Overbrook - Greenville, SC

In 1913, with the expansion of the trolley line to the outskirts of the city, the Overbrook neighborhood developed. The early homes were craftsman-style bungalows, and in the 1920s, larger homes were built.

For museums, head into Greenville where you can take in western South Carolina history at the Upcountry History Museum. View over 40 computerized miniature trains at Miniature World of Trains, or visit the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum, which is set up in the baseball player’s former home.

If arts interest you, head over to the Greenville County Museum of Art. Mark your calendars in May for Greenville’s annual Artisphere, a performing and visual arts festival and in October for the annual Fall for Greenville event, a culinary festival with six stages featuring live entertainment.

Nightlife and dining choices abound for Overbrook locals from a few neighborhood spots to the variety of places in downtown Greenville. Make the five-minute drive into the city to enjoy theater at Greenville’s Little Theater, Centre Stage, or the Warehouse Theater, all delivering regular showings of comedic, dramatic, and musical performances. Take in a ballet at the city’s Carolina Ballet Theater or delight your ears with regular performances by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

For a range of live acts, from country to blues to reggae check out the IPA, only three miles west of the neighborhood. Head over to the Radio Room, four miles north of Overbrook, which has a large stage and a regular schedule of rock bands.

For local dining, check out Henry’s Smokehouse, where standouts include the chopped pork plate, moist pork served with beans, slaw, bread and a pickle, the sweet potato casserole and the banana pudding. For more divine foodie-fare, make the short drive downtown for seafood at Soby’s and Belgian and American fare at the Trappe Door.

At Soby’s, patrons love the she-crab soup, cream-based with sherry and crab roe; some rank it as the best they have ever had. Follow your soup with the creamy goodness that defines Soby’s antebellum shrimp and grits. The dish is served with Tennessee country sausage, Congaree Milling Company hominy grits and crusty bread, and southerners delight in licking the bowl. For something a little beefier, the Trappe Door pulls in locals with melt-in-your-mouth short ribs, accompanied by leek mashed potatoes and creamy brussels sprouts.

Overbrook locals mostly take to their cars to run errands, as no business district lies within easy walking distance for residents. As a lovely, tree-lined neighborhood, however, Overbrook locals love to walk its streets and to its central park, Hessie T. Moriah Park. Biking and driving into the city are easy with the main road East North Street including a bike lane and the city providing over 700 free on-street parking spaces.

If you prefer to ride about town, Greenville’s public bus system, Greenlink, Uber and a multitude of cab companies (Yellow, Budget and Checker) all serve the Overbrook area. Cabs are easy to come by in the city, but call ahead if you need one within Overbrook. Interstate travel remains easy for residents with access to Interstate 85 being less than a mile away.

Overbrook locals have four parks to choose from, all free of charge, which are spread throughout Overbrook: the Hessie T. Moriah park, Timmons Park, Railroad Mini Park and Arthur Black Park.

Timmons Park, the largest of all, features a baseball field, lighted tennis courts, a playground, picnic shelter, mountain bike trail and 18-hole disc golf course. Park patrons seem to favor the Hessie T. Moriah Park for bringing the most central green-space to the neighborhood. The neighborhood’s community association holds holiday events, like a Labor Day cookout, in the park. Locals head over to Railroad Mini Park when they want to play some hoops or just for the playground. The Arthur Black Park also includes a playground for children and a green-space area.

These parks welcome dogs on leashes; if you want to let your furry friend run free, head over to nearby Lake Conestee Park, about a 15 minute drive from the neighborhood. Last but certainly not least, only 2 miles away, locals can enjoy biking, walking and jogging the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which is a 20-mile paved trail along Greenville’s scenic Reedy River.

The cost of living in Overbrook runs about the same as the cost of living in nearby Greenville, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $609 per month. For only $1.50 you can catch a ride on Greenville’s public bus system, Greenlink, to the heart of the city.

If you would rather drive, you won’t break the bank as Overbrook’s gas prices average about 21 percent lower than the national average. In Overbrook, you can toss back a domestic beer for only $1.75, which makes happy hour even happier for residents.

Shopping areas for the neighborhood include the full-service Haywood Mall, which is less than 10 minutes away and the specialty shops, mostly food- and kitchen-related, in downtown Greenville, only 5 minutes away.

Inside the neighborhood, locals enjoy having the Community Tap, a beer and wine specialty store where you can fill up your growler or pick out the perfect Cabernet. The store has a huge list of bottled craft beers and over 16 draft beers available for purchase with growlers, including the Foothills Jade IPA.

Shoppers like to head into Greenville for its specialty stores, like everyone’s favorite, Mast General Store. With clothing for men, women, children and pets, a home goods section, personal care goods, books, toys, crafts and candy, you really can buy anything you want at this general store.

For fresh veggies, check out downtown Greenville’s farmers’ market, called Saturday Market, from May through October, showcasing local produce, cooking demonstrations and live music. For traditional shopping, full-service grocer Publix and the Fresh Market, which are both located closer than 2 miles away, serve residents well.