The Orangeburg Festival of Roses, which began in 1972, boasts everything from a boat race to a princess pageant. Of course, there are a bunch of roses to view. If you want to live in a place where you can truly wake up and smell the roses or stop to smell the roses, or whatever with some roses, Orangeburg awaits.
Welcome to the land of flowers, gardens, and golf. Yes, the city does place emphasis on nature. If you want to let that side of you run wild, feel free to howl at the moon every night, as the skies are very clear on most days. When you want action, eateries on Russell Street and shops on Chestnut Street satisfy. Even more, Columbia and Charleston are both within a reasonable drive. That balance of nature and city has made Orangeburg a place that sizzles with life.
Moving to Orangeburg
You Do Have Time to Smell the Roses
Why? Because the real estate market in Orangeburg places special focus on renters. There are tons of rental properties in Orangeburg. Moreover, no matter what type of home for rent you seek, you can find it in Orangeburg as a diverse array of housing is offered. The city has houses, apartments, condos, townhomes, mobile homes and even huts made of flowers. Okay, there aren't any huts made of flowers, but you get the idea. Knowing all this, you do have time to sniff lilacs and dream a little.
A Note about Openings
You may look in August and see lots of available property rentals. You then may look a month later and see a lot less availability. May and August can be quite hectic with housing turnover and the arrival of new renters; these two months feature the most housing selection, but you may find the process quite troublesome. June through July is the best time to rent. September through March is a fine time to move, but your selection won't be near as ample. Regardless of when you arrive, two to four weeks' notice is enough.
A Note about Quality
Not every pad you tour will be high quality. While the town is quite beautiful, there are some housing units that are old or have deteriorated. For instance, over 35% of the places to live in Orangeburg were constructed before 1960. To avoid any possible issues, always inspect the places you tour, especially houses. For apartment complexes, read reviews to see what others have said. Don't make the mistake of renting something before you know what it's like.
The Lease Contract
Apartments with paid utilities in Orangeburg are somewhat common, but most include only some bills, not all bills. Make sure you are clear on what the rent price entails. When it comes time to put the pen to the paper, nothing fancy is required, just one month's rent and proof you can afford it. A credit check may be requested too. Oh, and don't forget the deposit; that will come in handy if a failed science experiment causes damage to the home.
Orangeburg Neighborhoods
When you pick out a rose to buy, do you check to see which one looks best? Well, with neighborhoods in Orangeburg, you have to pick out which one fits you best. If you like to sofa bum, you don't want a spot near the Downtown Loop. If you like to be in heart of everything, you don't want to be living near Orangeburg Country Club.
City Center: A rather walkable part of town, eateries like Original House of Pizza and bars like Edison's Club make City Center the most happening spot to live. Dig in and find your paradise.
Edisto Village: In the south and southwest part of town, Edisto Village Shopping Center, Mirmow Field and a tremendous variety of housing highlight the neighborhood. It's somewhat walkable, but not quite as convenient as City Center.
Chestnut: In the northeast part of town, Chestnut Shopping Center, Chestnut Grill and Hillcrest Recreation Park show that this neighborhood is built for shopping, eating, and exercising. A bit less walkable, you can still go on foot to get groceries or eat here.
North Road: Offering a bit more space, this northwest neighborhood is roomy, but you'll likely require a car.
Living in Orangeburg
While walking and biking is perfectly possible within town, a car is still a popular choice, especially if you want to explore the greater area. But it's the roses and nature that really hit this spot in this picturesque and scenic area. Orangeburg brings out the nature in a myriad of ways, whether it be a walk at Edisto Memorial Gardens, playing at Spray Park, or a round of golf at Hillcrest Golf Course.
When you have worn out your welcome in the great outdoors, there's always a ton of great shopping at Prince of Orange Mall and on Russell Street that beckon you. If you want the arts, the Bluebird Theater calls, so keep that option in mind for your nights out. The Ip Stanback Museum / Planetarium is the perfect educational opportunity and Dukes Bar-B-Que can flavor up any night. You are starting to see that Orangeburg is a city to be. If you ever need a break, Charleston and the beaches provide a great retreat.