Relocating from San Antonio - need the straight scoop! (Columbia: landscaping, condos)

[melinda wilson]

Hello all, My family (one son-13) is relocating to Columbia. My husband will be working at Fort Jackson. Coworkers have told us contradictory things about Forest Acres and Arcadia Lakes. Many have urged us to go to Elgin, Irmo or Blythewood instead. I like the convenience of Forest Acres/Arcadia Lakes. What is the truth...is the crime rate really higher? I drove thru the area and it looked really nice w/mature landscaping (which is what I love!!!)My son is going to go to private school (Ben Lippen or Covenent Christian) so the schools don't matter.

Why are homes in Elgin more expensive (the area does not look nicer from what I can tell)

Do you think Irmo is about to bust out of the seams thus lowering quality of life/home prices in the future?

Are there any home builders that I need to stay away from?

~Helplessly lost in San Antonio

[waccamatt]

There is very little crime in Forest Acres or Arcadia Lakes - they are both beautiful areas. They are older suburbs than the others you mentioned, but they are much more convenient to amenities and much closer to Fort Jackson than the other suburbs. I grew up in Forest Acres and it is a great place to live. I would only recommend Elgin or Blythewood if you want to live in a rural area.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Forest Acres is a very nice area. I don't know the stats but I don't think the crime rates would be high there. I think Forest Acres as a good,safe area. There are some pockets with condos there that may inflate the stats as a whole but they would be very specific in location and overall FA is nice.