Greenville vs. Columbia vs. Charleston

[Spartan]

Yeah, Greenville Tech is definately not the average tech school. Its a step above the rest. Not to knock the others down or anything

[krazeeboi]

Greenville Tech may be a nice community college and all, but the present buzz about it isn't exactly positive. Check out this article to see what I'm referring to.

[RestedTraveler]

Indeed, that has been very much in the local news here. I feel it actually sheds some good light on Greenville Tech, myself. The woman was obviously ignorant. The college handled it by appropriately by removing her from their payroll immediately.

This is the 21st century, isn't it? It amazes me that, even here in the South, people still can't recognize other people as "people."

[EDPro]

And USC-Upstate has received some funding from the state earmarked for expansion into Greenville.

Clemson in ICAR.

MUSC and USC at Greenville Hospital University Medical Center

Dorms being built at Greenville Tech.

A yet to be announced graduate program from Clemson (downtown Greenville)

We may not be a college town, but seems we are in the middle of a higher education 'race to Greenville'.

[GvilleSC]

And USC-Upstate has received some funding from the state earmarked for expansion into Greenville. 

Clemson in ICAR.

MUSC and USC at Greenville Hospital University Medical Center

Dorms being built at Greenville Tech.

A yet to be announced graduate program from Clemson (downtown Greenville)

We may not be a college town, but seems we are in the middle of a higher education 'race to Greenville'.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nicely said

[RestedTraveler]

A yet to be announced graduate program from Clemson (downtown Greenville)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope this is the revival of the Masters of e-Commerce. That's one in which I would be interested.

[btoy]

In my opinion Greenville's Coservitism or Conservitiveness or what ever the word should be is a plus.

[GvilleSC]

In my opinion Greenville's Coservitism or Conservitiveness or what ever the word should be is a plus.

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I agree!

[RestedTraveler]

It's conservativeness, I believe.

I really don't see Greenville as being so conservative, myself. Yes, there is a conservative element here; however, it's not so noticable, really.

And while we're talking about the College Town feel, we can't forget about Bob Jones. Those kids really know how to party! </sarcasm> Seriously. They do have some good programs there.

[GvilleSC]

It's conservativeness, I believe.

I really don't see Greenville as being so conservative, myself.  Yes, there is a conservative element here; however, it's not so noticable, really.

And while we're talking about the College Town feel, we can't forget about Bob Jones.  Those kids really know how to party! </sarcasm>  Seriously.  They do have some good programs there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HAHA, Bob Jones... they may not be your typical college and the one that you'd think your city would benefit from, but in reality they do add positive apects to Greenville. I don't get the feeling that they go and spend time downtown and really boost our economy, BUT they have things on their campus that are benefits. I know that when I was in High School we went to Bob Jones to take our AP foreign language exams because of their upscale language lab. We got to use it with little or no cost... They aren't totally worthless! HAHA, I'm just joking.

[krazeeboi]

Indeed, that has been very much in the local news here.  I feel it actually sheds some good light on Greenville Tech, myself.  The woman was obviously ignorant.  The college handled it by appropriately by removing her from their payroll immediately.

This is the 21st century, isn't it?  It amazes me that, even here in the South, people still can't recognize other people as "people."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good points.

[gs3]

I don't think of Greenville as conservative. I view it as polite.

When my company had me open an office in South Carolina, I looked at Greenville, Charleston and Columbia all closely. I had never lived here, and really hadn't vistied the state much. Greenville won...easily. The people are a great mix in Greenville and Greenville felt the least "old south". Europeans, Asian, Black, White, Jewish, Greek, Indian, Northerners, Midwesterners, Straight, Gay, Lesbian, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Socialist, Young, Old, College, X'ers, Y-Gen, Baby Boomers, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Preppies, Potheads and Parrotheads. They all live side by side in a polite place, where people care more about quality of life than who or what you are. Greenville is easily the most pro business city and has great relevance nationally and internationally in this regard. Greenville also seems generally more affluent.

Charleston is fantastic, a real gem with it's history and tourism. When friends come to visit, we always hit Charleston. The low country in general has a unique feel that I appreciate.

Columbia seems to have more relevance focused inside SC than outside, being the capital and having USC. This internal relevance vs external seems reflected in airport pasenger traffic as Columbia ranks 4th behind Charleston, Greenville and Myrtle Beach. The topography is rather flat, but having the river is a real plus! The Devine Street area, the Vista and Forest Acres all are very nice, but the rest of the city seems a little more rough around the edges than it's sisters. I will tell you this, as a gay man with a partner who is Jewish, Columbia is the only city of the big three that we felt a little uneasy with. We've never seen the liberalism that Columbia claims to have. A large university doesn't automatically equal liberalism....conservatives have to get an education too!

[Spartan]

Just out of curiosity, on what did you base your opinion of these cities?

[krazeeboi]

And it always boggles me when people say that Columbia is flat. I mean, the city sits on a fall line for goodness sake! The city wouldn't actually have rapids (Saluda River) if the topography was as flat as some folks claim.

[gs3]

Just out of curiosity, on what did you base your opinion of these cities?

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On the statistical side, met with the Chamber / various business associations / city government / etc and received detailed info on per capita income, tax structure and revenues, spending on education, etc, etc. Must say that Greenvilles city government was very easy to work with compared to the other two. Much less confusion and red tape.

On the human side, spent about a week in each city, and just observed. Went to various restaurants, sporting events, bars, etc. Chatted with people at coffee shops. Drove around the cities and snapped photos and again observed EVERYTHING......were the cities pedestrian friendly? dog friendly? the deposition of the people I met.....were they generally happy and positive or negative? were the streets in good condition? was the city landscaped? how well were lawns maintained? what type of cars were people driving? did I see inter-racial couples? were there alternative newspapers available at newspaper stands? how clean were the grocery stores? were my conversations with people surface shallow or indepth? on and on and on Every small clue and detail that gave me insight into the city.

[vicupstate]

I have so much to say on the most recent posts that I hardly know where to begin....

First, let's put one thing to rest. Greenville IS Conservative. Very Conservative. That applies to virtually all aspects of religion and politics. That is not to say that everyone in Greenville is conservative. Nor is that to say that everything about conservatism is bad. Nor is that to say that everything about conservatism is good.

Still need convincing? Look at who gets elected. Look at what ideas/issues make the headlines. Look at what our leaders and residents support and don't support. Look at the laws that get passed. Read the letters to the editor. Read the bumper stickers you see on the highway and the yard signs in the neighborhoods. For better or worse, Greenville is as conservative as Massachusetts is liberal.

As a moderate, independent, middle-of-the-roader, I sometimes find myself in agreement with the conservatives around here but just as often don't.

For instance, I understand and appreciate the effort to keep property taxes from becoming too oppressive. However, I think it was a bad thing that a ONE-YEAR 1 cent sales tax was defeated (by a significant margin) when there is a crying need for more park land (which is being lost to development at an ever-increasing rate)and the current county parks are in dire need of extensive repairs. Some things are worth paying for (even if it means the dreaded "government" is doing the work) and this is the first or second most affluent county in SC. I rather spend money on baseball fields for kids to keep themselves occupied than on Juvenile detention centers.

I also understand the need to not let government regulation interfere with the private sector so strenuously that business cannot operate profitably and effectively. However, I think it is moronic that the county places virtually no restrictions on clear-cutting, and no landscaping requirements on new development while a normal and typical rainstorm causes serious flooding in many areas.

I've got news for those county councilmen, it is the proper and fair role of government (there's that dreaded word again) to protect the public at large from allowing the sole pursuit of profit to ruin the community's quality of life. Reasonable restrictions for water mangement and landscaping are the NORM everywhere else. The only thing standing in the way of Greenville becoming another Atlanta sprawlopolis is them.

Well, that's enough for now, but more later...

[RestedTraveler]

However, I think it is moronic that the county places virtually no restrictions on clear-cutting, and no landscaping requirements on new development while a normal and typical rainstorm causes serious flooding in many areas.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't mean to continue on a tangent, but...

If I didn't know better, I'd think you live in my neighborhood. My neighbors and I have gone 15 rounds with the developer, builder, and DHEC over erosion and flooding that has resulted from this type of clear cutting and lack of landscaping and erosion controls.

Typically, I would stick to anonymity; however, I think it's only proper that credit be given to where credit is due. The developer is the Randoplph Group, the builder is D.R. Horton (formerly Torrey Homes), and of course DHEC is the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

My neighbor across the street, whose property backs up to a creek/tributary, has experienced a flood of his back yard that equals the mapped 100-year flood line at least a dozen times over the past two years. This is the 100-year flood line we're talking about. 100 year flood. A dozen times over hte past two years (at least) - essentially with every moderate to heavy rainfall.

[GvilleSC]

Ahhhhh, I do love living in the City limits... the trees, etc... Greenville

[RestedTraveler]

I had lots of trees around me, too, when I moved into my home. *sigh*

[goodbye]

I am not particularly excited about arguing over CityA vs. CityB vs. CityC, but I do like to take the positives from each to help the others become better. With that said, I encourage you all to view THIS POST in the Main Street Ideas thread of the Columbia Forum. I read all of the posts in that discussion and felt it necessary to shed some light on the way things really are here in Greenville. It seems that our city is changing so rapidly that people are missing out on the expansive outward growth from Main Street. Feel free to give your own input there as well.

[krazeeboi]

Well, I was in Greenville yesterday and had a chance to eat downtown (Sticky Fingers). Had quite a pleasant experience over there and hope to be back soon. I saw where the Villagio Verde (I think that's how you spell it) development is to be built, and it's not as far from downtown as I'd thought. I think it's in a pretty convenient location, right off 385.

[GvilleSC]

Well, I was in Greenville yesterday and had a chance to eat downtown (Sticky Fingers). Had quite a pleasant experience over there and hope to be back soon. I saw where the Villagio Verde (I think that's how you spell it) development is to be built, and it's not as far from downtown as I'd thought. I think it's in a pretty convenient location, right off 385.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's a great location, but if you're going to be using the 385 route downtown, then you'll be using the awful Haywood road exit and then the awful Pelham intersection... If only there was a better way. It might not take long to get to the exit, but to get home... that's a different story.

[krazeeboi]

Do you think that perhaps this development will spur some sort of changes at that exit and intersection? Seems logical, given that there will be more cars using those exits.

[GvilleSC]

Do you think that perhaps this development will spur some sort of changes at that exit and intersection? Seems logical, given that there will be more cars using those exits.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They certainly need to, but they just replaced the bridge and are rapping up their construction at Haywood and 385... I doubt they would spend even more money...

[goodbye]

It's not too difficult to reach from Pleasantburg Drive. I go to Crosswinds par 3 golf course just below that location on Villa Road, and I can assure you it isn't hard to reach even during evening rush hour traffic. I do, howver, understand your point about driving there from the Haywood Road area. It will be interesting to see what will be done to make it more manageable.