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I'd like some feedback on the cost of living compared to where I am now (Birmingham). I'm single (but would also like to be in a place thats good for meeting someone), no dependents. This town is expensive for me, despite what some people think of Alabama. The sales tax and water/sewer utilities are among the highest in the country, and health insurance premiums even on a group plan are more than double Wisconsin - no doubt partly due to the poor folks here and awful southern eating habits.
Also, apartments here are expensive in a decent area - $600+ for one bedroom and not new. How does Columbia compare?
The reason I have to be concerned with the costs is because this job doesn't pay all that well. I've been told not to expect much more than $26k. I know, its low, I had trouble with a few grand more here...but with the job market the way it is I am thinking I should nab it if it'll work. Or I should hold out for a place that pays better. They say the cost of living in the south is low, though.
av8,
I don't live in Columbia.
I live in Aiken county, about 45 min to 1 hour away, south of Columbia.
The cost of living is jsut as high here as it is in Alabama.
The good news is, mabey you will move up in the company
that you get a new job with.
There are many companies moving into Columbia, it is one
of the 10 best cities as far as economic expansion in the country.
i would say move, you might meet someone new, you could get an
even better job in Columbia, more to do for single people.
What do you really have to loose?
Move now, before you have too many responsibilites
to hold you back.
Personally, I LOVE South Carolina, but that is just me.
Is Columbia a better place for meeting educated 30s single (white) women than Birmingham? that's of course not the top of the criteria list but it would help. The economic conditions where I am now are as stifling as the humidity.
You might want to consider a roommate situation given your budget. You'd get slightly better accommodations and have the chance to meet someone. There is a risk rooming with someone you don't know but you could try to get a short term setup to try it out.
Columbia is pretty comparable to Birmingham in just about every way, except the football and the shopping are worse here and crime is lower.
USC and Alabama are 3-3 against each other in this millennium and Bama no longer plays in Birmingham. The only football in B'ham now is UAB and the Papajohns Bowl.
When it comes to football, Birmingham is a suburb of Tuscaloosa. And Alabama has a couple more national titles this millennium.
av8nlvr, one of the bigger adjustments you'll have to make if you come here is getting used to how adorable UofSC fans are about their little football team. They think they're people!
When it comes to football, Birmingham is a suburb of Tuscaloosa. And Alabama has a couple more national titles this millennium.
av8nlvr, one of the bigger adjustments you'll have to make if you come here is getting used to how adorable UofSC fans are about their little football team. They think they're people!
When it comes to football, Birmingham is a suburb of Tuscaloosa. And Alabama has a couple more national titles this millennium.
av8nlvr, one of the bigger adjustments you'll have to make if you come here is getting used to how adorable UofSC fans are about their little football team. They think they're people!
I think if you went to ANY SEC town (besides KY and Vandy) you'd see an adoration of their respective football team, not just in Columbia!
But yes, we are very proud of our football team as of late. 11-2 is nothing to scoff at.
All joshing aside, football is just as all-consuming here as it is where you are now, but everything's dialed down a few notches. But with nothing here really being all that cheaper than in Birmingham, it may not be worth the cost and trouble of moving.
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