Columbia, South Carolina

Haunting-Surround29
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Midlands
Congrats!

This sub gets their panties in a wad over Columbia because it’s not Greenville or Charleston, but it’s a good place to live. It’s also cheaper than those two cities. Many people don’t realize the great things Columbia offers. I would stick to areas like Blythewood, Lexington or NW Columbia (Irmo, Ballentine or Chapin) they offer safe neighborhoods, better schools and less concrete. If you want to live in the city I think Forest Acres is a good area if you can afford it. Stay out of areas that look dangerous or lower income as they can be scattered around just like any other city. You’ll be safe here, just don’t walk around places at night unless there’s other people (just like you wouldn’t in any other city)

As for fun there is Lake Murray. It’s beaches and the walk along the dam are great for beautiful sunsets. There is also the river walk, Riverbanks Zoo, and several museums. Sesquicentennial State Park, Harbison State Forest and Congaree National Park are beautiful especially in the fall. Downtown Columbia and The Vista have some cool shops and restaurants. Beach and mountains are about equal distance away from Columbia. Charlotte and Atlanta aren’t far either.

As for property taxes and things like vets I can’t really help. There are several large hospitals that have good reputations. Do be prepared for the summer heat as it’s the hottest area of the state, very humid. Interstates can be a mess during morning and evening work commutes so get to know alternate routes. Lots of construction happening to fix congestion. Drivers are a mix of slow grannies and speed demons in Challengers.

I hope you enjoy Columbia and I’m glad you’re getting in early. I really think it’s going to be the next happening place once GVL and Charleston get full. Lots of potential and growth happening in the Midlands Region.

druscarlet
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

The traffic is bad. The Irmo, St Andrews and the Northeast in particular. To me Irmo, St Andrew’s is the worse and they have begun a multi year project to make it better - previous efforts did not help. Health services are good - Prisma is a large network as is MUSC. Lexington Medical Center is the only independent hospital and beloved by many.

Schools within the various districts can vary a lot. There are excellent schools in all of them but also some duds.

There is a lot to do here. The weather is interesting. Temps get and stay in the 90s with spikes into 100 degree weather and it is humid - if you look at a topical map Columbia is in a bowl. The Saluda and Broad rivers form the Congaree - in sight of the State House. BTW Huger Street is not pronounced Hugger the H is basically silent as is the r. So it’s ‘U_gee’ University of South Carolina is downtown so lots of bars and night spots. Great zoo - Riverbanks. Lake Murray is close and has public access.

I would rent while I got my bearings and figured out where I want to live. west Columbia, Forest Acres and Shandon are older communities with easy access to downtown and interstates. Good schools. West Columbia was more of a working class community - lots of small brick homes. Many have been renovated over the last few decades, with bath and bedroom additions. Shandon and Forest Acres were more upscale.

ImportanceBetter6155
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

Congratulations! Me and my fiancée were in your exact situation in May. We moved here and absolutely LOVE IT here. We bounced around 2 apartments and just closed on a home Friday. This place is a God send as the housing is so cheap, it allowed us to buy our first home in our early 20's as we came from up north, and home ownership was impossible.

We use Cherokee trail bet in Lexington for our two mini schnauzers and they're great to them.

Property tax for vehicles honestly isn't as terrible as people make it out to seem unless you have a brand new vehicle.

We are getting married in Tennessee at a beautiful venue. Depending on your budget and if you'd plan on getting married out there just message me and I can give you the info!

People will tell you to avoid Columbia like the plague, and that it's terrible, etc. We came from a pretty rough, same size city in New England, and I can promise you Columbia is night and day.

PROS AND CONS of LIVING IN COLUMBIA, South Carolina