Camden & Beaufort- Need advise. (Columbia, Lugoff: homes, living in, prices)

[Drea]

My boyfriend and I need some advise on relocating to either Camden or Beaufort. He has interviewed in both places and now has to make the choice. We are in our late 20's, no children, don't necessarily need a raging night life, but good dining options are important.

I would need to commute to some sort of larger medical center, so Savannah if we choose Beaufort, Columbia if we choose Camden. Any thoughts on these commutes? We would most likely live in the Bluffton area if we choose Beaufort and Elgin if we choose Camden so that the commutes are more equal.

I was only able to go to the Camden area (we live in PA) and really liked it. Columbia seemed like a very nice city from the limited time I was there. My boyfriend seemed to also really like Beaufort.

My concerns: Beaufort/Bluffton high housing costs, traffic, touristy, bugs (just kidding, sort of!)

[Akhenaton06]

I guess it would just depend on the type of scene you want from the larger metropolitan area you'd be in. The whole Savannah/Beaufort/Hilton Head is a very nice area, quite tourist-oriented, but with many things to do. The Columbia area is a growing, mid-sized city with several options for cultural activities as well, being the state capital and home to USC and other institutions of higher learning. I'm not that familiar with Bluffton itself, but your cost of living would probably be lower living in the Columbia area.

[moedog]

Hilton head not withstanding, Columbia is a much larger city than Savannah, about twice as big I think, so there will a lot more opportunity there, from what I know especially in the medical field. Also, I think if you were to settle in the Elgin-Lugoff area, I think you would find your commute to medical facilities in Cola would be much easier than from Bluffton to Savannah. It is a straight shot down I-20 and I-277 to the hospitals in the Richland Memorial area.

[Drea]

Thanks for the replies. I think I am definitely leaning towards Camden/Columbia. I like being 2 hours from the beach or the mountains. Also I was impressed with the amount of beautiful brick homes in the area (and their prices). The traffic is definitely something to consider and from what I hear the whole Hilton Head/Savannah can get pretty ugly. Thanks again, I think we are going to make another trip to Camden.