Moving to Columbia Soon, Need Advice (Sumter, Pendleton: apartment, for rent, lofts)

[crl0901]

Hi all,

I just graduated college and got a job in Columbia so I'll be moving to Columbia sometime next month. I was hoping for some feedback on a couple questions. The location of my office will be around the 77 / 20 intersection. However, I was hoping to live downtown. My first question is, how bad of a drive is it from downtown to the 77 / 20 intersection during rush hours (8am & 5pm)? Second, anyone have any experience with Vista Commons? Finally, I'm open to other apartment suggestions, my price range is no more than 900. Thanks!

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by crl0901

Hi all,

I just graduated college and got a job in Columbia so I'll be moving to Columbia sometime next month. I was hoping for some feedback on a couple questions. The location of my office will be around the 77 / 20 intersection. However, I was hoping to live downtown. My first question is, how bad of a drive is it from downtown to the 77 / 20 intersection during rush hours (8am & 5pm)? Second, anyone have any experience with Vista Commons? Finally, I'm open to other apartment suggestions, my price range is no more than 900. Thanks!

The drive from downtown to the I-20/I-77 interchange wouldn't be bad during rush hour because you would be going opposite most of the traffic. I don't anticipate it would be more than a 25 minute commute. Vista Commons is a nice complex in the Vista area if you want to be in a large complex. I would also look at Vista Lofts - they are very nice, but may be a little more expensive.

[Columbiadata]

I'd start with Cornell Arms at Sumter and Pendleton. If it's not quite as nice as you'd like then check out Vista Commons. And keep an eye out for "FOR RENT" signs.

[mettler]

The commute from the Vista area might be a little wacky - but only because of all the traffic lights. I'm trying to think how I would go..maybe down Assembly past the DMV and get on 77 down there? When USC is in session that might be a bit of a hassle with all the students..coming back I would exit at exit 10 (fort Jackson blvd) and drive down Devine just to see what is going on there and in 5-points. Driving down Blossom St during the school year is always good for the scenery tho..

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by mettler

The commute from the Vista area might be a little wacky - but only because of all the traffic lights. I'm trying to think how I would go..maybe down Assembly past the DMV and get on 77 down there? When USC is in session that might be a bit of a hassle with all the students..coming back I would exit at exit 10 (fort Jackson blvd) and drive down Devine just to see what is going on there and in 5-points. Driving down Blossom St during the school year is always good for the scenery tho..

The street lights are synchronized on Assembly. I'd take Assembly north to Elmwood to Bull to 277 to I-20.

[crl0901]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

The drive from downtown to the I-20/I-77 interchange wouldn't be bad during rush hour because you would be going opposite most of the traffic. I don't anticipate it would be more than a 25 minute commute. Vista Commons is a nice complex in the Vista area if you want to be in a large complex. I would also look at Vista Lofts - they are very nice, but may be a little more expensive.

Yeah, I was looking at Vista Lofts. They're just a little too much out of my price range.

Originally Posted by Columbiadata

I'd start with Cornell Arms at Sumter and Pendleton. If it's not quite as nice as you'd like then check out Vista Commons. And keep an eye out for "FOR RENT" signs.

Are there a lot of college students in that complex? I'm trying to stay away from too many college students, mostly for noise reasons. If I were to rent a house, how quiet is the Rosewood / Shandon neighborhoods. It's so close to campus and 5 Points, I'm afraid it'd be too noisy to live there.

Originally Posted by mettler

The commute from the Vista area might be a little wacky - but only because of all the traffic lights. I'm trying to think how I would go..maybe down Assembly past the DMV and get on 77 down there? When USC is in session that might be a bit of a hassle with all the students..coming back I would exit at exit 10 (fort Jackson blvd) and drive down Devine just to see what is going on there and in 5-points. Driving down Blossom St during the school year is always good for the scenery tho..

I was thinking of taking 277 up to 20, then 20 to 77. I'm going down to Columbia on Monday to apartment hunt and I think I'm gonna drive from Vista to my work during both rush hours to get an idea of the traffic.

[mettler]

Shandon/Rosewood would be much easier. I worked East on i-20 and would drive up Devine to Fort Jackson Blvd and then to 77..not a bad commute at all.

[waccamatt]

Shandon and Rosewood are pretty quiet neighborhoods for the most part. In Rosewood, the further you get from Rosewood Drive, the less desirable the neighborhood becomes.

[Intergalactic]

How do you define "downtown", crl0901? Do you want to actually live in the area with the tall buildings along Main between Elmwood and Gervais? That's what I think of as downtown. Do you want to be near nightlife? If so, you have to be in or near the Vista and/or Five Points.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Intergalactic

How do you define "downtown", crl0901? Do you want to actually live in the area with the tall buildings along Main between Elmwood and Gervais? That's what I think of as downtown. Do you want to be near nightlife? If so, you have to be in or near the Vista and/or Five Points.

Officially, downtown Columbia is the area bounded by Elmwood, the Congaree River, Blossom and Harden Streets. The primary districts within downtown include The Vista, the Main Street corridor, Arsenal Hill, Five Points, USC, the Historic Homes District and University Hill.