Before You Relocate to Columbia (Greenville, Clemson: sales, landscaping, neighborhoods)

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by HopDude

Can someone please just help us find a decent Chinese joint?

Well since your post talks about driving 1.5 hours, you can check out these the next time in Greenville. All within one block of each other right at Greenridge / The Point:

Lieu's:
Welcome to Lieus Chinese Bistro

Azia:
Greenville SC Restaurant, Greenville SC Sushi, Greenville SC Fine Dining, Greenville Restaurant

Doc Chey's:
Doc Chey's Noodle House

P.F.Changs:
P.F. Chang's China Bistro

Siam Oishi:
Welcome to Siam Oishi Restaurant And Bar

[phillybound]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

PhillyBound, is that you? Come clean now.

absolutely not me or anyone that I put up to it, I had nothing to do with that post what so ever

[phillybound]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

PhillyBound, is that you? Come clean now.

I did not ask anyone to post for me or post under another name

[waccamatt]

The OP obviously has a chip on his shoulder towards Columbia and the Gamecocks. After seeing some of the things he likes about South Carolina I think he is probably a closet Clemson fan.

As far as things to do in Columbia, they've been mentioned in this and other threads already. The community and professional theatre is great here, good ethnic food is readily available - Thai, Chinese, Sushi, Italian, Indian, etc. There are two great entertainment districts with plenty of nightlife, the state's only national park, a lake with 500 miles of shoreline, 3 rivers, a highly rated zoo, a number of museums, including one of the largest in the southeast and a large number of local and state parks. Anyone that can't find enough to do here isn't paying attention.

[HopDude]

Okay, I was really just trying to be fair and balanced on my "good" list.

Here's the point. It's not so much about things to do. I know all about Five Points, which took years to finish fixing up, and the Vista - the ONLY two districts of interest - and all the other positive attributes of this town. Believe me, this opinion was not formed in a vacuum.

My main issue is that it a lot of what you find in Columbia is, as Randy Jackson so eloquantly puts it, "Just awright".

Albeit, there are a few exceptions, you get the feeling that people are just used to things being really, really average. Service is average. Food is average. Amenities are average. Shopping malls; average. Entertainment; average. The bar just seems to be really low on most things.

The city, architecturally speaking, is kind of a mess. There is a pervasive non-descript quality to the streets, buildings, houses, etc. Not too much that really makes you stop and go, "wow". I actually think that part of the culture discourages showing off. It's just not a really pretty city to look at, aside from what people do to their own yards and neighborhoods.

Anybody ever hear of sidewalks here? How about that whacky middle lane thing? I love playing chicken with other cars when I'm trying to make a left turn. Did anyone in the city planning department ever consider landscaping or medians?

And I think the freeway interchanges were inspired by either a bad dream or a Picasso painting, aptly nicknamed, "Malfunction Junction".

I do have to admit that I was shocked when they FINALLY completed work on the Lake Murray dam there were bike paths and a pedestrian walkway. THAT'S progress and they get all the credit!

[usc_gal98]

Originally Posted by HopDude

Okay, I was really just trying to be fair and balanced on my "good" list.

Here's the point. It's not so much about things to do. I know all about Five Points, which took years to finish fixing up, and the Vista - the ONLY two districts of interest - and all the other positive attributes of this town. Believe me, this opinion was not formed in a vacuum.

My main issue is that it a lot of what you find in Columbia is, as Randy Jackson so eloquantly puts it, "Just awright".

Albeit, there are a few exceptions, you get the feeling that people are just used to things being really, really average. Service is average. Food is average. Amenities are average. Shopping malls; average. Entertainment; average. The bar just seems to be really low on most things.

The city, architecturally speaking, is kind of a mess. There is a pervasive non-descript quality to the streets, buildings, houses, etc. Not too much that really makes you stop and go, "wow". I actually think that part of the culture discourages showing off. It's just not a really pretty city to look at, aside from what people do to their own yards and neighborhoods.

Anybody ever hear of sidewalks here? How about that whacky middle lane thing? I love playing chicken with other cars when I'm trying to make a left turn. Did anyone in the city planning department ever consider landscaping or medians?

And I think the freeway interchanges were inspired by either a bad dream or a Picasso painting, aptly nicknamed, "Malfunction Junction".

I do have to admit that I was shocked when they FINALLY completed work on the Lake Murray dam there were bike paths and a pedestrian walkway. THAT'S progress and they get all the credit!

Just to let you know, I was not trying to give you any flack earlier.

Like I said, what is gold to some may be bronze to others. There are many cities and small towns in SC that could use some improvement. But I think the big issue here is when you come from a bigger city like Philly or the Chi, you are used to specific things, which is why Columbia or Greenville can be a huge let down.

Some of us love our state but we have also had experiences outside of SC, too. I've been to many cities and I have come to the conclusion that I love average.

[sandlapper]

The real question is can Columbia save itself from itself? If only it were like Charleston's peninsula, but wait isn't Charleston a well known US tourist attraction, Asheville's ??? oh yeah mountains, but your saying I still have to drive to the mountains to actually be in the mountains, Myrtles cultural extravaganza of highrise hotels and t-shirt shops, or had Charlotte's I'm sorry why should I go there again when Atlanta is a day trip, but I digress. If only Columbia could get that coveted seal of approval that seems to make all the problems that exist in any other mid-sized city disappear then it could be a beakon of pride like other hum-drum cities in the south that leave much to be desired other than cheap housing, hot weather, and designer wal-marts.

I still don't get it?

But this is fun though, let's keep it up!

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by usc_gal98

But I think the big issue here is when you come from a bigger city like Philly or the Chi, you are used to specific things, which is why Columbia or Greenville can be a huge let down.

Actually, quite the opposite. No let down at all in Greenville. I lived in many larger cities (Dallas, DC, Boston to name a few) and was blown away when I moved to Greenville. I was shocked at all there was to do.....at the sophistication level found in such a small city......at the amount of great retail and dining options usually only found in larger cities. I know many who have moved here and feel the same.

[g-man430]

Originally Posted by usc_gal98

Just to let you know, I was not trying to give you any flack earlier.

Like I said, what is gold to some may be bronze to others. There are many cities and small towns in SC that could use some improvement. But I think the big issue here is when you come from a bigger city like Philly or the Chi, you are used to specific things, which is why Columbia or Greenville can be a huge let down.

Some of us love our state but we have also had experiences outside of SC, too. I've been to many cities and I have come to the conclusion that I love average.

What specific things are you referring to? No, we don't have a Nordstrom but what do you expect in a mid-size city? I think Columbia and Greenville are both great cities that have a lot to offer.

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by usc_gal98

Just to let you know, I was not trying to give you any flack earlier.

Like I said, what is gold to some may be bronze to others. There are many cities and small towns in SC that could use some improvement. But I think the big issue here is when you come from a bigger city like Philly or the Chi, you are used to specific things, which is why Columbia or Greenville can be a huge let down.

Some of us love our state but we have also had experiences outside of SC, too. I've been to many cities and I have come to the conclusion that I love average.

Most people that come to Greenville say the exact opposite. I've been in many larger cities and wouldn't give up the quality of life I have in Greenville for a larger city.