Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We are looking to move south in the beginning of next year. We have been looking alot at the Columbia SC area as a real possibility. I thought some information from locals would be helpful! Please, anythign you can add please feel free! It's really hard to move this far!
We would like a small town, preferably with a 'main street' feel but also a resonable driving distance to downtown Columbia (likely where my husband will work). A good school district is important and an active family town because we have 3 children. We will likely be looking for a home in the $100,000 - $150,000 price range, but we aren't affraid of a fixer-upper.
So far I have been looking at Irmo and Lexington (feel free to tell me if you think there towns fit the criteria). Also please suggest ANY other town that you think might work for us.
THANKS!!!
We are looking to move south in the beginning of next year. We have been looking alot at the Columbia SC area as a real possibility. I thought some information from locals would be helpful! Please, anythign you can add please feel free! It's really hard to move this far!
We would like a small town, preferably with a 'main street' feel but also a resonable driving distance to downtown Columbia (likely where my husband will work). A good school district is important and an active family town because we have 3 children. We will likely be looking for a home in the $100,000 - $150,000 price range, but we aren't affraid of a fixer-upper.
So far I have been looking at Irmo and Lexington (feel free to tell me if you think there towns fit the criteria). Also please suggest ANY other town that you think might work for us.
THANKS!!!
If you're willing to put aside "small town", I'd recommend Forest Acres. You could easily find a solid house for $120K-$150K, there, one which may need some work and updates. The schools are excellent, and the commute into downtown would be 15 minutes, tops.
Small towns? Not enough nice ones around Columbia, unfortunately. Lake Murray area is nice, as in Chapin/Prosperity.
If you decide to come this way for a visit, be sure to check out Greenville
OP, whereabout in PA are you relocating from? I lived in the southeastern part for about 20 years, then Maryland and wound up in Lexington last year. I'm obviously not a local but I can offer my insights as someone who relocated.
We looked everywhere around the Columbia area before buying a house here. I don't regret choosing Lexington. It really depends on what is important to you. As far as schools, we've heard Lexington 1 school district and this has been confirmed when we talk to our neighbors and friends who use the school system. We personally do not have children.
For around 150-160k you can get a brand new house, 4 bed/2.5 bath on a smaller lot. Plenty of children and families out where I am.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I would look at other options besides Columbia. I don't like it here. My husband wasn't very happy here either before he had to relocate for work.
It's too hot (and I'm a life long Southerner) and the personal property crime seems to be high. That's coming from someone who's lived in Charleston as well as Atlanta. The police department has some serious issues and I assume that the criminals think they can get away with anything. It seems that most everyone in the city limits has a security system.
Maybe it's different outside of the city proper. If it is, I would definitely suggest that route.
If you're set on Columbia, and are looking for the small town feel, Forest Acres is a good area that is about 10 minutes in traffic to downtown. Lots of shopping, and cute houses. My husband and I wanted to buy there, but our budget wasn't quite enough. Some parts can be sketchy, so do your due diligence. Lexington is sprawl-ville, if you ask me, but if you're into subdivisions and strip malls, then it will suit.
Columbia is a great place to visit...but to live...not so much. I am very much looking forward to relocating to Greenville once I find a job.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I would look at other options besides Columbia. I don't like it here. My husband wasn't very happy here either before he had to relocate for work.
It's too hot (and I'm a life long Southerner) and the personal property crime seems to be high. That's coming from someone who's lived in Charleston as well as Atlanta. The police department has some serious issues and I assume that the criminals think they can get away with anything. It seems that most everyone in the city limits has a security system.
Maybe it's different outside of the city proper. If it is, I would definitely suggest that route.
If you're set on Columbia, and are looking for the small town feel, Forest Acres is a good area that is about 10 minutes in traffic to downtown. Lots of shopping, and cute houses. My husband and I wanted to buy there, but our budget wasn't quite enough. Some parts can be sketchy, so do your due diligence. Lexington is sprawl-ville, if you ask me, but if you're into subdivisions and strip malls, then it will suit.
Columbia is a great place to visit...but to live...not so much. I am very much looking forward to relocating to Greenville once I find a job.
To each their own. I felt my previous location was a bad place to live but feel very at home in Columbia. What makes you think Greenville will be better?
I'd suggest the Chapin area; the commute into Cola isnt bad ( guess it depends on what one is used to ), but when we relocated from WI we wanted to stay out of the city--have more of the small town feel but be 20-30 mins from the city. The school district seems to be highly rated ( we dont have a child in it ), and housing anywhere down here can be had for the $$ you listed.
I'd also suggest spending some time down here ( 5-7 days ), not only driving around looking into various towns and 'hoods, but doing things you'd do if you lived here. Check out the parks, zoo, museums, etc. Take a day trip to Charleston, go out on the lake, hit some area eateries. That's all it took for us--a week of "local research" along with our online time and we've been very happy here ever since ( 1.5 yrs so far ).
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I would look at other options besides Columbia. I don't like it here. My husband wasn't very happy here either before he had to relocate for work.
It's too hot (and I'm a life long Southerner) and the personal property crime seems to be high. That's coming from someone who's lived in Charleston as well as Atlanta. The police department has some serious issues and I assume that the criminals think they can get away with anything. It seems that most everyone in the city limits has a security system.
Maybe it's different outside of the city proper. If it is, I would definitely suggest that route.
If you're set on Columbia, and are looking for the small town feel, Forest Acres is a good area that is about 10 minutes in traffic to downtown. Lots of shopping, and cute houses. My husband and I wanted to buy there, but our budget wasn't quite enough. Some parts can be sketchy, so do your due diligence. Lexington is sprawl-ville, if you ask me, but if you're into subdivisions and strip malls, then it will suit.
Columbia is a great place to visit...but to live...not so much. I am very much looking forward to relocating to Greenville once I find a job.
The neighborhood you live in is everything. Seems like you may not have done your due diligence before you selected yours. The property crime rate in both Columbia and Greenville is pretty similar based on 2008 data, but of course, it's not going to be distributed evenly across either city.
If would be dissappointed if you did not look at Lake Carolina.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
