Is this neighborhood in a safe area? (Columbia: apartments, lease)

[writer55555]

I'm looking at renting something off Marley Drive in Columbia and have driven around the neighborhood several times. It looks like a nice area to me but there's no "name" for the subdivision from what I can tell so I can't find anything as to what this area is like crime-wise. It's right near where I-20 meets Broad River and I know that area can be sketchy but this particular neighborhood looks good to me. Any info anyone has on this area would be greatly appreciated though as it's kinda guesswork for me right now.

Thanks!

[Woodlands]

I believe the name of that area is Emerald Valley. From what I gather its not a "bad" neighborhood per say.. Most of the sections that have had more problems in that area are the condo/apartments behind the St. Andrew's Post Office or across I-20 behind the the old motels along the frontage roads. Even then, I havent heard much as of recently. The neighborhoods surrounding Columbia High School also have had their ups and downs.. I believe most of their problems have stemmed from the placement of duplexes and mini apartments on certain streets which often attracts problem tenants and it takes its toll on the neighborhood. Whats interesting is that unlike in many intown neighborhoods where one can say X neighborhood is a bad neighborhood. In the older suburbs it is more street to street or even house to house.. One street could be perfectly nice and you go around the corner and the next street in the same neighborhood is a hell hole usually because of one or a few houses. Since there is nothing to walk to most of the individuals will hang in the yard or along the street near the problem house and usually the traffic to/from is in cars because of the suburban nature. So you have to deal with the vehicle traffic and maybe the booming systems that occupany that if its teenager/young adult drivers.

Thats what I have seen in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding Columbia High along with the normal foot traffic to and from the School and all the petty things that may occur as a result of that. I certainly wouldnt buy in the area because I believe the values have flat lined and may even be declining.. Renting should be fine because you can leave whenever your lease is up. From a safety standpoint, I would contact the Richland County Sheriff's Office and give them the name of the neighborhood or the address. The Zip Code is 29210 which may even be better and they can give you crime stats.

Good Luck

[writer55555]

Thank you SO much Woodlands!!!

[Brandon Hoffman]

Yes, it's Emerald Valley. I pretty much concur with Woodlands.