Your impressions of Columbia (Charleston, Aiken: best neighborhood, houses, neighborhoods)

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by gladt

Buckeye in SC;Columbia is a mid-size city, I've never been to Albuquerque, but at least from a population standpoint, the two metro areas are comparable (SC has strict annexation laws which has held back it's cities from a lot of population growth w/in corporate limits), one difference is Columbia is the state capital. So maybe that will give you an idea on the size of the city being in New Mexico.


Albuquerque and Columbia may have similar sized metro's, but the city of Abq is a lot bigger in size, look and feel. Columbia is very nice but it is a lot smaller.

As I noted, I've never been to Albuquerque, I was simply comparing the populations - Albuquerque's MSA is a little over 800,000 & Columbia is a little over 700,000. So yeah, Abq is bigger, but was just trying to give the OP an idea of what to expect from Columbia.

By simply comparing city proper populations, you'll never get a fair comparison, by that logic, you're saying Albuquerque w/it's 500,000+ population is bigger than Cleveland or Cincinnati or Pittsburgh as examples which all have between 300k - 450k inside their city limits. Yet their metros are double & triple that of Albuquerque's and anyone would tell you that those cities are much larger.

[gladt]

^^^
I understand your logic about metro populations. However, though metro's may be similar in size, in some cases the city cores of two comparable metro may be very different in what constitutes the larger 'city'. I think it does in this particular case. The 'city' of Columbia is and feels much smaller than the 'city' of Abq, although their metros are about even.

[Njincola]

Well hate to disapoint you but we have crime here too a lady just got shot to death at an atm of bankofamerica in one of our best neighborhoods in Columbia,but the good news is the person that did this is already caught.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Njincola

Well hate to disapoint you but we have crime here too a lady just got shot to death at an atm of bankofamerica in one of our best neighborhoods in Columbia,but the good news is the person that did this is already caught.

Speaking of that, does anybody else think that it sounds very much like a 'hit' job? I mean who robs someone at 8:40 AM (in Forest Acres mind you), and then shoots the lady 4 times - I could see once, but 4 shots? Somebody wanted that lady dead. And oddly enough, she was supposed to have her divorce finalized that very day. I know the husband is innocent til proven guilty, but something doesn't seem right about that whole scenario.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

Speaking of that, does anybody else think that it sounds very much like a 'hit' job? I mean who robs someone at 8:40 AM (in Forest Acres mind you), and then shoots the lady 4 times - I could see once, but 4 shots? Somebody wanted that lady dead. And oddly enough, she was supposed to have her divorce finalized that very day. I know the husband is innocent til proven guilty, but something doesn't seem right about that whole scenario.

Buckeye, someone at work mentioned that today, also. I certainly hope that isn't the case since she had a son.

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by mmposting

yes, I know many of these things have been addressed in different threads, which I am reading, but for my particular situation:

My wife and I want to get out of New Mexico. We don't like it here due to the following:

- lack of social atmosphere or ease of making friends
- small towns and cities with little in the way of activities or nightlife
- high crime, lots of street gangs even in small towns (this is nothing new for NM)
- nobody on the streets, wide open spread out town planning
- dry and dusty environment

What I would want in a place to live would be, basically the opposite of the above list, except not too much humidity.

I work in the IT field. Shall I apply for jobs in Columbia?

Columbia has some of those problems. Gangs can be an issue. Crime is not low. Development is sprawled out in some locations.

But for the most part I think Columbia would suit you fine.

[bigmig]

Im not sure there is any reason to move here. Its has all the problems you mentioned (except dust). Even the college area is a ghost town on saturadys (fridays pretty good). I would spend a GOOD amount of time here before you move. Ther is nothing in the way of culture or sports if thats your thing.

[burr]

I'd love to get back to WCol, it would be that much closer to the beach.

[ChasT]

Originally Posted by bigmig

Im not sure there is any reason to move here. Its has all the problems you mentioned (except dust). Even the college area is a ghost town on saturadys (fridays pretty good). I would spend a GOOD amount of time here before you move. Ther is nothing in the way of culture or sports if thats your thing.

^^ this

[burr]

Originally Posted by bigmig

Im not sure there is any reason to move here. Its has all the problems you mentioned (except dust). Even the college area is a ghost town on saturadys (fridays pretty good). I would spend a GOOD amount of time here before you move. Ther is nothing in the way of culture or sports if thats your thing.

You should ride by and check out the marquee sign at the KogerCenter anytime for cultural entertainment in Columbia. Not to mention the 20K seat ColonialCenter, or the TownshipAuditorium, DarlintonRaceway (1 hour, pro sports), Charlotte (2hours, pro sports), THE COAST (1.5 hours, entertainment & the beach), LakeMurray (30 minutes). And I hope you play golf. Although USC has mediocre football, 82,000 show up and tailgate till they drop for every home game in Williams Bryce Stadium; also a brand new, to be opened this season, USC baseball park down on the river...