The tri-county area is a unique place to live because you have a small-town feel with big-city accessibility. We have mountains, lakes, and the best college football in the country ... all in our backyard. If that isn’t enough, we are bordered by two big cities, Atlanta and Charlotte, that take less than two hours to arrive at either destination. If you have to go to the beach, it’s only a few hours away. Throughout the tri-county area, there are theater/art centers, festivals, golf courses, botanical gardens, etc. all around. On the weekends, many enjoy getting the family together and going out on the lakes, friendly matches of golf, and of course watching as many football games as they possibly can. A local small-town favorite for dining in Pendleton is the Smoking Pig (which now has new locations in Easley and Williamston). There is no better barbecue in the United States. Just our family opinion. If you are looking at doing a date night or just want to go more upscale, there are great places like Rick Erwin’s in Clemson, Calhoun Corners, and Sullivan’s in Anderson.

Living in a community that is so family-oriented and friendly is more than I could have ever expected. I have personally lived in several different atmospheres. I was born in Oconee, raised in Anderson, and graduated college from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA. Now, back in the upstate, I am raising my two daughters and son in the tri-county area, and I truly couldn't have picked a better place to raise them. The community we have become a part of in just two, nearly three short years has been amazing, and I have truly seen them come together and do amazing work. My daughter has just reached school age, and she is just about to complete her first year at Westminster Elementary. I could not have asked for a better school or better teachers. Currently, we are living in Oconee County but are building in the Anderson County area.

I myself have two degrees, one in Architecture from Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania and a second from Tri-County Tech in Visual Arts. I cannot say enough about how great and truly helpful that Tri-County Tech was and has been for my family. I was a part-time worker, a full-time student and a full-time mom, and Tri-County made sure that furthering my education would not be an issue. Now two, almost three years later, my husband has just recently received his degree in mechatronics. They were the perfect school for a full-time student, full-time employee, and full-time dad of three. It really shows what kind of community we are part of and the lengths they will go to help out a student or family that is trying to better themselves. Life truly has a way of taking you down different paths, and I am so thankful mine lead me back home to Oconee, SC. What better place to be!

Living in Oconee has been a wonderful experience and a great place to raise a family. You receive warm hospitality everywhere you go. The tri-county area has a way of making you feel at home. Families feel like they are a part of a community, not just another resident living in a small town. The kids play sports through the recreational centers, they take part in church functions, and have a diverse group of friends. The tri-county area offers opportunities to those of all ages and at any walk of life. It is a place where everyday needs are easily accessible, but big-city splurges are never far away.