Gaffney is a pretty rural area. It is a mid sized city. Its an old textile town that largely dried up and fell into poverty in the 90s early 00s. But is making a comeback. If you want a sit down chain restaurant you are likely cruising to Spartanburg or Shelby. Not to say Gaffney has zero options, but they are few.
There are city areas and some honestly rougher areas. But 15 minutes outside of town either way you can find some nice rural area.
Heck 20 minutes away you can jump across the NC line towards Shelby and find very rural areas around Cliffside.
East of that job location towards Corinth is some beautiful farm /country side - and personally where I would probably look.
Grassy pond area is nearby and was very rural, lots of farm land - but its been the expansion neighborhood target for the last decade. Losing farm land rapidly. And prices are escalating. Its became trendy country chic.
South towards chesnee and cowpens or out towards corinth will feel very familiar to lillington.
If schools are a concern then that will tweak the conversation. There is a mix in the area. I would personally keep my kids out of Gaffney High School, unless you have a football player. They have a very proud football legacy and one of the states top programs. But locals refer to it as Gaffrica for a reason.
No part of Gaffney is "busy" - the immediate area around the 85 corridor gets the 85 flow through traffic.
For automotive recreation you are ~20 minutes to shady side dragway and 30 minutes to lake hauser atv park (but I havent been there in years not 100% sure they are still in operation)
As you dig in feel free to ping me. Ill be glad to give you a locals perspective.
