the background…
March 3rd, 2010
I have put off starting this blog for FAR too long now. Whether it’s a matter of necessity, or curiosity (will anyone read this?) now is the time to get to it.So let me start here. I moved to Greenville South Carolina over two years ago now, and like many of the people I have met in this fine City since doing so we CHOSE to move here. Yes, we had a myriad of options and could have landed absolutely anywhere in the south east. But our travels and pit stops while looking for the perfect place to live and raise our family took us here. Who knew? Greenville South Carolina had never been on our radar. How could it have been? We didn’t know it existed.
Our choices had been narrowed down to Charleston or Asheville North Carolina, and my husband and I flew down from Ottawa to spend some time in each fair City to gauge the economic, business and arts climate.. all of which were incredibly important to us. Education, health care (you know the drill) were all a priority; especially since we had a nine year old whose gifts and needs had to be taken into consideration. Although we enjoyed our time in each community, and let’s be truthful, we spent a lot of time looking at neighborhoods, schools, talking to people about performing arts and their facilities- looking for options for us to continue our love of hiking, cycling and kayaking. Each community had their strengths certainly, but neither grabbed us in a way that said; “this is the place you need to be.”
Ron arrived in Greenville in early spring on a business trip. Imagine my surprise when he called to tell me about this little town neither of us had considered before. Again, I went back to my geeky research and was surprised by what I found. Growing up in Canada, and traveling as I have throughout the world, I never, ever expected to find a “community gold mine” in upstate South Carolina. I don’t mean to be critical, I am simply being honest.
A very wise man recently told me: People think of three things when they think of the South; Atlanta Georgia, Charleston South Carolina and Mayberry. As open a mind as I have, I have to say he is right. Greenville South Carolina is not Atlanta, nor is it Charleston, and it is far far from being Mayberry. But just what is it that we found in Greenville that let us know we had found home? An unbelievable downtown. International, cosmopolitan feel. Global business mind set, proactive passionate community. Leading educational facilities and teachers. Incredible arts and culture, cycling community second to none (anywhere) crazy restaurant scene, stunning quality of life, outrageously affordable housing. Where do I stop?
I guess that’s the point. I don’t need to stop singing the praises of Greenville South Carolina do I? I hope that this blog will help uncover the hidden gem that Greenville is for all of those who are searching for a place to relocate their companies, families, lives.
