city of greenville living
newcomers
Location
Greenville is located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina in the foothills
of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area, commonly referred to as the Upstate,
includes Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens and Cherokee counties and
the cities of Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer and
Spartanburg.
View Map of Greenville Location
Population
Greenville County is South Carolina's most populous county with more than
450,000 residents. Approximately 58,000 live within Greenville city limits.
View Facts and Figures about Greenville
Housing
Greenville has a rich history of diverse living environments and neighborhood
identity, and offers housing options within traditional older neighborhoods,
historic districts, suburban areas or the heart of a bustling
downtown. In the past six years (2007-2012), Greenville experienced
over $122 million in new residential construction and an additional $117 million
in renovations in the City's neighborhoods. The city's downtown is
experiencing a boom in new apartment development as the demand increases for urban
living. The median sales price of an Existing Single Family Home
(September 2012) is $156,100.
Climate
Our moderate climate offers a full change of seasons. The average annual temp is
60 degrees F with an average rainfall of 49 inches and an average snowfall of
1.20 inches per year.
Entertainment & Culture
Downtown is the arts and
entertainment epicenter for the Upstate South with live entertainment ranging
from ballet and symphony to hockey and indoor football. Local theater companies
provide intimate settings for performances, while the Peace Center for the
Performing Arts hosts major productions on three performance stages including an
outdoor amphitheater. The
BI-LO CENTER seats 17,000 and hosts athletic events as well as major
concerts and family entertainment. The
Bob Jones University Museum and
Gallery offers one of the most recognized collections of religious artwork
in the nation, including works by such artists as Dolci, Rembrandt, Rubens,
Titan and Van Dyck. The nationally recognized
Greenville County Art Museum has an exquisite collection as well.
Visit Heritage Green, the city's
urban and cultural arts complex.
TD Convention Center, one of the largest exposition facilities in the southeast with
368,000 square feet of exhibit space in four halls. The TD Convention Center is
a popular regional destination for corporate meetings, tradeshows, banquets, and
special events.
Greenville is known for its
outdoor entertainment which include Jazz Concerts, Farmer's Markets, and
Moonlight Movies along the River.
Within the City of Greenville are 39 parks,
playgrounds and recreation centers which include bike/jogging
trails, miniature golf course, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts,
playground structures, picnic shelters and ball fields for a total of 452 acres
of park space. More information
on things to do and see in Greenville.
Education
K -12:
Greenville County has the largest school district in South Carolina, and it is
the 47th largest school system in the United States. Greenville is home to the International Baccalaureate
Program, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, and the Roper
Mountain Science Center.
Eight magnet academies offer unique educational opportunities at the elementary,
middle, and high school levels. Each academy offers distinct programs in foreign
language, communication arts, pre-engineering and health professions,
international studies, science and technology, or year-round education. For more
information, visit www.greenville.k12.sc.us
Greenville also has a number of highly accredited private schools. Christ Church
Episcopal is an independent, Episcopal, co-ed day school serving more than 950
students in grades Primer - 12. It is one of only five schools in North America
to offer an International Baccalaureate Program curriculum in grades K-12.
Local Colleges and Universities:
Bob Jones University
Clemson University
Converse College
Furman University
Greenville Technical
College
North Greenville
University
Southern Wesleyan University
University of SC-Spartanburg
Virginia College - Greenville Campus
Webster University
Wofford College
International Center
The International
Center of the Upstate (ICU) welcomes local and international residents from
many different countries and provides opportunities for people to learn about
other cultures. The International Center offers programs, language classes,
workshops, and social events for Upstate residents; serves as a liaison to all
international groups in the area; and provides business consulting services for
international companies and employees. ICU's mission is to promote
cross-cultural diversity and understanding in the community.
The International Center is open Mon-Fri 9 am-noon and is located at 9 South Memminger Street, Greenville.
You may reach them by email
or telephone at 864-631-2188.
Transportation
Air:
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is located 12 miles from downtown
Greenville on I-85. Passenger service is provided to most
domestic and international destinations directly or via convenient connecting
hub services. More than 1.75 million passengers per year are served by 6 airlines with 52 non-stop daily departures to 18 major cities.
Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is the busiest general aviation airport in
South Carolina and is convenient to all of Greenville's premier destinations.
The Bi-Lo Center, the Peace Center, and the vibrant downtown area are only
a five-minute drive away. Shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants are located
just a few blocks from GMU. The Carolina First Center and The Phoenix-Greenville's
Inn are located right next door, within walking distance of the airport.
GMU is a modern and attractive facility with a wide variety of tenants that
offer a full range of aviation services.
Bus/transit:
Greenlink is located downtown and provides local bus
service Monday through Saturday. Interstate bus travel is provided by Greyhound
Bus lines.
Trains and automobiles: Railway transportation to Greenville is
provided by Amtrak. The
Amtrak station is located in downtown Greenville. Situated in the northwest
corner of South Carolina, Greenville is accessible from Interstate Highways 85,
185 and 385. Four U.S. Highways pass through Greenville. They are 25, 123, 29
and 276.
Libraries
Greenville has a
county-wide library system with a main library downtown and 10 branches. A
Law Library is located at the Greenville County Courthouse. More than 890,000
items are available for circulation, including films and audiovisual materials.
Outreach, bookmobile and online services are available.