The “movement” we have going on in Greenville is pretty compelling and exciting to a lot of people. So how do you “join” it?
Move to the Upstate. As a resident of Greenville, I feel strongly that you have to live in the Upstate to really be a part of The Greenville Movement. It’s a local movement, so you just can’t be a part of it if you live somewhere else.
This is where the vision for this blog and my career as a REALTOR® converge. What I mean is that I want others to be a part of this awesome thing we have going on in the Upstate, and one of the most tangible ways I can do that is by helping people move to the movement. This is why I consider our Mover’s Guide to the Upstate to be one of the most important parts of this website.
But I don’t want to end this post there. My guess is that there will be some who currently live in the Upstate who don’t feel like they’re a part of any movement but want to. So here are some ideas for what you can do if you’re in that category.
Get involved with the local sports scene. The nearest sports “hub” (Charlotte) is at least 90 miles away, but don’t tell the people around here that. Greenville is the de facto hub for the Clemson Tigers (you know, the school that just won the 2016-17 college football championship), and if you’re into sports at all, one of the easiest ways to feel the energy of Greenville is to head over to Clemson Memorial Stadium (or “Death Valley,” if you will) and take in some college football.
And if you’re not really into football, Greenville is home to minor league hockey and baseball teams: the Swamp Rabbits and the Drive. Some people equate “minor league” with “not fun,” but that’s not been my experience at all. The games are always fun, eventful, and kid-friendly. I mean, let’s be honest – it’s hard to not enjoy a Drive game at Fluor Field, while watching homeruns fly over our (mini) Green Monster and singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” during the Seventh Inning Stretch.
Volunteer with the city or with a private group. There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer in the Upstate. In Greenville city alone, we have multiple events, like Fall for Greenville and Artisphere that depend on thousands of volunteers. Other cities in the Upstate like Greer, Travelers Rest, and Simpsonville also have events that require volunteer help.
There are plenty of non-profits and other groups in our area in need of volunteer assistance as well. There are opportunities to help with hospice groups, hosting exchange students, serving as a guardian for children with separated/divorced parents, etc.
I’ve volunteered for numerous events and groups in the Upstate over the years, and I’ve always received more by way of happiness and satisfaction than what I gave in time.
A few helpful resources that discuss some volunteer opportunities in our area are the City of Greenville volunteer page, the Volunteer Ops page at greenville.com, and volunteermatch.org, but there are plenty of others that can be found with a simple google search.
Walk (or bike) around town. One of the distinctives of the Upstate is the desire to maintain “green space” even as commercial developments are built. This is important. Mayor Knox White of Greenville and other officials in our area have made it a priority for residents to be able to walk and bike, even in downtown regions, without feeling like they are in a “concrete jungle.” This is why we have Falls Park, Lake Conestee Nature Park, Cedar Falls Park, and the 21-mile, paved Swamp Rabbit trail.
To say it another way, you’re probably never going to fully appreciate The Greenville Movement if you don’t appreciate the movement towards blending nature with the city. And the only way to do that is to get out in it and enjoy it!
So if you’re in the Upstate, don’t expect to feel the energy of the movement that is our city by sitting on your couch on Saturdays. Get out and start experiencing this awesome thing that we have going on here!