Univ of SC - relocation (Columbia, Forest Acres: affordable apartments, for rent, condo)

[pinkjacket]

I'm in the process of applying to law school and am planning to apply to University of South Carolina. I haven't traveled there yet but have been doing some research online.

I really like the school but have some questions about the area. I currently live in South Florida in a well-developed area. With the development comes good and bad parts. We have great shopping, restaurants, parks, etc, but we also have more crime and gang activity.

I like that the school is in the capital because it affords a lot of opportunities, but am concerned about the problems that come with a big city. Is Columbia safe? Is it better to live in the city or on the outskirts based on affordability?

What's the social scene like? I'm in my early 40's and wonder about the social environment for my age group.

Any insights that can be provided rearding USC and Columbia would be greatly appreciated. I do plan on getting there before the end of the year to visit...anything I should definitely check out if I'm considering relocating?

Thanks for your help.

[jlboney]

As far as safety is concerned, then obviously no one can say that you will be perfectly safe no matter where you go in any city. Columbia is not a huge city, but it is well developed, including most of it's suburban areas like Northeast Columbia, Southeast, and Lexington. I have been in the Columbia area my entire life and I have lived in Northeast Columbia and the Blythewood area for about 11 years. I have never had any problems and I have not expirienced anything that I would consider gang activity, but that's just me. I'm sure there are other that may have a different story and I can only speak for myself.

As far as down townis concerned, you should definately visit the Vista area, it's full of shops, businesses, restuarants, bars, art galleries, and various other points of interest. Down town also has several parks like Riverfront Park off of Huger Street and Finley Park.

If you plan on attenting USC, and you want to remain close by, then you may want to check out communities or apartments in down town or Southeast as this would put you closer to school. Rosewood and Shandon are some good spots to see. Presten Green a little further up Garners Ferry Road would be another and parts of Forest Acres as well.

If you do not mind a 30 minute communte, then you may also want to take a look at Northeast Columbia. There are tons of communities to choose from, plenty of shopping, dinning, and entertainment at the The Village at Sandhill. There is also Sesquicentennial State Park for outdoor activities.

In the end the best way to know a place is to spend some time there and see how you feel about it. You will get a better sense of what Columbia is like when you have a chance to visit.

Will you be buying a home or are you planning to rent? If you can let us know this and what price range you are trying to stay in, we can be a little more specific as to what communities or complexes you should look into.

[pinkjacket]

jlboney- thanks so much for the information. I am hoping to schedule a visit either at the end of the month or early November. I'm trying to visit 3 schools before the end of the year and with work and family responsibilites I'm running out of time.

Right now I am not planning on buying because I don't want the hassles of homeownership while attending school. I do, however, want to stay away from apartment complexes so am looking to rent either a condo/townhome or a small single family home. It's just me so I'm looking for a two-bedroom with a garage (have to have a place to park the motorcycle). I don't mind driving 30 minutes if it will get me a nicer place at a lower price.

When I do visit I plan to arrive on a Thursday and stay through the weekend so I have time to drive around. It seems like there's a lot to see in a short period of time, aside from visiting the school.

You say that you've lived there your whole life so I'm sure you've seen a lot of changes. Do you find that the city is being over-developed? I will definitely check out the areas you mentioned that are close to the school.

This might be too general a question, but what's your take on the social scene/nightlife?

[jlboney]

If you do not mind communting to school, then you may want to take a look at some communities in the Northeast area of town. Some of them will be cheaper on rent than it will be to rent in town. That's not to say that you can't find some good deals on homes for rent in Shandon, Rosewood, or Forest Acres, you'll just have to do some digging.

As far as nightlife is concerned, I like hanging out in all areas of town. As I am in Northeast I spend most of my time in the Village at Sandhill. Blue Fin is a nice little seafood spot and it has a bar that usually brings people in to have a drink or two and hang out. I go to Corked more than any where else, it's a wine shop that has high gravity beer and everyone there has always been very friendly. No loud music so you can talk. Wild Wings always has a good crowd and usually live music on the week end. There is also a few other places throughout Northeast like Carolina wing and Beef Obrady's.

Down town has a lot more to choose from, as it is down town. 5 Points is full of shops, bars, and restuarants. Fun place to walk from spot to spot. At night it is more of a college hang out as it is right by the University, but that's not to say that only younger crowds hang out there.

The Vista typically an older crowd over all. Anyone from young professionals to seasoned veterans I guess you could say. I like it there and go to the Vista much more than 5 Points these days as I am dangerously close to thirty.

Overall, people are friendly and helpful. No matter where you go, there is the possiblity of running into a jerk or two, but I rarely do.

[mettler]

make sure you check the USC football schedule. If you try to come to Columbia during a home game you will not find anyplace to stay.

[waccamatt]

I would look in the areas close to campus - you can find nice, safe affordable apartments in Shandon, Five Points, Olympia and Rosewood. These would put you within easy walking/biking/driving distance of campus and close to restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

[pinkjacket]

Originally Posted by mettler

make sure you check the USC football schedule. If you try to come to Columbia during a home game you will not find anyplace to stay.

Thanks for the heads up on that. Hadn't thought about it, but will check the schedule once I narrow down when I want to visit.

[pinkjacket]

Originally Posted by jlboney

If you do not mind communting to school, then you may want to take a look at some communities in the Northeast area of town. Some of them will be cheaper on rent than it will be to rent in town. That's not to say that you can't find some good deals on homes for rent in Shandon, Rosewood, or Forest Acres, you'll just have to do some digging.

As far as nightlife is concerned, I like hanging out in all areas of town. As I am in Northeast I spend most of my time in the Village at Sandhill. Blue Fin is a nice little seafood spot and it has a bar that usually brings people in to have a drink or two and hang out. I go to Corked more than any where else, it's a wine shop that has high gravity beer and everyone there has always been very friendly. No loud music so you can talk. Wild Wings always has a good crowd and usually live music on the week end. There is also a few other places throughout Northeast like Carolina wing and Beef Obrady's.

Down town has a lot more to choose from, as it is down town. 5 Points is full of shops, bars, and restuarants. Fun place to walk from spot to spot. At night it is more of a college hang out as it is right by the University, but that's not to say that only younger crowds hang out there.

The Vista typically an older crowd over all. Anyone from young professionals to seasoned veterans I guess you could say. I like it there and go to the Vista much more than 5 Points these days as I am dangerously close to thirty.

Overall, people are friendly and helpful. No matter where you go, there is the possiblity of running into a jerk or two, but I rarely do.

Thanks. I've seen 30 and passed it quite awhile ago so I guess I'm looking more for an older crowd and will want to stay away from the typical "student" hangouts.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by pinkjacket

Thanks. I've seen 30 and passed it quite awhile ago so I guess I'm looking more for an older crowd and will want to stay away from the typical "student" hangouts.

The Vista area would probably be more up your alley, then. There are many restaurants, clubs, live theatres, etc. in that area, along with the Colonial Life Arena and the Koger Center for the Arts.

[pinkjacket]

Great. I'll be sure to check out those areas when I visit.