Nice places to live in Columbia for 20 somethings? (Newberry, Lexington: best neighborhood, apartments)

[Newyorkergirl]

I am a female in my mid 20's looking to relocate to Columbia SC from upstate NY. I have a job offer in Newberry County, however, I don't mind up to a 45 min commute. I would like to live somewhere that is affordable (no more than $650 rent) and safe, yet in close proximity to bars, restaurants, shopping centers, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions of places to look, or places/areas to avoid? Also, any information about things to do/places to visit in Columbia would be helpful

[waccamatt]

You can find some places in-town for that, depending on what your needs are. How much space do you require and do you care if you're in a complex or would a quadruplex/duplex work?

[innovator82]

After reading your situation, one suggestion would be for you to look at apartments in the Harbison Rd. area. It's kind-of the first exit in Columbia when traveling east on I-26, which also means it is the closest to Newberry (you could just hop on I-26 and make pretty good time going against rush-hour traffic). The Harbison Rd. area is where the main galleria-type mall in Columbia is, lots of your typical restaurants and big-box stores and stuff, and you'd be probably 15 minutes or so from downtown Columbia which has Five Points and the Vista (the two main bar/nightlife districts).

$650 rent for a 1 BR is doable but might be on the low-end for some of the nicer/newer looking apt. complexes. I guess it depends on your taste. I happen to have the 2008 ed. of the Columbia Apt. Finder guide in front of me. Paces Brook is a popular apt. complex right behind the mall and across from stuff like Carabbas, etc. The price of a 1 BR is from $647. The Crestmont is a reputable apt. community in the Harbison area and it starts at $715 for a 1 BR.

You may also want to look in Lexington at some of the newer apts. that have gone up on Hwy. 378 and also on U.S. 1, both areas off of I-20. I think these may be in your price-range and are supposed to be nice. There is lots of shopping in Lexington and it's close to downtown Columbia too. The Northeast Columbia/Sandhills area which you will probably read about is also a very nice and growing area, but it is farther than the others I mentioned from downtown Columbia and also farther from getting to Newberry--probably not the most convenient option for you. There are lots of apts. along Broad River Road area which kind of runs parallel to I-26 from Harbison Blvd. to downtown Columbia. Lots of these apts. are cheaper but sketchy--I would stay away from most of them. I did live in Riverview Apts. off of Broad River Rd. a few years ago and would recommend it and Broad River Chase, but not the others in this area. Also stay away from apartments off of Parklane Rd. in Northeast Columbia--usually lots of crime in that area.

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[waccamatt]

Those are good suggestions, but I would think a single 20-something would rather live in-town where they can be close to The Vista and Five Points. Going against traffic, living in The Vista would only add about 10 minutes to the drive from Harbison.

[Newyorkergirl]

Hmm....the vista and five points....I'm not familar with those terms...are they neighboorhoods in Columbia?

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Newyorkergirl

Hmm....the vista and five points....I'm not familar with those terms...are they neighboorhoods in Columbia?

Those are the 2 main arts/entertainment/restaurant areas downtown. If I were single and in my 20's I would want to be in or close to where I would want to go out and do things.

[LexingtonDad]

After reading your situation, one suggestion would be for you to look at apartments in the Harbison Rd. area. It's kind-of the first exit in Columbia when traveling east on I-26, which also means it is the closest to Newberry (you could just hop on I-26 and make pretty good time going against rush-hour traffic). The Harbison Rd. area is where the main galleria-type mall in Columbia is, lots of your typical restaurants and big-box stores and stuff, and you'd be probably 15 minutes or so from downtown Columbia which has Five Points and the Vista (the two main bar/nightlife districts).

Considering that you will be working in Newberry I think Innovator82's advice is pretty good. You will find traffic much less of a hassle down here (and gas is pretty cheap) than most other places so you can get around pretty good. Especially since you will be going against traffic on your commute.

[mettler]

Mid 20's and living on Harbison?!...No way I would live on Harbison..I'd much rather add some minutes to my commute and live downtown than live out there. Granted there are some nice things out there, but most of the 20-something action is downtown in the Vista/Five Points..and that is a long drive home Friday night at 3am. Get in the action and move downtown.

[stevehawk]

Well if you did live on Harbison going to Newberry to work you would miss all the traffic. Of course even if you were in Cola you would still be goin the opposite direction.

If I were your age I agree that it would be preferable to live close to 5 points.

They have great deals on those new apartmants by the stadium.

There are so many of them and they are still mostly empty.

While it's not the best neighborhood your close to everything and you could get a great deal there.

[Newyorkergirl]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I hope to go down and visit the area before I move..but my new job starts in 2 weeks so time may not allow...