Moving to Columbia Area HELP!!! (Lexington: apartment, rental, condos) - South Carolina (SC) -Columbia - Lexington - Irmo - City-Data Forum

SemperFiWife1 · 10-19-2010, 10:46 AM

Hi all! My husband, my daughter(2), & myself will be moving to Columbia soon and I am overwhelmed! He has been in the military for 10 yrs. and we have been married for 6 of those yrs. He was just accepted to a program where he will attend the Univ. of SC for 4 yrs to get his degree. We will be needing to move around December and I am trying to find somewhere to live that is nice, safe, and a fairly easy commute for him (20-30 min.) We have had our house in NC on the market for over a year now with no luck and it looks like we will be stuck renting it out. For that reason we need to find a place to rent that is not expensive. I'm thinking $600-$800 (give or take a little) so that we don't get in over our heads in rent & mortgage just in case we have an issue with renters. I am most concerned about finding the nicest place for what we can afford right now. I am hoping and praying someone on this forum can help with my dilemma! I have never been to Columbia except for a brief stop on a road trip so I can use all the help you are willing to give! Thanks a ton!!!

SemperFiWife1 · 10-19-2010, 10:51 AM

Just FYI, I realize that for what we can afford we will probably be looking at apts./ condos and that is ok with us for right now. Hoping to find a nice apt. complex with gated community that is in a low crime area.

waccamatt · 10-19-2010, 11:01 AM

Check out Vista Commons on Pulaski Street - it is gated and close to campus.

SemperFiWife1 · 10-19-2010, 11:17 AM

thank you!!! I will give it a look!

LexingtonDad · 10-19-2010, 11:23 AM

I'm guessing from your post that you have a 2 year old child. If you are going to be here for 4 years be sure to include schools in your search although there are some fine private schools intown.

Hey Matt, isn't Vista Commons more geared toward college students?

UnderTheLiveOaks · 10-19-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexingtonDad

I'm guessing from your post that you have a 2 year old child. If you are going to be here for 4 years be sure to include schools in your search although there are some fine private schools intown.

Hey Matt, isn't Vista Commons more geared toward college students?

I was thinking this, too. Since the OP said anywhere within 20-30 min of campus, we can probably expand that search area and pick a place with the poster and their child in mind.

To be honest, I'm not sure which schools are the very best in the Columbia area (no kids yet). I've heard pretty good things about a number of the in-town schools (AC Moore and Rosewood Elementary, Hand Middle, Dreher and AC Flora High), but I know there are plenty of less-than-stellar in-town schools, too.

Can you tell us more about what you look for in a place to live? Older house? Newer construction? Do you like being near shopping? Do you like someplace quieter and a little more rural? The more detail you can give, the better, because there's plenty of variety in the area.

SemperFiWife1 · 10-19-2010, 12:07 PM

Thank you for the replies! I did check out the vista commons apts. and they are $1135/month for rent. We are looking for something a little less expensive because of the mortgage we have. I don't think my husband will mind a short drive to campus, especially if we can be in a really nice area for a cheaper rent. By nice area, I mean low crime (somewhere that I will feel safe taking my daughter on a walk etc.) LexingtonDad, you are absolutely right in guessing that we do not want to be in a party environment. I did do a little research on schools. We are hoping that by the time DD goes to school we will be able to afford private school and I would like to be in the area for a year or more before I decide for sure. We can move in the next couple years to have her where we want her in school but that is a great suggestion as we want to give her the best education possible. We are looking at apts. at present because of our limited budget but are very open to any other suggestions ie. townhomes, condos, etc. Not picky, just want to be in a great area for a great price. Hope that is enough info.

LexingtonDad · 10-19-2010, 01:46 PM

Hang around until Brandon Hoffman shows up. He is a Realtor with a real good grasp of the Columbia market and regularly checks in. On a side note don't forget to check out rental houses. I have noticed that in many cases someone can get a nice 3/2 house for less than a 2/2 apartment. Of course you won't have the amenities that come with many complexes but then again you might not need them.

And if you want the best schools in the region head right over to the Lexington 1 district.

rick.bell · 10-19-2010, 01:47 PM

as far as schools, i would recommend richland II (northeast side of town) or lexington 5, which is irmo. the others are ok as well, but these have a reputation as being the best available. The rent numbers you are looking for will be challenging to get all that you want. The farther you go from the city center the less expensive it is as a rule.

SemperFiWife1 · 10-19-2010, 01:59 PM

Thank you LexingtonDad! Very informative! Hoping Brandon stops in on my post!

Rick.Bell- I appreciate the school info! The good news is I used to work for a mortgage company and I spoke to the loan officer and she let me know how low rates are right now to refinance. We may look into that so that we will have a little more leeway for our rent. If we will be renting our house out for 4 years or more, it may be a good option. If that does happen we will have a much more flexible budget! I have a lot of researching to do t find the right place for us whether it be a house, apt., townhome, etc. but at least I have a few months!! Wish me luck!