Relocating - Kids Most Important (Columbia, Irmo: homes, safe neighborhood, school district)

[momneedstoknow]

Family needs direction! Two elementary school children need a safe neighborhood in which to develop new and long-lasting friendships. They need a great school w/established teachers. Dad needs to get off 126 near Stoneridge/Greystone daily w/less than 30 minute drive. Mom can go anywhere, but needs great gym for the immediate future while looking for a job. We are not country mice, nor are we city mice. We like to ride our bikes to the coffee shop, lunch, bookstore. I keep reading about Lexington and the schools? Would like a gated community w/park/pool. I see all you realtors posting, so speak up. . .what do you have to say. I need help FAST!!! 4/3/3 After South Florida. . . safety is very important to mom! Mom's you have the most facts! Please help this one! With gratitude!

[Brandon Hoffman]

Lex/Richland 5 or Lex 1 school district is what you want. You won't find many 3 car garages or gated communities but otherwise you can get what you need. What price?

[momneedstoknow]

Thank you . . . up to $399. . . by Jan.

[Brandon Hoffman]

You should be able to get what you want as that will give you a lot of choices in our market. Our median price is 139k which will get you approximately ~1500 sf 3/2/2 in a good neighborhood. For 399 you're going to be wide open to get into some of the most desirable neighborhoods and could even save some money and still get a great home.

If you want some sample neighborhoods that would work check out Governors Grant, Belle Chase, Greenside, Wilmont in Lexington, etc.

Irmo/NW Columbia has Sheffield, Avalon, Ascott, Lakeside at Ballentine, Woodmoor, Rolling Creek etc.

Chapin has Forty Love, Indian Cove, Villages of Hilton, Hilton Estates, and plenty of Lake Murray homes.

[momneedstoknow]

What about Lake Carolina area?

[Brandon Hoffman]

It will be a haul to get from Lake Carolina (NE Columbia) to Greystone, definately push the 30 minute commute during rush hour. Richland 2 schools are good. Off the top of my head I think LC is zoned for Ridge View HS. Some of the kids are in LC elementary and some are being moved to another school because the LC elem can't handle the # of kids it currently has.

[momneedstoknow]

My immediate concerns are elementary and middle.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Originally Posted by momneedstoknow

My immediate concerns are elementary and middle.

Right, the elementary schools are good. The biggest drawback will be the commute. Check out the areas and see what feels like home. Lexington, Irmo, and NE all have good schools and I really don't think that any of them are significantly better than the other.