South-Carolina
Greenville, Spartanburg among top 5 friendliest cities, towns in the South, says Southern Living
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When it comes to living in the South, most southerners would bet on their town being the friendliest.
This is due to the tradition of southern hospitality being passed on from friends and family to neighbor and stranger. Down in these parts, you can expect to make friends while running your daily errands. Southerners love to meet new people, and they are not afraid to chat up a storm, whether it’s while waiting in line at the grocery store or walking your dog around the neighborhood.
While there are many charming cities and towns in the South that keep up with the tradition of southern hospitality, there are only a few that made Southern Living’s recent list.
SC cities on Southern Living’s friendliest list
South Carolina dominates the top of Southern Living’s 15 Friendliest Cities in the South analysis. Charleston ranks No. 1, while Greenville is No. 3. Here’s what Southern Living had to say about these cities.
No. 1 Charleston
Charleston is a favorite among Southern Living readers, and the magazine says it has topped the annual list “for more years in a row than we can count on one hand.” It cites the city’s dining, waterfront views and architecture as standout features. But what about friendliness? One reader was quoted in the article: “I was walking down King Street with my family, and it started pouring rain. A perfect stranger stopped in his car, handed us an umbrella, said ‘Welcome to Charleston,’ and drove away.”
No. 3 Greenville
One thing Southern Living said it liked about Greenville is that it still feels like a small town with its walkable downtown. It singles out Falls Park on the Reedy River as a distinguishing feature of the city. Southern Living also mentions the Swamp Rabbit Trail: “Time in the great outdoors is good for the soul, so maybe that’s what makes Greenville locals so sunny? A leisurely bike ride along the Swamp Rabbit Trail … could turn even the deepest of frowns upside down.”
∎ No. 1: Charleston, South Carolina
∎ No. 2: Savannah, Georgia
∎ No. 3: Greenville, South Carolina
∎ No. 4: New Orleans, Louisiana
∎ No. 5: Nashville, Tennessee
∎ No. 6: Wilmington, North Carolina
∎ No. 7: Asheville, North Carolina
∎ No. 8: Franklin, Tennessee
∎ No. 9: Lexington, Kentucky
∎ No. 10: Lafayette, Louisiana
∎ No. 11: Chattanooga, Tennessee
∎ No. 12: San Antonio, Texas
∎ No. 13: Austin, Texas
∎ No. 14: Bentonville, Arkansas
∎ No. 15: Cary, North Carolina
SC towns on Southern Living’s friendliest list
Beaufort and Spartanburg are two S.C. towns that made appearances; Beaufort ranked No. 2 out of 20 Friendliest Towns in the South, while Spartanburg came in at No. 4. Here’s why the magazine recognized these towns as some of the friendliest.
No. 2 Beaufort
The city of Beaufort, located on Port Royal Island, is mostly known for its beaches and antebellum style mansions such as the John Mark Verdier House Museum. It is also known for the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront, which looks over the Beaufort River and Woods Memorial Bridge. Southern Living has listed the city on its South Best Awards several times throughout the years. But what is it that makes the city a friendly place?
“I’d prefer to keep it a secret, but y’all have let that cat out of the bag. The city itself is like a warm hug, her people are icing on the cake,” said one Southern Living reader. “Folks greet each other on the street, share stories over ice cream cones on benches, kids play and engage in the riverfront park, folks will scooch over a seat or two to make room for others. It’s just a lovely corner of home in this crazy world.”
No. 4 Spartanburg
Earlier this year, Spartanburg made Southern Living’s Best Cities on the Rise list due to its population growth and upcoming development projects. Readers of the magazine enjoy living in the Upstate city and appreciate the well managed city service and helpful employees.
One reader said: “They have great shopping downtown and friendly staff. The library is fantastic and worth visiting to look around. The staff there is also helpful with local history. Everybody says hello on their walking trail, families stop to chat and let their kids play on the trail. All around great experience.”
Another reader shared they have been “warmly welcomed at every turn” since retiring to the city.
Southern Living’s 20 Friendliest Towns in the South
∎ No. 1: Covington, Louisiana
∎ No. 2: Beaufort, South Carolina
∎ No. 3: Fairhope, Alabama
∎ No. 4: Spartanburg, South Carolina
∎ No. 5: Oxford, Mississippi
∎ No. 6: Southport, North Carolina
∎ No. 7: Round Top, Texas
∎ No. 8: St. Augustine, Florida
∎ No. 9: Fredericksburg, Texas
∎ No. 10: Laurel, Mississippi
∎ No. 11: Carolina Beach, North Carolina
∎ No. 12: Eureka Springs, Arkanas
∎ No. 13: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
∎ No. 14: Hendersonville, North Carolina
∎ No. 15: Williamsburg, Virginia
∎ No. 16: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
∎ No. 17: Auburn, Alabama
∎ No. 18: Paducah, Kentucky
∎ No. 19: Henderson, Kentucky
∎ No. 20: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com
Texas A&M football will be on national television in Week 12 as it seeks revenge from a 2024 loss.
The Aggies (9-0, 6-0 SEC) will play South Carolina at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kyle Field on ESPN, A&M athletics announced Friday.
Last season’s meeting did not go as planned for the Aggies, who were 7-1 and ranked No. 10, but were upset 44-20 in Columbia, S.C. Marcel Reed was 18-for-28, totaling 206 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The loss started a 1-4 stretch to end the season.
This year, the Aggies are again in first place when they meet Shane Beamer’s 3-6 Gamecocks. The Aggies’ latest conquest was a 38-17 rout Saturday of the No. 22 Missouri Tigers.
Texas A&M is 6-0 in conference play for the first time since 1998, when the Aggies were members of the Big 12.
PINEVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – The Berkeley 250 Francis Marion Commission and the South Carolina State Guard joined other local organizations to honor veterans at the gravesite of General Francis Marion ahead of Veterans Day.
The ceremony brought together veterans, active service members and their families at the Revolutionary War hero’s burial site.
“I served with a lot of good guys who some didn’t return, some did, but they all served with honor,” veteran Ed McCants said.
Maj. Gen. Commander Leon Lott of the South Carolina State Guard said the event highlighted the importance of remembering true heroes.
“Very important that we never forget the real heroes that we’ve got. Not a sports figure, but someone who put a uniform on, a different type of uniform that was willing to sacrifice his life,” Lott said.
The ceremony included military traditions such as the Posting of the Colors and the National Anthem to remember those who served before.
“This is someone who’s a true American patriot and a hero for South Carolina and for the United States, and we’re free today because of someone like General Francis Marion,” Lott said.
McCants emphasized the importance of recognizing those who went beyond their call of duty.
“There are many of those who serve and did more than was asked of them. And I think those people need to be recognized and those people need to be honored,” McCants said.
“If you don’t remember your past, you won’t have a future,” Lott said.
The ceremony also served as a reminder of what it means to be a veteran.
“Somebody who is willing to sacrifice whatever was necessary for the duty he was in charge to perform,” McCants said.
“You never stop serving. Once you put this uniform on, you really never take it off. You always have it on. It may not be visible, but you have it on inside your heart,” Lott said.
And it showed why it’s important to honor what our flag stands for.
“Have a duty and obligation to keep our country free,” McCants said.
The South Carolina State Guard is also assisting food banks across the state in response to the ongoing government shutdown, making sure families don’t go hungry.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
The 2025 South Carolina high school football season rolled into the playoffs on Friday, November 7, and High School On SI has a list of final scores from the weekend.
South Carolina High School Football Scores, Results & Live Updates (SCHSL) – November 7, 2025
Abbeville 63, Great Falls 0
Andrew Jackson 34, Ninety Six 15
Atlantic Collegiate 14, Woodland 0
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 65, St. John’s 0
Batesburg-Leesville 42, Eau Claire 0
Belton-Honea Path 56, Palmetto 7
Bethune-Bowman 34, Ridgeland/Hardeeville 30
Bishop England 24, Lower Richland 7
Blackville-Hilda 15, McCormick 0
Blythewood 42, Clover 23
Boiling Springs 16, Mauldin 14
Camden 38, Greer 20
Carvers Bay 59, Allendale-Fairfax 0
Catawba Ridge 13, Fort Mill 3
Central 56, Kingstree 6
Cheraw 17, Andrews 7
Chester 50, Blacksburg 6
Clinton 56, North Central 7
Crescent 53, Union County 14
Daniel 14, Dreher 10
Dillon 49, Fox Creek 8
East Clarendon 14, Lake Marion 0
Emerald 31, Fountain Inn 35
Fairfield Central 50, Chesnee 21
Flora 49, York 14
Fort Dorchester 24, Lexington 21
Fountain Inn 35, Emerald 31
Gaffney 28, Eastside 10
Gilbert 38, Bluffton 21
Gray Collegiate Academy 63, Brookland-Cayce 7
Greenville 42, Nation Ford 35
Hampton County 56, Lake City 22
Hanahan 38, Waccamaw 21
Hartsville 45, Crestwood 8
Hillcrest 35, Riverside 14
Hilton Head 52, South Aiken 24
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 56, Lee Central 14
James Island 48, Wando 0
Johnson 12, Calhoun County 0
Johnsonville 48, Branchville 14
Lake View 28, Hardeeville 6
Lamar 49, Calhoun Falls Charter 0
Latta 34, Baptist Hill 14
Lewisville 62, Whitmire 0
Liberty 35, Pelion 14
Lucy G. Beckham 38, North Myrtle Beach 21
Lugoff-Elgin 42, Socastee 6
Marlboro County 49, Swansea 13
Mountain View Prep 28, St. Joseph’s Catholic 27
Newberry 54, Aynor 14
North Augusta 44, Midland Valley 6
Oceanside Collegiate Academy 49, Georgetown 15
Orangeburg-Wilkinson 25, Keenan 12
Philip Simmons 57, Whale Branch 12
River Bluff 24, Cane Bay 13
Rock Hill 47, Spring Valley 0
Saluda 33, Mid-Carolina 13
Scott’s Branch 32, Hannah-Pamplico 14
Seneca 28, Lancaster 21
Silver Bluff 39, North Charleston 12
South Florence 47, Darlington 7
South Pointe 63, Beaufort 13
Southside Christian 55, Chapman 15
Spartanburg 45, JL Mann 3
Strom Thurmond 49, Chesterfield 0
Summerville 65, West Ashley 21
Timberland 46, Barnwell 8
Wagener-Salley 14, Dixie 9
Ware Shoals 38, Ridge Spring-Monetta 0
West Florence 42, Conway 7
Westside 49, Pickens 21
Westwood 41, St. James 14
Wilson 36, May River 28
Woodruff 49, West-Oak 7
Wren 42, Blue Ridge 28
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