What's the art scene , job outlook , and people like in Columbia? (Charleston: real estate, houses)
Columbia areaColumbia - Lexington - Irmo
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I've been investigating Columbia and it seems like it has a decent cost of living, lots of culture, lots of schools, and lots of well educated people. Jobs also seem diverse and when in doubt hopefully I could work for the state or a college. I'd love more feedback from people who live there.
It's a well-rounded, diverse place. Coldwell Banker just ranked it the 4th most affordable college town in which to buy a house. The business page of the local newspaper has a blurb about that today. I'm sure the parents of the Jersey college students here will note that stat. Richland County's wages are the highest in the state. The visual arts, staged theater, musical groups and dance companies here are strong. A headline on the front of today's newspaper says "Midlands schools beating the odds."
The Main Street art scene in Columbia is growing. The Tapps Building is full of some of the best artists from the South East. The Vista and 5 Points areas have great bars, restaurants and shops. Trustus Theatre and Nickalodeon are wonderful movie and playhouses. The Columbia Museum of Art, The State Museum & Edventure are fun. Lexington is a lovely town outside of Columbia. Our art scene is small but growing. The Lexington Old Mill and many of the businesses within exhibit great South Carolina Artists which is managed by the Art in Public Places for Lexington SC. Visit their site for more information.
Where are you coming from? The art scene is meh... Culture seems alright so far. I expected more considering it's size. It's extremely affordable. I've noticed just about everything to be cheaper... Dining, gas, real estate!, utilities are just a few that come to mind.
Where are you coming from? The art scene is meh... Culture seems alright so far. I expected more considering it's size.
I think Columbia does a good job in terms of arts and culture, and being a state capital only helps. You've got art galleries in the Vista, Trustus theatre, Town theatre, Nickelodeon theatre, the Marionette theatre, SC Shakespeare Company, Workshop Theatre, Imperfect Theatre Company, the SC State museum, Columbia Museum of Art, McKissick Museum, Columbia City Ballet, SC Philharmonic, Columbia City Jazz Dance Company, Columbia Choral Society, etc. With the exception of places that are known to be ultra-artsy, I think Columbia compares quite well with its peers in terms of arts and culture.
I was just reading an article that was partly about cities that have become pretty much out of balance because, for whatever reason, they got a name for being such arts meccas that they have become places that don't reflect reality. Among cities that aren't that way, Columbia does very well in the arts.
I've been investigating Columbia and it seems like it has a decent cost of living, lots of culture, lots of schools, and lots of well educated people. Jobs also seem diverse and when in doubt hopefully I could work for the state or a college. I'd love more feedback from people who live there.
Just one small piece of advice: don't just assume you can walk in and get a job. Get that lined up before you move anywhere in the Carolinas (or anywhere else these days)
Thanks for the advice, but it's too late. Wish I had took it before in a way, but I've been here a year in Greenville. I haven't found work in Greenville. I know Greenville has a very high unemployment rate. I'm thinking of going near Columbia or maybe Charleston for more job opportunities.
Thanks for the advice, but it's too late. Wish I had took it before in a way, but I've been here a year in Greenville. I haven't found work in Greenville. I know Greenville has a very high unemployment rate. I'm thinking of going near Columbia or maybe Charleston for more job opportunities.
You might want to look around a bit.....Greenville, Columbia and Charleston metros all have basically the same unemployment.
Greenville 9.3 and Charleston and Columbia 9.0 No difference really.
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Art Scene
The Main Street art scene in Columbia is growing. The Tapps Building is full of some of the best artists from the South East. The Vista and 5 Points areas have great bars, restaurants and shops. Trustus Theatre and Nickalodeon are wonderful movie and playhouses. The Columbia Museum of Art, The State Museum & Edventure are fun. Lexington is a lovely town outside of Columbia. Our art scene is small but growing. The Lexington Old Mill and many of the businesses within exhibit great South Carolina Artists which is managed by the Art in Public Places for Lexington SC. Visit their site for more information. 
