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Driving through the rolling hills and seeing the spectacular mountains bursting with fall color or lush and green, it’s easy to see why so many people have absolutely fallen in love with the Upstate region. Oftentimes, it’s a visit to the region to see family or friends or to see a particular attraction that sparks an interest to relocate to the area.
In fact, many retirees are choosing to move to the Upstate region because it offers a temperate climate, plenty of activities to participate in year round, fantastic colleges and universities that offer cultural and educational opportunities, and so much more, according to Sarah Benjamin, newcomer services representative at the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce.
Although no official lines are drawn, the area commonly referred to as the Upstate of South Carolina includes Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union counties and the cities of Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, Greer, Pickens, Simpsonville, and Spartanburg. It is within these foothills of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains that visitors and prospective homeowners come to fall in love with a region that holds onto its rich Southern heritage with one hand and grasps the technological future with the other.
The Interstate 85 corridor that spans the Upstate connects two of the largest cities in the South—Charlotte to the east and Atlanta to the west—making it a perfect halfway point for the manufacturing and commerce workforce. More than 230 international companies make their homes in the Upstate region, taking advantage of the mild climate and the talented and experienced workforce. In fact, the business environment is so inviting that the South Carolina Upstate has the highest international investment per capita in the United States.
Although the potential workforce is a strong draw for potential companies, the Upstate region has a lot more to offer, including favorable tax rates, a superb quality of life, and a state-of-the-art research environment, which helped attract world-renowned companies, such as Bausch & Lomb, BMW, Fuji, Michelin, and Sterilite, to the Upstate region.
Outdoor recreation
But don’t get the idea that the Upstate is all work and no play—far from it!
The Upstate region offers a slew of activities, such as hiking, biking, canoeing, boating, fishing, and bird watching, for all ages. If you enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of streams, lakes, campgrounds, and parks to keep you busy all year around, especially considering the region’s four distinct seasons, which are mild enough to chase the blues away and keep anyone from getting bored.
One of the most popular parks in the Upstate region is Greenville’s Paris Mountain State Park because it is an outdoor enthusiasts’ playground, with fishing, swimming, boating, birdwatching, hiking, and biking comprising just a few of the many activities offered there.
Hikers who want a little more challenging terrain should check out the Foothills Trails in Greenville. This nearly 100-mile hiking trail extends from Table Rock State Park in Pickens County to Oconee County, and it provides access to Sassafras Mountain, which is the highest peak in South Carolina.
Of course we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the great golf courses in the Upstate. Nearly 50 courses of all shapes, sizes, and pars stretch out across the region. Public and private clubs offer some of the most breathtaking vistas anywhere in the South while still providing enough room for golfers of any skill level.
Plus, the cities and towns in the Upstate region also manage several swimming pools, soccer and baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, and playgrounds.
Those who prefer wintertime activities, such as skiing, tubing, and snowboarding, are very close to some of the best ski resorts that North Carolina has to offer.
Leisuretime activities
It doesn’t matter what activities you like to do in your spare time because chances are good that whatever you like to do is well within reach.
If watching the American past-time of baseball appeals to you, then you might want to attend a minor league baseball game or two. The Greenville Drive, which is a South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, plays its more than 70 home games at Fluor Field at the West End.
Football fans should mark their calendars in July and August to watch the Carolina Panthers practice at Spartanburg’s Wofford College, which serves as the National Football League team’s training camp. The Panthers even make a little time to meet and sign autographs for the fans.
Plus, there are many local colleges and universities that offer exciting year-round sports action, top-notch theatre productions, amazingly diverse concerts from students and local and regional performers, wonderful art galleries, and even a beautiful botanical garden.
And if you’re looking for a yummy treat, then look no further than Clemson University—yes, Clemson University. The university makes its world-famous ice cream and other Clemson-produced items, such as blue cheese, eggs, and CDs, and sells the products at its student-run retail operation called ’55 Exchange.
If you’re looking for plain Jane ice cream, you can get that, but why not kick up the flavor a notch by adding in a tasty mix-in, such as peanut butter cups? Plus, you can feel good about indulging in the sweet treats because all of revenue that’s generated through ’55 Exchange supports Clemson students and academic programs.
Spartanburg is home to the BMW Zentrum and Manufacturing Plant, which offers visitors a chance to see historic cars and motorcycles, watch a short film about how the vehicles are built, and even tour the facility.
Another draw to Spartanburg is HUB-BUB, which offers more than 100 nights of art and entertainment each year in the facility’s showroom gallery and performance hall. HUB-BUB features evening concerts, movie showings, workshops, and community forums, and the art gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
If you like to see wildlife from all around the world, then be sure to visit the Greenville Zoo, which features giraffes, orangutans, giant tortoises, lions, and elephants. Another draw to the 10-acre facility is the Reptile Building, which houses lizards, frogs, turtles, and snakes. Located in Cleveland Park, the zoo’s offerings also consist of a children’s playground, picnic areas, and walking paths.
Are you looking for a fun and educational summer camp for your children that’s a little different from some of the other camps out there? If so, then you may want to consider Zoo Camp, which is for children ages 3–14. Campers play games, make crafts, see live animals in the classroom, and learn about the animals and the exotic places where they come from.
Those who like to take day trips and mini vacations will be glad to hear that traveling east and west is made easy thanks to quick access via Interstate 85, and traveling north and south is just as easy via Interstate 26. Whether running away to the North Carolina mountains for a quick ski trip over the weekend near Asheville or a more leisurely stay on the coast near Charleston or Hilton Head, Interstate 26 makes traveling to and through the Upstate easy going.
As you drive through Upstate South Carolina, you’ll notice a common scene along many streets—roadside markets and stands that feature locally grown fruits and vegetables that are in season.
Shopping
What would a trip to the Upstate be without shopping? In addition to numerous shopping centers and unique specialty shops in each town and city there are three major malls within the Upstate.
The Anderson Mall in the city of Anderson features more than 75 dynamic nationally recognized specialty stores, restaurants, and cinemas. The Haywood Mall in Greenville has an overwhelming 150 specialty shops to complement its five anchor stores: Belk, Dillard’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, and Sears. Finally, the Westgate Mall located in Spartanburg boasts more than 100 stores, a food court, and cinemas.
If you prefer to shop at smaller centers than malls, Spartanburg’s Hillcrest Row consists of many locally owned specialty shops; larger retail stores, such as SteinMart, Rack Room Shoes, and Marshalls; and several restaurants and grocery stores.
If you prefer to hunt for bargains by shopping at outlets, don’t forget that “Outlet Shopping Heaven” is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Prime Outlets of Gaffney is located just 15 minutes from Spartanburg and a short 35-minute drive from Greenville. In this gigantic outlet court you’ll find well-known stores, including Aeropostale, Ann Taylor, Bass, Coach, Carter’s, Eddie Bauer, Nike Factory, Tommy Hilfiger, Pottery Barn Furniture, Wilson’s Leather, and Bath & Body Works.
If you’re looking for a unique or hard-to-find gift for yourself or for that special person, chances are pretty good that you can find it at one of the many fine stores, boutiques, and quaint shops that can be found in Spartanburg, Greenville, and other Upstate cities and towns.
As you can see, choices abound in the Upstate region. So if you’re planning on moving to the state, but you haven’t yet decided the exact location of where you want to move, then give any one of the fine cities or town in the Upstate region a second glance. You’ll be glad that you did!
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