Sign In Register
Abigail B. moving

What to expect moving to Aiken?

Longtime lurker here, Born and raised here. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. It's a a smaller city city with about 32,334 people. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
22 upvotes

3 Replies

Chloe Garcia
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from New York about 15 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure

Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.

Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Maverick C.
This.
27 upvotes
Levi Hughes
Weather-wise, the summers are better than expected and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
← Back to Aiken Community