Homesick - help! (Columbia, Charleston, Aiken: trip , jobs, mobile home)

[HermieCKX]

I am sitting here practically in tears because I'm sick of this area. I am trying to keep a good attitude, maybe you all can help.

We just moved to Camden (Kershaw County) this past July from Oakland County, Michigan. We have a beautiful new house, in a great neighborhood. But that's about where the positives end. There is nothing to do here. Nothing. It's a struggle for me to keep my toddler entertained day to day. My question is, what do people do for fun around here? There are no Gymboree classes, no Mommy and Me classes, no public beaches anywhere within an hour drive (what's up with that?), no mall play areas, no zoos, no museums..... I'm at my wits end. There aren't even any nice parks for him to play at. Please tell me there is a great little kids area somewhere in this town that I haven't found yet.

And the restaurants - the same thing. I get that this is an old-fashioned area, but there are no places to eat. (Unless you want to take your pick from a dozen all you can eat buffets where the median age of the diners is 75.)

Shopping = none. Somehow the old Piggly Wiggly just ain't cutting it for me.

The drivers here are insane. I am surprised there arent more driving fatalities here.

I'm sorry to be so negative, this is just not what I expected. I could drive into Columbia every day if I wanted to, I was just hoping there was something closer. That's pretty far to go.

We have no choice - we have to stay here for my husband's work.... help me make the best of this not so great situation!!!

[trinkit]

Hermie, did you do any research before making the move? I, too, am moving from Oakland County, Michigan -- leaving a week from today. I've got a great job offer, but I've asked a TON of questions of my recruiter so that the culture shock won't do me in. I think I read it on this forum somewhere that if you WANT to make it somewhere you will, but if you DON'T you will find every excuse there is not to like it.

Have you ever lived anywhere other than Michigan? I lived in Texas for 2 years and that was 40 years ago -- while they were STILL practicing segregation, which was a BIG shock to me (and I grew up in Dearborn).

I can sympathize with your trials with the little one, but I'm in a bit better situation (kids grown and gone), but I'm not liking the fact that my better half is going to be staying in Michigan until our mobile home sells. I'm moving to the Aiken area, which isn't TOO far from Columbia, but I know I'm going to be in for a struggle to get acquainted with the idiosyncracies of the south: Blue Laws, the Bible belt (I've already found a church that I want to check out), no bark parks for my puppy, the personal property tax on vehicles, the slower pace (which, at my age, might be a welcome change), etc., etc.

Good luck with trying to acclimate yourself to the area. You are fortunate that you have your family with you -- they need your support as much as you need theirs.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Camden is a quiet area. People like to spend time with friends, hunt, fish, etc.

If you want shopping, zoos, restaurants and the like you need to be closer to Columbia. NE Columbia has a lot to offer and is (to me) a reasonable drive to Camden for work. You could even move closer to the interstate like Spears Creek where you cut down drive time. There is the State Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, and tons of parks and childrens activities in Columbia. It sounds like you just want them to be closer than where they are to you.

[mkboy1313]

AS a native Chicagoan, by way of NW Indiana - I'm knocked out by how accessible things are in Columbia. I live at the foot of a world-class city that can at times be largely inaccessible due to it's size. That's what I love about Columbia - I can be suburban and still enjoy access to the things I like about a city. I stopped using Chicago years ago - I can't wait to use Columbia. About the only thing I'll miss is the concert scene - and my friends of course.

I work with folks at our Columbia office who talk about the distance to the northeast like it's Timbuktu - but I can get anywhere it seems in a limited amount of time. Access to the city appears to be key. As long as you can get in and out easy, then any location is a good place to live.

[Dave O]

If you are so miserable then maybe you should go back to Michigan. You say that you "have no choice" because of your husband's job but that isn't really true unless he is holding you prisoner in your own house. You always have choices and you choose to live in Camden so quit complaining about it.

[mpaquette]

Shopping? Have you been to Village at Sandhills in NE Columbia? That place is bigger and has more stores than any mall in the state of Michigan. Yes, I used to live there.

Restaurants? Not sure about Camden, but my company has an office there, I'll find out what they recommend on Monday. In the meantime, NE Columbia isn't very far away from you and has tons of restaurants. Everything from chains to locals.

Brandon already mentioned Riverbanks Zoo and the State Museum. Also, check out the State House. It's an awesome building, full of history and they have guided tours.

As far as the other stuff you mentioned, you really owe it to yourself to take a drive to Columbia and NE Columbia. Camden is a small community and it just isn't going to have the stuff you were used to in Oakland County. I'm sure there are gymboree type places there and the like in NE Columbia. Lake Murray is well within an hour drive from Columbia. There is a large state park on the lake and there is a nice beach right off hwy 6 by the dam. You obviously have a computer, did you try doing a Google search for children's activities at the places you mentioned.

[HermieCKX]

Thanks for all of the responses.

Trinkit –
I guess I felt like I did do a lot of research about the area and was excited about it… but researching it and living there for 2 months are different things. I am trying to have a positive attitude about it, in fact my own family doesn’t even know how disappointed I am with everything. My husband comes home and complains about the area and I smile and say, “Oh we just have to get used to it, it will get easier…” I thought I’d like the slower pace, the more rural feel… now I’m not so sure. I have lived in other places besides Michigan – but not for long. I am a beach girl I guess, and this is not the place for a beach bum! I have found that the best thing we’ve done is find a good church and get involved there – makes it much easier to be social.

Brandon –
You hit the nail on the head! I should stop complaining, 40 minutes is not that bad to drive into Columbia I guess. We are going to visit Finlay Park this week!!

mkboy-
You’re right, you’re right…. I’m just not used to being this far from “stuff” but in reality, a 40 min drive is not too bad…….. right?

Dave O-
Thanks for the "help" Dave O, LOL! Not. We really don’t have a choice… I guess we could move back to Michigan and be homeless with no jobs…. But hey, at least we’d have stuff to do?

mpaquette-
Good ideas. I did find some fun stuff in Columbia – children’s museum and parks and stuff. I just need to program myself to the idea of a little drive to access those kinds of things. The Village at Sandhills was ok. It reminded me a lot of The Village of Rochester Hills in Michigan. I wonder if they were designed by the same company? Are there malls anywhere near Columbia that are the traditional-type malls, food courts, play areas for kids? That might be worth checking out too.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the advice. I just need to suck it up I guess. I’m sure it will get easier as time goes by.

[Flamingo13]

Granted I don't live in the area - but think back to when you were a child - those "things" didn't exist... your parents entertained you, you entertained yourself, made friends, actually enjoyed the outdoors and made up games, etc. I worry when I hear about folks that "need" paid activities to make them happy

[Brandon Hoffman]

Well, the more traditional type malls are Columbia Mall (off Two Notch ) and Columbiana Centre (in Harbison). I'd also recommend renting a boat and going out on Lake Murray while we still have nice weather. It's slightly under an hour trip for you and you can make a day of it. Make sure you get fishing licenses first if you like to fish. You can order online at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Farther south you also Santee Cooper which has a great National Forest/Park and terrific fishing. If you like the coast make a day trip to Charleston at some point. It's about 1 1/2 hours. If you something more resorty try Kiawah or Hilton Head. Traditional tourist destination-Myrtle Beach. If you want quiet try Hunting Island State Park past Beaufort (pronounced Bufort). Personally I love Myrtle Beach and Hunting Island.

This is also a great time to head up to the Mountains in the Asheville area, Maggie Valley, or Pigeon Forge.
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www.shopcolumbia-mall.com
Columbiana Centre

[waccamatt]

Camden is a small town and there isn't a lot to do there, but you're a mere 15 minute drive from Northeast Columbia and about a half hour from most of the Columbia area - hardly an insurmountable distance. After you've been in your house a year or two, maybe you can move closer to Columbia, but in the meantime it really isn't that far.