Columbia, SC (West Columbia, Cayce, Laurens: home, neighborhoods, university)

[ss1234]

I am thinking about moving to columbia, SC but I have the following concerns:

1) is the culture WAY TOO conservative? Are am I going to be excluded from social circles I dont go to church or if I have liberal views?

2) do they still have hate groups like KKK or anything like that? are they ok with diversity? (my wife is white but I'm latin)

3) is there a growing gang problem?

Thanks for any info!

[Skyliner]

1. Columbia is not "way too conservative" in my opinion.
2. Yes, the KKK is still in the area and shows up once in awhile to protest in front of the Statehouse. A few weeks ago, there was even a rally by the neo-nazis. (shudder) Diversity shouldn't be too big a problem overall, from my experience there, but I have definitely seen more diverse places.
3. Gangs are a problem in the Columbia metro, but hopefully something is being done about them. You need to be careful where you go after dark.

[Akhenaton06]

Columbia is liberal by SC standards, which means that overall it's more moderate politically.

Hate groups exist everywhere, but they do not have a substantial presence in the Columbia area from what I've seen. The rally by the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement was pretty small (80 members rallied); protestors outnumbered them. It should also be pointed out that the group is based in Minneapolis, and its "presidential candidate" is from Laurens, SC (the guy can't even appear on the ballot because he's a convicted felon). The group only rallied in Columbia because it's the state capital, just like any other organization.

In terms of diversity, it's about average for a midsized metro area in the South. Having a large university with a highly-ranked international business program helps with that. The most diverse portion of the metro area is the northeast part of Richland County.

There is a gang problem in the area, but it's actively being dealt with. Gang activity is limited to only a few neighborhoods, so as long as you stay out of those areas, you'll be OK.

[sandlapper]

Originally Posted by ss1234

I am thinking about moving to columbia, SC but I have the following concerns:

1) is the culture WAY TOO conservative? Are am I going to be excluded from social circles I dont go to church or if I have liberal views?

2) do they still have hate groups like KKK or anything like that? are they ok with diversity? (my wife is white but I'm latin)

3) is there a growing gang problem?

Thanks for any info!

As an official Columbia boy i can give you an insiders view.

1) The culture in SC is generally conservative but as far as SC goes Columbia is pretty liberal. You wont be persecuted for having liberal views, or not going to church on Sundays.

2) Growing up in Columbia and I was not aware of any KKK or neo-nazi groups or organizations located in the area. That of course is not to say that they may not exsist but you wont be picked on or attacked by these idiots in the streets of Columbia it just wont happen. If you spend a little time in Columbia you will notice why.

3). I haven't lived at home in a while but to my understanding there is a gang problem growing in Columbia. But don't get discouraged its like anywhere else mostly troubled youths with no other options in their particular community.

[Roy King]

Originally Posted by sandlapper

1) The culture in SC is generally conservative but as far as SC goes Columbia is pretty liberal.

You have GOT to be kidding!! Columbia is liberal? You will not fiind a more motley population of yahoos, hicks, rednecks, and yahoos than in Columbia.

Originally Posted by sandlapper

You wont be persecuted for having liberal views, or not going to church on Sundays.

Well gee, that's humane of Columbians...

[sonofaque86]

Originally Posted by Roy King

You have GOT to be kidding!! Columbia is liberal? You will not fiind a more motley population of yahoos, hicks, rednecks, and yahoos than in Columbia.




Well gee, that's humane of Columbians...

Are you getting Lexington County (Pelion, Gaston, Swansea, Lexington, Cayce, and West Columbia) confused with COLUMBIA AND RICHLAND COUNTY??? You will barely find any hicks this side of the river as in Lexington County which seems plenty

[waccamatt]

Obviously Roy King thinks he knows everything there is to know about Columbia, but he doesn't live here.

Columbia is one of the more liberal cities in the southeast, especially in comparison to most of South Carolina. Like everywhere, there are some fringe groups that exist, but there are many, many more liberal-leaning groups located in Columbia.

There are some gangs known to be in the area, but most parts of the city are safe, day or night. I don't hesitate to go out in the Vista or Five Points or my neighborhood at night.

I don't find the culture to be conservative. There is a live and let live attitude in the city.

[Palmetto Heel]

There's a grain of truth to each of your assumptions about Columbia. You'll just have to visit and see for yourself if they are true.

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

Obviously Roy King thinks he knows everything there is to know about Columbia, but he doesn't live here.

Columbia is one of the more liberal cities in the southeast, especially in comparison to most of South Carolina. Like everywhere, there are some fringe groups that exist, but there are many, many more liberal-leaning groups located in Columbia.

So liberal that some college kids screamed "f*g" at my partner and I. Yes.....very liberal. (rolls eyes). If that is liberal, then I want no part of it.

Liberal Southeast cities (excluding Florida) IMHO are Charlottesville, Richmond, Asheville, New Orleans, Atlanta.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by gsupstate

So liberal that some college kids screamed "f*g" at my partner and I. Yes.....very liberal. (rolls eyes). If that is liberal, then I want no part of it.

Liberal Southeast cities (excluding Florida) IMHO are Charlottesville, Richmond, Asheville, New Orleans, Atlanta.

You can't base an impression of a place on a single incident, though obviously you continue to try and do that, because you bring it up repeatedly. I can list a number of reasons why Columbia is one of the most gay-friendly places in the south and, by far the most friendly in South Carolina. In my opinion, quantifiable reasons like anti-discrimination laws, representation by city and county elected officials at events, etc. means more than a singular unfortunate incident.