pros/cons of living in Columbia (Greenville, Myrtle Beach: apartments, to rent, lofts)

[pvjd]

Just wondering what the good people of Columbia like/dislike about their hometown. Also, if you have lived elsewhere, I would love any comparison input. Thanks.

[Tommy1981]

I've lived in Greenville, Clemson and Abbeville (granted Clemson and Abbeville are Much smaller), but I'd say the traffic in Columbia is by far the worst in the state. Particularly the I-20/26 interchange. On 26 there are only 2 lanes in both directions near the 20/26 interchange, and all of the exits are cloverleaf, so everybody has to slow way down to get on or off. Every day it seems to slow to 30 or less just with normal traffic. If there's an accident in just the wrong spot, it can cause delays of an hour or more. (about 6 months ago a tanker truck overturned on one of the 2 lane overpasses, which forced the interstate to detour on several streets nearby. It was a nightmare for the 6+ hours it took to get the trailer lifted with a crane and the spill cleaned up...) They really need to do something else with that area to handle the traffic loads we have now. I'm also not a fan of how Columbia is arranged. The shopping districts and downtown areas aren't as well organized as some other places (like Greenville). Traffic can be bad at places like Woodruff Rd and 385, but there were ways to go in where you could always turn right to get into the shopping centers. Harbison seems to be much worse to me because there are fewer ways in and out. Its probably about the same, but being fairly close to the 20/26 interchange compounds the problem if there's an accident.

Columbia does have alot of stuff to do here, like the State Fair, Concerts, Festivals, etc. Columbia also shares many of the pros that are part of living in SC, like lower cost of living, slower pace, etc. The Riverwalk is a very nice park downtown.

I guess the biggest gripe that I have is the traffic. My soultion is to avoid the 20/26 interchange between 7-9 and 4-6 on work days.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by pvjd

Just wondering what the good people of Columbia like/dislike about their hometown. Also, if you have lived elsewhere, I would love any comparison input. Thanks.

Pros:
Affordable
Diversity
Reasonable amount of entertainment/activities for a midsize city

Cons:
Getting from here to someplace else (airfare is high, train schedule-poor hours)
Often suffers from actions or inactions of the General Assembly

[waccamatt]

I guess everything is relative because I think traffic is a breeze in Columbia compared to other similarly-sized cities.

My pros:

Good size for a place to live; large enough that there is plenty to do, but small enough to avoid a high cost of living and traffic problems.

Lots of indoor and outdoor activities and close to both the mountains and the beach.

Politically rather liberal for the southeast and a very diverse population with a good variety of ethnic food availability.

Having wide downtown streets and 3 interstate highways makes travel a breeze.

Young population - 7 colleges and universities

Beautiful neighborhoods

2 entertainment areas - The Vista and Five Points

Cons:

Summer weather

Having to deal with SC State Government

[Noire]

I guess it depends on where you have lived before but IMO:

Pros
Cost of Living
Weather
Location (Can drive to Atlanta, Savannah, Charlotte, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, etc., in a short amount of time)
Great Choice of Neighborhoods

Cons
Diversity
Cultural (live music, exhibits, etc.)
Cliquish

I have to agree with Woodlands about the cost of flights. I travel often and almost always have to fly out of Charlotte to get the better deal (sometimes half the price).



Neutral
Shopping (it's getting a lot better)

[Iraqvet]

I agree with everything that Noire said although weather would be a con for me also because summers in Columbia are miserable. It's about the worst I've experienced with the exception of Iraq. I don't know why people are stating diversity as a pro for Columbia. IMO, even with the presence of Ft. Jackson and the universities, Columbia still lacks heavily indiversity. Basically anywhere you go you're going to see white and black people, that's it.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Iraqvet

I agree with everything that Noire said although weather would be a con for me also because summers in Columbia are miserable. It's about the worst I've experienced with the exception of Iraq. I don't know why people are stating diversity as a pro for Columbia. IMO, even with the presence of Ft. Jackson and the universities, Columbia still lacks heavily indiversity. Basically anywhere you go you're going to see white and black people, that's it.

Columbia also has quite a few Asian people and a fast growing hispanic population. Columbia's diversity is nothing like New York or DC, but compared to other mid-sized Southern cities, Columbia is quite diverse.

[angelde55]

We are moving soon to South Carolina but new job is in Columbia. What is the funnest place to live within 30 min of Columbia. we are young with a child and love our downtown life here in Denver. Good schools need to be nearby as well. We are also looking to rent before buying, any good lofts out there?

[Lauraslexingtonhomes]

Not many lofts but there are a few. Look at the Lexington and Chapin communities the schools are the best the state has to offer.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by angelde55

We are moving soon to South Carolina but new job is in Columbia. What is the funnest place to live within 30 min of Columbia. we are young with a child and love our downtown life here in Denver. Good schools need to be nearby as well. We are also looking to rent before buying, any good lofts out there?

If you're looking for lofts, checkout Vista Lofts in the heart of the Vista area or the Olympia Mill and Granby Mill apartments on Heyward Street. The location isn't quite as good for the 2 converted mills, but the space is spectacular. They are still close to 5 Points and The Vista, but not within walking distance like Vista Lofts are.