Greenwood City Guide

United States

Greenwood City Guide

South Carolina

Greenwood, South Carolina, is a small city with a quiet Southern charm. It has a historic downtown and is close to Lake Greenwood. The cost of living is lower here, making it a decent spot for remote work and a friendly community feel.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

The food scene focuses on Southern comfort food like BBQ and shrimp and grits, with some Mexican and Asian options. Vegetarian choices exist but are limited. Late-night options are mostly fast food.

Local Dishes:
BBQ, Fried chicken, Shrimp and grits
International Cuisine:
American, Mexican, Asian
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
4

Nightlife is quiet, mainly local bars and pubs with limited variety.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Coffee culture is growing with local cafes and chains. Specialty coffee is limited but community-focused spots exist.

💰
Tipping
Required
15%

Tipping is expected for services. Restaurants and taxis usually get 15-20%. For coffee or quick service, small change or rounding up is common.

Top Attractions
Uptown Greenwood
Historic
Historic downtown area with local shops and architecture.
Lake Greenwood
Nature
Large lake offering outdoor activities.
Emerald Farm
Family
A farm attraction with animals and events.
Railroad Historical Center
Museum
Museum focused on Greenwood's rail history.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be bought at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile stores, and electronics retailers like Best Buy. eSIMs are available. No ID needed for prepaid SIMs.

Available at:
AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
Best Buy
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(Navigation)
Uber/Lyft(Transportation)
DoorDash/Uber Eats(Food Delivery)
Yelp(Local Info)
Weather Channel App(Weather)
AllTrails(Outdoors)
Index-Journal(News)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Downtown and residential areas are generally clean with regular waste pickup and recycling.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Some gas stations and convenience stores operate 24/7. Emergency room is open all day. Late-night pharmacies are rare.

Groceries
Publix
Harris Teeter
Food Lion
Walmart Supercenter

Supermarkets include Publix, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Walmart Supercenter. Greenwood Farmers Market offers seasonal fresh produce. Most stores open early and close late. Bargaining is not done in stores.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most places accept cards, so carrying cash isn't often needed.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find at banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Truist, as well as some retail stores. Out-of-network ATMs usually charge $2.50 to $5.00 per use.

Schools
Local only

Public schools are managed by districts 50, 51, and 52. Private schools like Greenwood Christian School and Cambridge Academy are available. English is the language of instruction.

Available Schools:
Greenwood School District 50
Greenwood School District 51
Greenwood School District 52
Greenwood Christian School
Cambridge Academy

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Nationwide chain with Wi-Fi and seating.
The Coffee Break
Local coffee shop with Wi-Fi.
Main & Maxwell
Local café with good internet and seating.
Alternatives:
Greenwood County Library
Quiet space with free Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Some offer Wi-Fi and seating for guests.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Very limited nomad community and events. Some cafes and libraries offer Wi-Fi but no dedicated co-working spaces or meetups.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Parks like Lake Greenwood State Park and Greenwood City Park provide green and shaded walking areas suitable for running.

Running
Good
6

Good running spots include Lake Greenwood State Park and local parks. Generally safe but watch out on roads without sidewalks.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms serve the area for fitness options.

Available Gyms:
YMCA of Greenwood
Planet Fitness
Anytime Fitness
Tennis
Limited
5

Public tennis courts at city parks and private clubs like Greenwood Country Club. Courts are mostly hard surfaces.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel courts are not available.

Yoga
Good
6

Several studios like The Yoga Room offer common yoga styles. Classes are mostly drop-in or memberships with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Several dojos offer karate, taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Instructors speak English and local competitions happen occasionally.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing nearby.

Water Sports
Good
7

Lake Greenwood offers kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing. Equipment rentals and guided tours are available seasonally.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing; Greenwood is inland.

Diving
Poor
2

Limited freshwater lake diving at Lake Greenwood, mostly for beginners. Equipment rentals and certification centers are scarce.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Healthcare quality is good but can be expensive without insurance. Self Regional Healthcare is the main hospital with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are common.

Hospitals:
Self Regional Healthcare
Pharmacies:
Publix Pharmacy
Walmart Pharmacy
CVS
Walgreens
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets federal and state safety standards and is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online scams like phishing and fake job offers., Phone scams impersonating IRS or tech support.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

There are parks with playgrounds and family-friendly restaurants. Attractions include Emerald Farm, Lake Greenwood, and the Children's Discovery Center.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
4

LGBTQ+ presence is small, with limited safe spaces and protections. Acceptance varies and legal protections are minimal.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Pet-friendly with dog parks and pet-friendly hotels and restaurants. Veterinary clinics and pet supplies are available.

Communities
Greenwood, SC Community Facebook Group (Community)
Uptown Greenwood Facebook Page (Community)
Greenwood Index-Journal (News)

Quick Facts

Population
22,545
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable, with occasional outages during storms that get fixed quickly.

Mountains
Available

Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are about 1 to 1.5 hours away with hiking trails.

Languages
English(90%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
2

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat and humidity
June, July, August
Summer months can be hot and humid.
Pollen allergies
March, April, May
Spring can bring high pollen levels.
Flooding
During heavy rain
Some low-lying areas may flood occasionally.

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