Moving from Charlotte to Columbia (Irmo, Lexington: homes, safe area, movie theaters)

[clbmove]

Hi. My husband is considering a job offer to move from Charlotte to Columbia. I am curious where to find similar schools & housing in the Columbia area as the Ballantyne/Piper Glen area of Charlotte. I love the schools & housing in this area. We will most likely be looking for a home in the 400-500 range, preferably new construction or less than 5 years old if anyone could suggest a subdivision/area. My husband's new job will be located near the 77/20 exchange. The school rating is the most important thing to me - must be excellent public school - then housing next concern. Would love suggestions especially from those of you that know both areas! thanks!

[waccamatt]

The Northeast Columbia schools are good (Richland District 2) and they are convenient to the I-20/I-77 area. I would suggest looking in Wildewood or Spring Valley if you want a slightly older home or Lake Carolina if you'd like a newer home. There is lots of new construction in that area and shopping nearby. There are many other neighborhoods/subdivisions in the area, too, so you will have a lot of options.

[clbmove]

I looked at the Lake Carolina area & I like the idea of that, but am just exploring other options also. A friend of mine suggested the Irmo area. How far of a commute would that be to Garners Ferry road during rush hour? Ballentine elementary school looks to have very good scores, does anyone know anything specifically about this school? Also, I'm not a rural person. Although I wouldn't mind having a little land (1/2 acre) I like to be close to the shopping, movies, etc without having to drive too far but ONLY if this is a completely safe area....think schools, safety, convenience is that order. thanks,

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by clbmove

I looked at the Lake Carolina area & I like the idea of that, but am just exploring other options also. A friend of mine suggested the Irmo area. How far of a commute would that be to Garners Ferry road during rush hour? Ballentine elementary school looks to have very good scores, does anyone know anything specifically about this school? Also, I'm not a rural person. Although I wouldn't mind having a little land (1/2 acre) I like to be close to the shopping, movies, etc without having to drive too far but ONLY if this is a completely safe area....think schools, safety, convenience is that order. thanks,

Why would you want to drive further than necessary? There is nothing wrong with Irmo, but I personally like the Northeast area just as much and the schools are as highly rated. Check out the Blythewood area to still have good schools and proximity to work with larger lots in most subdivisions.

[clbmove]

I guess I don't have a clear picture of where the shopping is? by shopping I mean grocery stores, movies, restaurants, target, etc, not necessarily a big box mall. so which location would be better taking into account top rated schools, retail, & nice homes?

[CarolinaSouth803]

Well both sides are shopping corridors.... The Northeast area has the Village at Sandhills which has good shopping, a movie theater, grocery stores and restaurants there. On top of that Target, Wal-Mart [2], Circuit City and more are in that area. Richland 2 is a good system and that area is bracketed by the I-20 and I-77 corridors you desire

The Irmo side aka "Northwest Columbia" has Columbiana Centre as the mall, it's 2 movie theaters in the area along with Wal-marts, Targets, Bed Bath and Beyonds and etc, it's many restaurants on Harbison blvd and Lake Murray Blvd also as is grocery stores. I think Ballentine elementary is i located in Richland-Lexington 5 but is a little out the way. This area is on the I-26 corridor...but it's not too far from I-20. The commute to Garners Ferry rd from there would take you about 30 to 40 mins...the traffic wouldn't be too bad because you are moving opposite of the popular flow of traffic.

Both school districts are good and you can't do wrong with either side...it's newer subdivisions on both sides, nice theaters, lakes, and etc...like Irmo has an indoor iceskating rink while the Northeast has an indoor skatepark/hocky field/ in the area.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by clbmove

I looked at the Lake Carolina area & I like the idea of that, but am just exploring other options also. A friend of mine suggested the Irmo area. How far of a commute would that be to Garners Ferry road during rush hour? Ballentine elementary school looks to have very good scores, does anyone know anything specifically about this school? Also, I'm not a rural person. Although I wouldn't mind having a little land (1/2 acre) I like to be close to the shopping, movies, etc without having to drive too far but ONLY if this is a completely safe area....think schools, safety, convenience is that order. thanks,

I must have been thinking about another thread where someone was going to be working near the junction of I-20 and I-77. My mistake; sorry about that. Irmo to Garner's Ferry Road during rush hour would probably take 35-50 minutes, depending on traffic and how close to the interstate you are in both locations. Northeast Columbia would be a little closer (20-30 minutes) and also depending on how close both ends of the commute are to the interstate. Blythewood to Garner's Ferry would probably take 35 or 40 minutes during rush hour. I don't know how big a deal it is to you to shorten your commute, but if you can get close to I-20 or I-77 it would shorten the drive time from Northeast. Irmo is more miles, but it would also be interstate driving most of the way, just like from Northeast.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Either location would be fit the needs you've listed but NE Columbia/ Blythewood would be more convenient. If you want newer and upscale you may consider building in Cobblestone Park. Matt already suggested Wildewood and Spring Valley which would also be great. Lake Carolina and Wrenwood are great subdivisions and much newer than those. There are others but that's a start.

[clbmove]

Okay, thank you for the information on the Blythewood area. I think that area may be too rural for what we are looking for. And the schools do not seem to be as well rated as the lex 5 schools. So we are now looking in the Irmo area. I love the Ascot subdivision but would love to find something with similar size homes but a little newer & a little less $$ but that is the feel that I like. Any recommendations? thanks!

[Brandon Hoffman]

There is new construction in Ascot. If you want closer in, Ascot is the best subdivision. If you want value and water I'd suggest Lake Murray. You can have either for your price and you're going to have a great home. Plenty of choices right now. Lakeside at Ballentine, Ascot, anything on Johnson Marina Rd or close to it, Milford Park, Caedmon Creek, Hillcreek, Windemere, Woodmore, Rice Creek, The Bluffs in Chestnut Hill Plantation, Rolling Creek, Brittany, Eagles Rest ...you get the idea. You have choices