Looking for a safe place to buy a home in the Columbia area (Irmo: high crime)

[shareyourinfo]

I am moving to the Columbia area in the fall and I need some advice as to what areas to avoid (high crime etc). I am looking at homes up to $100,000and I hear that most of them are in bad crime areas. HELP please. Is there a real bad sections that we should avoid?

[Brandon Hoffman]

It really depends on what part of town you want to live in. You can find a 100k home in any part of town that will be alright. It will take a little patience. Do you have an idea of where you'll be at in Columbia yet?

[shareyourinfo]

Yes, the closer to Lexington, the better. I heard that Irmo/St Andrews is ok. What are your thoughts? Of course any city/town has its bad areas, but some more than others. I see tons of homes in the 60's - 70's price range and I wonder. We are not against a fix-er-upper either, but want the wiring and plumbing to be good.
We are retired, and live 4 months of the winter in FL so we are not looking for a multi million dollar home.

[shareyourinfo]

OK, how about the Friargate or Harbson area?
TX

[waldo]

What are the areas with the best schools and houses around $400,000 - $450,000?

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by shareyourinfo

OK, how about the Friargate or Harbson area?
TX

They are both the Irmo area. Either one would work. Also look in Challedon/Challedon West, Riverwalk, Braewick, Dutch Creek, and Raintree.

Lexington has plenty of options in town as well. Coventry, Wren Wood, White Knoll Estates, Hamlet West, etc...

You have plenty of choices. Are you working with an agent yet? They should be able to set up on a listings notifier to let you know as soon as new homes hit the market. The nicer homes that are priced well are selling first month on the market still.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by waldo

What are the areas with the best schools and houses around $400,000 - $450,000?

Most consider Richland 2 and Richland/Lexington 5 to be the best schools. Depending on your commute that will put you Chapin/NW Richland Co. or NE Columbia. Lexington 1 is also good if you want to be in the Lex/W.Columbia area. What kind of commute are you looking for?

Personally, in that price range, I'd look on Lake Murray in either Lexington, Irmo, or Chapin. If commute isn't an issue, then consider Gilbert as well.

If you need to be closer to NE Columbia (29229 or 29223 zips) then Wildewood, Woodlake, Lake Carolina, or Cobblestone Park.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by waldo

What are the areas with the best schools and houses around $400,000 - $450,000?

If you'd like to be in-town, the schools in the Dreher and AC Flora High School feeder schools are good and there are a lot of charming neighborhoods where you can find a beautiful home in that price range - the neighborhoods of Shandon, Heathwood, Melrose Heights and Forest Acres would have a lot of options.