Greetings cack-a-lackians. I'm currently .mil living overseas and will most likely retire summer '24. Looking to move to Seneca/Clemson area. Just looking for thoughts, pros/cons of moving to that areas. Always liked it, the access to the lakes, nature, mountains etc has always appealed to me.
I spent the first 25 years of my life in upstate SC so I wouldn't be a complete stranger to it all. It's just been a while since I lived there.
We went back there in '21 to check it out, still seemed like a solid place to live.

Thanks for any insights

My stepson lived in Westminster for about 5 years. He seemed to like the area. Just remember that for 5 to 7 weekends in the fall, Clemson home football games will stop up traffic in and out of the area.

Seneca is not bad, but nothing special about it. Quick drive to the mountains...not too far to get to Greenville. Clemson is a nightmare. I grew up there. Still live about 20 minutes away. The university is growing exponentially (apartments and condos mostly)...but the infrastructure the town itself cannot handle the growth. If country life is more to your liking, look into Central, Six Mile...maybe towards Anderson. Just FYI, I live in Anderson. Feel free to ask any specific questions about the area.

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning toward the Seneca area or maybe Pendleton. Living in Clemson proper seems like frustration.
My priority is easy access to a lake. Would love a house on the lake, but the pricing currently for lake front is ridiculous.
Considered Anderson, but want to be closer to the Mts.
It'll really boil down to where I can get a job.

Pendleton is nice...also better access to I-85 to get you to ATL or Greenville or CLT easier.

If lake front isn't within reach, I would prefer to be close to the lake in a neighborhood with a private boat ramp. Do many of the lake communities have a dedicated boat ramp? I've found a few cruising google maps.

I've gotten very efficient at launching/trailering my boat solo, just can't stand the chaos of a busy public boat ramp. Again, my own dock would be best, but could settle for a private ramp in a pinch.

My view.



I’m on Wateree in the Lugoff side of the lake. Camden/Lugoff nearest towns. In Kershaw county.   Not sure of your budget, but any decent home here is $600k and up. That being said, my neighbor is talking about selling his place this spring.  He lives in town now at his main home and he has let the lake place go.  Dock is not the best and home is very dated.  Not sure what he is even thinking of asking, but it is pretty good size. Has a complete separate “in-law” suite downstairs and a two car garage.

Pluses: home with great bones, good size with brick siding.  Nice sized lot. In deep water. (Very important in this area) More desirable location on the lake due to closest to town area. Lower taxes than surrounding counties, low power rates through Duke Energy.  We’re 5 miles from the source of power, the dam.

Minuses:  Home is very dated and needs remodeling.  Owner built the dock out of steel pipes.  Nothing looks level and square.  Not sure if it is permitted, but regardless, in my opinion needs to be torn out and done correctly.  Lots of yard work needed and dead trees removed.  Privacy fence is leaning badly and built facing the wrong direction due to code.

Great view! My folks live on Murray near Chapin and there floating dock isn't at the moment. However the pontoon is still floating.
We're definitely looking at Hartwell/Keowee area but appreciate the suggestion.

Sounds good.  Check out lake Jocassee a little closer to the GA boarder. We looked at a few places online when we were shopping. Jocassee has clear water.  It’s a beautiful lake.  
Murray was just too populated and extremely high taxes so we didn’t even look there. We have friends/coworkers there.

Hartwell is much more affordable than Keowee. Keowee in the last 20 years has become quite busy on the weekends and real estate is expensive. It's an 18,000 acre lake. Beautiful and clear water. Hartwell is 56,000 acres and a mud bottom. I live on the Tugaloo side(Fair Play) of the lake which is still fairly peaceful compared to the Seneca side (Anderson). Prices on Hartwell have started to stabilize however there still continues to be an influx of yankees.

On either lake make sure you understand the rules. Keowee is run by duke and Hartwell by the corps of engineers. By rules I mean how far your property goes to the lake, dock permitting and ability to cut trees. GL, lake life is great.

So we'll be in the Seneca Clemson area for a few days in July. Will be staying in a local hotel just checking out the area.
Any must see things? We'll probably hit the lake and at some point trek up into the hills.
Stumphouse tunnel worth seeing. I've been there before but it was many many moons ago.
Any good brew pubs to visit in Seneca or Clemson?

We’re relocating to Seneca from the low country mid May. Shoot me a PM when BOG.

Tried living in Charleston area to be around family after retiring from .mil… OMFG has it got crowded here in the past 3 years. Wife and I grew up in Appalachian foothills, so Seneca is more better place to be.

Past 3?  

Imagine growing up in that area from 1970 up until I left the area in 1990.  I go back to visit and it feels like I’m in an episode of The Twilight Zone.  I see a few familiar things here and there, but the majority of it is so blown out now it’s not the area I grew up in.   Hell, the people that bought the house I grew up in did a total remodel and it doesn’t even look remotely like the house I knew.  Front driveway ripped up and gone, brick fireplace on the front of the house ripped off and gone (BTW, it was used only once with gas logs), shop in the back yard converted to apartments, etc….

I lived in Mt Pleasant in the mid-90s. Really enjoyed it. Drove through there about 4 years ago and didn't recognize it as it had grown a lot.

I believe you.

I’ve only lived in the low country for 3 years… the increase in stupidity in that short period of time is ridiculous. I see a direct correlation with the increase of NY, NJ, MA license plates .

I was just talking to my son last night that lives in West Ashley.  He’s locked in with his rent in his apartment, but places around him have gone from $1200 a month to $2000 a month recently due to northerners relocating and willing to pay the price.  It’s putting the screws on the locals that don’t own.
Hell, a starter home in that area is now $300,000.  He wants to buy in the next year or two. He’s saving and working towards it.

I loved living in the area from 2002-early ‘04.  Graduated HS early and did a few semesters at Clemson before I enlisted in the Army.  I lived in Clemson (City of) and then Central.  Gorgeous part of the state but I have zero practical life experience up there as I was renting and a FT college student and it was 20 years ago

You getting settled yet? How do you like it there?

Closed on the 15th. Been super busy with remodeling projects before starting the new job next week. Son graduates HS this week, so he’ll be moving in this weekend.

Much better than that Charleston area; a lot like the small towns where my wife and I grew up. Picked up a little fishing boat so hopefully can get back into fishing as part of my weekend battle rhythm

Glad to hear. Looking forward to checking it out this summer. Fishing opportunities is a big draw for me, along with proximity to mountains and family.

Got back from our trip to SC last week. It was great to be back in the US after 2 years in BEL. I forgot how nice A/C is, along with ample/convenient parking, ice with free refills, and southern hospitality. We really liked the area. Toured some neighborhoods with a real estate agent.
We also toured Daniel HS and the middle school down the road. Both schools were nice and the faculty we met were very friendly and helpful. Picked up a nice vibe there.

After looking around, really liked the area between Clemson and Central. Like the easy lake access and schools. We'll probably go back in the spring to refine the search as we get closer to moving back.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and pointers. I welcome more info if you have it.