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Can someone help me out. I am confused by all the "areas" that make up columbia like west columbia, 5 points, st. andrews, vista, 2 notch, and etc. or surrounding areas. Can someone tell me about the areas and how they are split up. Which ones are good and bad?
West Columbia is just across the river from downtown. Older neighborhoods that are (in my opinion) in decline.
5 Points is the college scene. Lots of bars and neat shops but you don't want to live near there unless you are a student.
St. Andrews is an older suburb about 5 miles from the center of town. Medium sized older homes. Some still relatively decent. The shopping is in decline.
The Vista is downtown and is the 5 Points for the older professional crowd. Lots of restaurants, bars and shopping is on the rise. Newer, urban condos are available if you prefer to live downtown.
2 Notch closer to town........AVOID!!!
2 Notch past I-20 and I-77 has a lot of shopping and restaurants. Newer homes. Back in the late 80's and 90's this was where everybody was building. It's called Spring Valley. Mostly medium sized homes, but several very nice neighborhoods with larger homes. The Village at Sandhills is also out that way. A new shopping area.
Lexington is NW of town and is a nice but sometimes pricy suburb. Lots of shopping and restaurants but depending on where you work, can be as much as a 30 to 40 minute commute.
Irmo is similar to Lexington. Just on the other side of Lake Murry.
Garners Ferry had been a bit depressed over the years. However, in recent months, a lot of changes are happening there. The old Kroger will be a new Whole Foods and the entire shopping center will be new. Several smaller new strip centers going up around that area too. The Target shopping center is very nice with a World Market, Panera Bread, and other shops. Also, with Shaw AFB aquiring the 3rd Army just 30 miles down the road, I expect to see the East side of town (Garners Ferry) begin a revitalization and grow towards Sumter/Shaw. Land is cheap out there and the commute to downtown is easier than from the Northern or Western suburbs.
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