moving to Columbia SC (Lexington: neighborhood, living, housing)

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

While I do understand the appeal of the suburbs for many people (I grew up there), I am a staunch believer that a strong city center is what makes an area great and unique.

Therein lies the confusion. Lexington is not a suburb of Columbia. It is a small historic town close to Columbia. It is not suburban sprawl. There are loads of beautiful trees, green space, and historic homes. The 29072 zip code has some of the most expensive and desirable homes in the Midlands area.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Nausikaa

Therein lies the confusion. Lexington is not a suburb of Columbia. It is a small historic town close to Columbia. It is not suburban sprawl. There are loads of beautiful trees, green space, and historic homes. The 29072 zip code has some of the most expensive and desirable homes in the Midlands area.

Your description applies to about 1 square mile around Main Street in Lexington - the rest of the town is suburban sprawl. Lexington was a town of about 500 people until Columbia grew up around it. Please lookup "suburb" in the dictionary.

[Columbiadata]

Lexington is so much a suburb of Columbia that its small town charm is barely still visible. And the charming part is being threatened by those suburbanites, probably residing in 29072, who would just as soon plow Main Street up and widen Route 1 through town to their cul-de-sacs in their daily commutes to and from downtown Columbia.

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

Your description applies to about 1 square mile around Main Street in Lexington - the rest of the town is suburban sprawl. Lexington was a town of about 500 people until Columbia grew up around it. Please lookup "suburb" in the dictionary.

Well Matt, you specifically said the only time you leave downtown is to perhaps take a foray out to Columbiana Mall. I don't think you know very much about places like Sumter, Lexington, Newberrry, Camden, etc. Therefore, you should just keep your info directed toward the downtown area. Which you do well very well, I might add.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Nausikaa

Well Matt, you specifically said the only time you leave downtown is to perhaps take a foray out to Columbiana Mall. I don't think you know very much about places like Sumter, Lexington, Newberrry, Camden, etc. Therefore, you should just keep your info directed toward the downtown area. Which you do well very well, I might add.

I have been to Lexington enough times to know the suburban sprawl that exists.

[LexingtonDad]

Is suburban sprawl any different than urban sprawl? You'd be hard pressed to find areas in Columbia that reach any level of density.

[davey123]

Originally Posted by LexingtonDad

Is suburban sprawl any different than urban sprawl? You'd be hard pressed to find areas in Columbia that reach any level of density.

This is an excellent question. It is hard for me to differentiate between the two. Thus, I am fascinated to find out the answer to your question. When such sprawl occurs within the central city, it is seen as progress by some. By contrast, when it occurs in surburbia, it is seen as detrimental to society. I actually think that it is progress in both regards, especially when it occurs concurrently.

I am also curious about what constitutes suburban characteristics vs. urban ones. There are parts of Columbia's central city that feel quite suburban. Yet, there are parts of the suburban areas that feel quite urban. Clearly this is not a binary case of black or white. There are simply too many shades of gray.

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

I have been to Lexington enough times to know the suburban sprawl that exists.

so predictable. Yawn...

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Nausikaa

so predictable. Yawn...

...and I'm supposed to be impressed?

[Nausikaa]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

...and I'm supposed to be impressed?

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz........