Rock Hill, South Carolina is a region in the Charlotte metro area. It’s the fifth largest city in South Carolina, with a growing population of around 70,000. Are you wondering what all the buzz is about? Here are ten reasons to hire your moving company and move to Rock Hill, SC today. From the affordable cost of living in Rock Hill to its history and location, Rock Hill, SC is a good place to live.
Table of Contents
1. Location
One huge benefit of living in Rock Hill is the location. Rock Hill’s location provides great access to both urban amenities and natural attractions.
Rock Hill is twenty to thirty minutes away from Charlotte by car, allowing residents to experience the benefits of a major city while living in a more suburban area. Indeed, many people who live in Rock Hill commute to Charlotte.
It’s close to other major cities as well; Greensboro, NC, and Atlanta, GA are great destinations for a day trip if you live in Rock Hill. The state capital, Columbia, is also only an hour away!
If you’re craving sea air, you can drive about three hours to get to Charleston, SC. If you want mountains instead, you have a number of options to choose from. You can take a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or head west to Asheville, NC.
2. Economic Opportunity
Rock Hill is in the midst of an economic boom. It’s a great place for doing business, as South Carolina has favorable tax laws and business incentives. South Carolina has achieved a number one ranking in states with the best business incentives and a second place ranking in the overall cost of doing business.
There are many job opportunities in Rock Hill, with the number of available jobs growing more than average.
Rock Hill was historically a textiles powerhouse, but has since diversified; it’s home to industries like manufacturing, distribution, and health care. Rock Hill’s recent developments include the creation of the Knowledge Park, a business park and residential area.
One of the major employers in Rock Hill is 3D Systems, a 3D printing company. In addition, Rock Hill’s proximity to Charlotte provides access to major employers like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. All in all, there are many job opportunities in and around Rock Hill. As Rock Hill, SC also has a low cost of living, moving there is a good economic move.
3. Outdoor Activities
Rock Hill has invested heavily in outdoor infrastructure. The city has over thirty-one parks and recreation areas.
Some of the highlights are the eleven-acre Glencairn Garden—a popular location for photographers—and the massive Manchester Meadows, which has sports fields, trails, a lake, and more. Rock Hills is also home to the first public, Olympic-standard BMX track on the East Coast.
The Catawba River runs through Rock Hill. Residents use the riverside trail for walking, running, and biking. The river and the nearby Lake Wiley provide opportunities for water sports like fishing, kayaking, and boating. You can also visit the National Whitewater Center—which offers rafting, an outdoor rock climbing wall, and ziplining—and the Anne Springs Close Greenway, a nature preserve with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
We’ve already discussed the easy access to both ocean and mountain regions within driving distance; don’t forget, the Appalachian Mountains are right next door!
4. History
Rock Hill has a rich history. The city got its name from the rock that was cut through during the construction of railroads from Charlotte to Columbia and was the site of several battles during the Revolutionary War.
The Catawba Nation inhabited the area historically and remains there today; you can learn more about their history at the Catawba Cultural Center.
You can also learn about Rock Hill’s role in the civil rights movement by visiting the African-American Business District Monument and the Freedom Walkway, an alleyway filled with murals and panels.
If you’re more interested in the natural history of the area, the Museum of York County has you covered and is a popular, family-friendly destination. For a more novel experience, the Comporium Telephone Museum describes the history of telephones in the area.
Lastly, the historic White Home is worth a visit. It dates to 1838 and is one of the oldest structures in the county.
5. Cost of Living
Rock Hill, SC has a low cost of living, at almost 10% less than the national average. The housing market is especially affordable, with homes costing about $286,000 on average, and one-bedroom apartments ranging from $700 to $825 per month. Property taxes in South Carolina are also some of the lowest nationwide, adding to the low cost of living in Rock Hill. Thus, Rock Hill, SC is a good place to live if you’re on a budget.
6. Entertainment and Events
Looking for things to do once you’re in Rock Hill? There are plenty of options, making Rock Hill, SC a good place to live!
The downtown area has recently been revitalized and is now a pedestrian-friendly area with restaurants, art galleries, and shops. For food, you can check out the Power House, a hall featuring diverse food vendors. There’s also the popular Food Truck Friday, with live music, food trucks, and drinks.
For art, you can check out the Mural Mile to see works by local artists. The Center for the Arts is downtown as well and offers spaces for events.
There are also a variety of festivals in Rock Hill. The spring Come-See-Me Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. This festival features ten days of food, music, sports, and more. You’ll recognize it by its mascot: the frog Glen.
Come summer, there’s the South Carolina Strawberry Festival in the nearby Rock Mill, featuring a variety of strawberry-related events. In the fall, the Blues & Jazz Festival, hosted by the Arts Council of York County, features a variety of performances. This group hosts other events year-round as well.
Rock Hill hosts the annual ChristmasVille Festival in the winter, with exhibits, markets, performances, and decorations throughout the downtown.
Lastly, sports are also big in Rock Hill, which is known as “Football City USA” for its top-tier high school football programs; the city currently has contributed twenty-one players to the NFL.
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7. Education
Rock Hill’s education has a strong reputation. The city is home to three colleges. There’s Winthrop University, a public school with 6,000 students, as well as Clinton College, a historically Black, Christian school. In addition, York Technical College provides technical training and associate degrees in the area.
Winthrop College has been named one of the best regional universities. The Rock Hill public school system is also one of the highest-ranked systems in the state, and its schools are above average nationwide.
8. Weather
Rock Hill also has nice weather—especially compared to other areas in South Carolina. In Rock Hill, you can expect 212 sunny days per year, more than the national average of 205. The winters in Rock Hill are mild as there’s very little snow.
The summers are hot and humid due to Rock Hill’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. However, Rock Hill’s central location in South Carolina means its summers are much more bearable than in the western region of the state.
9. Transportation
There are several options for public transportation in Rock Hill. The Charlotte Area Transportation System provides transit from Rock Hill to Charlotte. Within the city, the Ride-to-Work service allows you to schedule rides 24 hours in advance. My Ride Rock Hill is also a public bus system operating Monday through Saturday—with free wifi and charging ports, and without a cost!
To help people get around the city, Rock Hill also operates a bike share program. The first two hours of riding are free!
For travel outside the area, Rock Hill has an airport, the Rock Hill-York County Airport. In Rock Hill, you also have easy access to the international airport in Charlotte, which was the seventh most trafficked airport worldwide as of 2022.
There are ports near Rock Hill, and it’s possible to take trains to other regions from Charlotte.
10. Family Life
Rock Hill, SC is a good place for families to live. There’s plenty to do with kids—for example, the Carowinds amusement park and water park, which is right next door in Charlotte.
Aside from the local attractions, Rock Hill has prioritized making the city good for kids and was recognized for many years by the former Playful City USA program.
In terms of communities, although the population is growing, there’s still plenty of space in the town. Rock Hill has a variety of family-friendly neighborhoods to choose from, including Ebenezer Village, Waterford Glen, and Oakdale.
Rock Hill Moving Company
Looking for a moving company in Rock Hill, SC? Consider hiring UniMovers. UniMovers offers affordable, labor-only moving services. With UniMovers, you can save yourself the stress of lugging around boxes while also saving yourself the cost of hiring a full-service moving company in Rock Hill, SC.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now know if moving to Rock Hill, South Carolina is right for you.
But in case you’re still making up your mind, here’s a recap. Rock Hill benefits from its location, which is near Charlotte for commuting, and within driving distance of many major cities for day trips. Rock Hill is a booming city, popular among businesses with many job opportunities. Regardless of whether you prefer biking, climbing, or kayaking, oceans or mountains, Rock Hill has something for you.
Rock Hill has an interesting history to discover. There’s also a low cost of living in Rock Hill, SC. The downtown is a great place to explore, and you have festivals to look forward to year-round.
Rock Hill has a strong reputation for education, and the mild winters are a big plus. There are options for public transportation and travel outside the region, and Rock Hill is a good place for families. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to hire a moving company and relocate to Rock Hill, SC today!
Sophie Pollack-Milgate has a day job as a research assistant. In her free time, she likes to read 10% of the library books she checks out, complain about how either ice or heat are ruining her runs (depending on the season), and modify recipes beyond recognition.