Orangeburg is an affordable, friendly college city with two universities that keep the calendar full of cultural events and sports, a compact downtown, and easy access to rivers and nearby Lake Marion for fishing, paddling and weekend escapes—perfect if you want quieter evenings but plenty to do between shifts.
When you crave bigger-city options, Columbia and Sumter are both within about an hour for specialty medical centers, larger restaurants, shopping and nightlife, so you can enjoy small‑town living during the week and bigger choices on days off.