Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?

Spartanburg is part of “The Upstate, South Carolina.” It can be accessed to and from other metropolitan areas: 98 miles northwest of Columbia, 80 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina, and about 190 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Lосаtеd in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the northwest region of South Carolina, Spartanburg offers many scenic towns, family attractions, beautiful parks, and many outdoor activities for all ages. Spartanburg includes the cities of Spartanburg, Landrum, Inman, Wellford, Woodruff, Greer, Chesnee, Pacolet, Duncan, Campobello, Cowpens, Lyman, and Reidville.

Why Move to Spartanburg, SC?

As you prepare to relocate to Spartanburg, things can be a little overwhelming at first as there are many things that need to be done and you may have a lot of questions about the area. The following information should make your relocation to Spartanburg easier and stress-free. But first things first, why would you consider moving to Spartanburg? Here are the top reasons why you should make Spartanburg, SC your next home!

Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?

Downtown Spartanburg, SC

Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?
One Morgan Square building in Spartanburg Historic District

As a newcomer to the Spartanburg area, especially if you are moving from bigger cosmopolitan cities, the small-town feel may surprise you, but it is the ‘small town feel’ that attracts many people to relocate to the area. Spartanburg is laid back, friendly, walkable, community-oriented, and infused with nature. It is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Downtown Spartanburg has seen a revitalization in the past decade. There is a flurry of activity happening in downtown Spartanburg in the past couple of years, this includes new businesses, new residential projects, public infrastructure developments, special events, and future development plans. With these redevelopments, Spartanburg has blossomed into an amazing city filled with community events and exciting things to do. Schools, business sectors, healthcare, shopping, and dining –Spartanburg have it all.

Things to do in Spartanburg

Spartanburg offers a variety of recreational and cultural amenities that provide a rich atmosphere for anyone. Everyone from an outdoor enthusiast, artistic bohemian, and adventure seeker, to a foodie, Spartanburg offers places and experiences to fit your interest.

If you love to immerse in culture, Spartanburg has an active cultural and creative scene. Just drop by one of the public art displays in downtown or visit the Chapman Cultural Center that houses the Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg, Ballet Spartanburg, Carolina Foothills Artisan Center, The Music Foundation of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg County Historical Association, Spartanburg Little Theatre, and Spartanburg Youth Theatre, The Spartanburg Repertory Company, and the John F. Green Spartanburg Science Center. You may also like the Hub-Bub, located in downtown Spartanburg, it is a gathering place for young artists, musicians, writers, and actors.

If you are more the outdoorsy type, you’ll love Croft State Park, which boasts 7,000 acres, 12 miles of hiking and horse trails, two lakes, and an equestrian center. For those who love historical places, you can step into the past at historical houses such as the Price House and Walnut Grove Plantation located in Woodruff and Roebuck. Spartanburg is home to BMW’s only North American facility and its museum is open to the public. The BMW Zentrum awaits visitors who wish to explore the center and museum.

Spartanburg is booming with restaurants and local eateries and people are all about it. Some hot spots include The Farmer’s Table, Ike’s Korner Grille, Cribbs Kitchen, and Willy Taco.

Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?
Morgan Square, downtown Spartanburg

Businesses and Employment in Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg has become a magnet for corporate headquarters and global brands that call it home. These include BMW, Milliken, Denny’s, Michelin, Toray, AFL, Kobelco, American Credit Acceptance, Draexlmaier, Trelleborg, Advance America, Adidas Group, and Indorama. Many other smaller businesses have also moved to Spartanburg including RJ Rockers Brewing Company. Spartanburg’s downtown area is thriving with numerous new businesses in the last few years, including new clothing and gift boutiques, restaurants, breweries, a gourmet ice cream and toffee shop, and more. It is the perfect place for starting or continuing a career in some of the nation’s fastest-growing fields.

Spartanburg SC also offers a diverse mix of employment opportunities in the healthcare, education, finance sectors, and many others. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, one of the most dynamic healthcare systems in the region, is the top employer with more than 5,000 employees.  With downtown revitalization, there is an increase in job opportunities and commercial activity that people are starting to flock into the city.

Community

Spartanburg has a very diverse community. The racial makeup of the county was 72.3% white, 20.6% African-American, 5.9% Hispanic, 2.0% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 3.1% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races.

Spartanburg continues to foster community development by providing leadership, optimizing resources, and developing partnerships. Spartanburg residents enjoy a variety of services and activities for people of all ages and interests including indoor and outdoor recreational, educational, and social programs, after-school programs, athletics, karate classes, summer day camps, computer literacy programs, reading programs, and more.

Affordable Housing in Spartanburg

Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?
Spartanburg Real Estate

Spartanburg, SC real estate offers a great place to raise a family. Spartanburg homes and neighborhoods feature beautiful parks, excellent schools, shops, sports programs, and community activities. Spartanburg also offers an abundance of housing options. With reasonable costs of living and low taxes, Spartanburg SC real estate is increasingly popular for transplants from other cities who are seeking affordable housing.

There is a great mix of housing styles to appeal to all types of families, investors, empty nesters, retirees, and first-time homebuyers. The average price tag of homes for sale in Spartanburg SC is $264,900 and homes range from the low $100s into the millions.

Older Spartanburg SC homes in the downtown historic district also provide convenience and small-town camaraderie for residents. The east side of Spartanburg is more scenic with lots of parks, a family-friendly atmosphere, and active cultural scenes. The west side is more industrial and commercial and this is where you’ll find the movie theaters, the mall, etc. Both sides of town have very different feels and have a mix of inexpensive and higher-end neighborhoods.

Check out the popular neighborhoods in Spartanburg.


HOMES FOR SALE BY AREA

Spartanburg SC Real Estate Duncan SC Real Estate  Moore SC Real Estate
Wellford SC Real Estate Inman SC Real Estate  Boiling Springs SC Real Estate
Lyman SC Real Estate Campobello SC Real Estate  Landrum SC Real Estate
Enoree SC Real Estate Greer SC Real Estate  Woodruff SC Real Estate
  


Cost of Living

The cost of living in Spartanburg is 5% lower than the South Carolina average. The median income is $53,757 according to 2020 census. Though you will see varying costs between cities and neighborhoods across the city, the average price of a home in Spartanburg is currently about $262,000. That places it about 34% lower than the national average, making it a very affordable place to live.

Whether you’re renting or you’re the homeowner, you’ll be responsible for taking care of the home utilities like electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash services. The average basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) is 103.8, slightly higher than the national average of 100.

Nerdwallet has a great calculator that helps you compare the cost of living between two cities. Use their calculator so you can estimate the purchasing power of your salary if you relocate to Spartanburg. Click here to use their Cost of Living Calculator.

Active Living

Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?
Lake Craig in Croft State Park

A hot summer day is a perfect time to head up to Lake Craig in Croft State Park. Take your friends or family on a sunny hike. There are plenty of outdoor activities that you and your family can enjoy. Lake Craig offers everything from fishing, canoeing, picnic, hiking, boating, to Equestrian facilities. Families ready for other outdoor adventures can make the hour drive west to Paris Mountain State Park, located five miles north of Greenville, SC. Mountains, biking, camping, and fishing spots are close by and can be reached in less than an hour’s drive. Beaches are also not too far, Myrtle Beach is about 3-hour drive.

Families can do much more than enjoying the wilderness, of course. There are more than 70 parks scattered across Spartanburg County. One of the most popular, Cleveland Park, has the largest playground in Spartanburg County. It has a beautiful lake, Amphitheater, and picnic pavilions and is also a great place for community meetings, special events, and weddings. Stewart Park is a hub for 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, pickup hoops, friendly community softball games, youth football, and other sports. It’s also a beautiful setting and the perfect spot for special occasions and events.

Weather

The climate of Spartanburg is favorable to most. Winters in Spartanburg are mild, and you only see snow once or twice a year and the longer spring and fall seasons provide a mild climate. Average temperatures range from 30 degrees to 54 degrees Fahrenheit in January and 96 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The annual relative humidity averages 68 percent. Spartanburg receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall a year.

Excellent Schools

Spartanburg is home to some of the most sought-after schools in the Upstate. These top-rated schools include Spartanburg High School, a four-time National Blue Ribbon School; Pine Street Elementary School, a national model for its arts-infused curriculum;  Spartanburg Charter School; West View Elementary School; and Maccraken Middle School.

Spartanburg has seven different school districts serving different areas in the County:

District 1 – Campobello, Inman, Landrum
District 2 – Boiling Springs, Chesnee, Inman, Mayo
District 3 – Cowpens, Pacolet, Spartanburg
District 4 – Woodruff
District 5 – Duncan, Moore, Reidville, Wellford
District 6 – Moore, Pauline, Roebuck, Spartanburg
District 7 – Spartanburg

A recent web-based research firm found all of Spartanburg’s seven school districts to be in the top 28 out of 87 school districts in South Carolina. Three of the seven districts were in the top ten.

Spartanburg is also known as a “College Town.” It is home to several institutions of higher learning: Converse College, Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic, Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of South Carolina Upstate, Wofford College, Virginia College, and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). Spartanburg has the highest per capita college student population of any major city in South Carolina.


HOMES ASSIGNED TO TOP-RATED SCHOOLS IN SPARTANBURG


Events

Spartanburg offers a number of events and festivals geared for families and strengthening community ties. These events are scattered throughout the year. Here are some highlights:

Is Spartanburg a nice place to live?
Music on Main event in downtown Spartanburg

Retrofest – the Southeast’s largest disco festival held at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on the first Saturday in February.

Spring Fling – a weekend spring festival with live music, rides, and other attractions usually held on the first Saturday of May.

The Hub City Farmers’ Market – an outdoor market showcasing local/organic produce and goods held Saturday mornings from 6:00 am to noon in the historic Magnolia Street Train Station during the summer and fall.

Red, White and Boom – an annual independence day celebration held at Barnet Park featuring patriotic music and a fireworks display.

Music on Main – a street concert event held every Thursday from April through August in downtown Spartanburg.

The Hub City Hog Fest an annual barbecue festival and competition held in downtown Spartanburg with food trucks, over 40 BBQ teams, and live music.

International Festival  an annual event celebrating world cultures through food, music, dance, folk art, and much more held at Barnet Park on the first Saturday in October.

Dickens of a Christmas   Spartanburg’s signature yuletide celebration.

Interesting Facts About Spartanburg SC

Population of Spartanburg County 335,864 (population est. 2021)
Median Resident Age 38 years
Average Rain Fall 50.6 inches
Average Annual Snowfall 5.99 inches
Average January Temperature 41 degrees Fahrenheit
Average July Temperature 96 degrees Fahrenheit
Average Number of Sunny Days 226
Sales Tax 6%
Local Hospitality Tax 2%
Accommodations Tax 2%
Distance to Nearest State Park 9 miles
Miles from GSP Airport to Downtown 18 miles
Mileage to Major Cities
Atlanta, GA 173 miles
Charleston, SC 203 miles
Charlotte, NC 75 miles
Columbia, SC 93 miles
Denver, NC 87 miles
Greenville, SC 30 miles
Los Angeles, CA 2347 miles
Miami, FL 722 miles
Myrtle Beach, SC 225 miles
New Orleans, LA 643 miles
Seattle, WA 2740 miles

Spartanburg Recreation and Tourism

Spartanburg County School Districts

City of Spartanburg SC

Spartanburg Events

RELOCATING TO SPARTANBURG, SC?

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Is Spartanburg SC a nice area?

It's a suburban feeling city, with friendly and liberal people and tons of different nature to explore. It's a great place for people looking to retire to a quieter city that still has some life in it. And, it's walkable for those who want to explore the downtown area without a car.

Why are people moving to Spartanburg?

As a newcomer to the Spartanburg area, especially if you are moving from bigger cosmopolitan cities, the small-town feel may surprise you, but it is the 'small town feel' that attracts many people to relocate to the area. Spartanburg is laid back, friendly, walkable, community-oriented, and infused with nature.

What is the racial makeup of Spartanburg SC?

Race & Ethnicity The largest Spartanburg racial/ethnic groups are White (46.5%) followed by Black (44.3%) and Hispanic (4.9%).

Is it expensive to live in Spartanburg SC?

The cost of living in Spartanburg, SC is 4% lower than the state average and 7% lower than the national average. Spartanburg, SC housing is 19% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 5% less pricey.