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I grew up in Charlotte in the 1970s - 1990s so I witnessed the growth first hand. I think that Columbia is well positioned to avoid the MISTAKES that Charlotte made in pursuing growth for growth's sake.
I hope that is true, while growth is typically good for an economy and for real estate owners, it can become a nightmare when it comes to travelling/commuting. I still can't fathom how once you hit Charlotte on I-77 north from Cola, the expressway actually shrinks from 8 to 6 lanes - not to mention north of the future I-485 interchange near Lake Norman it shrinks to 4 lanes! If you travel through there anytime around rush hour, you know you're in for a significant delay - even worse than malfunction junction at 5 PM. At least SC had the vision to see the need to have their 13 or so miles of the Charlotte metro through Rock Hill widened enough to handle the traffic. And speaking of the I-485 loop, it's still not completed to help ease the traffic burden in the city, and in my opinion it is very poorly designed to begin with - it should not make sense to go through downtown to I-85 East if you are wanting to go to central North Carolina as opposed to being able to bypass Charlotte by taking 485 East. Granted, you still may want to consider that route being the traffic messes that going 77 to 85 can create, but you will add roughly 10 miles to your trip due to the design.
All that said, I think Columbia's growth is more in line w/growth that's desirable, slow and steady. In fact, that is one of the main factors that stood out about this area in us deciding to move here. This gives you time to prepare for traffic, and prevent a lot of the urban sprawl that fast growing metros endure. With the exception of malfunction junction, I have to admit that Columbia has a pretty solid highway/interstate system for a city it's size. I do agree that I-20 east of I-77 would benefit from being widened from 4 to 6 lanes at least to Clemson Rd.
HopDude, I showed you where the city has acknowledged its shortcomings and has committed itself to making the necessary changes to make the city a better place to live. Is that not worthy of a response, given that it addresses most of what you find wrong with the city?
Didn't realize you were expecting a response.
Actually, your feedback was very much appreciated. It's always encouraging to get validation from people who obviously know what they're talking about.
I was not aware of Innovista, but I did know that there were some plans on the horizon. Like I said, it looks like five to ten years out things will be much improved, but it's going to take more bold initiatives like the ones you mentioned.
Thanks for chiming in and setting the record straight.
Actually, your feedback was very much appreciated. It's always encouraging to get validation from people who obviously know what they're talking about.
I was not aware of Innovista, but I did know that there were some plans on the horizon. Like I said, it looks like five to ten years out things will be much improved, but it's going to take more bold initiatives like the ones you mentioned.
Thanks for chiming in and setting the record straight.
Innovista is one of the biggest current projects in Columbia. It has been in the news all the time since it was first announced in 2005. Three buildings and 2 parking garages are finished with 2 more buildings beginning construction in the next few weeks and IBM and Regus International are two of the latest announced tenants. If someone is unaware of such a large project, I have to wonder if they actually live in Columbia. Maybe one of the reasons you have such a negative opinion of Columbia is that you haven't taken the time to find out what's going on.
Maybe one of the reasons you have such a negative opinion of Columbia is that you haven't taken the time to find out what's going on.
Ouch.
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Innovista is one of the biggest current projects in Columbia.
Congratulations. I'm very happy for you both.
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It has been in the news all the time since it was first announced in 2005
Sorry, don't read "The State", watch local news or listen to local radio shows - although I did try, I just found those news sources to be, well... boring.
There's that word again.
My opinion of Columbia is based upon what I see around me every day. My work has taken me to just about every neighborhood in town, including the surrounding areas of Cayce, W. Cola Irmo, Chapin, Blythewood and Lexington, to name a few.
I think, based on my odometer reading alone, if there was something really impressive about Columbia I would have noticed it by now. And I think that gives my opinion some validity. But, hey, you know what they say about opinions!
I've also been to, and spent time in Greenville, Aiken, N. Augusta, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Fort Mill, Sumter, Orangburg, Newberry and Camden - just so you don't think I'm living in a bubble.
I haven't had the priviledge of visiting Columbia. It sounds like it has an interesting history. As for Philly Bound, I would trade you places in a heart beat.
I live in California. Born and raised, so I think I know what I am talking about as it pertains to where I have grown up.
Lived in LA, SF and now Sacramento. Sacramento is the most palletable place here. California is nothing to brag about for sure, it's socialist "elected" officials are usurping the rights of the citizenry here. Everyday we hear of more legislation to take away the rights of us worker bee's.
By the way, us worker bee's (I work in the PD)by the stroke of the Govonator's pen went from making decent salaries to Federal Minimum Wage and we are facing huge tax hikes and added taxes. He did apologize, so what, when the effect of bringing home half my pay screws up my finances, am I supposed to take that apology to the bank. I am single, so I only have my income.
If I had a baby I could get Welfare and Med-ical (aka Golden Bear)and if I change my last name and ask "habla espanol" I would get even more free hand outs. (I have never been out of a job, so I don't look for handouts.)
California is a sewer because of the politicians and the idiots that keep electing them. And the gang problems. We are an international gang state, from Russians, to Asians to South American's to black gangs, to white supremacy gangs all fighting each other. Very Cosmopolitan. I only bring this up because I keep hearing SF and LA and California is "better" than SC. Depends upon what your definition of "better" is. Although I am dying to get the hell out of California, I don't come here to bash it, or discourage anyone from moving here. One thing I won't do is lie to you about how it is here, when it's brought up.
I have been to Philadelphia. My experiences in Philly:
The planes are ALWAYS LATE, the people who work there are RUDE, RUDE, RUDE. It took us 2 hours waiting just to get a rental car.
The City is filthy and stinks. I am a history buff and I looked forward to seeing Philadelphia, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, etc.
I want to know why they can't afford to paint lines on the narrow roads to mark there is more than 1 lane on that road. And why everybody there feels the need to blow their horns every half block. I know very well the crime problems there being as I work in Law Enforcement currently.
The only place any good there to eat was City Tavern. And their service was slow. It rained almost the whole time I was there. And the buildings look the same as here, besides the historical buildings which are blocked from view by skyscrapers.
Valley Forge might be okay, I didn't stay long enough. After 48 hours in Philadelphia I canceled the rest of the trip and we drove back to Virginia. Only 1 place refused to refund me.
Where as in SC and everywhere else I have ever been, if I had to leave early or had to cancel, they were refunding me before I even asked. WOW!!
Don't get me wrong I don't hate Philly, there is so much history there and I want to take it in, but I didn't enjoy it for the above reasons. If you are happy there, more power to you, but why slam on one city just because you like another city better?
As someone who loves SC and SC History I am sorry that you find it not to your liking, as I love it there and always enjoy myself while I am there. The wonderful She-Crab Soup and Sweet Tea and deserts. OMG. You can't get those anywhere else in the world. At least not as good. Not even Virginia has She Crab Soup. As for Italian food, being as part of my family is still in Italy, I have authentic receipes, that I cook. I don't each out much as it's too expensive for what I can make at home. But I love eating out when visiting cities and trying the local cuisine.
If you love Paris so much, move there. But I bet you would find fault with that place as well after living there. As there had to be something to drive you to relocate to SC, my understanding is you weren't born in SC. You didn't have your home picked up by a tornado and wake up in Columbia, did you?
I have also been to lots of cities on the East Coast. Jersey is interesting. I like Deleware, DC is okay, too many politicians for me. Maryland is beautiful. But, I put my money into seeing South Carolina and Southern Virginia especially Williamsburg. I am going back to Williamsburg this month after being there in May. I donate money to the historical area's there because they are the BEST. My regret is that I have to travel through Philadelphia to get back to California.
I am going to VA to look for work, this is my 1st choice in relocation and SC is my 2nd choice out of anywhere in the world I could choose to live. Because my father is from Italy I can vote in Italian elections and am considered a citizen, so I could live there and work as easily as any place else in the States.
Yes, I have a passport and international travel experience. So, if you think I am a redneck, then Thank You for the compliment.
Like I said if you like "BIG" Cities as such in California, I'll trade you any time, I hate it here. But, if you come learn Spanish, have a ton of money in your savings, and expect to have no rights as a citizen, including having the government control the thermostat in your home and tax you to death and even after death.
By the way, anyone in Virginia or Charleston area hiring--message me. I am dying to relocate as I have visited lots of cities around the world and Charleston and Williamsburg have captured my heart. I would love to work in Historical Preservation or the medical field as I have 8 years clerical in a Regional hospital as a Unit Secretary, we would fly out and get patients from the surrounding areas, as our hospital specialized in Neo-natal NICU. I am fluent in Italian and Spanish. And have an AS Degree, wanting to finish up with a BA in History.
I am not trying to bash any place or even bash Philly Bound, I don't get on here and bash California. I encourage people to move to California, but I'm not going to lie if they like the lifestyle here of socialism, having to be bilingual to get a job or go out to grab a burger because the fast food places hire people that can't speak English. Then please move to California we've been hit hard by foreclosures and lay offs, so you can get homes cheap here now, under $200k. California is a great place to live, but it's not for me as the quality is going down and the costs keep going up.
I think, based on my odometer reading alone, if there was something really impressive about Columbia I would have noticed it by now. And I think that gives my opinion some validity. But, hey, you know what they say about opinions!
I don't get this. An F500 company could be relocating its corporate headquarters to Columbia in a nondescript office building downtown (nondescript = nothing "really impressive"), but how would you know this just by riding around town without taking the initiative to be informed about what's actually going on in the city? I'm sorry, but just riding around the city and trying to make judgments only by what you see gives your opinion very little validity. Apparently you only see that which you wish to see.
Architecture and nice streets are important, but obviously you see them as the be-all, end-all standards by which to judge a city. What about factors that you can't judge just by riding around, like decreasing crime, increasing per capita income, programs that help first time homeowners obtain housing in the city, rising test scores in city schools, increase in the number of entrepreneurs, etc.? How can you get a sense for these things just by riding around the city? Don't be so fazed by the glitz and glamor until you fail to see what REALLY counts. And it could be that's why you find the local media boring: they actually report the things that count for something, things which don't seem to matter much to you.
I'm sorry, but just riding around the city and trying to make judgments only by what you see gives your opinion very little validity. Apparently you only see that which you wish to see.
Geez Louise - some of you people are defensive!
To the unpronoucable Akn..Aknn...Akhann... awww screw it!
To the guy who just wrote the last post...
Who the hell are you to tell me that my opinion has no validity? Look, dude, I've logged more miles around this country than you have, I guaran-freakin-tee it. My opinion has validity cause I've seen a lot more of this country than you have. Trust me on that.
Ya think when I'm in Columbia I'm just wandering the streets looking at buildings going, "La de da"?
I am a business person. My business has put me in front of many, many native Columbians. It is they who have also helped to cultivate my opinion. But you're right, I couldn't care freakin' less about your cherished new building - I really couldn't. Even if I heard about it it probably made no impact on me because this town is many years from being up to speed. But I'm glad you like living here. Really, good for you!
Let me just reiterate, a couple of pertinant points: First of all, this post was meant to be for people LIKE ME who are NOT FROM here and maybe they're looking for something with a little more sophistication. Yes, I come from a big city in California. Yes, my standards are higher. Am I trashing Columbia? NO!
I said at least a couple of times that there are many, many things about SC which I love. In fact, I'm really torn because at least half of me doesn't want to leave here. The problem is that Columbia itself is a half-assed place. I'm not saying it sucks. I'm saying it's HALF-ASSED.
Ironically, you'll find lots of really proud people - like yourself. But with very little to actually show for it.
I'll go back to my original metaphor, the Gamecocks. Great fans, lousy team.
That's Columbia in a nutshell.
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