moving to columbia (Irmo, Forest Acres, Lexington: fit in, transplants, homes)

[wantwarmthandfriendly]

We are a family of 5 moving from Western PA to the Columbia area. I was wondering which districts/areas are receptive to Northerners. We are just normal nonbiased, nonjudgemental people. We don't think the Southerners are "slow" and are looking forward to the Southern friendliness and slower lifestyle pace...not to mention the WEATHER! I'll have one in college (University of South Carolina of course! Go Gamecocks!) and an 8th grader and 6th grader. We are a little concerned about all of the comments regarding "damn yankees" etc. While doing the searches online...the Lexington County/Richland County areas are our preference regarding location, schools, demographics, etc. ...but I've heard "stay out of Lexington if you're from the North." Is this true? or is it just one person's view? ...and what do people mean when they say "they're stuck in the civil war era." ...meaning what? ...and what are people trying to say when they display the confederate flag? ...and what did the USC coach imply when he said that the confederate flag should be taken down from the town hall? I know these questions seem stupid but I would appreciate answers/opinions.
Thank you.

[Akhenaton06]

A lot of questions, LOL. Let's see here.

The most transplant-friendly area of the metro area is northeast Richland. Lexington County, while having good schools and ever increasing in popularity from a suburban point of view, still very much has the "good ol' boy" mentality going on. I wouldn't say that you'd encounter any direct hostility out that way, but it's just that Richland County tends to be more diverse and cosmopolitan (by SC standards anyway) than Lexington County; it also seems to be where many Northern transplants to the metro area wind up.

The Confederate flag issue can be a sticky one. There are those who proudly display it, saying that for them it doesn't represent racism or an approval of slavery, but it is simply to recognize their (White) Southern heritage. However, there are many, both White and Black, who consider the symbol offensive and divisive and doesn't help the state at all in terms of its image in the national consciousness (or in terms of economic development). The latter is what Steve Spurrier was trying to get at when he advocated that the flag be removed from the grounds of the state capitol building (not the town hall).

Hope this helps.

[wantwarmthandfriendly]

Thanks. I really appreciate your reply and have started to look into the Northeast area as well.

[mystree]

I'll have one in college (University of South Carolina of course! Go Gamecocks!)

If you're a gamecock fan here they will loveee you...lol. I'm a northerner and I've had no problems in Lexington I've been here since 2001.

[sandlapper]

New to the forum saw your questions thought I'd answer. I grew up in Columbia so I would say there is some merit to being from the north and avoiding Lexington County. It tends to be a little less progressive and accepting of anything new or from the outside the state. Infact like earlier mentioned the Columbia metro is somewhat divided among county lines. Richland County is the largest County in the metro and is the crossroad of the state with institutions such as USC, state capital, Fort Jackson (Army base), converging of I-77, 26, and 20 to name a few so there tends to be a little bit more diversity located in Richland County for those reasons. I live out of state now but if I were to move back to SC it would be to NE Richland Co it fits the ever popular "new south" model.

This is of course not to say that if you move to Lexington Co you will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimestone for being from up north but there is definately a different vibe between the two counties. For example Richland County almost always votes democrat, while Lexington County will always vote republican.

[wantwarmthandfriendly]

Thanks. I enjoyed your humor and input. I'm thinking Richland County here we come.

[Nausikaa]

NE Columbia has a lot of sprawl, with a lot of subdivisions going in, with plenty of traffic congestion. The area is not woodsy, as the topography is sort of sandhills, scrub oak. There are a lot of northern transplants there, because of the housing. Lake Carolina area is very nice.

Lexington, Irmo and Chapin are in Lexington County, and all still have character to them, and are charming. All these 3 areas are also near Lake Murray, if you like boating. They also have the better schools. The area is woodsy, and very pretty. All of the above areas have great shopping, etc. I live in Irmo, and love it, but I also think Lexington is a very friendly and pretty area. The taxes are lower in Lexington County.

I'm not really into urban sprawl, and no trees, but that's just me. There are also some very pretty areas in Shandon, Forest Acres, near the university.

As far as friendly - all areas are friendly. As far as being from the north - I don't think people care where anyone is from. I don't know where that comes from.

[GoPadge]

You are, in essence, moving to another country. Yes the language is very similar, but the lifestyle, attitudes, religious beliefs and political climate are subtly different. Recognize the differences upfront, don't harp on how things were done where you came from and you'll be ok.

[Akhenaton06]

Northeast Richland may be more sprawled than Lexington, but they are pretty much sprawling at the same rate. Pretty much anything outside of the in-town neighborhoods that are seeing significant growth is sprawling.

No one is saying that Lexington County isn't friendly, but it does have more of a "good ol' boy" vibe to it that might make it harder for an outsider to fit in, whereas one could find their niche a bit easier in Northeast Richland among the abundance of transplants from the North/Midwest.

And the Northeast area has better shopping, with more options to come with the construction of Killian's Crossing.

[Nausikaa]

Yes, all areas mentioned are nice. All have nice homes, good shopping, etc.