Possible relocation to SC - are you familiar with SE MI? (Columbia: homes, high schools)

[Colin's Mommy]

Hi there!
Family of 4 - with 2 young kids.
In the medical & accounting field.
Currently live in S/E MI near Ann Arbor
Looking for a community very similar to Brighton MI -
wants...
- within 1 hour of airport, level 1 trauma center, zoos etc.
- within 10 minutes or so of great parks
- family friendly
- walkable downtown area (doesn't have to be large)
- grocery/Target within 10 minutes
- great elementary, middle, high schools

Hoping to visit NC & SC this summer & have a areas to check out! Thank you in advance!!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Colin's Mommy

Looking for a community very similar to Brighton MI -
wants...
- within 1 hour of airport, level 1 trauma center, zoos etc.

I have no idea what Brighton Michigan is like, and I had to look up what a level 1 Trauma center is. So the start the discussion, there are only three ACS verified level 1 trauma center in the state: Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach: SOUTH CAROLINA
Medical University Hospital Authority Charleston Level I Trauma Center 11/8/14
Palmetto Health Richland Columbia Level I Trauma Center 6/20/16
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center Myrtle Beach Level II Trauma Center 1/24/15

If you count the 2 in the Charlotte area, then you could be within 1 hour of Charlotte. There are lots of family-friendly suburbs in the York/Lexington County area, so you might check that sub-forum.

[ranger17]

OP, while not from MI, we came down here (currently live in a burb of Columbia) from Madison Wi in 09. We were looking for some of the same things we had back home, all wrapped up in a warmer winter climate lol.

To answer some of your q's, in no particular order.

-I believe there is at least one Level 1 trauma center here, 'locals' could confirm that.
-Columbia has a regional airport that is quite nice, just have to watch the fares. We are maybe 1.5 hrs from Charlotte for more options.
-The Riverbanks Zoo here is one of the top zoos in the southeast if not further out.
-Some nice parks in and around the city, plus Congaree Nat'l Forest as well as several rivers flowing thru the area and Lake Murray on the west side.
-As for a walkable downtown area, Columbia actually has a couple different 'districts' set up. Main st, the 'Vista' and 'Five Points'. Not necessarily all within walking distance of each other, though not impossible either. As i dont spend a lot of time in town, i'd defer to others for their pros and cons. In my opinion, if we're looking to spend time in one of the SC cities, we head down to Charleston (historical) or Greenville (to us more of a 'Main St' vibe). But that's just my .02 on this part, no knock against Columbia. But we chose to live in this area for what it offered and for it's more central location to offer day trips to the other spots.
- schools can vary somewhat, seems from what i've heard/read (we're empty nesters down here) there are some districts better off then others. So finding homes in the areas that feed into the better schools seems to be what is suggested. I know my friends/neighbors out here in Lexington/Richland district 5 give it higher praises, but i'm sure there are other school systems to consider as well. Again i'll defer on that one.
- grocery: plenty of chains all over, mostly Bi-lo, Food Lion, Kroger, and Publix. Targets and WM's are fairly convenient as well.