Looking for a neighborhood that has it all? The Upstate is home to several communities that are walkable with convenient access to things like pools, walking paths, gyms, restaurants, and shopping. In this guest post, our partner realtor Dan Hamilton describes some of his favorite features of some of these unique Upstate neighborhoods.

Where in Greenville, SC can you live with walkable amenities? 

There are countless places to call home in Upstate, SC. For those who may be interested in a home within walking distance of activities, shopping, or dining, this guide is for you! Today we are breaking down Upstate neighborhoods with amazing amenities like pools, walking trails, and sports facilities, along with others that are right next to some unique shopping and retail locations.

Skip the car ride and settle down in one of these walkable neighborhood communities! 

If you would like to learn more about one of these communities or are interested in finding the perfect home for you and your family, give Hamilton & Co. a call at 864-527-7685 or fill out our interest form (if you’re interested in selling, fill this one out). We are the highest-ranked real estate team in the Upstate and would love to help you make Greenville home!

Acadia 

Situated on the Saluda River in Piedmont, SC, the Acadia community embodies outdoor living. And while Acadia feels secluded and close to nature, you don’t have to sacrifice convenience! The community is only a short 15-minute drive from Downtown Greenville.

This gorgeous community features a variety of home styles depending on your preference, from 1800 square foot cottages to 6000 square foot estates, with more neighborhoods coming soon. Acadia is zoned for Sue Cleveland Elementary, Woodmont Middle School, and Woodmont High School. 

While Acadia’s homes are beautiful, it is their natural setting and generous amenities that truly stand out. Sports enthusiasts will find tennis and pickleball courts, soccer and playfields, and a Jr. Olympic lap pool. The community also has its own Youth Soccer Club and Swim Team. In addition to state-of-the-art sports facilities, Acadia features a PoolHouse lounge, concession kitchen, gym with locker rooms, outdoor pavilion for community events, and a host of community-led clubs. 

If you enjoy living in a community with others and have a love for the outdoors, Acadia is a wonderful place to live! 

Alta Vista 

Conveniently located between Augusta Road, Faris Road, and Church Street, historic Alta Vista is the epitome of downtown Greenville living. 

Homes in the Alta Vista district are upscale and luxurious, featuring a mix of traditional, Tudor, and cottage styles. Lots are large and stately with mature landscaping and gorgeous trees as old as the city itself. Schools in this community include Augusta Circle Elementary, Hughes Middle Academy, and Greenville High Academy.

A short drive from Main Street and Augusta Road amenities, Alta Vista residents have access to the best dining, shopping, and entertainment Greenville has to offer. Many of Greenville’s most beautiful parks, including Falls Park, Cancer Survivors Park, Cleveland Park, and the Rock Quarry Garden, are only a short walk from the community. 

If you enjoy city living with accessible amenities and walkable parks, Alta Vista and the surrounding districts are excellent places to call home! 

Botany Woods 

About 10 minutes east of Downtown Greenville is Botany Woods, a popular community just off Wade Hampton Boulevard. 

Botany Woods features a variety of home styles from traditional to contemporary estates and ranch style homes. Streets are lined with tall oaks, stately magnolias, and blooming azaleas in this established neighborhood. Schools near this community include Lake Forest Elementary, League Middle Academy, and Wade Hampton High.

In addition to its proximity to Wade Hampton retail, dining, and recreation as well as downtown Greenville, Botany Woods offers its residents many amenities. The private pool is open to all residents and hosts a community swim team. A ball field, playground, and community picnic shelter all encourage residents to get outside and active. Additionally, membership to Carolina Golf Club at Botany Woods is discounted for all residents. For those interested in exploring one of Greenville’s surrounding towns, downtown Greer is a short 20-minute drive from Botany Woods and features locally-owned boutiques, a peaceful park, and some of the best restaurants in the Upstate.

Botany Woods is a quiet community just outside the city, providing its residents with the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life without sacrificing the amenities. 

Gower Estates

One of the most popular neighborhoods in the Upstate, Gower Estates is a short 10-minute drive south of downtown Greenville. Gower is centrally located-living at its finest. In addition to its proximity to downtown Greenville, Gower sits just off Laurens Road and is only 10 minutes away from Woodruff Road, both of which feature a host of shopping and dining opportunities, not to mention movie theaters, amusement parks, and more. 

Like many of the more established neighborhoods in the Upstate, Gower comprises a variety of quality built homes ranging from brick ranches to traditional styles and remodeled cottages. Homes in Gower typically sit back from the road on spacious lots and marry modern convenience with vintage charm. Families should note local schools include Sara Collins Elementary, Beck International Academy, and J.L. Mann High School.

Gower is known as a tight knit community with a host of engaging amenities. The community’s 21-acre Gower Park includes lighted baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, and a 9-hole disc golf course. Paved walking trails, playgrounds, and 5 picnic shelters round out this exciting and diverse common area. Finally, Gower’s swimming pool and accompanying youth swim team is open to all residents. 

A short drive from Greenville and some of the Upstate’s most popular shopping and dining, Gower Estates is the perfect place for families valuing a walkable, tight-knit community.

Hartness

Hartness is one of the Upstate’s newest and most-anticipated planned communities, offering residents dozens of engaging activities and amenities. “Rather than spending valuable time looking for places to go and things to do,” Hartness Living remarks, “At Hartness you simply step outside your door.” Hartness is a little further away from downtown Greenville (about 20 minutes), but only 10 minutes from Five Forks on Woodruff Road, a popular shopping and dining area in between Simpsonville and Greenville. 

The Hartness community offers residents a variety of custom home layouts ranging from townhome to estate across multiple neighborhoods. Homes sit on smaller lots to accommodate for expansive common green spaces. Schools near Hartness include Oakview Elementary, Northwood Middle, and Eastside High School. 

Hartness dwellers enjoy a Grand Lawn for outdoor events, 15 miles of biking and walking trails across the 180-acre Nature Preserve, and a Sports Garden complete with basketball courts, a bocce court, croquet lawn, tennis and pickleball courts, playground, and open spaces with benches. Additionally, residents have access to kayaks and paddleboards for a relaxing day on the lake. The Village Center features a restaurant, The Village Kitchen, and a number of boutique shops (with more opening soon!). And don’t forget about the gym and spa! You will never run out of things to do at Hartness. 

Do you love staying on the move from the comfort of your home? Hartness embodies all-inclusive living.

Heritage Creek 

Only five minutes away from downtown Simpsonville and 15 minutes from Five Forks, Heritage Creek is a small neighborhood close to some big amenities. 

Heritage Creek homes were built by Crown and feature the Hunter Floor Plan and Craftsman accents. Unlike many home development companies, Crown left some large trees when developing Heritage Creek, so the neighborhood has fairly mature landscaping for its age. Families living in Heritage Creek often consider schools such as Bryson Elementary, Bryson Middle, and Hillcrest High School.

Heritage Creek provides its residents with a pool, playground, and multiple common areas. Just a five minute drive from Simpsonville, Heritage Creek residents have easy access to Main Street shopping and dining. A short walk from the community is Heritage Park, featuring six baseball/softball fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, paved walking paths, and the Heritage Park Amphitheatre. 

At Heritage Creek, you can have all the benefits of a quiet suburban neighborhood without sacrificing any convenience. 

Hollingsworth Park at Verdae

Hollingsworth Park, like Hartness, has established neighborhoods for everything from townhomes to large multi-story estates in their community. Nestled between Woodruff and Verdae, Hollingsworth’s central location and proximity to Woodruff Road shopping and dining make it a popular choice for Upstate families. 

Every neighborhood in Hollingsworth Park has been meticulously planned to appear aesthetically unique while maintaining an “old town” feel. Schools near Hollingsworth Park include Pelham Road Elementary, Beck International Academy, and J. L. Mann High School.

Amenities in Hollingsworth Park have been designed to be within a 10-minute walking distance of one another, or around a half-mile. Legacy Square houses the YMCA at Verdae, Stella’s Brasserie, and other boutiques and small businesses. Residents can also join the local golf club, The Preserve at Verdae. Finally, 20-acre Legacy Park contains water features, walking paths, and a playground. Inspired by New York City’s Central Park, Legacy Park is a key feature of the Hollingsworth Park community. 

Hollingsworth Park’s central location and community amenities make it one of the premier neighborhoods in the Upstate. 

Richmond Hills

For our final neighborhood highlight, we are heading north through downtown Greenville. Richmond Hills is conveniently located halfway between Greenville and Travelers Rest, a small town north of Greenville nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and directly across from Furman University. 

Richmond Hills has medium to large single-family and mobile homes, many of which were built in the early 2000s. Richmond Hill schools include Armstrong Elementary, Berea Middle School, and Travelers Rest High School.

Richmond Hills is a short walk from Furman University, one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country, and nearly 13 miles of walking and biking trails.

If you want to live closer to the mountains but within driving distance of Greenville, jump on the opportunity to live in Richmond Hills! This area is growing quickly and will grow in value fast. 

The Upstate has many amazing communities to offer its residents. Today we only covered a few, but if you are interested in finding the perfect home and neighborhood for your family, our talented team at Hamilton & Co. can help! Give us a call at 864-527-7685 and we’d be happy to set up a personalized community search, connect you with local resources, and more.