Aiken or Columbia for USC (Charleston, Isle of Palms: 2009, apartments, rent)

[cbakerlmt]

Hello all. I am currently finishing up my BS degree in Psychology here in uptown Dallas, TX, however I will be relocating to SC in 2009 for my Masters. I really had my heart set on Charleston but that school doesn't have a masters in Psych. I could use some advice on which location and which school would be better for me. USC in Aiken and Columbia both have masters programs, but I would also like to be close to the beach and live in a good safe neighborhood. I'm 33 and single and I like to run or ride my bike around. I'm a massage therapist so I will need to work close to a spa as well. Any ideas on which location would be better? Which school has a better reputation? Thanks

[waccamatt]

This is a no-brainer - USC in Columbia. Aiken is a nice small town, but there is infinitely more to do in Columbia. There are safe neighborhoods/apartment buildings close to campus so safety is not an issue. Columbia is slightly closer to the beach, too. You can get to Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms or Folly Beach (all around Charleston) in under 2 hours from Columbia, outside of rush hour in either city.

[scyogi]

Hi cbakermlt--

I am in N. Dallas but just moved here from Aiken this past summer. You would probably enjoy Columbia more if you enjoy the downtown vibe. My son is at USC--so I only have a limited knowledge of the area. Five Points seems to be the 'bar' section of downtown. Nice older homes around campus. It always seems safe where ever we go when we are in town.
The Aiken campus is much, much smaller than the Columbia campus. You get mostly local kids and people finishing up their degrees. If you do visit Aiken a few spa's I would recommend is Wilcox (in a old historic Inn downtown) SpaGo on Whiskey Rd (where I used to get my hair cut, and a few massages) or Power Cuts on Lauren St. (my hubby used this salon). Downtown Aiken, IMO is a good representation of what a small southern town should look like. If you have anymore questions let me know.

[Frankie117]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

This is a no-brainer - USC in Columbia. Aiken is a nice small town, but there is infinitely more to do in Columbia. There are safe neighborhoods/apartment buildings close to campus so safety is not an issue. Columbia is slightly closer to the beach, too. You can get to Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms or Folly Beach (all around Charleston) in under 2 hours from Columbia, outside of rush hour in either city.

I see where you are coming from, but do not be so quick to judge.

Columbia is great for the reasons that waccamatt mentioned, allow me to elaborate a bit on Aiken.

Aiken is a very decent sized down, where you won't be bogged down by traffic. It has plenty of college aged people in and around the town. It is a transplant magnet, however it has retained much of its Southern characteristics. Californians are more common around here than Columbia. If you need anything, Augusta, GA is never too far away. Aiken is booming with growth, and offers quite a lot to do.

[Carolina_1690]

Aiken is a nice town, but you will be more satisfied with you education if you chose USC Columbia. The USC satellite campuses are good, so don't misunderstand me, but the best profs are going to be at the flagship campus in Columbia. If I were you I wouldn't think twice about it. Carolina is the place to be.

Go Gamecocks!

[cbakerlmt]

Thank you so much for the advice. Columbia does sound a bit more like me. I love entertainment and finding stuff to get into. I'm not really a small town kinda girl so I don't know if I would be happy in Aiken, but since I haven't been there, I really don't know. I'm extremely picky about my school though and good professors, so I will look into USC at Columbia.
Also, does anyone know of any great apartments in Columbia that's in a great area and has a great lap pool? or even maybe by a lake so I can go running and biking? I like having trails accessible to me.
Are there and free apartment locators down there I can talk to to help me with this move?

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by cbakerlmt

Thank you so much for the advice. Columbia does sound a bit more like me. I love entertainment and finding stuff to get into. I'm not really a small town kinda girl so I don't know if I would be happy in Aiken, but since I haven't been there, I really don't know. I'm extremely picky about my school though and good professors, so I will look into USC at Columbia.
Also, does anyone know of any great apartments in Columbia that's in a great area and has a great lap pool? or even maybe by a lake so I can go running and biking? I like having trails accessible to me.
Are there and free apartment locators down there I can talk to to help me with this move?

Do you have a rent range you would be looking at? It would be easier to make some recommendations and I assume you'd like to be close to campus.

[scyogi]

You will have access to the athletic building at USC--it is BEAUTIFUL.