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Post by Christy on Oct 26, 2003 22:52:25 GMT -5
Hello!
We are thinking of moving to Gaffney sometime next year. I grew up in Tennessee and we currently live in Kansas. Just trying to get an idea of what Gaffney is like. My husband is a retail manager for an outlet store that may be moving to your Prime Outlet Mall.
Could you please help us with some questions that we have?
1. We now have a new construction home for $140K here in Kansas. It is 3bd 2bath duplex, with 1700 sq ft. Our home in Tennessee was only $70K so we're in a state of shock right now. Could you give us some idea of a similar home in Gaffeny. OR is there a nice area no more than 30 minutes from the Prime Outlet Mall with newer construction homes and a nice neighborhood that is in our price range.
2. What retailers are near you? Do you have a Walmart, indoor shopping mall (other than the outlet), Target? (supercenters?) If not, how far do you have to drive to get to one? Toys r us???
3. What about chain restaurants? TGI Fridays?, Applebees? etc. of course fast food too....what about Krispy Kreme??? lol
4. We have a 2 year old daughter. Do you have any nice parks or fun things to do with her? Museums?
5. Movie theater or bowling alley?
6. What are your favorite local restaurants?
7. Do you have a local hospital? I use to work in medical records, and would like to return to work. How large is the nearest acute care hospital? Could you name some names of 2-3 closest hospitals so I could try to find their websites?
8. IF you actually drove the speed limit, how long would you say it would take you to get to Knoxville, TN, Summerville,SC, and to Fort Lauderdale, FL?
9. Do you get bad snow storms? or ice storms? What is your typical winter like?
10. Since my daughter may need to attend daycare, could you make any suggestions? OR do you know how much the weekly rate for childcare is in your area? It's $200/week here, and I just can't afford to return to work for that amount.
11. Could you let us know what your taxes are like there? Sales tax and property tax. Do you know how much car tags are?
12. Any other information you think I should know about Gaffney?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help us with our questions!
Christy
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Post by Christy on Oct 26, 2003 23:16:00 GMT -5
I've been reading some of the posts here, and it sounds like you guys have yourselves a really nice peach! ha ha
One more question,
about the car tax thread:
Was the $500 tax on the vehicle or is that how much it costs to register your car?
AND
Do you have a local State Farm Insurance office in Gaffney (while we're discussing car stuff).
Thanks,
Christy
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Post by Commonsense on Oct 27, 2003 9:19:16 GMT -5
Christy, If you cut and paste the following site, you will see all the demographics for Gaffney: www.sccommunityprofiles.org/place.asp?PLACEID=107When you talk about "how life is" anywhere, it all depends on perspective. From my perspective, Gaffney is a depressed and depressing area. (Statistics support the former, at least economically.) However, if you have to move there because of your husband's job, I'm sure that you will be able to eventually find a niche and be content. |
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Post by Saycheese on Oct 27, 2003 19:08:10 GMT -5
Commonsense,
Why do you always sound so depressed? I have found that life is what you make of it. I have been at the bottom a few times and have had to work my way back up. Sure it took some sacrifices but I was always able to bounce back. The economy is bad everywhere you look, not just Gaffney. Some places it's worst than others.
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Post by Saycheese on Oct 27, 2003 19:17:28 GMT -5
Christy,
There is a State Farm Office in Gaffney, I remember seeing it when we visited Gaffney in October. We also would like to move to Gaffney.
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Post by Commonsense on Oct 27, 2003 23:34:15 GMT -5
I'm not depressed. It's true I'm not on happy pills and I don't have my rosy glasses on, but I'm certainly not depressed. I gave the same advice I'd give to anyone who was thinking of moving to Gaffney or anywhere within 100 miles of it - DON'T.
I've lived in many parts of the world. I have seen what great cities should be. And I certainly know a bad economy and narrow-minded people when I see them. The South is full of both of these things, and more. That's not depression - just my opinion.
Now, if you want to see me really depressed, tell me I have to move to Gaffney.
It's your town and you're allowed to love it. But how many of you have even been out of the state, let alone the country? (Clue: That familiy vacation to Canada doesn't count.) If you had something to compare Gaffney with - and if you aren't blind - then you'd come to the same conclusions I have. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Gaffney is just another armpit southern town - it only takes a five-minute drive through the city.
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Post by Saycheese on Oct 28, 2003 12:15:53 GMT -5
Ok, I'm from Indiana and have traveled to many states doing my Motorsports Photography and have seen many towns. I spent 5-hours in and around Gaffney on a Friday at the first part of October this year and thought that the people were friendly . Every town in the USA has it's bad area's and good area's of their town. The one thing that I noticed was the stores that were still in business right down town with all the chain stores around the area and you don't see that alot anymore. I also work for a City Water Dept. fulltime and do my photography on the weekends so I know a little about how a town works and how some communities are very political . I'm sure Gaffney has it's problems and there's no way to please everyone. As far as the people in the South, I've never had a problem with any of them, but I'm sure there are people in the South that act just like some people in the North. Maybe it's because I have friends and family that live in the South, but I'm from the North. It sounds as though you have had some problems down South. I visit the South a couple times a year and have been for the last ten years. And that's just my Opinion!
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Post by SCFreebird on Oct 28, 2003 20:51:27 GMT -5
"I'm sure downtown Gaffney is improving. From what I saw when I was there this past January, it had only one way to go - up."
This tells me, commonsense is an outsider who takes first impressions to heart. Someone who only looks at the negative side of all things. I have lived in Gaffney all of my 43 years, and would NOT live anywhere else. This town IS behind the times. No strip clubs, queer bars, ho houses, nor "broadway theaters" and such. If any of the prior interest you, look elsewhere. This town is a lazy place filled with some of the best people on earth. Like others, it has its share of low-lifes. We look out for each other, and welcome any one, anytime. Of course, we will always gladly show folks like commonsense, the way to interstate 85! ;D
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Post by littleme on Oct 28, 2003 20:54:33 GMT -5
Just reading your message board, I currently live in a small town about 65 miles south of Buffalo. I presently own a motel and now selling it to move to the Gaffney area. Did alot of research and decided that it's in the country but close enough to a larger city if I so desire to go there. Housing is less expensive in and around Gaffney. Currently I pay around $4500.00 for property and school taxes. Whether you have commercial or residential property, if the property is both equal then you still pay the same. Utilities are also very high here. A ten unit motel, gas heating costs about $500 Nov-April. Same for the electric. Residential about $65 for gas, electric the same. There is an 8% state tax which it was just raised to another quarter in July. Making it 8.25%. Tax on all clothes, shoes, and certain food items. Beer, pop cans, liter botttles etc, have a 5cent deposit on each can with tax added to it. Housing is not cheap here. Lived here for 6 1/2 years to have a better life and all I have been doing is chi ching, paying, paying and not getting ahead. So Gaffney area might be depressed but its more depressing here. Even the weather is bad. Harsh winters and short summers. I don't know how anyone could say I love NY because I don't. I have Southereners staying here and were the most friendliest people that I met. Kind and respectful. Granted not all people are kind but they are. Most places are the same its the people who make the difference.
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Post by Saycheese on Oct 28, 2003 22:26:36 GMT -5
I agree with you SCFreebird. The thing I remember the most is it was like going back in time as we walked the sidewalks downtown looking in the store windows. We have some friends who recently relocated to Gaffney and that's why we were in town. They showed us a really great time and some of the sites around Gaffney. Your water tower is pretty cool! I have been researching the Gaffney area and I couldn't believe how low the property prices were. I stopped in at the City Building to see if there were any Jobs available for the city and was greeted nicely by the woman behind the counter. I love the weather down there also, I'm tired of snow and slush and cold temp's all winter. Now I just need to find a good paying job in the Gaffney area.
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Post by surfrgirl338 on Oct 29, 2003 22:06:23 GMT -5
Just reading your message board, I currently live in a small town about 65 miles south of Buffalo. I presently own a motel and now selling it to move to the Gaffney area. Did alot of research and decided that it's in the country but close enough to a larger city if I so desire to go there. Housing is less expensive in and around Gaffney. Currently I pay around $4500.00 for property and school taxes. Whether you have commercial or residential property, if the property is both equal then you still pay the same. Utilities are also very high here. A ten unit motel, gas heating costs about $500 Nov-April. Same for the electric. Residential about $65 for gas, electric the same. There is an 8% state tax which it was just raised to another quarter in July. Making it 8.25%. Tax on all clothes, shoes, and certain food items. Beer, pop cans, liter botttles etc, have a 5cent deposit on each can with tax added to it. Housing is not cheap here. Lived here for 6 1/2 years to have a better life and all I have been doing is chi ching, paying, paying and not getting ahead. So Gaffney area might be depressed but its more depressing here. Even the weather is bad. Harsh winters and short summers. I don't know how anyone could say I love NY because I don't. I have Southereners staying here and were the most friendliest people that I met. Kind and respectful. Granted not all people are kind but they are. Most places are the same its the people who make the difference. Littleme, that would put you in the vicinity of Westfield, Silver Creek NY?  ;D Sunset bay area? Gaffney is my hometown, born here and could not wait to get back here. We lived in Forestville NY for 30 years and three years ago we came here to live. All I can say is "Welcome to Gaffney and if you need any orientation I would be happy to be your greeter. You are right of course, the individual makes a place what it is, not the place making the individual. There are those people who are not *happy* unless they are unhappy. We are a small town, with a down home quality. We need a lot of *shaping* up but I hope it never shapes up to the point of losing what makes it attractive. It's southern hospitality. Feel free to e-mail me privately if you have any questions? If I don;t know I will find out. Surfrgirl338@aol.com |
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;D Sunset bay area?