Relocating from the UK (Columbia, West Columbia: estate, hotel, rental)

[Sheepdip]

Hi,

we're due to move from the UK in the summer and would appreciate some help. I'll be working in West Columbia.

Our main concern is finding a great middle school for our daughter who will be a 6th grader at the start of the 2008-09 school year. We have researched quite a bit on the net but there's nothing like 'the horse's mouth' so to speak. From what we've seen, Chapin Middle & High seem good?

Any experiences or recommendations would be appreciated about anything in the area

[Captain Worley]

Lexington 1 is good and close to West Columbia. I've heard bad things about Chapin, but not sure how valid the complaints were.

[Tommy1981]

Chapin looks pretty good by their recent "report cards. Lexington 1 or Other schools in Lexington/Richland 5 would be better and closer than Chapin.

Here's a link to the SC Education Department "report cards" for each school:

2007 State of South Carolina Education Accountability Act Report Cards - South Carolina Department of Education

Click on the school district in question, and then choose the school to see their "grades". Our State Superintendant has taken a very agressive track to improve SC schools in relation to the rest of the country, and alot of weight from the rankings is how well the school is keeping up with his aggressive track. Don't be scared off by an "unsatisfactory" improvement ranking, but focus more on the overall ranking.

If you're looking for homes, many of the real-estate websites will tell you exactly which schools the property would go to. The district boundaries sometimes will have 2 sides of the street going to different schools, so don't assume the information from one house will apply to another house just because they're really close.

I just purchased a home in Lexington 1 (Lex. Elem/Middle/High) so I may be a little biased, but I think that would be a great area for folks working in West Columbia, and wanting great schools. There are tons of neighborhoods with houses for just about every price point, from Brand New to Old classics.

I had a roomate in College from Hull, England. If you guys share his tastes in TV, you'll definitely want to go with DirecTV for your TV provider over the local cable company. DirecTV includes BBC America standard (cable would require the upgraded Digital package for more money), and you can get the sports pack for Fox Soccer Channel for an extra $12 / mo. We had cable for one year and switch to DirecTV and he was very pleased.

[waccamatt]

I haven't heard anything bad about Chapin school, but that would be a long commute if you're working in West Columbia. You can find good schools in Irmo or Lexington, which would be much closer to your job.

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by Tommy1981

Don't be scared off by an "unsatisfactory" improvement ranking, but focus more on the overall ranking.

That's good then as most seem to have that in their improvement raing!

Originally Posted by Tommy1981

I just purchased a home in Lexington 1 (Lex. Elem/Middle/High) so I may be a little biased, but I think that would be a great area for folks working in West Columbia, and wanting great schools. There are tons of neighborhoods with houses for just about every price point, from Brand New to Old classics.

Looking further, both Pleasant Hill and Lex Middle also seem good and as you say, there are some nice properties around them

Originally Posted by Tommy1981

I had a roomate in College from Hull, England. If you guys share his tastes in TV, you'll definitely want to go with DirecTV for your TV provider over the local cable company. DirecTV includes BBC America standard (cable would require the upgraded Digital package for more money), and you can get the sports pack for Fox Soccer Channel for an extra $12 / mo. We had cable for one year and switch to DirecTV and he was very pleased.

Great advice!

[Brandon Hoffman]

Chapin is an excellent middle and high school. You'll have approximately 25 minute commute as pointed out but the whole area is excellent. Chapin is smaller than the other Lex/Richland 5 schools which may or may not appeal to you. Lexington 1 will be a little closer to W.Columbia and is a good school district.

[Sheepdip]

Well we've booked the flights to come over and do some 'on the ground' research for schools and houses (rental at first). I'm leaning towards Lexington area (primarily because of the two middle schools [Pleasant Hill and Lexington]) but don't know the area at all.

Are there any specific parts to avoid? Is there much family life there (things for kids to do, restaurants, cinema etc)? What's the shopping like?

[Sheepdip]

Forgot to mention - what's the Lexington Wingate like to stay at?

[Nausikaa]

I believe that hotel is new, and in a good location. When are you coming?

[Sheepdip]

Originally Posted by Nausikaa

I believe that hotel is new, and in a good location. When are you coming?

05/24 for a week or so