While peaches are plentiful throughout South Carolina (even more so than in neighboring Georgia), Gaffney holds the title as the Peach Capital of South Carolina. Pick up a peck at the grocery store, from a pick-your-own farm, or from a roadside vendor. You won't have to drive far to find one!
Most of the population growth in Gaffney over the last few decades has occurred just outside the city limits
While peaches are plentiful throughout South Carolina (even more so than in neighboring Georgia), Gaffney holds the title as the Peach Capital of South Carolina. Pick up a peck at the grocery store, from a pick-your-own farm, or from a roadside vendor. You won't have to drive far to find one!
Most of the population growth in Gaffney over the last few decades has occurred just outside the city limits. As a result, the Gaffney micropolitan area population has reached an unprecedented peak. Located near the North Carolina border, Gaffney is the county seat of Cherokee County and within easy driving distance of both Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Greenville-Spartanburg area.
Moving to Gaffney
Give yourself about a month to move to Gaffney. Much of your research will need to be conducted on-site however, so plan at least one pre-move visit to the city. You'll need a car, so factor that into your moving budget. While there is limited local transportation, virtually no one lives here without an automobile. Expect to need twice the rental amount to move into a new place, to show proof of employment, a complete credit history, and a background check. While a major ding on your credit report or background check might not automatically exclude you from a place, expect to have to pay more in deposits. Your salary will need to be 1.5 to 3 times the rent to satisfy most apartment complexes, although smaller, independent landlords might not be as stringent about their income requirements.
Just because Gaffney is a smaller city doesn't mean its apartment complexes lack great amenities. Creekside at Wellington has both single-level apartments as well as two-story townhouses for rent. The downtown areas have cool converted lofts like the Limestone Lofts that have been turned into luxury apartments.
Neighborhoods
House of Cards fans will recognize Gaffney as the main character's hometown! Though you will not cross paths with this famous TV character (maybe), you will be to find your own house in Gaffney. While most of the recent growth has occurred outside the city limits, there are a few notable neighborhoods within the city that have interesting features.
Downtown: Listed as an historic district, this is the commercial center for the city. The area is dominated with art deco, neoclassical, and revival architecture.
Gaffney Historic District: Near the downtown area, you'll see grand stately homes past the tree-lined sidewalks. This neighborhood was once home to textile mill executives during the turn of the 20th century and its architecture reflects this. Homes are in Victorian-, Bungalow-, and Queen Anne-style. Definitely try to score a house to rent here.
Limestone Springs: Limestone College is the focal point of this area. You can certainly find apartments for rent near the college, but don't neglect the rest of this neighborhood. Named after the limestone quarry in the area, many of the homes here are built with stone in the Gothic Revival style.
Living in Gaffney
Since Gaffney is located on the Interstate 85 corridor that links Atlanta, Georgia, to Charlotte, North Carolina, plenty of people pass through town. You'll find the most restaurants and shopping centers clustered around the interstate exits, especially the closer you get to the North Carolina state line. It's on this side of town that you'll find the huge Gaffney Premium Outlets mall. With stores like Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Michael Kors and Pottery Barn selling their items at discount prices, the shopping center and surrounding area stays busy throughout the year.
Festivals
The South Carolina Peach Festival is held in Gaffney each July, while concerts occur throughout the spring and summer at the Michael Gaffney Cabin in downtown Gaffney. This free concert series, called the Shindig at the Cabin, brings in big names in music as well as local favorites playing everything from country or rock to beach music.
The Peachoid
You can't miss the peach-shaped water tower located along Interstate 95 that proclaims Gaffney as the peach capital of South Carolina. While it certainly catches your eye, it's also a fully-functioning water tower.
