Meet Three Locals Who Love Living in Western South Carolina 

©Journal Communications/Stephen Stinson

There are many things that make Western South Carolina a great place to live, from its gorgeous outdoors to its affordability, career opportunities and friendly, welcoming people. It’s an easy place to get involved, expand your hobbies and fill your days with things you love. Ahead, three locals share why Western South Carolina is a great fit for their lifestyles. 

Savoring Small-Town Life 

Haley Balentine was born and raised in Western South Carolina, and though she’s traveled and experienced other places, every road kept leading her back home. 

“There’s something really special about the people, the pace and the deep-rooted sense of belonging in this part of the state,” Balentine says. “It’s where my family is, where my heart is and where I knew I wanted to build my life and business.” 

Balentine is the owner of Haley Bee Boutique & Bridal, a retail store that grew from an online dream to a brick-and-mortar operation with multiple locations. 

Haley Balentine

“Our store is built on joy, community, creativity and personal connection,” Balentine says. “We’re not just selling clothes. We’re building confidence, creating experiences and celebrating life’s moments with our customers.” 

When not working at the boutique, Balentine loves enjoying the region’s small-town life with her family. 

“I love the way this community shows up for one another, how neighbors become family and how we celebrate the simple things, like football Fridays, festivals, front-porch conversations and supporting small businesses,” Balentine says. 

Serving the Community 

Terra Carroll was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, though her career in the hotel business took her to Kansas and Georgia before she made it to South Carolina. After meeting her husband, an Air Force veteran from Graniteville, Carroll settled down in the region and transitioned from the hospitality industry to supporting businesses. Currently, she serves as president of the North Augusta Chamber, a position that enables her to engage with the community on a much deeper level. 

“By privilege of my position, I serve on a number of boards, and that allows me to interact with various levels of leadership and forms of industry,” Carroll says. “I have served two terms as president of the North Augusta Lions Club and have been the chair of the annual North Augusta Lions Club Christmas Parade for 10 years.” 

Carroll also works with Aiken County Public Schools, and local and state programs like AIKEN WORKS and SC Works. As one might imagine, this keeps her incredibly busy yet fulfilled. 

“What I like most about living in Western South Carolina is that no matter where you go in the region, people treat you like family,” Carroll says. 

Utilizing Talents 

K. Renee’ Robertson is another South Carolina native. In fact, her family’s roots in the region stretch back to the 1800s. After spending time working in corporate America, Robertson was called back home to McCormick, where she has now poured her time, energy and talents into making it a better place. As executive director of the McCormick County Chamber of Commerce, Robertson spends plenty of time engaging with the community and small businesses, but her side projects are equally compelling and time-consuming. 

“I’m a cancer survivor, and I live with a brain tumor, and I promised God that I would die empty,” Robertson says. “I don’t plan to not use one talent, and if my answer can be yes, it is yes.” 

This is evident in all Robertson undertakes, from the Historic McCormick Hotel, which she bought and plans to renovate over the next four years to the #McCormickStrong movement she championed in the wake of Hurricane Helene in 2024. In fact, the original song she composed after that storm became the official song for the county and led Robertson to start a nonprofit called McCormick Strong Ministries. 

“There’s a slogan I remember that’s indicative of Western South Carolina: ‘Smiling faces, beautiful places,’” she says. “That’s us.”