Lexington or Irmo? (Columbia, Kershaw, North: house, school districts, colleges)

[settlepa]

If you had your pick would it be Lexington or Irmo and why? I do have two girls 7&8 but I hear the schools are good in both areas. Thanks.

[simplyaged]

I was raised in Lexington and I loved it, but that was many years ago. I currently reside in Kershaw County due to I love SC but Lexington and Richland taxes were too high and the growth was too much for my liking. I prefer to have wooded land around me instead of being in a housing area. But if I were to decide to move again, it would be Lexington, because it is closer to Columbia than Irmo. There is always something going on at the Koger Center and the Colonial Center and I like being close to them.

Good luck with your move.

[Chi2Midlands]

Originally Posted by simplyaged

But if I were to decide to move again, it would be Lexington, because it is closer to Columbia than Irmo.

I don't see how Lexington (the town, not necessarily the county) is closer to downtown Columbia than Irmo. They're both roughly similar distances (10-15 miles, 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic/specific roads). From Irmo it's 1-26/I-126, from Lexington it's I-20/I-126 or US 378 or US 1 - not a whole lot of difference.

[Chi2Midlands]

Originally Posted by settlepa

If you had your pick would it be Lexington or Irmo and why? I do have two girls 7&8 but I hear the schools are good in both areas. Thanks.

Yes, schools are very good and comparable in both areas (I am assuming you are referring to Lexington 1 and Lexington/Richland 5 districts, respectively). The areas around the town of Lexington and south of Lake Murray are newer, and retail/commercial development hasn't yet caught up to the same level as in the Irmo/Harbison area (between the two areas, only Harbison has a major mall and all the major big-box and chain stores/restaurants). However, if you go further north of the Town of Irmo, in the Dutch Fork and Chapin areas, the development is similar to newer areas around Lexington (i.e., more spread-out, newer subdivisions).

My personal advice would be to live in the area which is most convenient to work for you. Do you know where you would be working? There is not enough of a difference between the two school districts, in my opinion, to warrant splitting hairs over this or that area. Do be aware that within those two districts, there are better schools than others, so do your homework and work with good word of mouth. Everything else is details. For examp,e if you REALLY need to be next to major retail and commercial development NOW, Irmo/Dutch Fork is better, but Lexington is and will catch up eventually. Also, the Lexington area is more suburban/rural while Irmo/Dutch Fork is further down the suburbanization path (hence Lexington is a bit more conservative). I live in Northeast Richland on the other side of Columbia largely because my job was near there and the Richland 2 schools near my house are just as good as in Lexington or Irmo.

Hope this helps!

[simplyaged]

Originally Posted by Chi2Midlands

I don't see how Lexington (the town, not necessarily the county) is closer to downtown Columbia than Irmo. They're both roughly similar distances (10-15 miles, 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic/specific roads). From Irmo it's 1-26/I-126, from Lexington it's I-20/I-126 or US 378 or US 1 - not a whole lot of difference.

Any time I have gone to Irmo, the traffic has been heavier than on the Airport side of Lexington which is where I have family. That is a straight shot through town which is quicker traffic wise. True with the interstate they are roughly the same but again, ...more growth, ...more traffic. And yes, Lexington is growing to, but the mall has slowed things (traffic wise) in Irmo.

[Lake Murray Mom]

No doubt, Lexington. Have lived on the Lake for 32 years.

[Mountainpilot]

Originally Posted by Chi2Midlands

Yes, schools are very good and comparable in both areas (I am assuming you are referring to Lexington 1 and Lexington/Richland 5 districts, respectively). The areas around the town of Lexington and south of Lake Murray are newer, and retail/commercial development hasn't yet caught up to the same level as in the Irmo/Harbison area (between the two areas, only Harbison has a major mall and all the major big-box and chain stores/restaurants). However, if you go further north of the Town of Irmo, in the Dutch Fork and Chapin areas, the development is similar to newer areas around Lexington (i.e., more spread-out, newer subdivisions).

My personal advice would be to live in the area which is most convenient to work for you. Do you know where you would be working? There is not enough of a difference between the two school districts, in my opinion, to warrant splitting hairs over this or that area. Do be aware that within those two districts, there are better schools than others, so do your homework and work with good word of mouth. Everything else is details. For examp,e if you REALLY need to be next to major retail and commercial development NOW, Irmo/Dutch Fork is better, but Lexington is and will catch up eventually. Also, the Lexington area is more suburban/rural while Irmo/Dutch Fork is further down the suburbanization path (hence Lexington is a bit more conservative). I live in Northeast Richland on the other side of Columbia largely because my job was near there and the Richland 2 schools near my house are just as good as in Lexington or Irmo.

Hope this helps!

Having lived in Irmo and worked in Lexington, I would have to agree with this post 100 percent.

15 years ago Irmo HS had two of the five positions in the national Science Comp., but there were only three grades in the HS, 10-11-12, and 1500 students in each grade for a 4500 student total. This is way too large for a high school and even larger than several of the Ivy League colleges.

Lexington would be my choice as the taxes tend to be much lower because of the differences in school districts, etc.

[settlepa]

I settled on a home in Lexington 29072 zip, moving next month. Thanks for the help.

[Lucky parent]

Lexington 1 schools are second to none unless you have a child with special needs.

[mof29212]

If you have not moved and still have questions, you may email me. I was involved with schools during most of those years MF