Lyman living is shaped by lakes, rolling hills and community events
Suburban Lyman is a growing town with new homes, simple commutes and highly rated schools in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In South Carolina’s Upstate region, the area is about 20 miles south of the state line, between Greenville and Spartanburg. Its woodsy landscape features rivers and lakes, attracting anglers, boaters and homebuyers looking for waterfront options. Lyman offers small-town living, rounded out by seasonal community events and a quaint downtown with multicolored brick storefronts, housing locally owned businesses. Weather-wise, folks moving to Lyman can expect mild winters, hot summers and steady rainfall throughout the year.
Master-planned and lakefront homes join established subdivisions
Lyman has a wide range of neighborhoods. HOAs aren’t standard, but many subdivisions have them. Most have sprawling grass yards, mature shade trees and driveways in front of every home. Residential areas closest to the town’s center typically offer Craftsman-style, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes from the 20th century. However, major residential growth has happened in the past 20 years. Many master-planned subdivisions, townhome communities and independent new constructions are clustered in the town’s northwest side or around Lyman Lake and Lake Cooley. New Traditional and custom architecture is standard in these areas.
The median price in Lyman is a little over $300,000, up about 2% from last year. The market’s competitive Homes built before 2000 typically sell from the mid $100,000s to about $600,000. Luxury townhouses sell between the mid $200,000s and low $300,000s. Newer homes start in the mid $200,000s, with prices climbing to the low $700,000s; however, customized lakeside properties can sell for as much as $1.3 million depending on square footage, lot size, location, age, condition and other factors. Low-lying waterfront properties will need flood insurance to be eligible for federal mortgages.
Outdoor parks, trails and lakes give Lyman plenty to explore
Groce Road has a few parks along it, including:
- The Park of Lyman, with several play structures and a couple of swing sets next to the town hall
- River Place Park, offering forested trails, shady picnic areas and Tyger River views
- The Bark Park, featuring a seesaw and other agility training obstacles in a fenced-in dog run
- Veterans Park, which has benches and a pavilion next to a road-facing memorial honoring fallen soldiers
Lyman’s recreational scene gets more country near the fringes, says Native South Carolinian Tricia Bradbury, a Realtor with 1 Percent Lists Advantage. “There are horses out that way, equestrian [facilities].” Locally owned horseback riding schools are on the outskirts or in nearby Inman, including Hemlock Hollow Farm, Holly Springs Riding Academy and Scotsgrove Stables. Folks who prefer to boat and fish can head to Lake Lyman or Lake Cooley when the weather’s warm.
Summer brings outdoor movie nights and Music on the Hill concerts
Lyman offers a calendar full of moments that capture the charm of small-town South Carolina, from summer nights under the stars to festive winter gatherings. Among the town’s signature events are:
- The Food Truck Rodeo: a June festivity featuring local cuisine, live music and a petting zoo
- Family Movie Nights: an outdoor summer series, offering family-friendly films as well as free popcorn and drinks at Lyman Amphitheater
- Music on the Hill: an outdoor September concert series at the Lyman Amphitheater, folks bring blankets and chairs
- Light Up Lyman: an annual tree-lighting that draws crowds every December
What to know about transfers and school choice in District Five
Spartanburg District Five is a highly rated school district, serving the area with highly rated schools, such as Byrnes Freshman Academy, a specialized ninth-grade campus that prepares students for the transition into high school, letting them build community and get their bearings before the next step. Spartanburg District Five allows limited school choice through applications for in-district transfers and tuition-based out-of-district enrollment, with placement based on space and documented need rather than a lottery. State law also lets families explore statewide magnet and other public-choice options.
Easy highway access and local spots along U.S. 29
“Lyman has really easy interstate access,” Bradbury says. “The interstate goes up to Henderson and Asheville in North Carolina.” The car-dependent town is about 50 miles from Henderson and 70 miles from Asheville. U.S. Route 29 is the main highway, with I-85 and I-26 entrance ramps and direct connections to Spartanburg, less than 15 miles away, as well as Greenville, about 25 miles away.
U.S. 29 is the main drag for shopping and dining, too. Botanical Brew’s lushly decorated café sells fresh coffee and the plants inside the shop. People can eat classic American fare at Clock Restaurant of Lyman before getting a sweet treat at nearby Big Ben’s Desserts. Pho Luck! Restaurant offers Vietnamese dishes. Food Lion and KJ’s Market are the area’s primary grocery stores.
