Before You Relocate to Columbia (Clemson, Liberty: HOA, homes, school)

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by HopDude

...I'll go back to my original metaphor, the Gamecocks. Great fans, lousy team...

Can't argue with that, although I am a happily converted Clemson Tigers fan and formerly a Gamecocks fan (many years ago). I will say one thing about that metaphor. "There's always next year," and if they make a few plays and avoid a few tough breaks, we won't be having this same conversation. In other words, the metaphor is potentially volatile. Regardless, for me one of the major negatives about Columbia is the overbearing Gamecock domination over the city. I realize it is mostly imaginary, however I do believe that many people take the in-state rivalry way too seriously.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

Can't argue with that, although I am a happily converted Clemson Tigers fan and formerly a Gamecocks fan (many years ago). I will say one thing about that metaphor. "There's always next year," and if they make a few plays and avoid a few tough breaks, we won't be having this same conversation. In other words, the metaphor is potentially volatile. Regardless, for me one of the major negatives about Columbia is the overbearing Gamecock domination over the city. I realize it is mostly imaginary, however I do believe that many people take the in-state rivalry way too seriously.

As a transplanted Ohioan, I appreciate the pride the people here (especially Columbia) take in their Gamecocks. I don't think it's that overboard, try going to Columbus, Ohio on any fall Saturday, and you'll see how a college dominates a large city! Coming from Ohio, where the economy in many ways is down the crapper, population is declining, everything seems to be stagnant or going backwards and a lot of families are just plain suffering, there is one thing that most people can agree on and rally behind, and that is their Ohio State Buckeyes.

I think that is true of a lot of other big university cities - see Madison, Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Knoxville, Lexington, Champaign-Urbana, etc. -their team is the one thing that everyone can take pride in.

I can understand you being a Clemson fan not like coming to Columbia, but as a Buckeye fan, the last place I'd want to spend a lot of time is Ann Arbor. But, if you told me Ann Arbor had the best quality of life w/the best paying jobs, I think I could get past that dislike of the Wolverines .

[HopDude]

As a transplanted Ohioan, I appreciate the pride the people here (especially Columbia) take in their Gamecocks. I don't think it's that overboard, try going to Columbus, Ohio on any fall Saturday, and you'll see how a college dominates a large city!

Yeah, but didn't the Buckeyes just have a perfect season? I'm mean, that gives you bragging rights.

"There's always next year," and if they make a few plays and avoid a few tough breaks, we won't be having this same conversation.

I might have been a little hard on the Cocks (ahem), because Coach Spurrier does seem to be making progess.

If I wanted to put a positive spin on it, I'd say that Columbia is a "diamond in the rough".

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by HopDude

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.

I said it has very little validity due to the criteria you put forth in your previous post. Just because you've been to a bunch of places doesn't automatically and necessarily mean you know what's going on in those places.

Ya think when I'm in Columbia I'm just wandering the streets looking at buildings going, "La de da"?

That's what it sounded like from my perspective. All you spoke about was riding around town and looking around.

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 know what? I've found out that sometimes natives can really take their city for granted. I live in Charlotte and I've actually discovered that I know waaayyy more about what's going on in the city (many good things) than many who were born and raised here. If you check out a lot of the comments on the online newspaper that accompany any article about the city's growth and progress, you'll get TONS of comments from natives who are still reminiscing over the days when the city wasn't "over Yankeefied." It's actually pretty mind-boggling, especially considering how much Charlotte has grown over the years. You'd think these people were living in a box. So you can't always go with the viewpoints of the natives.

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!

See, that's what I don't get. You complain about the lack of progress, but when progress IS being made, you're like "I don't care!" You sound a little bitter. And as I previously stated, I live in Charlotte.

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!

Sounds like you didn't do your homework before moving to the city. Who's to blame for that?

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.

You say the city is "half-assed," but you're not trashing it, nor are you saying it sucks. I don't get it.

Ironically, you'll find lots of really proud people - like yourself. But with very little to actually show for it.

LOL @ "very little to actually show for it." Just because the progress the city is making doesn't impress you hardly means there's nothing to show for it. It just appears as though the town isn't for you, and that's fine because every place isn't for everybody.

[HopDude]

See, that's what I don't get. You complain about the lack of progress, but when progress IS being made, you're like "I don't care!" You sound a little bitter. And as I previously stated, I live in Charlotte.

Not bitter - annoyed. I get that way with supercilious people.

Listen, I can't help it if you live in Charlotte either. I was raised in Silicon Valley. I was surrounded by local visionaries who have literally changed the world. The Apple computer was invented just a couple of miles from where I grew up. Fortune 500 companies are all over the place. IBM has a had a major facility in San Jose since probably before I was born - the fact that they're opening a branch office in Columbia doesn't really seem like a big deal to me.

See, that's what I don't get. You complain about the lack of progress, but when progress IS being made, you're like "I don't care!" You sound a little bitter. And as I previously stated, I live in Charlotte.

Okay, they get credit. I think I already mentioned the Lake Murray dam project. The new Hilton downtown looks fantastic. I like the Colonial Center and the Columbia Museum of Art. Like I said, there's some stuff here. Hoorah.

Do I expect every place to be like Silicon Valley - absolutely not. It is completely unique. But it has it's drawbacks too. Right now, as a place to raise a family it's extremely difficult. I think on that score Columbia does very well and my homework absolutely paid off. Like I said, part of me does not want to leave here.

You say the city is "half-assed," but you're not trashing it, nor are you saying it sucks. I don't get it.

For people who are okay with middle-of-the-road Columbia rocks!

LOL @ "very little to actually show for it." Just because the progress the city is making doesn't impress you hardly means there's nothing to show for it. It just appears as though the town isn't for you, and that's fine because every place isn't for everybody.

I've lived in other major cities, and no place is perfect. You have to balance what you like against what you don't like. I can tell you from experience that you cannot possibly know how a place is going to affect you until you've lived there a while.

I do not hate or even dislike Columbia. It's kind of like drinking water, it gives you the essential things you need but has absolutely no flavor.

This has been fun, but I'm done. Nothing more to say on this topic, but thanks for the repartee.

[sandlapper]

Its pretty much futile, in South Carolina if it happens in Columbia then it just doesn't count. Take for instance Lake Murray, "doesn't count", Largest childrens Museum in the southeast "nope doesn't count now if it were at the beach then it would be a real childrens museum cause you know its at the beach", Congaree National Park "not good enough now if it were in NC, or VA then it would be a real national park", MSA population "Columbia cheated its really smaller", states only fortune 500 company "nope that doesn't count either". Well that's it. If only we could get validation that,....that,.... you know that would really be something special! I think I'll stand in downtown Charlotte next week on my way home and collect Columbia validation signatures and then ride a white stallion down to Columbia showering the poor fools with authentication notes from the great foreigners from beyond. Man now that would surely be something to write home about. However forloned a shall roam the country looking for cities that I can say don't compare to (or is it too? I know, I know my grammars horrible) Columbia, watch out Lubbock your next on my list.

Sorry I got here late were not done playing are we?

Ooo, I know why don't we just start a Columbia hate thread. Then that way if anyone wants to look up why Columbia is such a horrible place to live they can just go to one resource and we can cut out all this foolishness? That way those people who are actually interested in the Columbia area can have the rest of the forum too constructively discuss the issues of Columbia be it positive or negative?

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

... Largest childrens Museum in the southeast "nope doesn't count now if it were at the beach then it would be a real childrens museum cause you know its at the beach" ...

Until The Children's Museum in Greenville (79,000 square feet) opens next spring. EdVenture in Columbia is 67,000 square feet. A minor technicality, yet completely worth mentioning since we will be able to claim that South Carolina is indeed home to the South's two largest children's museums and both are barely more than 100 miles apart.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Skyliner

Until The Children's Museum in Greenville (79,000 square feet) opens next spring. EdVenture in Columbia is 67,000 square feet. A minor technicality, yet completely worth mentioning since we will be able to claim that South Carolina is indeed home to the South's two largest children's museums and both are barely more than 100 miles apart.

Of course the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia is still one of the largest museums in the Southeastern United States with 98,000 square feet of exhibits.

[LazyT]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

But, if you told me Ann Arbor had the best quality of life w/the best paying jobs, I think I could get past that dislike of the Wolverines .

Ann Arbor is consistently ranked high in quality of life and economic potentisl. And the Wolverines do know how to beat SEC teams in bowl games.

A couple of examples:

AARP THE MAGAZINE NAMES THE TOP 10 HEALTHIEST PLACES TO LIVE IN AMERICA


Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by LazyT

Ann Arbor is consistently ranked high in quality of life and economic potentisl. And the Wolverines do know how to beat SEC teams in bowl games.

A couple of examples:

AARP THE MAGAZINE NAMES THE TOP 10 HEALTHIEST PLACES TO LIVE IN AMERICA


Sperling's Best Places

Sperling did note to be prepared for Ann Arbor's long & mundane winters which is a part of being in the upper midwest! To me, that it is a big mark against it - along w/being the home of the Wolverines . My wife went to Bowling Green, and she loved to visit Ann Arbor though b/c of the quaintness and of course the shopping - another reason for me to avoid it!