The city of Anderson is situated in the northwest part of the state, conveniently located right off Interstate 85. With a range of about 14 square miles and a population of 27,544 (2016), it offers a small town feel, while still giving residents easy access to larger cities and big business opportunities. The median age of Anderson’s residents is 32.7, with a median house or condo value of about $136,507.

While Anderson does feel like a small town, it does not lack charm. Residents enjoy shopping at the Anderson Mall, which offers over 70 stores. In addition, Clemson Boulevard is one of the city’s hot spots for shopping and cuisine. The Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center is one of the biggest activity attractions for residents, offering a 64-acre sports and recreation center and a lake surrounded by hiking trails and picnic shelters.

Anderson’s education system is broken down into Anderson School Districts 1-5, which include 21 elementary schools (Concord, Calhoun Academy, Centerville, Belton, Midway, Whitehall, Centerville, New Prospect, Nevitt Forest, Homeland Park, Honea Path, Iva, La France, Marshall, McLees, Mt. Lebanon, Pendleton, Starr, Townville, Wright, and Flat Rock), 9 middle schools (Robert Anderson, Glenview, McCants, Belton, Honea Path, Riverside, Starr-Iva, Wren, and Lakeside) and 5 high schools (T.L. Hanna, Belton Honea Path, Crescent, Pendleton, and Westside). There are two collegiate institutions in the area, Anderson University and Tri-County Technical College.

Augusta Street, often called Augusta Road by its locals, can be found right outside of Downtown Greenville. As one of the oldest areas in Greenville, Augusta Road is home to some of the most coveted historic neighborhoods and holds a certain antique charm unlike anywhere else in the city. With a population of 24,186 within a five-minute radius of Augusta Street, there are over 1,700 homes that range from $120,000 to $1.2 million. Despite the rapid growth and development of surrounding areas in recent years, Augusta Street’s charm and history have been preserved.

The area is known to many as a unique shopping district with many small businesses, boutiques and specialty shops that thrive within the area’s historic infrastructure. People from all over travel to this part of town to enjoy everything it has to offer. Augusta Street runs directly into downtown, which makes shopping and dining on Main Street an easy option for residents. From downtown festivals to walking and biking the Swamp Rabbit Trail, all of downtown’s amenities can be enjoyed by Augusta Street residents.

Augusta Street falls in the bounds of the Greenville County School District. This specific area is zoned for 3 elementary schools (Ellen Woodside, Blythe Academy, Augusta Circle), 1 middle school (Hughes Academy) and 2 high schools (Southside High School, Greenville High School). There is also a variety of private schools available nearby.

The city of Boiling Springs stretches a smaller 6.8 square miles within Spartanburg County, housing about 8,945 residents with a median age of 37. Typical home values in this area are around $149,233. The city was originally built around a small geyser, or boiling spring, that often spewed water six feet into the air. However, the geyser has since calmed and become a still spring.

Boiling Springs Community Park is a quaint attraction for its residents, built around the small spring that still exists in the heart of the city. It includes a walking trail, a playground, and a building perfect for renting out event space.

The city is located within the Spartanburg County School District 2. Homes in the area are zoned for two elementary schools that students attend through grade 3 (James H. Hendrix and Boiling Spring Elementary), as well as elementary schools that offer through grade 5 (Carlisle-Foster’s Grove and Oakland). Boiling Springs Intermediate School then allows students to attend for grades 4-5. Students are then zoned for Boiling Springs Middle School and Boiling Springs High School, which offers a separate campus for ninth grade students.

Easley is a relatively quiet city located mostly in Pickens County, with parts extending into Anderson County. It is a 12.3 square mile area and is home to about 20,953 residents. The median home value in the area is $162,051. Easley is mostly a quiet town, but still offers its residents plenty to do and see in the area.

Easley is known for hosting the annual Upstate State Fair each year during the month of September. It is the city’s biggest event of the year, attracting people from all over the state. Downtown Easley, although small, is a hot spot in the city. It offers restaurants, music, shopping, a farmer’s market, and occasional festivals. The city is scattered with a variety of parks for people to enjoy, the most popular being Hagood Park. It has picnic tables, fields and courts for over six different sports, and a dog park for pet owners in the area to mingle.

While part of the city does fall within Anderson County borders, it is part of the Pickens County School District. Homes in the area can be zoned for 10 different elementary schools (West End, Crosswell, A.R. Lewis, Dacusville, East End, Forest Acres, Holly Springs, Liberty, Pickens, and Mckissick), 4 middle schools (R.H. Ghetty’s, Dacusville, Liberty, and Pickens) and 3 high schools (Easley, Liberty, and Pickens). Also in the area are a variety of technical, private, and public universities for an easy commute to higher education. Greenville Technical College is an easy commute, but it also offers a smaller Easley campus. There are many private universities in the area including Furman, Southern Wesleyan and Bob Jones University. Also a short drive away is Clemson University, the second largest public university in South Carolina.

Powdersville is a 14-square-mile city, home to 7,618 people as of the 2010 census. It sits in the northern corner of Anderson County off of Interstate 85. It is a small city known largely for its great farming. Powdersville residents enjoy their small town atmosphere and the close-knit community experience. The median home value in the area is $186,264, and many homes in the area feature large lots of land that provide opportunity for animals and farming. Additionally, its position on the interstate makes the short drive to Greenville, Easley, or Anderson an easy commute.

The community was originally established on the Saluda River. Today, locals enjoy paddling through the calm water and taking in the scenery throughout the area. With just short drives to surrounding cities, Powdersville is a great place for those seeking a quiet town with the convenience of nearby shopping and dining.

Powdersville is part of the Anderson County School District. Students in this community can be zoned for 3 elementary schools (Powdersville, Concrete, and Hunt Meadows) 3 middle schools (Wren, Richard H. Ghettys, and Tanglewood), and 2 high schools (Powdersville and Wren).

Greer is a larger city of 22.7 square miles and home to 28,365 residents as of 2015. The majority of the city is located in Greenville County and has median home value of $193,713. Greer is a quiet community that offers plenty of recreation and dining options for locals. Its location in the Upstate also gives access to larger cities around the area.

Greer is known for their abundance of outdoor amenities, as it is home to three lakes (Lake Robinson, Apalache Lake, and Lake Cunningham) and the Tyger River that flows through the northern part of the city. The Greer City Park is a 12-acre attraction located near Greer City Hall. Greer offers a variety of parks, including Century Park that provides locals access to a disc golf course. Most residents in the area take advantage of Wade Hampton Boulevard for all things shopping and dining, which goes directly through the center of the city and runs into Greenville.

Greer operates under Greenville County Schools. There are many schools in the area that students could be zoned for, including 5 elementary schools (Skyland Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Chandler Creek Elementary, and Crestview Elementary), 3 middle schools (Riverside Middle, Blue Ridge Middle, and Greer Middle), and 3 high schools (Riverside High, Blue Ridge High, and Greer High).

The Downtown Greenville Area is the Upstate’s most popular destination for everything shopping, dining and entertainment. Downtown Greenville offers its population of 67,423 residents a little of everything and has been compared to European cities for its rich character. It is at the heart of the largest city in the Upstate, and it sits at a halfway point between Atlanta and Charlotte.

Main Street is the hot spot of the downtown area, leading straight to the city’s center piece, Falls Park. On Main Street, locals stroll the sidewalks of the city streets, covered by a hammock of greenery, to enjoy countless options for shopping and dining. Found in this area is everything from high-end designer stores like Brooks Brothers to small specialty boutiques owned by Greenville locals. Residents can explore a variety of restaurants that serve cuisine from all over the world. In addition, the area features colorful plazas and courtyards for outdoor relaxation, often with street musicians providing entertainment nearby. The area also hosts various festivals throughout the year that showcase art, food, and culture. Another large attraction in the downtown area is the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is used year-round to hold graduation ceremonies, sports games, and concerts for small groups and best-selling artists alike. The Greenville Drive baseball stadium, known as Flour Field, is also located in the downtown area. Many locals spend evenings watching the Drive and enjoying everything downtown has to offer.

Homes in the downtown area are part of the Greenville County School District. This area is zoned for Stone Elementary Academy, League Middle Academy, and Greenville High School.

The Five Forks area is a rapidly growing residential suburb of Greenville that is home to 16,929 residents. Only 7.6 square miles in size and situated in the eastern part of Greenville County, it was named for the five roads that fork off of the popular Woodruff Road. The median home value in this area is about $234,331.

The area offers direct access to hundreds of restaurants and stores on Woodruff Road within a 10 mile radius. In addition, Downtown Greenville is an easy 20-minute drive from the Five Forks area via Interstate 385.

Five Forks lies within the boundaries of Greenville County Schools. There are 6 elementary schools in the area (Monarch, Oakview, Bell’s Crossing, Rudolph Gordon, Bethel, and Mauldin), 4 middle schools (Hillcrest, Beck Academy, Mauldin, and Riverside), and 3 high schools (Mauldin, Hillcrest, and J.L. Mann).

The city of Simpsonville is located in the southeastern part of Greenville County. It is home to 21,314 residents as of 2016 and sits within 8.8 square miles. In the past, Simpsonville has been a relatively small city, but the town has recently experienced rapid growth of neighborhood developments, with a current median home value at about $219,105.

Simpsonville’s location offers its residents easy access to Woodruff Road and Downtown Greenville, each just a short drive away. Within Simpsonville itself is the quaint and historic Downtown Simpsonville. This area is known for its brick clock that stands in the center of Downtown beside railroad tracks. Downtown Simpsonville is surrounded by neighborhoods and small businesses. With the increase in housing developments, the city is also experiencing increase in retail and dining options. While the city is growing, its historic areas have remained preserved.

Simpsonville is included in the Greenville County School District. There are 11 elementary schools in the area (Monarch, Plain, Bell’s Crossing, Rudolph Gordon, Bethel, Bryson, Simpsonville, Greenbrier, Ellen Woodside, Fork Shoals, and Fountain Inn), 6 middle schools (Hillcrest, Bryson, Hughes Academy, Ralph Chandler, Woodmont, and Mauldin), and 3 high schools (Hillcrest, Woodmont, and Mauldin)

Mauldin is a fast growing city home to 25,188 residents and has a median home value of $206,255. It is currently the 7th fastest growing city in South Carolina. Despite the rapid growth, Mauldin remains a quiet suburb, yet it still holds plenty of business opportunity for its residents.

Mauldin residents enjoy quiet neighborhoods; However, with businesses and strip malls scattered generously throughout the city, it affords residents hundreds of shopping and dining options. Mauldin is also only a 10-minute drive from Downtown Greenville via Interstate 385, and it has an ideal location beside Woodruff Road.

Mauldin is a part of the Greenville County School District. Students living in the area are near 9 elementary schools (Monarch, Plain, Bethel, Sara Collins, Simpsonville, Greenbrier, Blythe Academy, Robert E. Cashion, and Mauldin), 3 middle schools (Mauldin, Hughes Academy, and Hillcrest) and 4 high schools (Mauldin, Hillcrest, J.L. Mann, and Southside).

Travelers Rest, or “TR” as many say, is a quiet southern town. The little city is located in the northernmost part of Greenville County and sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. The current median home value in Travelers Rest is $174,495. The small town only houses 4,576 people as of 2016, which makes the city a charming, close-knit community with an abundance of character.

Travelers Rest locals can easily enjoy everything the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer, as the mountain peaks overlook the city. Hiking, fishing, and hunting are frequent hobbies of the city’s natives. One especially popular hiking destination is Caesar’s Head State Park, famous for the breathtaking lookout views that can be admired on the park’s trails. Another well-visited outdoor destination in the city is the Trailblazer Park, which connects to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The park also hosts a farmers’ market on the weekends that attracts residents and visitors alike. In addition, the city has many antique and specialty shops owned by residents of the area and show off the city’s character. TR residents also enjoy the short hour-long commute to Asheville, North Carolina, making it an easy day-trip on the weekends.

Travelers Rest is part of the Greenville County School District. There are 8 elementary schools zoned for this district (Duncan Chapel, Heritage, Armstrong, Slater Marietta, Travelers Rest, Mountain View, Tigerville, and Gateway), 4 middle schools (Berea, Blue Ridge, Sevier, and Northwest), and 3 high schools (Blue Ridge, Travelers Rest, and Wade Hampton).

The city of Fountain Inn is a relatively small town that offers quick access to both nature and a bigger city environment. It is home to 8,513 people and has a median home value of $156,104. The majority of the city lies within the boundaries of Greenville County, but a small portion extends into Lauren’s County. Interstate 385 runs through the southern part of Fountain Inn, giving it access to cities in the surrounding area.

Like other towns in the Upstate close to the North Carolina border, Fountain Inn is just minutes away from the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. A number of activities can be enjoyed in these mountains, such as hiking the numerous trails, visiting Caesar’s Head State Park, taking part in hunting season and fishing in the area. Additionally, Fountain Inn is just 15 miles away from the city of Greenville, so it is quick commute for a day-trip of shopping and dining.

Since the majority of Fountain Inn lies in Greenville County, the city as a whole is included in the Greenville County School System. There are 4 elementary schools in the area (Rudolph Gordon, Bryson, Simpsonville, Fork Shoals, and Fountain Inn), 1 middle school (Bryson, Ralph Chandler, and Woodmont), and 1 high school (Hillcrest and Woodmont).

Taylors is the largest suburb of the Greenville/Spartanburg area, housing 22,719 people as of 2016 in just 10.9 square miles. The median home value in Taylors is $172,550, with a median resident age of 37. The city sits between Greenville and Greer and is situated on Wade Hampton Boulevard, which is the main road connecting Greenville and Spartanburg.

Taylors is the perfect place for those looking for a quiet, tranquil community while still having the ability to easily visit bigger cities. Greenville is only a short fifteen-minute drive from Taylors, yet it is far enough away to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Wade Hampton Boulevard runs through the area, which consists mostly of older buildings that have undergone little change in recent years. Taylors offers a number of options for dining and retail as well. Paris Mountain State Park is located in close by and is frequently visited by residents who enjoy a day of hiking, camping, or fishing. The Enoree River runs through the community as well, which offers many similar options for locals to enjoy nature.

Taylors is part of Greenville County Schools. There are 12 elementary schools (Brushy Creek, Paris, Pelham, Buena Vista, Brook Glenn, Mitchell Road, Taylors, Woodland, Lake Forest, Mountain View, Skyland, and Chandler Creek), 5 middle schools (Riverside, Sevier, Blue Ridge, Greer, and Northwood), and 5 high schools (Riverside, Wade Hampton, Blue Ridge, Greer, and East Side) zoned for this area.

Pickens is a small town situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Only covering 2.5 square miles, it is home to 3,190 residents and has a median house value of $136,748. In such a compact city, community and tradition are heavily valued. Pickens locals are proud of the history of the town. An old jail stands in the center of Pickens and is nationally registered as a historic place. The Old Pickens Jail was built in 1903 and served as a residence for the county sheriff at the time. It is now a museum that locals and visitors can explore as a way to honor a piece of Pickens history.

Similar to many small and traditional cities, Pickens is a simple place and quiet community. Locals own modest shops and businesses throughout the city. The city also hosts a flea market each week as a community event to give the locals an opportunity to bargain shop and trade anything from clothes to furniture. Slightly north of Pickens is Table Rock State Park. This park is well-known for its hiking trails and the picturesque view from the mountaintop. Locals can also travel just 30 minutes northwest of Pickens to the Jocassee Gorges to experience more of the area’s nature. National Geographic even named the gorges one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The city of Pickens resides within Pickens County. The small community is zoned for 8 elementary school (Pickens, Hagood, Ambler, A.R. Lewis, Dacusville, Holly Springs, R.C. Edwards, and Six Mile), followed by 2 middle schools (Pickens and Dacusville) and 2 high schools (Pickens and D.W. Daniel).

The city of Greenville is situated at the heart of Greenville County. As the second largest city in South Carolina, it is home to 67,453 residents and has a median home value of $175,296. Greenville is known to be a hot spot in South Carolina for its booming economy, beautiful downtown and the Falls Park area that features the Liberty Bridge that overlooks the Reedy River.

In addition to the well-known Falls Park and downtown area, Greenville is home to many other attractions. The Greenville Zoo, located just outside downtown, is a popular weekend activity for families in the area. The zoo is known for posting live feeds on their website when animals are waiting to be born, such as Kiko the giraffe that was born in 2012. The Haywood Mall is where many Greenville Residents enjoy shopping, as it is the largest mall in the South Carolina with over 120 stores. In addition, busy roads and complexes are scattered across the city, giving locals shopping and dining options on almost every corner.

The city of Greenville operates within the Greenville County School District. There are 21 elementary schools in the area (Pelham Road, Westcliffe, Augusta Circle, Mitchell Road, Stone Academy, Summit Drive, A.J. Whittenburg, Sara Collins, Duncan Chapel, East North Street Academy, Berea, Blythe Academy, Lake Forest, Hollis Academy, Monaview, Alexander, Welcome, Cherrydale, Grove, Paris, and Thomas E. Kerns), 9 middle schools (Greenville Middle Academy, Beck Academy, League Academy, Sevier, Tanglewood, Berea, Hughes Academy, Northwood, and Lakeview), and 8 high schools (Wade Hampton, J.L. Mann, Eastside, Berea, Greenville, Southside, Travelers Rest, and Carolina Academy)

The North Main Area is an affluent, historic neighborhood that sits just outside of Downtown Greenville. The neighborhood was established in 1813, mostly by people seeking business opportunities. The area is surrounded by Stone Ave. and North Pleasantburg Dr. Many of the homes in this area date back to the 1920s era. The homes’ interiors have been updated and renovated, however, they have managed to preserve every bit of its historic charm. The average home values can range anywhere from $200,000 to over 1 million dollars.

This area is zoned for 2 elementary schools (Summit Drive and Stone Academy), 1 middle school (League Academy), and 2 high schools (Berea and Greenville High Academy).

The Gower/Parkins Mill area is an older, highly sought after neighborhood within Greenville with plenty of historical value. Home values in this area start at around $200,000, but they can often be over 1 million. The average age of residents is around 52 years. It sits outside of Downtown Greenville near Greenville ICAR, and it is also conveniently close to the I-85 and I-385 highways.

Homes in this area are zoned for Sara Collins Elementary, Beck Academy, and J.L. Mann High School.

Botany Woods is a peaceful neighborhood near Wade Hampton Boulevard and Bob Jones University. The family-friendly area has offers the more than 800 residents in the community a private golf course as well as a clubhouse and pool. Homes in the neighborhood generally range from $300,000-$600,000, and the average resident age is 46. The community is also located conveniently near Downtown Greenville, giving residents an easy commute to enjoy everything the downtown area has to offer.

This neighborhood is zoned for Lake Forest Elementary, League Academy, and Wade Hampton High School.

The East Park neighborhood, officially named a Historic District in 2003, features homes with a variety of architectural styles from decades past. The community was established in 1908 and experienced consistent growth until the 1950s. The various architectural styles of the homes are often significant to the era in which many of the homes were built. Styles include Tudor revival, colonial, as well as craftsman style. Homes in East Park range anywhere from under $200,000 to over $3 million. Its tree-lined streets and close proximity to Downtown Greenville makes the quiet community perfect for families.

Homes in this neighborhood are zoned for Stone Academy, League Academy, and Greenville Senior High Academy.

The city of Clemson, located partly in Pickens County and partly in Anderson County, is a 7.9 square mile college town surrounding Clemson University, with 16,058 residents as of 2016. The median home value in the city is $217,899.

Many Clemson locals reside in lake houses on Lake Hartwell, which affords many options for activities. On warm days, residents enjoy jet skiing, pontooning or swimming with family and friends. Because Clemson is a smaller college town, the area surrounding the university tends to be mostly rural neighborhoods. Locals find entertainment in attending sporting events at Clemson University year-round. Football season is especially significant in Clemson. On Saturdays in the fall, fans travel from all over to tailgate and watch the Tigers play. As for shopping and dining, residents enjoy eating and boutique shopping in the quaint Downtown Clemson. Additionally, Greenville is only a one-hour drive via Interstate 85.

Clemson is within the Pickens County School District. There is 1 elementary school (Clemson), 1 middle school (R.C. Edwards), and 1 high school (D.W. Daniel).

The city of Spartanburg is the most heavily populated city within Spartanburg County with a population of 37,013. The median home value in the city is currently $109,421. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is the largest employer in Spartanburg, providing over 6,000 jobs to those living in the area. Milliken & Company is also located in Spartanburg, which provides many jobs and attracts new residents to the city.

Downtown Spartanburg is great for those looking to enjoy dining in rustic sports bars, casual restaurants or 5-star chains. The Hub City Farmer’s Market is held in the Historic Magnolia Train Station, which attracts people from the area to enjoy fresh air each Saturday morning. Also found in Spartanburg is the Cowpens National Battlefield that was used as a fighting ground in the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Cowpens. Today, locals are able to visit and tour the battle site to appreciate the area’s history.

The city of Spartanburg is located within the Spartanburg County School Districts 3, 6 and 7. There are 23 elementary schools (Anderson Mill, Arcadia, Boiling Springs, Cannons, Carlisle-Foster’s Grove, Clifdale, Cowpens, Fairforest, James H. Hendrix, L.E. Gable, Pine Street, West View, Jesse Boyd, Woodland Heights, Houston, Jesse S. Bobo, Lone Oak, Cleveland, W. Herbert Chapman, Pacolet, Pauline Glenn Springs, Roebuck, and Mary H. Wright), 9 middle schools (McCracken, R.P. Dawkins, Fairforest, Cowpens, D.R. Hill, Florence Chapel, Pacolet, Boiling Springs, and Carver), and 5 high schools (Spartanburg, Broome, Dorman, Boiling Springs, and James F. Byrnes). In addition, there are 2 intermediate schools that students attend grades 5-6 (Beech Springs and Berry Shoals Intermediate), as well as 1 that students attend grades 4-5 (Boiling Springs Intermediate). Also in the Spartanburg area is the USC Upstate campus and Wofford University.

Wade Hampton is home to 20,673 people as of 2016. It is located in central Greenville County between the city of Greenville and Taylors. The median home value in the area is currently $173,900. The city is built around Wade Hampton Boulevard, which keeps this older part of Greenville full of chain restaurants and small business.

Since Wade Hampton Boulevard is at the center of the city, most residents take advantage of the busy road to find dining and shopping spots. The road also runs directly into the heart of Greenville, which gives people in the area an easy avenue to a bigger city with even more entertainment options to choose from.

Wade Hampton is part of the Greenville County School District. There are 13 elementary schools (Paris, Pelham, Brook Glenn, Mitchell Road, Summit Drive, Taylors, East North Street Academy, Gateway, and Lake Forest), 6 middle schools (Riverside, Greenville, League Academy, Northwood, Sevier, and Greer), and 5 high schools (Eastside, Wade Hampton, Riverside, Greenville, and Greer). Bob Jones, a private university, is also located on Wade Hampton Boulevard.

Piedmont is located in the northern part of Anderson County along the Saluda River, with part of the county extending to Greenville County. It is currently home to 5,940 people, and the median home value is $147,761.

Anderson Road and Piedmont Highway are popular destinations in the city for plenty of dining and shopping options. Greenville is just a short 20 minute drive away, which gives the area more opportunities for its residents.

The Piedmont area is in both the Anderson County School District and Greenville County School District. There are 7 elementary schools in the area (Spearman, Wren, Sue Cleveland, Grove, Powdersville, Ellen Woodside, and West Pelzer), 6 middle schools (Wren, Palmetto, Ralph Chandler, Tanglewood, Powdersville, and Woodmont), and 2 high schools (Wren and Woodmont).