Why Move to Western South Carolina? Ask These Residents

Christine Quinn

If you are thinking about making the move to Western South Carolina, get ready to discover a region that has opportunities for people in every stage of life. From young professionals and those with families to people with well-seasoned careers, this region provides a support network with a range of amenities. Success isn’t all about work, though, and this area offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy life outside of the office. 

Downtown Delights 

EmmaLee Sams was born and raised in Aiken and decided it was the perfect place to build a career after graduating from the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA). Interning at United Way of Aiken County opened her eyes to how much people in Aiken cared about making a difference. 

“Ultimately, what made me stay was the community,” Sams says. 

Sams now serves as executive director of the Aiken Downtown Development Association, where she helps ensure a welcoming downtown experience for all. Even though she works closely with downtown vendors every day, her favorite activity on weekends is still to stroll downtown and enjoy the shops and restaurants. 

“As soon as you walk downtown, you feel welcome,” Sams says. 

Thursday nights feature the Amp the Alley series, where people can enjoy live music while dining out. Sams also helps organize the annual Hops & Hogs Festival, Oktoberfest and Mardi Gras celebrations. She praises the Aiken’s Makin’ arts and crafts show as one of the highlights of the year. Visitors can also take a trip to nearby Ridge Spring for the Harvest Festival or Johnston for the Peach Blossom Festival. 

Young professionals like Sams can take advantage of networking and professional development groups like the Aiken Young Professionals group and Leadership Aiken County. Forming a solid network has been part of what makes Sams confident about staying in Aiken. 

“Someone can grow up here, raise their family and retire here,” Sams says. “I think that Aiken truly has it all. You could live here at any stage of your life.” 

North Augusta Forward

Steady Career 

Born in Key West, Florida, Ahmed Samaha made his way to Aiken in the 1990s and has been there ever since. After accepting a job offer from USCA, Samaha has been at the university for over 30 years in various roles, now serving as vice chancellor of student affairs. 

“I thought I would only be here for a couple of years as I started my career in higher education, but USCA provided me with opportunities to grow professionally and I fell in love with Aiken,” Samaha says. 

Samaha and his family found Aiken to be a safe, affordable and welcoming community in a convenient location. 

“The location is perfect if you love the mountains and the beach. Everything is two hours away, and major cities are close, as well,” Samaha says. 

There are opportunities for outdoor recreation closer to home, too, from walking the North Augusta Greeneway to relaxing at an Augusta GreenJackets baseball game. 

“The region has everything you could want in a community, and the people are amazing,” Samaha says. 

Job and Family 

Growing up in nearby Ridge Spring, Daniele Ligons frequently made trips to Aiken with her family. Now, Ligons is proud to be raising her own family in Aiken.

As marketing manager for Aiken Electric Cooperative, Ligons is involved in her community through organizations like Circle K International, United Way and Habitat for Humanity. That involvement has led her to be highlighted as one of Columbia Business Monthly’s Best and Brightest 35 and Under. 

“The relationships that I’ve built and how they’ve helped me along the way made me feel like this was a place I wanted to be and where I wanted my daughter to be raised,” Ligons says. 

Her young daughter loves spending time at Odell Weeks Activities Center and Generations Park. When Ligons isn’t working or with her daughter, she enjoys yoga at Hopelands Gardens in Aiken, learning to golf and partaking in the many vegetarian options the city has to offer, from vegan burgers at Whiskey Alley to vegan ramen at The Red Door. 

Ligons says those who work for her employer, Aiken Electric Cooperative, sometimes spend their entire careers there because of the positive work environment. 

“People don’t leave because it has a pension plan, excellent benefits and is family-oriented and has a good work culture as a whole,” Ligons says. 

Having put down roots in Aiken, Ligons says she is unlikely to leave anytime soon – and may end up being one of those employees who stays for many years.