School me about Union, SC

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-02-06, 06:12 PM

May have an opportunity to move there...

What is the scoop?

cruiser4life · 10-02-06, 06:16 PM

Closer to mountains = closer to God's country = better IMO.

Cost of living should go down too which is never a bad thing...

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-02-06, 06:21 PM

Housing is a little weird...I haven't checked out much, but within the city limits it looks like no new neighborhoods have been built in 20 years...but I'd like to redo an older home anyway...

It is cheaper in some regards, but not much within the $175-250 range...

Looks to be a little more hilly than Rock Hill, plus it is closer to the Cruiserhead action...

I think the population is declining, but it may be an above average opportunity, not far from Spartanburg, or Charlotte really.... can still hit the Panther games...Seems like a nice step back in time, I'm a homebody anyway....

Trollhole · 10-02-06, 07:25 PM

Union is a nice town. About on par with Rock Hill. Just without the smell.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-02-06, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

Union is a nice town. About on par with Rock Hill. Just without the smell.

I don't get a smiley, a flip-off or nuthin?

cruiser4life · 10-02-06, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin'Carolina

Housing is a little weird...I haven't checked out much, but within the city limits it looks like no new neighborhoods have been built in 20 years...but I'd like to redo an older home anyway...

It is cheaper in some regards, but not much within the $175-250 range...

Looks to be a little more hilly than Rock Hill, plus it is closer to the Cruiserhead action...

I think the population is declining, but it may be an above average opportunity, not far from Spartanburg, or Charlotte really.... can still hit the Panther games...Seems like a nice step back in time, I'm a homebody anyway....

Seems that it all goes back to the opportunity. Same gig? Same firm? Different all the way around??

Older isn't bad. There's usually a "flip" opportunity in these here parts anyway...

It blows my mind that $250 doesn't buy much in Union. I could still work $250 in Charlotte within reason...

Trollhole · 10-02-06, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin'Carolina

I don't get a smiley, a flip-off or nuthin?

I was telling the truth.

I lived in Rock Hill for over 2 years was healthy young man going in. Came out ten years older sick and worn out. The fact is Hoerst Celeneese, Bowwater and the Turpintine plant right beside the school made an unwanted atmosphere.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-02-06, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser4life

Seems that it all goes back to the opportunity. Same gig? Same firm? Different all the way around??

Older isn't bad. There's usually a "flip" opportunity in these here parts anyway...

It blows my mind that $250 doesn't buy much in Union. I could still work $250 in Charlotte within reason...

$250 will buy a whole lotta house....that needs upgrades and such...kinda weird, not a lot for sale, trendy older part has one house for $136K, around $100sf/, then down the same block $250K will buy a 4000SF house...

Just not a lot of new construction, but the old part is close to the better elementary, huge old remodeled Ymca, and walking distance to downtown....

Half the county is a National Forest....not sure if it is cool, but all in all it seems like a good ole SC town....

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-02-06, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

I was telling the truth.

I lived in Rock Hill for over 2 years was healthy young man going in. Came out ten years older sick and worn out. The fact is Hoerst Celeneese, Bowwater and the Turpintine plant right beside the school made an unwanted atmosphere.

Celenese shut down...Bowater is waaay out on the other side of town out in the country....not sure about the turpentine plant, I haven't even heard about that, but I'm not from these parts

Sounds scary.....

I was beginning to wonder if it was something I'd just gotten used to....like living close to a paper stinky mill or something! I had no idea you were serious!

cruiser4life · 10-02-06, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

I was telling the truth.

I lived in Rock Hill for over 2 years was healthy young man going in. Came out ten years older sick and worn out. The fact is Hoerst Celeneese, Bowwater and the Turpintine plant right beside the school made an unwanted atmosphere.

Sounds like a L3, fresh behind the ears attorney's wet dream...

cruiser4life · 10-02-06, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin'Carolina

$250 will buy a whole lotta house....that needs upgrades and such...kinda weird, not a lot for sale, trendy older part has one house for $136K, around $100sf/, then down the same block $250K will buy a 4000SF house...

Just not a lot of new construction, but the old part is close to the better elementary, huge old remodeled Ymca, and walking distance to downtown....

Half the county is a National Forest....not sure if it is cool, but all in all it seems like a good ole SC town....

I wish half my county was National Forest. It would be cheaper than repeat offenders in over crowded jails...

Point is, Marshall's point really. Nice place to raise a family, no big town amenities but those are easily accessible with some planning and gumption.

Sounds worth exploring. My worry would be the social element. Again, it would be a gains vs. losses comparison...

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-02-06, 08:36 PM

If the opp arises, and I think it will (or I wouldn't be checking it out), it will be GOOD....If it was a normal sized opp I would have to decline, Union is losing population...which will affect any business, just this particular opp is waaayy better than average.

Demographics don't scare me, could be much worse (and is in many parts of the state) schools are OK.....

Seems like a lot of people live outside of town, in places like Pauline, which has hig test scores...haven't checked out the housing yet...

Thanks for the replies, keep em coming.

The lack of Starbucks or new malls doesn't faze me....I can get everything I need within 30-60 miles...it all boils down for now to a nice home at the end of the day...my kids are 0 and 2, school is a little ways off yet...but important.

Trollhole · 10-03-06, 06:30 AM

+ your drive to club meetings will be shorter.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-03-06, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

+ your drive to club meetings will be shorter.

That thought had crossed my mind....it's been too tough to get a kitchen pass to drive 2 hours each way so far....

89s rule · 10-03-06, 11:24 AM

Have you visited there?

To be honest it is nothing like Rock Hill. (Have you visited both before???)
I would not want to live there but there are worse places. I used to visit there off and on back in the day and it definatley not a place I would want to be.

Gene's is a great place to eat if you do go visit though

Hope this helps.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-03-06, 11:39 AM

I went this past weekend, mostly driving around to get a feel for the layout.

I live in Rock Hill, which has exploded in the past 7 years I've been around and has quite a bit of new things being built.

Rock Hill, at least parts of it, are brand new and well kept. I could tell Union is more stable to declining, but has quite a bit of southern charm...

I have no need for new, I don't mind traveling a bit to do some shopping, and I think it might work for us. All this is predicated on an above average opportunity with significantly higher returns than the average opportunity I'll get elsewhere.

Plus, if it get old, I can move my family out a ways and commute later on.

cruiser4life · 10-03-06, 11:41 AM

Staying in the insurance business?

informationjunky · 10-03-06, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin'Carolina

That thought had crossed my mind....it's been too tough to get a kitchen pass to drive 2 hours each way so far....

2 hours each way isn't bad for meetings

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-03-06, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser4life

Staying in the insurance business?

I can't really comment

Generally waiting for people to retire or die....

Nothing "official" has been announced yet.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-03-06, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by informationjunky

2 hours each way isn't bad for meetings

I guess it is a matter of perspective...I'd guess you are about the same out, right?

tabraha · 10-03-06, 03:19 PM

Just saw the post and I agree with Matt Union and Rock Hill are polar opposites. You've got a good handle on Union, little to no growth, friendly and quiet. Not alot to do, not alot to put up with either. I live about 45 min to an hour away from Union in the sticks and love the lifestyle (We're in Newberry County just further down the Broad River) . If you are looking to eventually live on something with acreage the dollar will go alot further than anything in York county. Union county is extremely hilly with lots of watersheds and ravines. Lots of national forest, no 4wd trails in said forest. If you want to get a feel for the people of Union the biggest event in the county just happens to be going on this week. Their fair pretty much brings out the entire county and is a pretty well run event. My wife and I have actually made a yearly event out of it as we enjoy a small town fair such as this. May be a good opportunity to check things out.

More info: http://www.unioncountyscfair.org/index.html (web page is still from last year

)

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-03-06, 05:22 PM

Thanks for the info, Tad.....

I'd like to get some acreage later on, but won't have the time to maintain it...Business will take more time than I'd like, but this opportunity is better than most, so I won't have to kill myself beyond the 50 or so hours I put in now to make it float...

I grew up in a town of about 1000, hated it (but had 250K+ nearby), but now with a family something like Union should fit the bill nicely. I will have to get plugged into the community deeply to achieve the vision in my business plan, looks to be the right size....

So far, seems to be one elementary better than the other, I need to get info about how the district in drawn, or investigate Buffalo, etc...Pauline, and surrounding areas.

89s rule · 10-03-06, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin'Carolina

I grew up in a town of about 1000, hated it (but had 250K+ nearby), but now with a family something like Union should fit the bill nicely. I will have to get plugged into the community deeply to achieve the vision in my business plan, looks to be the right size....

So far, seems to be one elementary better than the other, I need to get info about how the district in drawn, or investigate Buffalo, etc...Pauline, and surrounding areas.

sounds like you grew up in Due West

But definately not 250K nearby!!

Schools are alot better in Rock Hill! I am speaking specifically about HS. I recruit in both those areas. In my opinion the Rock Hill area has some of the best HS's in the state.

I wish you luck no matter what.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-04-06, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89s rule

sounds like you grew up in Due West

But definately not 250K nearby!!

Schools are alot better in Rock Hill! I am speaking specifically about HS. I recruit in both those areas. In my opinion the Rock Hill area has some of the best HS's in the state.

I wish you luck no matter what.

Thanks....Rock Hill has some pretty good schools, I think Ft Mill is even better....I'll try to keep my ear to the ground, I understand that Pauline outside of Union has some great scores as well....

lovemylc · 10-04-06, 06:40 AM

Susan Smith put Union on the map! Last I heard, she had gotten an STD by bumpin' uglies with a prison guard.

I feel sorry for her exhusband.

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notoriou...h/index_1.html

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-04-06, 06:47 AM

I actually read that whole 12 page thing yesterday....

Amazing how a lack of father, abuse by her step father, combined with some depression can boil over....

tabraha · 10-05-06, 08:27 PM

Mmmm... just got back from the fair tonight. Had some good greasy fair food.

Kinda funny coincidence I'll be in Ft. Mill tomorrow for a survey! Also, I thought Pauline was over in Spartanburg county,are there two? I remember doing some work in Pauline/Oak Grove last year and had to go to Spartanburg for records if I recall.

Cruisin'Carolina · 10-08-06, 07:42 AM

I just saw the update....

We went back Saturday morning to do some more scouting...nothing official announced yet, the Union opportunity could be a longshot..

Found some nicer neighborhoods, I think the place could work for us. Ran up 176 to Paculet (sp) /Jonesville and ran back down 9 to Lockhart....

Pauline is in Spartanburg county, the only reason we may consider that (if I'm not forced to live within Union city limits) is school test scores, which are thru the roof for some reason...but I've got time for that later...

They usually want you to live within the city limits for your first year, and then you can move to a more permanent contract without that restriction...

All of that is a ways off, anyway....my kids are 2 and 8 months, it's just that we've owned 4 houses in seven years of marriage, I'd like to put some roots down and finish out a house for the long run....

concretejungle · 10-13-06, 01:34 PM

This will make it even easier for you to start attending the cullowhee expedition trips!!!

Cruisin'Carolina · 12-09-06, 05:58 AM

Union is a go...I repeat, Union is a go!

I found out last night that I was selected to become Union's next Ins agent. It has not been announced publicly yet, so if anyone has ties there I'd appreciate if it was kept under wraps (mainly out of respect for the current employees, until I get to interview them)....

When I started this thread, the current agent's retirement wasn't even public knowledge yet...and it was truly a longshot....I interviewed a couple of weeks ago, and got the word last night.,..

I don't know when we will be moving....I probably won't open until mid next year. A lot of additional training in Atlanta over the first half of 07.

Strange but cool timing, Trollhole just sent me a recruiting PM yesterday......my first year will be crucial while I'm on a temporary contract, but I hope to be able to still find time to meet up with you guys at least once or twice, and more after that once I get a permanent contract and will know that is where we will be for a long time to come.

Best news? I get to DD our 80!!! (and go into stealth mod mode)

Thanks for all of the advice, I think Union will be a great fit for us as we were both raised in small towns.