and Cons of Living in Greenville, SC

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There are beautiful cities all over the United States that are great to live in.

The vast array of regions and landscapes provides many options for your living arrangements.

From beaches to mountains, cities to the countryside, from the deep south to the western hills, there are so many options to choose from. 

Greenville, South Carolina is a city located in the southern state of South Carolina.

In the upper state region, Greenville is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains and about three hours from the coastal beaches that make South Carolina a great tourist state.

Many people visit Greenville once and decide that they want to live there.

Every city has pros and cons to living there.

What are the pros and cons of living in Greenville?

Read on to find out. 

Pros of Living in Greenville, South Carolina

1. Incredible Downtown Area

The heart of Greenville, South Carolina is one of the best and most charming downtown areas you will ever encounter.

Large trees shade the main street for the pedestrians who walk between great housing options, work opportunities, shops, restaurants, and so much more.

Falls Park on the Reedy sits in the heart of downtown with waterfalls, large trees, romantic restaurants, and the Liberty Bridge.

The Liberty Bridge is a suspension bridge that attracts people from all over the world.

If you choose to live in Greenville, South Carolina, you can enjoy the charm of downtown anytime. 

2. Affordability

Of all the larger cities in the United States, Greenville is one of the best cities when it comes to the overall cost of living and affordability.

Although housing costs are high, they are significantly less high than in other large cities.

Job opportunities are abundant, and you can find a job that pays well to support your lifestyle. 

3. Outdoor Activities

Greenville is located near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers an abundance of state parks that you can visit if you enjoy hiking, fishing, biking, and more.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a great trail for bikers and runners alike, and within an hour’s drive, you can reach dozens of waterfalls, forests, and other great outdoor activities. 

4. Proximity to Vacation Locations

Whether you like to vacation in the mountains or at the beach, you can have your pick of vacation location if you live in Greenville.

In just a few hours’ drive, you can be at any mountain cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the Smoky Mountains, or at many of the beaches on the coast, such as Folly Beach, Myrtle Beach, and so many more.

5. Four Seasons

In many cities in the southern United States, you can experience all four seasons.

Summer is long in Greenville, but the spring, fall, and winter seasons are all short and pleasant.

The winter is not very long.

People who do not like the cold, snowy months of the year move to Greenville, South Carolina to escape the bitter cold and live in a more moderate environment. 

6. Growth

As Greenville has grown and changed, many businesses have moved into the area to take advantage of the great location.

Large companies like Michelin, Flour, 3M, and more have plants that employ thousands of people in the Greenville area.

There are so many opportunities for career growth in Greenville. 

7. Great Schools

Greenville has one of the best public school systems in the state, which makes it a more desirable place for families to live.

In addition, there are several top-rated private schools that could also be an option.

Greenville is also home to several colleges and universities, such as Greenville Technical College, Furman University, and North Greenville University. 

8. Booming Economy

As Greenville has become more and more popular for families, artists, and entrepreneurs because of its charm and proximity to other great locations.

The result of the influx of people has been a booming economy.

Large companies have contributed to this economic growth, as well as locally owned shops and restaurants. 

Cons of Living in Greenville, South Carolina

1. Weather

The weather in Greenville, South Carolina is both a pro and a con to living there.

While the warm weather and lack of cold seasons are a pro for many families, the extreme heat and humidity in July and August make some people not like to live there.

There are even some retired couples that spend winters in Greenville to avoid the cold elsewhere and go spend the hot and humid summers somewhere else, where it is milder. 

2. Housing Costs

Many places in the United States right now are struggling with a booming and expensive house market, and Greenville is no exception.

Even 30 and 40-year-old starter homes are selling for much more than they are worth, and it is extremely difficult to find a property to buy for less than $300,000.

Families who are just starting out or young people buying their first homes are having a hard time finding things in their budgets.

If renting is what you would rather do, expect to have a monthly rent payment of around $1,400-1,500.

The last few years have seen a large increase in the cost of these things.

3. Traffic

As more and more people move into Greenville every year, the traffic gets worse and worse.

Major highways like I-385 and I-85 are congested, especially during rush hour.

Busy roads like Laurens Road, Woodruff Road, Haywood Road, and Wade Hampton Boulevard are packed with stores, movie theaters, restaurants, fast food, schools, businesses, and so much more.

The stores and restaurants are so close to the road that the road cannot be widened at all, so traffic only gets worse as more people move in. 

4. Crime

Every city has areas that you should avoid and crime rates.

Greenville’s crime rate is higher than the national average.

Although most of the crimes are nonviolent, there are still quite a few instances of property crime in the area that can affect your decision to move there.

5. Lack of Diversity

Many people in Greenville complain about a lack of diversity, especially when you get into the suburban areas outside of downtown.

Although many nationalities live in the area, there is a lack of diverse cuisines.

In addition, once you exit the downtown area, many of the suburbs contain cookie-cutter neighborhoods that all seem to look the same, and the same type of people live there. 

6. Seasonal Allergies

Part of living in the South means that you may struggle with seasonal allergies for much of the year.

The weather, with its extreme heat and humidity, does contribute some to this as well.

There are many different types of plants, trees, grasses, and flowers that contribute to a high pollen count for many months of the year.

This includes spring, summer, and fall allergies, so some people only have relief from their allergies in the short winter months, from November to February.

7. Overcrowding

Greenville has gained incredible popularity because of its downtown area, and that has captured the attention of many national magazines, blogs, and media sites.

As Greenville has been ranked one of the top southern cities and one of the best downtown areas in the entire United States, more and more people have decided to move there.

Ten years ago, Greenville was growing at a steady rate, but in the last five years, the whole city and all of its suburbs have boomed into a great amount of growth that the city may not have been ready for.

The low-income areas have been pushed further and further out to make room for the new growth, and houses and neighborhoods have been forced closer together. 

8. Road Construction

Like in most cities, road construction has increased.

The reason for road construction is always positive – the government wants to improve the condition of the roads for the residents and those passing through.

However, many of the roads are perpetually under construction, and South Carolina is notorious for its potholes and bumpy road conditions.

Greenville is no exception, and the constant highway and road construction can really interfere with the daily life of those who live there. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Greenville, South Carolina – Summary Table

Greenville Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Greenville Safety Review

Safety Index:

81

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW