Columbia Veterans Administration Hospital... (Cayce, Clemson: real estate, relocation company, how much)

[1+1=5]

Hi! Anyone work there? We may be transferring there. I'm sure it's probably typical of most VAs, which is fine with us. We will probably try to live in Cayce or Irmo.

Would appreciate any input you have.

Thanks so much!

Kim

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by 1+1=5

Hi! Anyone work there? We may be transferring there. I'm sure it's probably typical of most VAs, which is fine with us. We will probably try to live in Cayce or Irmo.

Would appreciate any input you have.

Thanks so much!

Kim

Cayce would be fine, but not sure you'd want to commute from Irmo w/traffic (unless you are working a non-rush hour shift i.e. nights) as the VA hospital is in the SE part of Columbia while Irmo is NW of the city, w/no traffic, will take 25-30 minutes. Just something to keep in mind.

[waccamatt]

What Buckeye said plus there are plenty of nice, affordable neighborhoods surrounding the VA Hospital. Even Cayce is about a 10 mile commute each way. I'm curious why you chose Cayce and Irmo out of a hat since the 2 areas are nothing alike.

[1+1=5]

Thank you both so much.

I looked into Cayce and Irmo just off the map, and because they seem to have affordable homes. I am hoping to get a 4 BR/2BA in the $180s range (older home would be fine, of course). I also thought Blythewood might be good.

Would love any other suggestions about places to live that won't require a long commute. Right now, our commute is about 45 minutes each way here in Ohio. Less than 30 would be a blessing!

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by 1+1=5

Thank you both so much.

I looked into Cayce and Irmo just off the map, and because they seem to have affordable homes. I am hoping to get a 4 BR/2BA in the $180s range (older home would be fine, of course). I also thought Blythewood might be good.

Would love any other suggestions about places to live that won't require a long commute. Right now, our commute is about 45 minutes each way here in Ohio. Less than 30 would be a blessing!

You could absolutely find a home in that price range w/in minutes of the VA hospital. There are lots of homes (new & old) in the southeast as well more in town in the Shandon & Rosewood areas that would all be 10 minutes or less to the hospital. The closer you get to downtown the higher the price, but being that the VA Hospital is 10 minutes from downtown and right off Exit 9 of I-77, you should have no problem finding something in a good neighborhood...you could even look in Forest Acres for that matter and be less than 10 minutes.

Depending how close you are to I-77 (and how much you adhere to the speed limit which is mostly 60 for that route) in Blythewood, you could manage a 15-20 minute commute from there, but I would venture to guess that you would be safer in betting on 25 minutes or so from there.

We came from Ohio too, and one of the many good things about the area is it has a solid expressway system that keep you within about a 1/2 hour or so of most everything in the metro area. I-20, I-26 & I-77 form a loop around the city and there are 2 inner belts, I-126 & SC-277 that make getting to downtown pretty quick from the west & north. There are only a couple of trouble spots: I-20/I-26/I-126 interchange, I-26 west of I-20 during rush hour, and I-20 east of I-77 to Clemson Rd. at times can get backed up. However, it is nothing compared to traffic back-ups you will find in areas like Charlotte, Cleveland, Cincinnati, etc.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by 1+1=5

Thank you both so much.

I looked into Cayce and Irmo just off the map, and because they seem to have affordable homes. I am hoping to get a 4 BR/2BA in the $180s range (older home would be fine, of course). I also thought Blythewood might be good.

Would love any other suggestions about places to live that won't require a long commute. Right now, our commute is about 45 minutes each way here in Ohio. Less than 30 would be a blessing!

SE Columbia would be great for convenience. There are some other factors that come into play. How close and what kind of shopping are important to you, are schools important? Etc. As far as the price you gave, you should have no issues in Columbia with that price point.

If you get definite word you're coming here go ahead and hire a full time Realtor to help out and email property info to you. I'm not sure if Blue Cross offers a relocation package or not. Your HR person should be able to help out or I need to get you need someone with a Relocation company here I can get you a contact.

[1+1=5]

Thank you so much; I appreciate the wonderful, specific info. The few homes I'd seen on realtor.com in southeast Columbia were in the 400K range, so I'd assumed we couldn't afford to live close to the VA.

I have the information saved now and appreciate it so much. Have a great day!

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by 1+1=5

Thank you so much; I appreciate the wonderful, specific info. The few homes I'd seen on realtor.com in southeast Columbia were in the 400K range, so I'd assumed we couldn't afford to live close to the VA.

I have the information saved now and appreciate it so much. Have a great day!

Check out www.thestate.com and click on real estate listings, they have a much better search listing than anywhere we found when looking to relocate here.

[1+1=5]

Thank you! I'll check it out.