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I visited Lexington and Columbia a couple weeks ago. I had driven through a few times, but it was my first real stay for 3 days. The people in Lexington were incredibly hospitable. Some stranger went so far as to pay for our meal. which probably cost around $75. Other strangers would start friendly conversations.
I visited the zoo, and was pleased with how polite large crowds were, even when standing in line for 2 hours for the not so exciting high wire/trapeze contraption. I must say my biggest disappointment was the botanical garden. I thought the zoo had far better plants, and the botanical garden was no better than my half acre backyard garden.
Lexington is a bit generic, but where in America isn't nowadays. The church was nice, the downtown was better than expected, and Lake Murray was decent, this coming from someone near the coast used to salt water and brackish beaches.
The Vista was somewhat nice. Columbia itself doesn't exactly jump out at you, good or bad. Reminds me of Richmond, VA but smaller. The capitol was less impressive than expected. USC slightly more imposing than expected. Too big for my taste if I was 18 again, but probably a fun place to be anyway.
Overall, I am considering moving there, not my first choice, but slightly better than where I live now. I visited Greenville last year, which I also liked, but I'm no longer a fan of mountains, so I liked Lexington/Columbia slightly more.
We moved from Northern Virginia several years ago and my wife is from Charlottesville, plus I've been to Richmond a couple of times, so I've see some of the parallels.
I've put it this way: If you combine Richmond and Charlottesville (i.e., state capital and flagship college town), and shrink it by 50%, you'd have a pretty good approximation of Columbia. I'd go further and say:
- Each has interesting legacy urban districts that have gentrified - Richmond has The Fan District & Columbia has The Vista.
- Henrico County is like Richland County and Chesterfield County is like Lexington County (The former more intimately connected to their respective cities, more politically moderate, and more diverse/cosmpolitan, the latter sit across the river from the central city and are historically more purely suburban/rural and politically conservative).
- Inside the urban core are the established "old money" neighborhoods and mature inner-suburban upper-middle-class neighborhoods - Richmond has the Inner West End/Tuckahoe, Columbia has neighborhoods in on the southeast side (Shandon, Heathwood, etc.) and Forest Acres.
- Even the suburban developments around Columbia are like smaller versions of the same around Richmond - Glen Allen/Short Pump is like the Northeast (Spring Valley/Wildewood/Village at Sandhill). Midlothian/Chesterfield Towne Center is like Irmo/Harbison.
The only big difference I'd say is that Columbia is a lot less industrial than Richmond (in that sense Richmond reminds me a bit more of, say, Balitmore). Columbia also seems to have a somewhat lower cost of living and has a more Sunbelt feel in the region overall than greater Richmond.
Columbia leaders are in an early planning stage of connecting downtown's multiple nodes to include narrowing a major street and removing some psychological barriers that separate the entertainment districts. They want to unify downtown into one big urban playground. They are looking to create that 'jump out at you' effect. Overall the city and region are unassuming and have nice amenities with friendly people.
Columbia leaders are in an early planning stage of connecting downtown's multiple nodes to include narrowing a major street and removing some psychological barriers that separate the entertainment districts. They want to unify downtown into one big urban playground. They are looking to create that 'jump out at you' effect. Overall the city and region are unassuming and have nice amenities with friendly people.
i will believe it when i see the construction equipment start showing up
how are they going to pay for all this? people are already fed up with them robbing the water/sewer fund
When do you want to move to Lexington? I will be more than happy to sell you our townhouse this fall. Right off of exit 55, 15-20 minutes to the Vista. Can't wait to get out of here.
When do you want to move to Lexington? I will be more than happy to sell you our townhouse this fall. Right off of exit 55, 15-20 minutes to the Vista. Can't wait to get out of here.
Looking at coming down from rural Vermont. Thoughts? We originally planned on the greater Ricmond, VA area because of the Benedictine School. However, since we will be maintaining our home in Vermont for summer purposes, we are considering even warmer winter temps. We currently live about 8 miles from Dartmouth College, in a rural, yet cultural area. Look forward to traditional, conservative neighborhoods.
Thanks for any thoughts!
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