Considering a move to the Columbia, SC metro area in July, 2010 (Charleston: to rent, credit)

[theleast]

Season's Greetings! Happy New Year!

My wife & I are investigating a move to the Columbia, SC area. We're doing internet-based research at this point, but are also planning a trip or two in late February / early March & again in late April / early May.

About us:

I've worked in a healthcare provider environment (hospitals, clinics, medical school) for the past decade in IT service & support (including project management & leadership positions). I'm currently working for a RIS/HIS & PACS vendor learning the ropes. I have an IT degree, a plethora of IT-related certifications (including project & process management certifications) & am on track to complete a business management degree in June. My wife works in Environmental Services Management in a healthcare facility (her management resume is extensive).

Our sons will be 16, 15 & 13 x 2 (not twins). They do well academically & are interested in a variety of extra-curriculars. Priorities dictate that the school have a strong academic history including AP classes & the ability to advance by earning college credits while in high school by taking such classes. Secondly, all 4 have played football, 3 have wrestled, 3 have run cross-country & track & 1 plays basketball, so, we would like a school with an emphasis on excellence in student athletics.

We've had our hands in raising 7 ethnically diverse children. While this may not be for everyone, we've been blessed & consider ourselves fortunate for the opportunity. Our daughters, from external appearance, are placed in the Caucasian box; 3 of our sons, Black & the other 2, Hispanic.

We currently live in the Milwaukee, WI metro area, so, we know what it is to live in segregation while still pursuing the dream of being judged by character & not by stereotype. Milwaukee is one of the most hyper-segregated communities in the country, so, we're certainly not judging the South on presumptions or Northern stereotypes. We would like some pointers & suggestions for which communities might afford us opportunities to interact with others who are willing to give someone the chance to identify themselves as human beings, as opposed to being another black or Hispanic, etc...

Our eldest daughter is an Airman; our eldest son has signed up to become a Marine after graduation in June. Our oldest daughter in the house is investigating Air Force ROTC through Marquette University.

We're looking for a place to rent for the first year; ultimately, we're looking to buy some land on which to build (looking for 65 - 100 acres). Ideally, we would like our sons to remain in the same high school, even after the move to the country.

What communities would provide the best opportunities regarding schooling, extra-curriculars & possible employment? We would like to stay in the Columbia metro area. It seems to be in the middle of everything, + it's more likely that we'll be able to find a decent sized piece of land within a reasonable commute. We would like the community (& ultimately our land) to be within a reasonable drive to downtown Columbia. I've done a little research & am interested in working out @ renigar kenpo / jujitsu (106 Hillpine Rd, Columbia, SC 29212) when we relocate, to provide a point of interest.

Any advice regarding the current employment market is also appreciated. We're both working with companies that may move us, but times are tough... my company may not have any positions available that would allow me to move with them... hers could be similar. We'll look deeper into that in the new year.

Thanks in advance, for all your time & consideration.

I've researched this forum; I realize the "possibly moving to" can be redundant... thanks for offering suggestions specific to my inquiries!

[ranger17]

as we moved in Feb from the Madison WI area, I can give some general pointers that may be of some help. First off we also started our research via the net, sites like this actually being very helpful. We had spent a few days in March 08 in Hilton Head for our first view of SC and enjoyed what little we did see. So we came down last Sept for 8 days, spending a couple with our realtor contact driving around, learning some area basics, and getting a general idea on what our $$ could get us down here ( a good suggestion if you get serious about it ). But also as important was we spent some days just recreating, doing things we'd do if we lived here. So that meant trips to the lake, the zoo, into Columbia itself, even a day trip to Charleston/beach. It was actually those excursions that sealed the deal for us. Now we were young empty nesters when we made the move so in theory schools wouldn't mean much importance to us. But our thought was it's best to own a home in a desirable district, in case some day we decide to move again. Not sure if either of your trips include bringing the whole troop, but it may be a positive if you could, so the kids could get a feel as well.
The idea of renting first is what we did, allows one to spend some time learning the different areas before making a committment to a home purchase ( esp in this market ). The 'burb we ended up near gave us some nice lake options ( a big plus for us ), close to the city if we needed it, and from what we've read and heard a good school district as well--though I of course will defer to the locals on what school systems are better then others.
As for diversity, while my wife and I are white ( my wife's Oneida skin just giving her an easier time tanning down here haha ), we are good friends back home with a hispanic couple as well as a mixed race couple. To be honest, I always felt that they seemed to get more "looks" back in Madison then anyone ever should, realizing that it is a very white population there. I don't know first hand how mixed familes do down here, but my hope is that with a higher % of the various races all blended in that one should see the person and not the color. Maybe i'm wrong on that ( hope not ), but I haven't felt or heard nearly as much stereotyping here as I did back home.
Well, my rambling has gone on far too long, the regulars on the site should be able to give more valuable info on areas to look at, potential jobs, and how the region may feel as part of or towards a diverse family. Best of luck in your search, keep in mind you will NOT need your shovel down here ( reason # 1 for our move! ), and when the local weather dude says it's gonna be a blast of cold area and only 20 degrees at night--that's above zero not below....

[theleast]

Thanks, Ranger. I actually read your adventure / move process in another thread & considered just PMing you. I posted in hopes of a broader audience...

Thanks, again, for taking the time to reply.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Ranger gives some solid advice. As for the schools, I think Lexington/Richland 5 or Richland 2 would be great fits for schools based on what you're looking for. Lex/Rich 5(NW Columbia) encompasses 29210/29212/29063/29036 zip codes and Rich 2 (NE Columbia) is 29229/29223/29015/29016 zip codes.

Blythewood HS is very popular because of the way they do career oriented classes with the kids starting their Fr year of HS. The guidance counselors at the school are available to give you a tour and tell you about the district so if you visit schedule a visit with them.

NW Columbia is actually a little closer in town mileage wise, but with traffic driving time is wash from downtown Columbia during rush hour. Also, the districts both allow school of choice but you'll be responsible for transportation if it's not the zoned HS. NW Columbia would offer land in the Chapin/White Rock/ Little Mountain areas. For land in NE you would look in the Blythewood area.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by theleast

Thanks, Ranger. I actually read your adventure / move process in another thread & considered just PMing you. I posted in hopes of a broader audience...

Thanks, again, for taking the time to reply.

never a problem to try and be of assistance, as there were those who helped us last year. There are many questions we still have ourselves, part of the learning curve down here ( also part of the fun of getting to know it better ). So more specific answers I'd leave to the "pros" such as Brandon, but any q's on the move itself I can throw my .02 in.
thx

[Columbiadata]

Definitely consider Richland 1 where it's zoned for Dreher High School in Columbia or A.C. Flora High School in Forest Acres.

[theleast]

Perhaps my initial statement regarding the size of the land I'm looking for is preventing people from responding; if so, it may be best to simply state that a recent review of a couple of sites have returned some within the stated range, but most have been smaller parcels. In fact, the best parcel, in terms of my long-term goals is a little 27-acre plot.

My primary interest regarding my children is sending them to a school with strong academics, a good football program & a good wrestling program. Certainly someone from the area would know which are the better / best schools in the metro area...

Thanks for the responses. I've been reviewing the other threads related to moving to the area & pulling data from them. The reason I posted was to get a feel for the best school for my children & potential employment opportunities for them, which isn't addressed in any of the other recent "moving to columbia" threads.

Would anyone have information regarding recreational programs for youth in the Columbia area? Specifically, I'm looking for open gym & open swim opportunities. Are there any boys & girls clubs, YMCAs, or other places for the youth to 1) swim year-round, 2) take swimming lessons & 3) serve as lifeguards? Here, they've been able to pursue these 3 things without difficulty. I hope to provide them the same opportunities there.

[Brandon Hoffman]

HS's: Irmo, Dutch Fork, Chapin, Blythewood, Ridge View, Spring Valley, Lexington, White Knoll
YMCA's in NE Cola, NW Cola, and Lexington and other options also. The greater Columbia area has a population of ~750k or so but it sprawls over a large geographic area.