<p>Can anyone(s) reflect on Greenville? What's it like? Ups/downs? How large/small is it?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know the history of Furman? Who/how did they get such a new, nice (spectacular!) campus?</p>
<p>Greenville is a very nice modern mid-sized town. The downtown area is about 5 miles from the Furman campus. The downtown is a happening place. They frequently close off the streets for festival, parties. Many many restuarants, cool little shops, bars. The BILO Center is a new arena that hosts all the big name acts. There's a brand new baseball park that resembles the Boston Red Sox stadium and it's the home of a minor leagure team. Gville is about 2 hours from Atlanta and about 1.5 hours from Charlotte both major cities but you won't be going there much. Clemson is about 45 minutes away. The moutains are about 30 minutes away.</p>
<p>Furman was located in downtown Gville. The old location is now the home of the SC Governor's school for the Math and Sciences. Back in the mid fifties, the school was moved to it's present location so they were able to plan it. The same firm that planned parts of Wash DC (renovations and such) created the layout for Furman.</p>
<p>Just a few miles to the north of FU is a small town called Travelers Rest. This is a very small town but it has a new Walmart and other shops. As the name implies, the town ws a traditional stoping point for travelors in covered wagons before crossing the montains thru Ashville. Neat huh!</p>
<p>If you write FU they will send you some more info</p>
<p>How did Furman get the $$ to transplant itself? One spectacular campus, for sure. What's the local town/gown feeling? Or is there any?</p>
<p>Hey, there, WhistlePig! Late to the party, but I'll weigh in ...</p>
<p>First of all, Greenville has proved to be a terrific college town for my D. She & her friends spend weekend evenings hanging out downtown. There are plenty of inexpensive places to eat, ice cream shops, and a WONDERFUL park. D & friends spend lots of time in the park. She took me there during Parents Weekend (we had missed it at move-in), and I loved it, too. On weekend nights, the streets downtown are packed with young people (Furman, Clemson, the odd Bob Joneser) and families. It's awesome. Greenville is large by SC standards, but not by midwestern standards. The downtown encompasses several blocks. The town itself is pretty big. There is an area with the usual plethora of new stores (Best Buy, Target, BBBeyond, etc., etc.). There is a nice mall just past that (includes a JCrew, which D appreciates ... even if she isn't spending her $ there these days). We stay at the new Drury Inn at I-85 & 385. Internet rates are awesome ... and it includes up to 3 free drinks per day + free popcorn/soda.</p>
<p>Town gown relations seem just fine. Even the security folks at the airport asked D if she was a Furman student when she flew home for Thanksgiving break. D goes to church in town & is very welcome at the small church she & a couple friends chose to attend. She also does some volunteering in town & enjoys it. She especially likes being a mentor for a local teenage girl. This is all set up through the school's Heller Service Corps.</p>
<p>As for the school moving ... Furman was originally a Baptist school. People tell me it was quite conservative, but I chuckle ... my husband's cousin went to Furman in the late 70s/early 80s & he was quite the party boy! These days, the student body is somewhat more conservative than many at many campuses; probably not especially conservative for a southern school. Most kids go to church (that is not the case here in the midwest). Apparently, the school planned & saved for its move. The new campus was extremely well thought out. The whole saga is relayed to parents at orientation. It's very interesting ... but so much was going on during that time, I can't remember the details!!!</p>
<p>A parting thought: I don't think you'll find a more caring staff than they have at Furman. And my midwestern D sure is enjoying the weather!!</p>
<p>The Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities is in downtown Greenville, not the one for the maths and sciences.</p>
<p>I know this response is very late, but for anyone else who has the same question, downtown Greenville is very nice, but it can be moderately expensive. They do have cheaper places like Subway and a cool pizza joint called the Mellow Mushroom among others. There are also coffee shops, ice cream places, the Mast General Store, the O-Cha tea bar, and some pretty nifty clothing shops. I like to go into the Clothing Warehouse and check out the vintage.</p>
<p>A little bit away there are fast food places and a few clothing outlets. :)</p>
<p>There are tons of locally owned restaurants with reasonable prices and great food. My favorites are a great Thai food place, and a great deli (wonderful sandwiches) are near the campus, and a great pizza and a fabulous coffe shop are downtown. So, to really enjoy Furman (and the surrounding area), it's best to have a car. Good news is freshmen are allowed to have cars, unlike many other places that don't allow such for freshmen. </p>
<p>I'll sure miss visiting there after D graduates!</p>
<p>Hi, ifly jets - my son also loves that Thai restaurant. In fact, for his birthday, I got him a gift certificate from there and he really appreciated it!</p>
<p>Great choice! I will sure miss that food, as I said. Whenever we are in town, I try to eat at least one meal there. Glad your son is enjoying Furman:)</p>