About
Spartanburg is a community with something for everyone. In this city of about 40,000 — part of a metropolitan area of 285,000-plus — residents and visitors alike can find a lifestyle that is second to none in the surging Sunbelt.
Spartanburg is located in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its convenient location at the junction of I-26 and I-85 makes the community easily accessible to both mountain and beach resorts. The ski slopes of North Carolina, the beaches of Charleston and the excitement of Atlanta are all within two- to four-hour drives. Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are four hours away. In between is the beauty of the Western Carolinas, with outdoor activities such as golfing, cycling, hunting, fishing, water skiing, hang gliding and white water rafting. Lakes are all around. The mountains are, literally, in sight. The mild climate, with its four distinct seasons, provides fine weather for outdoor activities.
While in the past Spartanburg has been at the heart of the South’s textile industry, it has become a focus of international business during the past three decades. Industries from Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany have made Spartanburg their home away from home, and Spartanburg boasts a more diversified international investment than any city its size in the United States. This blend of cultures has resulted in a quality of life that is an ideal mix of the traditional and the unexpected. This has also caused an upsurge in growth in the Greenville-Spartanburg area that is rapidly increasing its cultural and lifestyle opportunities.
Cultural Activities
Spartanburg offers a variety of cultural opportunities, including the Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg Little Theatre, the Spartanburg Community Orchestra, concerts and lecture series, foreign films, dance, a strong visual arts community and a number of festivals throughout the year. Under the umbrella of the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, art organizations ranging from the Ballet Guild to the Artists’ Guild receive strong community support. The Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium is the site for concerts and plays, as well as Converse College’s Twichell Auditorium. Local college venues provide outlets as well. The Spartanburg County Library System has headquarters in downtown Spartanburg, as well as branches throughout the county. In addition to local opportunities, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville attracts nationally recognized performers and sporting events. The Brevard Music Center in the nearby mountains of North Carolina has an international reputation for symphony and opera performances. The Peace Center for Performing Arts in Greenville is only 30 minutes away. The Flat Rock Playhouse in nearby Flat Rock, N.C., offers repertory theatre performances every summer.
Housing
There are several desirable neighborhoods within 15 minutes of the medical center, as well as apartment complexes, town homes and condominiums. Some residents live in the county or on one of the many lake areas fewer than 20 minutes from town. In general, housing is very affordable.
Schools
Spartanburg offers public, private and church-affiliated schools from kindergarten through college. Spartanburg is a seven-college town. Wofford College and Converse College are nationally-known private liberal arts schools. The University of South Carolina Upstate offers four-year and advanced degrees. Spartanburg Methodist College and Spartanburg Community College offer one- and two-year degrees for allied health careers and industry. We are also home to Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Carolina Campus, a four-year accredited school of osteopathic medicine. For primary and secondary education, our seven school districts are known to be among the top school districts in the state. Special education is available at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, as well as the Charles Lea Center for Rehabilitation and Special Education for children who are developmentally impaired.