As Tom Scott said, "South Carolina is a great place to be from." With its historic charm and great restaurants, York is an example of one of those great places in South Carolina to be from.
Situated about 45 minutes outside of the major hub of Charlotte, North Carolina, York is a small city in neighboring South Carolina that boasts tons of small-town southern charm packed into just under 8 square miles. The settlement of the area dates back to the Catawba Indians and later by Scottish-Irish farmers who settled here in the mid-1700s. Two Revolutionary War battles waged on in this area-Williamson's Plantation and Kings Mountain. Today, York has a population of around 8,000 residents and boasts a Historic District that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are considering finding a rental in York, you will be pleased to know there are also plenty of specially shops, entertainment opportunities, and restaurants to frequent. York is definitely not a town that history forgot, and is most definitely a place to remember when looking for a great rental.
Moving to York
Before you pack up the wagon train and head to York, there are a few things you know when looking for a place to rent here. First, there is no public transit system. That means you will most likely need to bring a car with you in order to commute to work. If you are fortunate enough to work from home and don't need to commute, you'll want to choose a neighborhood with good restaurants and shops within walking distance of your apartment in York. Don't forget to let the rest of us know how you scooped up a fabulous telecommuting job. We're all totally jealous.
Packing Tips
The average temperatures here definitely do not hit the extremes. With average lows in the 30s during only 3 months of the year and the average high hitting 90 only two months, the rest of the year is pretty moderate. You will need to pack a few sweaters and lots of shorts. If you are the outdoors type, you'll want to make sure to pack plenty of outdoor gear. Since York does have a walkability score of 71 out of 100, you may not want to break a sweat and just walk, not run.
Neighborhoods in York
At just under 8 square miles, there are a few distinct neighborhoods in which to put down rental roots. In York you can find townhouses for rent, housing for rent or an apartment for rent. The choice comes down to personal preference and neighborhood selection.
City Center: The City Center neighborhood sits alongside route 321 and the Upper York Reservoir. Literally, the City Center is in the center and is a suburban neighborhood featuring mostly single-family homes and small apartment buildings. Rents here are reasonable so you won't have to break into that porcelain piggy bank your great aunt gave you when you were five to help pay the bills. Italian Garden Restaurant is a local favorite.
Tirzah: Located on the southwestern border of York, this neighborhood is furthest out from the main hub of Charlotte, NC. If you choose to rent here, be prepared for a longer commute into the city. This neighborhood is more rural than other parts of York and features mostly single-family homes and mobile homes. Most of the property here is owner-occupied. That means finding an apartment for rent here is definitely more challenging than other parts of town.
Filbert: Filbert runs alongside the northeast of York and is definitely closer to the outer banks of the Charlotte region. Besides sounding like a popular comic character, Filbert is definitely a more rural section of town. Rents here are harder to come by so if you are nuts enough to have your heart set on this part of town, it will take you a bit longer to find that place for rent. You do know a filbert is a type of nut, right?
Grey Fox Run Road / Cricket Run Road: This neighborhood definitely offers more rental choices than its rural counterparts. Here, you can find a studio for rent in a small apartment building or a three-bedroom apartment and everything in-between. This neighborhood is also where most of the historic buildings, shops and restaurants are located so you won't have to go far to get what you need.
Spring Lake Country Club: Fore! If you are into golfing or just like watching people in funny plaid pants, this is the neighborhood for you. Tucked away south of route 104 in York, this area offers lots of green views and the occasional stray ball.
Living in York
York is tucked centrally between I-77 and I-85. In just about 45 minutes, you can get to the urban center of Charlotte, North Carolina. But, if the big city isn't your thing, you can find a lot to do without leaving York. If golfing is on par for you, head to the Carolina Crossing Golf Club. Interested in the local food scene? There are plenty of restaurants to choose from including great diner food, sushi, and simple southern cuisine. Head to The Peach Tree where you can pick your own peaches and nectarines or indulge in a treat at their full-service ice cream parlor. I hear the strawberries at Bush-N-Vine Farm are berry delicious.
After enjoying a great meal, head outdoors for a walk around town. If you are in the historic downtown area, follow a one-mile paved bike path to the York Recreation Complex featuring lighted walking trails, picnic areas, a playground and not one, but 18 championship horseshoe courts. You might want to practice before you attempt the horseshoe court, the local are pretty serious about the game. Or, head to Kings Mountain National Military Park to enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking and swimming. If you happen to travel via horse, there are also horse trails. I wonder if that's how they get all the horseshoes for the championship courts?
Historic downtown York offers quaint streets bursting with historic charm. Here, you will find specialty shops, restaurants and even a movie theater. The 4th Saturday of August, hit the streets for the annual Summerfest festival "A Celebration of Summer" when the streets are lined with craft and food tents, classic cars, music and various activities.