columbia info please? (Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach: best cities, insurance, how much)

[jon]

I am trying to find which would be a better move. We currently live in Tampa and want to get out of Fl. We recently visited the Simpsonville, Greenville area, we really liked it, housing is very affordable what we're concerned about is the rapid growth. We moved to Tampa 6 years ago and now its overcrowded and housing including taxes and insurance is not affordable. My wife is a pharmacist with Publix. We've heard a lot about Columbia and surrounding area is good for jobs and schools, we have 2 small children.Could someone give some input about either area, advantages and disadvantages. Thank You, Jon

[stxowax]

Greenville: Very hot in the summer.
Columbia: The hottest place on earth in the summer.

Greenville: Above average job market for South Carolina.
Columbia: Below average job market for South Carolina.

That being said, Columbia can be a nice little city to raise a family. Housing prices in Columbia are the same as in Greenville. Growth predictions are much more modest for Columbia than Greenville.

Some GREAT things about Columbia:
University of South Carolina
Heathwood/Lake Katherine/Forest Lake/Wildewood neighborhoods
Lake Murray (huge lake for fishing, swimming, and boating)

Some NOT SO GREAT things about Columbia:
Not the greatest town for cultural activities.
Not the greatest town for intellectual stimulation.

Investigate your cities carefully. You want to make the decision that is right for you.

[anonymous]

I'd pretty much agree with all that. I think both cities are surprisingly diverse. It's not as bad as some non-southerners (i.e. newsmedia, movies, tv) usually make it out to be.

I wouldn't say Columbia has a below average job market for South Carolina, I'd say it's right about average. I do agree that Greenville's is better.

Other opinions of mine:

Greenville is cleaner than Columbia
Greenville is a better-run city than Columbia
Greenville has better public high schools than Columbia

Columbia has better nightlife than Greenville
Columbia is more politically moderate than Greenville
Columbia has more and better private schools than Greenville

I'd check out older threads, too, there are many on this topic.

[jon]

thank you for the advice. I'll research both cities carefully.How are the winters different between Columbia and Greenville? Thank you again,Jon

[Akhenaton06]

I think most of the comparisons between Columbia and Greenville are pretty accurate except the state of the local economy. Just about any ranking will tell you that Columbia's job market is stronger than Greenville's (although I would say that Greenville's may be a bit more diversified). In Forbes latest "Best Cities to Get a Job" ranking, among the 100 largest metro areas in the nation, Columbia ranked 63rd and Greenville ranked 91st (source: http://www.miami.com/mld/thestate/business/14429243.htm (broken link) ). Columbia also has a higher per capita income than Greenville (source: http://www.miami.com/mld/thestate/business/14429243.htm (broken link) ). Greenville is still reeling from losses in textiles and manufacturing, while Columbia's economy is pretty stable due to state government, USC, and Fort Jackson.

As far as winters go, Greenville usually gets hit a little harder than Columbia, but there's not too much of a drastic difference there.

I think Columbia does fairly well when it comes to cultural activities. You have independent theaters (Nickelodeon, Town Theatre), museums (Columbia Museum of Art, State Museum, EdVenture Children's Museum [largest children's museum in the Southeast]), etc. Columbia falls short in the retail department however.

Another good thing about Columbia is that it's pretty central to everything due to the presence of three interstates that allow you to get to heavily traveled destinations, such as Charlotte, Asheville, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta, fairly quickly.

[dabluewinner]

Columbia largest city in South Carolina
Best place for jobs
many concerts
Shopping center of South Carolina malls etc.
city city vibe


Greenville smaller
country like city ( in the mountains )
you can find jobs there also, but not like Columbia


Columbia (The Met)

[CarolinaSouth803]

Originally Posted by stxowax

Greenville: Very hot in the summer.
Columbia: The hottest place on earth in the summer.

Greenville: Above average job market for South Carolina.
Columbia: Below average job market for South Carolina.

That being said, Columbia can be a nice little city to raise a family. Housing prices in Columbia are the same as in Greenville. Growth predictions are much more modest for Columbia than Greenville.

Some GREAT things about Columbia:
University of South Carolina
Heathwood/Lake Katherine/Forest Lake/Wildewood neighborhoods
Lake Murray (huge lake for fishing, swimming, and boating)

Some NOT SO GREAT things about Columbia:
Not the greatest town for cultural activities.
Not the greatest town for intellectual stimulation.

Investigate your cities carefully. You want to make the decision that is right for you.

I really wish that i was a member of this site when this post was made. That had to be the more bias bit of posting that i've read since being on here. I knew it was some hate between the Cities but WOW....keep it fair. I've noticed that most people from Columbia will tell you to just check out each area and will give you any info you want about the city without comparing the other cities in the state with negative light. But i see it's not the same from others...they will call Columbia everything negative that they can and even when being helpful they find a way to slick diss the state capital.....

Columbia has been adding 2000 plus jobs a months since the year started....but the job market is below average.
Columbia is the largest city in the state so i'm not gonna say anymore
Columbia was the 2nd ranks "Best midsize city to live in" only behind Birmingham, AL recently.....future growth is considered in that report.
Cultural activities and intellectual stimulation....lol...that's funny and you were reaching with that comment.....just stop it...

and why did u compare Greenville and Columbia in every category but the last. you list what you feel is bad about Cola, but not Greenville....

I rate this post........BS

[Nausikaa]

I have lived in FL, GA and SC. I live in Irmo (Columbia). There are 3 Publix stores within a few miles of my home, and they are super nice.

Greenville and Columbia are very similar cities, and I like both of them very much.

The summer heat is the same in both cities, believe me! It will be 1 to 2 degrees warmer in Columbia in the summer. In winter Columbia will be about 10 degrees warmer on a lot of days. It can get very icy and cold in Greenville. The 2 cities are only 95 miles apart - how much different can they be. It's like comparing Tampa to Orlando! Since you live in FL, the heat is about the same, except in SC you have seasons, and the leaves change colour.

Shopping - same in both cities. Very good shopping really.

Greenville is close to mountains, which is nice.

Columbia has huge Lake Murray on its doorstep for fishing, swimming, and boating. Not far from beach, not far from mountains.

Both cities have plenty of concerts. In Columbia you have the symphony, the ballet, nice museums. The Univ of SC. Football mania, etc.

Both cities and very good schools. Housing is about the same price.

Greenville is the most conservative city in the state, and has the Bob Jones University. Columbia, with the university, is a little more diverse.

Both are great places to live. Good luck.

[Nausikaa]

I also lived in Tampa, and I believe you would find better school systems in Columbia. Friends of mine in Tampa use private schools.