Home Inspection in Summerville, SC

The hottest place to live isn’t in a massive metro — rather, it’s a small town down South.

Summerville, South Carolina, is an up-and-coming hub for workers, according to Move Buddha, which named the hidden gem the “top job-magnet suburb” in the country.

The experts at the moving and storage company analyzed search data from the beginning of the year until Oct. 1, 2024, looking at which areas were most popular and how their job market fared.

“Metro areas with robust job growth are fueling interest in nearby suburbs, with newcomers drawn by the chance to build both a stable career and a comfortable life,” the report authors wrote, adding that “the American dream can take vastly different forms.”

“Together, they highlight a clear trend: as employment opportunities expand, so does the appeal of surrounding suburban areas.”

The town of Summerville, the company reported, has a high in-to-out move ratio, which stated that for every one person who leaves, an approximate 3.76 people are wanting to settle down there.

The popularity of South Carolina real estate has contributed to an economic boom, with 5,500 construction jobs added in just a year, and 80,000 jobs in total have been added in the local market, according to Move Buddha.

The report also revealed a 4.2% job growth from August 2023 to August 2024 in Summerville, which has a population of just over 52,000.

Experts at Move Buddha noted that the once untapped region is a growing hub for the tech industry, with the state’s lowcountry ranking fifth in the US for “high-tech industry output.”

But even as more people flock to the Summerville suburbs, housing prices haven’t yet caught up to the demand. The average home as of September of this year cost $380,000, Move Buddha reported, citing Zillow data.

For comparison, houses in the least affordable job hub — Beverly Hills, Calif. — cost a whopping $3,511,964 on average in an area with only 1.6% job growth.

“While many suburban moves are spurred on by remote work trends that allow more affordable lifestyles in far-flung locations, many movers also consider living near a robust job market to be a real estate feature that can support them should they lose a remote job,” the Move Buddha authors wrote.

“As a result, suburbs and small towns — especially near jobs — remain popular.”

According to a recent analysis by Move Buddha, Summerville has been recognized as the top job-magnet suburb in the United States for 2024. The report cites that the town’s job growth and affordability make it a desirable destination for individuals and families seeking new opportunities.

According to Move Buddha, a company that provides tools and resources to help people plan and execute moves, Summerville has an in-to-out move ratio of 3.76, indicating that for every resident considering leaving, nearly four are eager to move in. This surge in interest is largely attributed to the area’s job market, which experienced a 4.2% growth from August 2023 to August 2024, surpassing the national average of 1.55%. According to Move Buddha, 5,500 construction and 80,000 jobs in total have been added in the Summerville market.

“Metro areas with robust job growth are fueling interest in nearby suburbs, with newcomers drawn by the chance to build both a stable career and a comfortable life,” according to the report. “Together, they highlight a clear trend: as employment opportunities expand, so does the appeal of surrounding suburban areas.”

Summerville’s population, at just more than 52,000, has benefited from South Carolina's economic expansion, particularly in the tech sector. The state's Lowcountry region, which includes Summerville, ranks No. 5 nationally for high-tech industry output, drawing professionals from across the country.

The Move Buddha report also describes Summerville as an affordable place to live. As of September 2024, the average home price was $380,000, lower than in other growing job markets. It compares Summerville to Beverly Hills, California, which has a similar job growth rate and an average home price exceeding $3.5 million.

The report shows Summerville's appeal extends beyond economic prospects by offering a small-town atmosphere with a “rich history, beautiful gardens and a vibrant community.” In addition, Summerville scored high for its proximity to Charleston, which provides residents with access to urban amenities while enjoying a more relaxed suburban lifestyle.

“While many suburban moves are spurred on by remote work trends that allow more affordable lifestyles in far-flung locations, many movers also consider living near a robust job market to be a real estate feature that can support them should they lose a remote job,” according to the report. “As a result, suburbs and small towns — especially near jobs — remain popular.”

The operators of the long-awaited Publix at Nexton have finally set an opening date.

The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer confirmed it will welcome shoppers Feb. 12 starting at 7 a.m. — an announcement preceded by months of speculation from local residents.

When one recently asked in the "Welcome to Summerville" Facebook channel, the answers were a mixed bag.

"Spring?" "I was initially told that it would open last November." "February. But keeps getting pushed back."

The store at 1274 Nexton Parkway was originally expected to open in mid-2024 to serve the developing 5,000-acre Nexton community, eventually home to roughly 19,000 residents. But the timeline kept getting pushed with little word from the grocery store chain or Branch Properties, the developer.

Signage for the 48,387-square-foot Publix went up four months ago, but neighboring tenants have shared that permitting and water problems bubbled over into 2025, keeping all their doors shuttered indefinitely.

Now with water hooked up, Ryan Delman will open his newest Jersey Mike's franchise nearby. Also, Publix can stock its shelves — a process that takes about 30 days once permitting is completed.

“We look forward to bringing the Publix difference to our new customers and being active members in this great community,” the supermarket operator said in a written statement.

Jersey Mike's and the grocer will be joined by restaurants Catrina’s Cantina, Woodhaven Pizza, Ruby’s Bagels, Indian restaurant Naan Appetit, and Dulce Churros, Ice Cream and Cocktails. Other tenants in the development include Swamp Fox Agency, The Packie Wine and Spirits, Noire Nails, Basecamp Fitness, Heartland Dental and Fifth Third Bank.

Leasing is 100 percent full. One Nexton is a mixed-use development on 23.66 acres at the northeast corner of Brighton Park Boulevard and Nexton Parkway. The first phase features 32,000 square feet of retail space and two corner outparcels, as well as 351 apartments.

In the midst of Publix’s construction, rival chain Harris Teeter opened across the way at 1269 Nexton Parkway in mid-May.

Snow days could be on the way for some parts of South Carolina, while most of the state will just be bundling up against sub-freezing temperatures.

A cold front moving into the Palmetto State this weekend will see temperatures in the 40s during the day, dropping into the 20s at night across the state, according to the National Weather Service.

The chance of precipitation increases early next week, but temperatures are expected to be well above freezing by then.

High temperatures in Charleston are expected to drop from near 60 on New Year’s Day into the 50s on Jan. 2 with lows in the 30s, the NWS reports. From Friday into Saturday, highs could be in the 40s with a hard freeze expected when overnight temperatures dip into the 20s. Temperatures are predicted to climb back into the 50s over the remainder of the weekend and into early next week.

Temperatures are expected to drop again late next week as a second round of arctic air moves through the Southeast. It's that second cold front that could mean snow for parts of the Upstate and Midlands.

"Judging by pattern recognition, that is definitely a possibility," Patrick Moore, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Greenville-Spartanburg office, said about a winter storm.

Moore added that "you need two ingredients to get a winter storm" — cold air and a storm system.

"Indications are that we're going have plenty of cold air," he said. "So the next problem is, will we get a storm system that will come along while we've got the cold air? That's been our problem the last couple of seasons, that we haven't had that overlap."

A model from the NWS Climate Prediction Center puts portions of the Midlands under a "slight risk of heavy snow" in early January amid low temperatures. Those areas include Irmo, Lake Murray and Blythewood, with a 20-40 percent chance of heavy snow from Jan. 7-13.

"There's a lot of uncertainty out that far," NWS Columbia meteorologist Emily Carpenter said. "It does look like there's probably going to be a pattern shift towards some cooler weather, some below normal temperatures, possibly some freezing temperatures early next week."

Lowcountry meteorologist Dave Williams added additional caution in a Facebook post, saying any forecast that far out is a "guess at best."

Nevertheless, chief meteorologist Chris Justus at WYFF television in Greenville wrote on Facebook that he would be "VERY surprised" if we didn't see snow at some point through January.

"We're going to be so cold that if we make it through that pattern, as active as things are going to be, if we make it through without any precipitation, I would be shocked," he said in a video.

Even without snow, the upcoming freezing temperatures come as South Carolina has enjoyed relatively warm weather for December, with highs pushing 70 degrees. It also comes on the heels of heavy rain in some areas and three tornadoes that touched down near Columbia.

It’s not unusual for temperatures to change suddenly, said Rachel Gross-Zouzias, a NWS meteorologist in Wilmington, N.C., which covers the Myrtle Beach area and other parts of the Pee Dee.

“We do fluctuate a bit, which is quite normal,” she said.

As for the weekend, Gross-Zouzias advised people to prepare for freezing temperatures by bringing their pets inside, insulating pipes and following other cold weather safety tips on the NWS website.

Reporters Lauren Leibman and Abby Ann Ramsey contributed.