Mauldin

Sitting in the shadow of Greenville, S.C., the city of Mauldin doesn’t draw a lot of attention, but it’s a hidden gem that people are quickly starting to discover.    While it’s largely a commuter town, meaning you won’t have a lot of nightlife options, Mauldin has been ranked as one of South Carolina’s safest cities, and its schools boast a better than 85% graduation rate. The housing market is affordable—with the median sale price just topping $275,000—and growing, with a number of new subdivisions built in the past year.    Quality of life is where Mauldin shines. The city boasts 78 acres of parks and greenways, 11 bike trails, and a thriving cultural center. Construction recently wrapped up on Maverick Station, a restaurant and retail development that is already 100% leased.    Bigger changes are in store. Construction is underway on BridgeWay Station, a $100 million, 170-acre village that will bring housing, shopping, dining, entertainment, and a pedestrian bridge connecting Mauldin to a larger 22-mile multiuse trail. The station’s grand opening is expected to occur in mid-2023, but apartments there will begin leasing in January.    And don’t let fears of the South’s extreme temperatures scare you away. Mauldin is located in upstate South Carolina, with average summer temperatures, even in the dog days of July and August, rarely topping 90 degrees. —CM