moving back to SC from London (Columbia, Irmo: real estate, houses, neighborhoods)

[Walesh]

I am planning to move back to SC from London. I have lived abroad for seven years and am excited to be planning a move back home.

I was raised in Lexington (don't want to live there again) and graduated from USC. My husband and I have three children 8,5,and 2. We absolutely need space and a big yard. I would like to look into the Irmo area. Does anyone have any opinions on the older neighborhoods there such as Coldstream, Quail Valley, Murraywood? Are these areas where families live? Are they slowly dying neighborhoods? I am quite out of the loop. I haven't lived in SC since 2006. I have visited but would still like an idea from the locals as to how the area is doing.

Schools aren't a major issue because we homeschool, but would still like to be close to good local schools. Does anyone know what the homeschool community is like there?

We probably wouldn't spend more than 200K on a home.

Also my husband is English, anyone know what the ex-pat community is like there?

Thanks in advance

[TXGamecock]

Originally Posted by Walesh

I am planning to move back to SC from London. I have lived abroad for seven years and am excited to be planning a move back home.

I was raised in Lexington (don't want to live there again) and graduated from USC. My husband and I have three children 8,5,and 2. We absolutely need space and a big yard. I would like to look into the Irmo area. Does anyone have any opinions on the older neighborhoods there such as Coldstream, Quail Valley, Murraywood? Are these areas where families live? Are they slowly dying neighborhoods? I am quite out of the loop. I haven't lived in SC since 2006. I have visited but would still like an idea from the locals as to how the area is doing.

Schools aren't a major issue because we homeschool, but would still like to be close to good local schools. Does anyone know what the homeschool community is like there?

We probably wouldn't spend more than 200K on a home.

Also my husband is English, anyone know what the ex-pat community is like there?

Thanks in advance

Welcome home!

I can't speak with much authority about those neighborhoods in particular, but the Irmo area as a whole is still doing well.

I can tell you that in the Harbison corridor, we now have the "British Bulldog Pub", and they show English soccer and rugby. Between that, and the **** & Bull pub down on Rosewood, I'm sure he'll find some ex-pats getting together to watch matches on TV.

Highly recommend playing with the "Map Search" function on ColaMLS.com - MLS Real Estate for Greater Columbia South Carolina to get a good idea of the houses available and pricepoints.

[Walesh]

Thanks for the info. Ah pub life, would be nice to have that option in Cola too.

[Charlestondata]

There's plenty of both beer and English accents around town.

[smithgn]

Originally Posted by TXGamecock

Welcome home!

I can't speak with much authority about those neighborhoods in particular, but the Irmo area as a whole is still doing well.

I can tell you that in the Harbison corridor, we now have the "British Bulldog Pub", and they show English soccer and rugby. Between that, and the **** & Bull pub down on Rosewood, I'm sure he'll find some ex-pats getting together to watch matches on TV.

Highly recommend playing with the "Map Search" function on ColaMLS.com - MLS Real Estate for Greater Columbia South Carolina to get a good idea of the houses available and pricepoints.

This! ^ I couldn't help but have the British Bulldog Pub pop into my head after reading your post.

I actually grew up in Coldstream, on Wilton Hill Rd. I drove by there yesterday for old times sake and was rather surprised at how the neighborhood has held up. People were out tending to their yards/gardens and its still a great area in my opinion, but then again, it holds sentimental value for me. If you can get over the 70's looks of the homes then I think you'll be okay.