Investigating Columbia for possible move. Need local input please. (Charleston: jobs, hospitals)

[pvjd]

My wife and I are considering moving from Birmingham, AL to SC, and we have visited both Charleston and the MB/Conway areas, and enjoyed them both for different reasons. We liked all of the entertainment in MB, the small town vibe of Conway, and Charleston was very pretty and has a rich history, though we didn't care for the tightness of the roads in downtown area. I am a psychiatric social worker for a community based outreach program in downtown Birmingham, and would like to try to stay in the mental health or medical social work field.The job market in MB seems slim, and Charleston didn't seem to be that much better. Plus, the housing seemed a bit expensive for what you get, and we have heard mixed reviews on crime in Charleston, where to move if you have a family, etc. We have been investigating Columbia, and there seems to be a wide array of jobs in my field, and the houses look amazing for the price. Plus, the pictures we have seen look really nice. We haven't visited Columbia yet, and we were wondering what the good people on this forum might have in the way of pros/cons, and if possible, can anyone give us any comparisons of Columbia to Charleston, Conway or MB? Thanks.

[waccamatt]

In your field, Columbia would probably have the most jobs in the state since it is the state capital and home of both the SC Dept of Mental Health and the SC Dept of Disabilities and Special Needs, along with 5 General Hospitals, a VA Hospital and the army hospital at Fort Jackson.

You are correct, you can get a lot of house for the money in Columbia. I have a lot of photos of the city on my website if you'd like to take a look around. In terms of your career I think you'd be better off in Columbia or Charleston of the cities mentioned. The MB/Conway area has a much smaller population base and many of the jobs are tourism related. My website link is below.

Waccamatt's page |

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

In your field, Columbia would probably have the most jobs in the state since it is the state capital and home of both the SC Dept of Mental Health and the SC Dept of Disabilities and Special Needs, along with 5 General Hospitals, a VA Hospital and the army hospital at Fort Jackson.

You are correct, you can get a lot of house for the money in Columbia. I have a lot of photos of the city on my website if you'd like to take a look around. In terms of your career I think you'd be better off in Columbia or Charleston of the cities mentioned. The MB/Conway area has a much smaller population base and many of the jobs are tourism related. My website link is below.

Waccamatt's page |

Thanks--I had seen your page before while looking at another thread. I think that it looks nice, and is quite helpful. Does it have the feel of a large metro city, or of something a little bit smaller? Also, are there parts that you would want to avoid? I guess I prefer a residential community, but I still want to be close to everything. For instance, I live in a pretty insulated suburb of Birmingham, and I commute about 10-15 minutes to work, which is in downtown area.

[waccamatt]

I'd say Columbia feels a little smaller than Birmingham, which it is. I'd probably wait to see which part of town you'll find a job before deciding where to live.

[JEJA]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

In your field, Columbia would probably have the most jobs in the state since it is the state capital and home of both the SC Dept of Mental Health and the SC Dept of Disabilities and Special Needs, along with 5 General Hospitals, a VA Hospital and the army hospital at Fort Jackson.

You are correct, you can get a lot of house for the money in Columbia. I have a lot of photos of the city on my website if you'd like to take a look around. In terms of your career I think you'd be better off in Columbia or Charleston of the cities mentioned. The MB/Conway area has a much smaller population base and many of the jobs are tourism related. My website link is below.

Waccamatt's page |

Thanks for that information. It is good to know since I work with disabled children.