Wondering about Columbia's culture? (Charleston, West Columbia: job, house, gangs)

[Emma Frost]

My first question is based off information from a relative who currently lives in Columbia regarding attitudes towards us northerners! I am moving from Michigan, as he did years ago, and he tells me that I should be concerned regarding my so called yankee status. He says that it may hinder my job search due to a certain bias that still exists at some level. Is this really the case, and if so, to what extent? I find that hard to believe as I visit Columbia all the time and have been treated so warmly!

Second, what is the political culture there? Liberal, conservative, independent, Libertarian (like myself). I love good political debates, but I welcome diversity of opinion and am very open-minded. I don't like intolerance of people's differences.

Finally, I love music and was wondering how the music scene is there? Is there a lot of live music, particularly indie rock? Well, all kinds really, I love just about every genre, but especially the underground music culture.

Thanks.

[Palmetto Heel]

Originally Posted by Emma Frost

My first question is based off information from a relative who currently lives in Columbia regarding attitudes towards us northerners! I am moving from Michigan, as he did years ago, and he tells me that I should be concerned regarding my so called yankee status. He says that it may hinder my job search due to a certain bias that still exists at some level. Is this really the case, and if so, to what extent? I find that hard to believe as I visit Columbia all the time and have been treated so warmly!

There isn't a lot of outward hostility toward yankees, but you will hear some comments from time to time and the fact that you're from MI may hinder your job search. I'm always entertained when you see something derogatory about "yankees" in The State (yes, they use that term in the local newspaper).

Just don't come down here trying to "save" us or talk about how things were better in MI and you should be able to get along.

Originally Posted by Emma Frost

Second, what is the political culture there? Liberal, conservative, independent, Libertarian (like myself). I love good political debates, but I welcome diversity of opinion and am very open-minded. I don't like intolerance of people's differences.

Overall, the people of the Columbia area are pretty conservative. There are pockets of "liberals" in downtown neighborhoods. These people are considered liberal in Columbia, but in a national sense they are more middle of the road. You probably want to stay away from Lexington county.

Originally Posted by Emma Frost

Finally, I love music and was wondering how the music scene is there? Is there a lot of live music, particularly indie rock? Well, all kinds really, I love just about every genre, but especially the underground music culture.

Thanks.

This is a hot button issue for me. The indie music scene in Cola is abysmal. People in this town just don't seem to support (i.e. buy $$$ tickets) live music enough for us to draw in national acts. The city leaders make me laugh because they are trying to foster a young, knowledge-based economy but when money is spent on cultural events it's always something for old farts like the symphony or art museum!

Fortunately, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chapel Hill, Asheville, and Charleston are close by.

[waccamatt]

I'm a former "yankee" myself and, other than the occasional ribbing I never hear anything in Columbia. It would be different in smaller towns, most likely. I don't think it will hinder your job hunt after you move, but any employer in any part of the country, might be hesitant to hire someone that hasn't yet moved to their area. Politically, the city is fairly liberal for the south and Richland County is heavily Democratic while Lexington County is pretty conservative and is primarily Republican. I also know quite a few Libertarians in the area.

For music, there are several places you can hear live music. Check out New Brookland Tavern in the West Vista on State Street in West Columbia. There are also several other places in Five Points and the Vista where you can get away from the ubiquitous beach music so prevalent in the Southeast. Keep an eye on Free Times, Columbia City Paper and The State and they will have music listings.

Free Times: Where it's At - Club Calendar

Free Times: Sound Check - Regional Concert Calendar

Live Music

[Palmetto Heel]

Oh yeah, the Whigs played Art Bar about a week ago. That was probably the closest thing to a major indie rock show that our little town will see all year. It's a real shame that members of bands like Iron & Wine and Band of Horses grew up here but felt it necessary to move on to more fertile pastures.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Palmetto Heel

Oh yeah, the Whigs played Art Bar about a week ago. That was probably the closest thing to a major indie rock show that our little town will see all year. It's a real shame that members of bands like Iron & Wine and Band of Horses grew up here but felt it necessary to move on to more fertile pastures.

It's all what people want. If they want indie rock they will support it; if they want something else they will support that. I'd like to see more live music venues, but if not enough people support those venues then they're not going to succeed. I don't know if you remember Rockafella's in Five Points, but I think you would have liked it. Greenstreet's was pretty cool in Five Points, too.

[Palmetto Heel]

Rockafellas closed shortly before I moved to Columbia but I enjoyed the reunion shows last fall. It just frustrates me that we have a major state university, a very good college radio station, and great live acts visit cities all around us but from some reason they don't come here.

[waccamatt]

How was the crowd for the show at Art Bar? Maybe I've been in banking too long, but it seems to me that if they attract a good crowd when they have good bands that they would have them more often. I'm no live music connoisseur, but I do like to hear a good band every now and then. I have heard a few at Art Bar and at Alley Cafe and once in a while at the Finlay Park concerts, though they are too heavy on beach most years.

[mettler]

MySpace.com - Columbia, SC - 103 - Male - COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - www.myspace.com/columbia_sc

[waccamatt]

Here is another link I've found to some live music venues.

Columbia, SC Shows on JamBase

[YOYOME]

I really need someone be very honest about Columbia and Lexington. I have never visited either place. My daughter will attend Allen University in the fall, and my husband and I would like to leave Texas and move to Columbia or Lexington. We are currently looking into house in Lexington, SC. We are concerned that we will buy a home in a bad neithborhood. We have always lived in the suburbs, therefore to move some place where gangs run ramped, would really be a culture shock for us. And yes we are of mixed african american.

Also, we are concerned with the weather,(ei; flooding, temp, etc.) Anyone will to give the REAL truth, please reply. I have heard some wonderful things about S. Carolina, and really want to move there if it is for my family.

How far is Lexington from Columbia?