I may potentially have an offer to go work for a company there.

Is it a good place to live?

Are there any good ranges nearby?

What do you do for fun there?

Is there anything specifically to avoid?

Florence itself.

One of the armpits of SC. Seriously.

Hate to bust your bubble, but it's real.

Please elaborate.

What is the problem with it?

maybe something's changed in 3 years but downtown Florence looks like a cross between Mogadishu and Detroit.

I think that about sums it up.

No redeeming qualities at all?

I grew up in Florence county. Now I live near Greenville. My parents still live near Florence.

The city has taken some lessons from Greenville and other cities and they are trying to turn their downtown into a place to go for restaurants, shopping, night life, etc....  they have made some progress but have a long way to go. My biggest complaint about that part of the country are the gnats and mosquitoes in the summer time.

Where are you moving from?

The best thing about Florence is that it is only an hour from the ocean!

I would be moving from Fort Worth TX.

Are there any good outdoor ranges in the area?

Also, is the downtown area still a Mogadishu / Detroit mix?

Seriously, you need to go there yourself before you get too committed. I live in the Charleston area and would have a hard time  moving there.

SC has some great places to live and it all depends on what you are looking for.

Florence is ok if you don't have to worry about schools, looking to live in a remote area.

What are you looking for? Everyone has their own needs and desires.

Considering that you are coming from Somalia, Florence is a real set up!!

Looks like Flo-town is getting no respect here.
I go there frequently, and it is working on its image.
Downtown is going thru a major revitalization, although there are still some bad areas in the north side of town that I avoid.
There is a lot more to offer in Florence than pretty much a 50 mile radius. It is the biggest town in NE SC except for the hole that is Myrtle Beach. Basically, when you head east out of Columbia, it is the best the state has to offer until you get to the beach.

I work in real estate. You will find the most development and highest values in this area. If you move, you will have the easiest time selling there. You can live rural on acreage or in a small lot subdivision all within 10 miles of town.

If you have kids, you want the West Florence school district. It is not perfect, but no school in these parts are(drugs, etc).

If you like living between the small town to big town lifestyle, it may be for you.  I know folks from Ohio and Oklahoma that love it here. No snow!!

Good luck

Do any arfcom members live in Florence?

There are just a few that live there, but I don't know of any that are very active on the HTF.

Good luck on making your decision, but it sure sounds like you are unsure.

I work in Florence, and live outside it in Darlington.  It's really not that bad, there are good areas and not so good areas.  The public schools aren't the greatest, but there are some good private schools.  

There is an indoor 25 yard range that's pretty decent.  Several outdoor ranges within 20 minutes or so.  I shoot 1000 yards on private land about an hour away, and take visitors frequently.  I also have a side business building custom rifles and AR's, I've done work for some in this thread.