Moving to the Cola area, has questions? (Columbia, Cayce: 2009, apartment)

[24daroad]

First off, I would like to thank all of the people who take the time to post in these forums; your information is why my wife and I decided to visit Columbia last week. After being in the area for only a few days, we’ve agreed it seems like a very nice place to live.
We can’t get over the idea of being able to buy a reasonably priced home on ¼ - ½ acre, and yet be so close to the amenities of a large city.


However we do have a few questions, if you’d be so kind. We are very positive people and don't like to hear the "cons", though in this case your honesty is very important to us ie. “The Good, Bad and the Ugly” so to speak.

1. Are local employers more likely to shy away from northern folks, ie. Yankee’s ?


2. Are the residents fairly receptive towards newcomers?

3. What is the average annual electric bill…say for a 4bd/2ba home (give or take)?

4. We are originally from MA, and generally have quite hot, humid summers; is there anyone who has relocated from the that area who can give a good comparison?

5. My mom has COPD, Lupus and is on oxygen, hopefully (if the climate allows) she will move down with us. Is there anyone who can tell me first hand what the positive and negative effects the local climate has on these diseases?

6. We realize that living in areas with such a tropical climate you are prone to termites, palmetto bugs etc. Are these insects easily controlled with the proper maintenance?

7. Is mold and mildew a common problem? (you hear of so many people these days with severe mold issues in their homes)

8. So far, the majority of the houses we’ve looked at have been 10-20 y/o brick ranches, as we really like the look as well as the idea of being somewhat termite proof. We have owned several stick built homes, but not in this area. I would like to hear some feedback on Brick vs. Stick built. ie. R-factor, maintenance issues, ease of home projects (plumbing, electrical, remodeling etc.) desirability & value. Are there issues with a brick home to be aware of ; besides the obvious cracking we have seen?

9. Being that medical care will be needed for mom, is there any one or two safe areas with medical/hospital access nearby, that maybe you would consider over other areas? We seem to be partial to the Lexington, Cayce and Columbia areas so far.

10. And lastly for now, LOL Is there anyone in or with a connection to the Auto Body business who can tell me the availability of Insurance Appraiser or Shop Management jobs in the area? (Licensed appraiser, with 10 years management exp. and over 25 years in the Paint & Body business)


Thanks, and have a Great day!
DJ

[jlboney]

1 - Not any that I have seen. Can't promise that there are no jerks out there, but for the most part I don't think it will be a problem.

2- In my opinion yes.

3- My home is 2,400 square feet with 3 br and a frog. My annual elecric bill is around $1,100 a year, give or take. Keep in mind that there is only my wife and myself there and it is a new home.

4- Can't campare us to your home, I've been here my whole life. But, I can say that some of our Summer days get a little brutal. It's usually hot and humid here.

5- Sorry, I can't help on this one.

6- With proper maintenance, you should not have any trouble.

7- Again, with proper maintenance, you should be alright.

8- Brick homes tend to be more valuable than vinyl here, and more desired also. As far as working on either type, there is not a major difference in remodeling one type or the other. Unless you are doing an addition and have to open up a wall or something. At that point obviously it's a little more difficult to knock down a brick wall.

9- The Lexington areasyou speak of are reasonably close to Lexington Medical Center on HWY 378. It is a fantastic hospital in my experience with it. Blythewood in Northeast Columbia will also allow you rural living in reasonably close proximity to Providence Northeast on Farrow Rd. I have also dealt with it and was pleased with the services recieved.

10- Don't have any inside tracts on this one, but you may want to try Summit Collision.

[Steve_I]

I'll answer what i can:
1) some will, but mostly no
2) probably, I've had good luck (I moved down from a big city in Michigan recently
3) have a 1700 sq ft home and it is the range of and 150/mo in the summer and 120/mo in winter for just my wife and I.
4) it will be more brutal, and for longer periods of time
6) yes, also keep in mind that the climate isnt tropical here, it does get cold, just not as severely
7) no problems
10) no sorry, but this state is entering a period of HIGH unemployment:
-currently the rate is 8%, fourth worst in the nation
-with one projection showing as high as 14% by July 2009: State revenue projections slashed; major cuts loom - Local / Metro - The State
-the State Government is also in the middle of a huge set of budget cuts, which will translate to less and more expensive services, and many layoffs.


and don't forget to check out the stats on Columbia here: http://www.city-data.com/city/Columb...-Carolina.html
notice how the crime stats show almost double the crime here compared to the national average.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by 24daroad

First off, I would like to thank all of the people who take the time to post in these forums; your information is why my wife and I decided to visit Columbia last week. After being in the area for only a few days, we’ve agreed it seems like a very nice place to live.
We can’t get over the idea of being able to buy a reasonably priced home on ¼ - ½ acre, and yet be so close to the amenities of a large city.


However we do have a few questions, if you’d be so kind. We are very positive people and don't like to hear the "cons", though in this case your honesty is very important to us ie. “The Good, Bad and the Ugly” so to speak.

1. Are local employers more likely to shy away from northern folks, ie. Yankee’s ?

I haven't seen that, but you'd probably see more of that from a mom and pop business, but still doubtful in the city. The further away from the city you go, the more likely you are to have resistance to people from other areas.


2. Are the residents fairly receptive towards newcomers?

Yes, but you'll get a joke here and there about being a yankee. I'm from NJ originally and you'll find that's a rare occurrence.

3. What is the average annual electric bill…say for a 4bd/2ba home (give or take)?

I have a 2200 square foot older home and they average around $230 a month.

4. We are originally from MA, and generally have quite hot, humid summers; is there anyone who has relocated from the that area who can give a good comparison?

The humidity is similar, but you'll find that it stays hot for longer periods of time. The Spring, Fall and Winter is awesome, though! Everything is air conditioned, though, and you'll get used to it. The winters are reversed. It does get cold sometimes, but it doesn't last for long periods of time and snow is fairly rare.

5. My mom has COPD, Lupus and is on oxygen, hopefully (if the climate allows) she will move down with us. Is there anyone who can tell me first hand what the positive and negative effects the local climate has on these diseases?

I don't know.

6. We realize that living in areas with such a tropical climate you are prone to termites, palmetto bugs etc. Are these insects easily controlled with the proper maintenance?

Actually, Columbia does not have a tropical or sub-tropical climate - it is humid continental, which is probably the same as in Massachusetts.

7. Is mold and mildew a common problem? (you hear of so many people these days with severe mold issues in their homes)

As long as you have central air it isn't a problem. I lived in an apartment with window units at one time and it was still only a small problem. The key with bugs is to stay away from damp, low-lying areas and they will be much less of a problem. Also avoid mulch around your house. I use marble chips to fill in garden areas - don't use wood chips or pine straw.

8. So far, the majority of the houses we’ve looked at have been 10-20 y/o brick ranches, as we really like the look as well as the idea of being somewhat termite proof. We have owned several stick built homes, but not in this area. I would like to hear some feedback on Brick vs. Stick built. ie. R-factor, maintenance issues, ease of home projects (plumbing, electrical, remodeling etc.) desirability & value. Are there issues with a brick home to be aware of ; besides the obvious cracking we have seen?

I much prefer brick as there is much less upkeep. I recommend making sure you buy a house with a crawl space instead of being built on a slab as plumbing repairs are easier and IMO you have fewer moisture problems. Termite treatments are a must. Columbia has historically been a major brick and stone-producing area, which is why you see so many brick homes.

9. Being that medical care will be needed for mom, is there any one or two safe areas with medical/hospital access nearby, that maybe you would consider over other areas? We seem to be partial to the Lexington, Cayce and Columbia areas so far.

I live just north of downtown Columbia and I'm within 5 minutes of 3 hospitals - you can't get much more convenient than that.

10. And lastly for now, LOL Is there anyone in or with a connection to the Auto Body business who can tell me the availability of Insurance Appraiser or Shop Management jobs in the area? (Licensed appraiser, with 10 years management exp. and over 25 years in the Paint & Body business)

Seibels-Bruce is a locally based property and casualty insurance company, you might start with them. I don't know much about auto body repair.


Thanks, and have a Great day!
DJ

Good luck on the move!

[24daroad]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the response!
Steve, I'm thinking at this point there's probably no one state that's better than the other in this economic mess were in. Now the million dollar question is.... which one will rebound the quickest??? LOL

DJ

[Brandon Hoffman]

Termites/Palmetto bugs can be controlled easily enough.
Mold is not a problem if you maintain the home.
Brick is still stick built. Brick is no more termite proof than anything else. There are still wooden sills and joists that support the home. Crawl spaces tend to have more termite/water damage issues than a slab. If you mean brick vs. vinyl well then vinyl keeps the cost down and is quite durable. Pressure every year or every other year and you'll be fine. Brick typically is a bit more energy efficient. Brick is considered a bit more valuable (because it's more expensive) but construction material has little to do with the other questions you asked. Age and how well the home is maintained have more to do with care, how easy to renovate, etc.