Volume I of Seven Southern Cities for Affluent Millennials to Live, Visit and Thrive!
The charming city of Greenville, South Carolina, having beautifully scenic waterfalls and picturesque hiking and biking trails, is nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains. Warm and welcoming with traditional southern hospitality, its state-of-the-art developments, contemporary music and dining scene, entrepreneurial spirit, and captivating galleries and museums rival the offerings of even the largest metropolises.
Millennials, also known as Generation Y, Echo Boomers, Net Generation, and Digital Natives, are innovative, poised, independent-minded, expressive, tolerant, buoyant, and imaginative. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials were born between 1981 and 1996 and are presently ages 23 to 38. Well… this group is on the move literally and figuratively. Using U. S. Census data, a Smart Asset survey called “Where Are Millennials Moving?” reveals that of the top 25 cities listed, 11 are in the South.
Not too surprisingly, scores of wealthy, famous, and affluent individuals of all ages and stages are choosing to move to or vacay in these quite delightful, picturesque cities. Millennials, becoming the largest living generation in the U.S. 2019, are no different. In this special, seven-part luxury series, Upscale Living Magazine spotlights some of the finest cities in the South that would make for wonderful places to live. Ranked by the U. S. Census Bureau as the fourth fastest-growing city in America, the first installment of our series spotlights lovely Greenville.
Home to Top Companies of Influence
As affluent millennials consider moving to a new city, executive level and specialized employment opportunities in the traditional public sector are paramount. They can find opportunities with several Fortune 500 companies in the city. And according to CNBC, Greenville is idyllic for millennials because it “has 49 percent more job openings than the average city.” Headquartered in Greenville, Michelin North America is the state’s largest manufacturer and employs 9,400 individuals. Having the highest volume of production of vehicles worldwide, BMW US Manufacturing employs more than 11,000 people. Prisma Health System has more than 15,000 employees in its nonprofit organization. General Electric Energy and the Greenville County School District round out the top five employers with 3,400 and 9,800 employees.
Stellar Co-Op Offices and Shared Spaces in the City
Millennials have a particular affinity for Co-Ops and shared workspaces. As budding entrepreneurs, freelancers, or independent contractors, whose stars are on the rise, these contemporary work venues offer an opportunity to engage in a highly creative, motivating, inspiring, and inventive environment. Venues providing collaborative workspaces include Endeavor, OpenWorks, Atlas Local, The Wheelhouse, Textile Hall, and the Art Crossing at Riverplace.
Eat. Play. Work. Stay. Living an Urban Millennial Experience
There has been a striking evolution of mixed-use communities throughout the United States. Millennials desire that urban, walkable experience from their apartment, condo, or single-family dwelling. They really like the idea of living in an environment and being able to walk to chic eateries, grocery markets, bookstores, entertainment venues, fitness centers, parks, and their place of employment. Greenville is on the cutting edge of this phenomenon as it currently has beautiful, luxury accommodations within walking distance of many of these types of places. Luxury apartments include 400 Rhett, McBee Station, Rivers Edge, and NoMa Flats. Swanky condos for sale are Terrace at Riverplace, The Bookends, 155 Riverplace, Poinsetta Corner, and Fieldhouse at West End. Within the next year or so, the city is adding several posh, mixed-use developments, including Canvas with available occupation in 2020 and Falls Tower.
Outstanding Cultural Events, Venues, Parks, and Recreation
Cities possessing intriguing culture and amazing venues with really exciting activities are important to millennials, but it is also essential. Several events include Moonlight Movies in the Park, free weekly concerts on Thursday and Friday from March through September, and Saturday’s Farmer’s Market on Main Street. Further, there are free trolleys, numerous theatrical performances, galleries, lovely boutiques, wonderful tastings at the Dark Corner Distillery, and public art program spotlighting more than 70 works in Greenville’s walkable downtown.
There are other exceptional Greenville offerings for the families and friends of millennials. This includes Arts Crossing – Reedy River, Greenville County Museum of Art, Falls Park on the Reedy, Masthead General Store, M. Judson Booksellers and Storytellers, Euphoria, Downtown Alive, Walk/Bike the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, cooking classes at The Cook’s Station, Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville, and Poppington Popcorn. A particularly pleasurable and incredible pastime is creating and naming your own wonderfully scented candle in a class at Magnolia Scents by Design.
World-Class Restaurants and Night Spots
This impressive Y Generation of eclectic men and women have selective palates and know precisely what they like when dining out. Greenville boasts a vast array of tantalizing and flavorsome cuisine and delightful craft cocktails, brews, and spirits served up with friendly, exceptional service. Larkin’s on the River features indoor and outdoor dining, allowing guests to revel in the picturesque views. Great selections on the menu of this upscale seafood and steakhouse include its signature seafood tower, signature bone-in filet mignon, and its crab & black garlic deviled eggs.
The Foxcroft Wine Company is the ideal elegant spot to retreat with friends while enjoying light bites such as lamb sliders, caramelized Brussel sprouts, housemade donuts, and special wine flights. In its expansive, stunning restaurant, Soby’s New South Cuisine features favorites such as oyster pie, smoked salmon rillette, antebellum shrimp & grits, pistachio pound cake, and wine from their vast cellar selected especially for you by the restaurant’s sommeliers.
For a more casual yet equally remarkable dining experience, upscale millennials can visit trendy eateries throughout the city. Stella’s Southern Brasserie, a charming bistro, features the southern sampler, southern Croque madame, and local honey lavender crème Brulee, among other delights. In Downtown Greenville, guests can “people watch” on the terrace at Roost while thoroughly enjoying the avocado BLT omelet, the rooster burger, pork belly street tacos, fried chicken, and sage dumplings, and bourbon pecan pie.
Featuring such an amazing ambiance, The Anchorage restaurant does not disappoint with its fabulous brunch, including the famous chicken fried cauliflower biscuit, ricotta pancake, heirloom grits, and refreshing Bloody Mary cocktails with Cathead Vodka. Individuals can’t exactly live in or visit the city of Greenville without trying some good old-fashioned barbeque. Bacon Brothers, having great southern staples like its pimento cheese jar, cornmeal fried pickles, and mushroom mac & cheese, serves up the BBQ sampler with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and sausage.
Superb Luxury Hotels, Inns and B&Bs
Affluent travelers visiting the city for a vacay and searching for well-appointed, splendidly grand accommodations with southern flair should certainly select The Westin Poinsett, Hyatt Regency Greenville, Greenville Marriott, or Pettigru Place Bed and Breakfast. As prospective residents need temporary digs to research the city for several days or reside for several weeks until their homes are move-in ready, the elegant and luxurious Residence Inn Downtown Greenville, within walking distance of restaurants, parks, and stores, is ideal. Retreat to this contemporary hotel featuring magnificent accents, incredible décor, art innovation, a state-of-the-art techno gym, seasonal pool with sundeck, a firepit in the courtyard surrounded by pristine white, modish sofas, and beautifully appointed suites with full-size, state-of-the-art kitchens.
Hit the Links at Some of the World’s Finest Golf Courses
Greenville Country Club – https://www.gccsc.com/ – Private
Thornblade Country Club – https://www.thornbladeclub.com/ – Private
Crosswinds Golf Course – https://www.crosswinds-golf.com/ – Open to the Public
The Preserve at Verdae – https://www.thepreserveatverdae.com/ – Open to the Public
For information on the city, go to www.visitGreenvilleSC.com. Feel free to follow the hashtag #yeahTHATgreenville as well as social media handles @Greenville_SC (Twitter) and @VisitGreenvilleSC (Instagram) for up-to-date details on the city’s lifestyle and culture offerings for millennials and their families.
