Possibly relocating to Columbia area... (Irmo, Lexington: apartment complex, for rent, homes)

[Malkavian]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of feeling out a job lead that would have me move from the outskirts of Charlotte, NC to Columbia. As some background, if it matters, I'm 25, male, software engineer, pretty recently out of college. Grew up in a small town and moved to Charlotte.

As the recruiter hasn't told me where exactly the company is, I'm unsure what area I should be "aiming" for in terms of looking at housing and whatnot, but in a nutshell this is my current situation (Which I'd be just fine with continuing Renting 1br, 700ish sqft in a peaceful mostly-families apartment complex for about 655/mo + power. Is that do-able in Columbia? If so, where should I be looking?

I'm currently accustomed to driving about 30 miles each way in mid to bad traffic to get to work, so could Irmo or Lexington be a better bet than the city proper (I realize this probably depends a lot on where the job acutally takes me) Is morning/evening gridlock a given no matter where i'm going?

I'm not particularly a social person, so nightlife or "things to do" isn't a big priority other than music and outdoorsy things (seems the state parks have that bit covered at least)

Thanks for whatever specific input anyone may have back to shovelling through hwhat's already been posted

[waccamatt]

You'll definitely be able to find a small apartment for that price in almost any part of Columbia. When you find out what area your job is in, let us know and we'll recommend some places. With gas prices the way they are I'm sure you'd like to be as close to work as possible.

[Adept Home Repair]

There are also some very decent homes in the Leesburg rd./Garners Ferry rd. area. I noticed several for rent signs around that area today. I 77 exit 9 east side.

[jlboney]

I don't believe you should have any problems finding a place for your price where ever you need to in Columbia. As to where you should look for an apartment, would depend on where you will be working. So, like Waccamatt said, when you find out where that is, let us know so we can recomend some places.

[Jchristine]

You should have no problems finding a place to stay. If ur $$$ is right...look into NE Columbia & Garners Ferry area, they have the best apts. imo. Traffic in columbia is not bad...compared to maybe charlotte or atlanta traffic...it could be a lot worse. some ppl here act as if they JUST got their license and drive like idiots but where don't u have drivers like that?

nite life is cool...i bartend in a fairly new nightclub downtown, club dreams....u might like it if party clubs where u can still sit and have a nice drink is ur type of atmosphere. but there's also the vista and the newer sandhills area which is more upscale shopping by day/ drinking lounges,clubs & bars by night. and five pts. has cool bars...although its more on the collegiate side...i partied a lot there while i was in my undergrad at USC. Hope this helps!

Good luck on ur job!