Are you a fan of NBC's "Parks & Recreation"? Aziz Ansari, the actor who plays Tom Haverford on the hit sitcom, is a native of Bennettsville, South Carolina.
Bennettsville, South Carolina, is an historic city located in northern South Carolina, right along the Great Pee Dee River. The city was originally founded as a place for cotton plantations, and during the Civil War, it was occupied by Union soldiers. Bennettsville had a booming economy during the cotton era, and the buildings that survived the Civil War are rich in history. The historic district is part of the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Bennettsville is a thriving and diverse small city with a population of just over 9,000 residents, according to the last census.
Moving to Bennettsville
You'll love the diversity in Bennettsville, and this diversity extends to the housing options in the city. Whether you're looking for premier apartments in a complex, one bedroom apartments, a private rental house or a two-bedroom apartment for rent in Bennettsville, you'll find what you looking for without too much trouble. You might even be able to find three-bedroom apartments here.
Rental prices in Bennettsville tend to be on the lower side for South Carolina, and quite a bit lower than prices found in other parts of the United States. Although rental fees may be low, don't count on Southern hospitality when looking for a place to rent: Come prepared with a deposit, a copy of your credit report and, if you have one, a recommendation from your current landlord.
Neighborhoods of Bennettsville
Bennettsville is made up of three constituent neighborhoods. You'll find that, in general, the neighborhoods in Bennettsville are quite walkable; the city as a whole has a Walkscore of 74, which means that most errands can be accomplished on foot. This is great for those who don't want to add a car payment to their monthly bills!
Breeden: Breeden is the northernmost section of Bennettsville, and you'll probably find the least expensive apartments for rent here. You'll be convenient to Rt. 38, which will take you into North Carolina, if you're up for a day trip, but you'll find that this section is the least walkable in the city. There are a few local businesses, such as Fiesta Tapatia, where you can enjoy authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices, or Genesis Family Restaurant which offers Southern favorites.
City Center: The City Center of Bennettsville tends to be slightly more expensive than the other areas. Here, you'll be in close proximity to Rt. 15, making travel outside the area a piece of cake, and you'll also be close to many shopping and dining options, such as Hi Lites, Jolly Bean Coffee Shop and Fowler Pharmacy.
Marlboro Road: The section of Bennettsville furthest south is around Marlboro Road. Here, you'll enjoy mid-level pricing when it comes to renting at one of the apartment complexes, along with a high walkability level. Check out Moe's Chick'n for lunch, and do a little bit of shopping at Outpost Zack's on the way home!
Life in Bennettsville
Bennettsville is similar to other Southern cities in that you'll likely be met with neighborliness and good, old-fashioned Southern hospitality. A stroll through the historic district will teach you a lot about the Civil War, as well as the rebuilding efforts after some buildings were damaged. The Bennettsville Visitor Center is for visitors and residents alike; if you're new to town, stop by to pick up a brochure of the offerings of this fine city. You can also spend some time learning about Southern relaxation, as they have a variety of comfortable rocking chairs on the large front porch.
If you're more of an outdoorsy person, you will want to spend some time on the nearby Great Pee Dee River. The region was named for the Pee Dee Native American tribe, and nowadays it offers a lot of recreational opportunities. Go fishing (get a permit first, so you don't have to pay any fines!) or catch your own dinner during hunting season. In this region of the state, you can also go antiquing and take part in various festivals and other special events.
Do you want to do some traveling outside the local area? The cities of Cheraw, Darlington and Hartsville are not far away at all. Interstate 95 is also close by, and that will take you along to coast up as far as Maine or down as far as Florida. If you're hoping to catch a flight, the nearest airport is in Florence, about 45 miles away. If you want to cross the pond and hang out in Europe for a while, though, you'll need an international airport; the closest is in Myrtle Beach, which is about 90 miles away. The great thing about having so many options for traveling is that you will soon be welcomed home again to the historic city of Bennettsville.