Moving to columbia in about 9-10 months (Irmo, Forest Acres: real estate, apartment complex) - Columbia - Lexington - Irmo - City-Data Forum

phonelady61 · 07-12-2012, 12:30 PM

Hi Im due to move down there in 9-10 months and would like to know what are some of the more sketchy areas of columbia and what are some really good areas of columbia , schools are not of a concern our kids are grown . However I do know my husband could work almost anywhere in the city (he works for a chain ) so anywhere there is a location in the city would be fine . I have heard that two notch , broad river area is not that nice almost ghetto in fact ,so if that is true then please confirm that , if not then please tell me what is the ghetto areas so that we can avoid them . also heard that forrest dr off of trenholm is very nice and could someone tell me what the prince range of renting something is in that area of forrest dr . also I will need some nice moderately priced apt complexs names since I would have to rent first and then look at buying . rent should be 600 or under but not too under btwn 500 and 600 a month to start out . I know from the looks of the internet that columbia is a major city and my husband and I both like major citys where there is walkability to stuff such as restaraunts , parks etc .. thanks for any info . Im really looking forward to moving to columbis and south carolina in general .

famtrio · 07-12-2012, 11:41 PM

I am in the same boat you are except for the fact I am moving there this August. My price range is around $600 as well and I am finding it pretty hard to have a decent apartment in columbia that is safe and out of the ghetto. Even apartments in the harbison area (which i heard was good) has it problems. I have use apartmentratings.com to help me out alot. Right now i am considering moving on the outskirts of columbia...either irmo or lexington. I heard they are nice safe areas with afforable rent. If I do stay in columbia...right now I am looking at- Three river townhomes, the fairways, forestbrooke, The Bell managed properties seem pretty good as well. I hope this helps and i will try to keep you posted once i find a decent place and let you know how it is after i move in as well

thechappells · 07-13-2012, 03:02 AM

Phonelady, what is bringing you to Columbia? Is it a job for you or your husband? Maybe that will help steer you in the right direction.

Iam4USC · 07-13-2012, 05:23 AM

You'll need to increase your rent if you want to avoid some questionable appt complexes. I am always surprised at how nice some of these complexes look, only to find a lot of shady residents. I guess that is just what appt living is down here. Up your figure to around $800 and you my start to avoid that crowd.

As for nice neighborhoods, Shandon and Forest Acres ae very nice but can be pricey. Pricey is relative to what you have now. If you live in a major metro area, you'll be satisfied with what you can find. Both are fairly close to downtown and restaurants but not usually considered "walking" distance.

Lexington and Irmo (NW of town) are the nicer suburbs. Plenty of shopping and dining options as well as Lake Murry. But depending on where you are going to work, could be a 30 to 40 minute commute with traffic.

My suggestion is to find a good realtor and have them actually map out the city for you. Since you are OK with renting for a while, take your time and do a lot of exploring around town. Keep in mind that the downtown "Vista" area is really doing well. There are now a lot of downtown living options that were'nt thinkable just 6 or 7 years ago.

Good luck.

socialgal · 07-14-2012, 12:34 PM

My recommendations before moving anywhere is to take sometime to see the city before moving. Get a hotel and look around! The downtown area is nice, we stayed before at the Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District and it was very central. Call the hotel (803-231-2000), ask around. We moved from DC to Florida and that was what we did. We got a couple days and a hotel and drove around to see what it look like.

phonelady61 · 07-15-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socialgal

My recommendations before moving anywhere is to take sometime to see the city before moving. Get a hotel and look around! The downtown area is nice, we stayed before at the Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District and it was very central. Call the hotel (803-231-2000), ask around. We moved from DC to Florida and that was what we did. We got a couple days and a hotel and drove around to see what it look like.

Well I would if I could but Im disabled and my hubby has to work everyday of the week except sunday . So until we actually make the move we will not be able to do that . But thanks for the advice and then again the money is not there to do so we are saving every penny we can to move . We have cut out going to eat out , movies etc .. until we move . It cost alot to move from one state to another and the cash is simply not there to go visit and check it out i wish we could but not possible . But thanks for the advice .

waccamatt · 07-15-2012, 04:19 PM

$600 or less per month is going to be tough to find at a decent apartment complex. I think in that range you should check one of the real estate companies that has duplexes or quadruples apartments for rent. Look at the rentals in the paper and see what's available. You can post the streets on here and we will let you know the type of neighborhood. For walkability check out listings in Melrose Heights, Shandon, the Vista, Rosewood, Wales Garden, Main Street, Five Points The Vista and Hollywood/Rose Hill for starters. Good luck.

steven r. · 07-16-2012, 08:25 PM

I like Columbia myself, my niece lives down there and have an old high school friend that now resides in Fort Mill, we both went to school up in New York. The River Banks Zoo is really nice, I like the feel of downtown, it's a little gritty, like an old south type of vibe. You have USC and Fort Jackson, different places for shopping, dining options, and when I was down there in November, believe it or not I noticed a little color in the leaves, that's hard to find in the south. I would enjoy living in Columbia although I've been warned that it's one hot place in the summer. I'm in the automotive field and studied Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology in college, down in Richmond. My wife holds a degree in business so I think we could do pretty decent there as well. I'll have to go visit my niece and my old friend from high school and check it out a little more.

phonelady61 · 07-17-2012, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven r.

I like Columbia myself, my niece lives down there and have an old high school friend that now resides in Fort Mill, we both went to school up in New York. The River Banks Zoo is really nice, I like the feel of downtown, it's a little gritty, like an old south type of vibe. You have USC and Fort Jackson, different places for shopping, dining options, and when I was down there in November, believe it or not I noticed a little color in the leaves, that's hard to find in the south. I would enjoy living in Columbia although I've been warned that it's one hot place in the summer. I'm in the automotive field and studied Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology in college, down in Richmond. My wife holds a degree in business so I think we could do pretty decent there as well. I'll have to go visit my niece and my old friend from high school and check it out a little more.

Oh my one hot place in the summer try florida now that is one hot place in the summer and I lived down there for 20 yrs so I think I can deal with any kind of heat . It has been pretty hot and humid here in Ohio lately and Im so tired of the midwest winters im ready for no more snow or ice ever . The heat will not bother me I like the heat alot better than snow and ice . Oh well take care and thanks for your opinion and will most def take it into consideration .

kapitalkid · 07-25-2012, 12:08 PM

To find something decent to rent, you will need at least $800/month and even then, you will have to be careful. I live in the Irmo area and am partial to it. Cola seems a little dated to me while Irmo is heavily landscaped and really nice. Most all neighborhoods west of I-26 have little or no crime problems. If looking at rentals in Harbison on the east side of I-26, just be careful. There are some new condos being built on Johnson Marina Road in the Ballentine area and on Lake Murray. Don't know what they will be renting/leasing for though. You may want to Google to see.. The cost of living in greater Cola is much lower than up north and the Fall, Winter, and Spring are very nice. Summers are brutal though, so be prepared!