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How about the area north of Devine, west of Beltine Blvd and south of Trenholm, if you see what I mean. Is that a nice area? Does it have a name? It looks just like Shandon in Google maps, just one chunk north.
That is Heathwood, which is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. A lot of people with old money live in Heathwood.
The area you asked about west of Harden is University Hill, which is roughly west of Laurens, east of Barnwell, north of Blossom and south of Gervais. It's a very nice neighborhood and intermingles with the University so keep in mind that there is a lot of interaction with college students there - desirable for some, undesirable for others.
A 15 to 20 min drive is ok for me, a 45 minute commute would not be fun. What areas of Lake Murray would be within 20 minutes? I should say that I can be flexible in that I could leave before or after standard rush hour (when is that in Columbia?) if that would help. Is the Irmo or the Lexington side more possible for a 20 min drive?
I don't think a 20 minute drive from waterfront property is possible under any conditions. The problem is getting from the lake to major roads feeding into the city. The people I know that live on the lake generally will tell you that the extra 30 minutes they spend commuting each day is more than worth it for the lifestyle.
I don't think a 20 minute drive from waterfront property is possible under any conditions. The problem is getting from the lake to major roads feeding into the city. The people I know that live on the lake generally will tell you that the extra 30 minutes they spend commuting each day is more than worth it for the lifestyle.
What areas would be closest in terms of time rather than distance from Lake Murray? Anything that would be more like 30 min than 45 min?
My wife and I both have phone interviews this week... we'll see what happens and whether we'll be making the move.
lol.. yeah snobby may be extreme.. ostentatious or pretentious??? maybe.. and possibly a little provincial.
I wouldn't describe Columbia's upper crust as ostentatious. I believe it is the opposite. But provincial? Absolutely. You must 'speak the language'.
As far as Shandon goes, it is not the foo-foo neighborhood of Columbia. I'd say that is Heathwood. Shandon is what I'd call the home of the "modest white Democrats". Sort of a Chapel Hill/Charlottesville style crowd, well educated, 'old money', moderately wealthy but inconspicuous, very charitable and community-oriented, open-minded, mildly liberal, and politically connected.
In my opinion, a stark contrast to the more suburban and outlying neighborhoods of Columbia and Lexington, of which I have nothing positive to say, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.
And don't get me wrong on the politics here - I am fairly conservative. I just really appreciate the progressive community vibe of Shandon, which is rare in South Carolina.
I wouldn't describe Columbia's upper crust as ostentatious. I believe it is the opposite. But provincial? Absolutely. You must 'speak the language'.
As far as Shandon goes, it is not the foo-foo neighborhood of Columbia. I'd say that is Heathwood. Shandon is what I'd call the home of the "modest white Democrats". Sort of a Chapel Hill/Charlottesville style crowd, well educated, 'old money', moderately wealthy but inconspicuous, very charitable and community-oriented, open-minded, mildly liberal, and politically connected.
In my opinion, a stark contrast to the more suburban and outlying neighborhoods of Columbia and Lexington, of which I have nothing positive to say, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.
And don't get me wrong on the politics here - I am fairly conservative. I just really appreciate the progressive community vibe of Shandon, which is rare in South Carolina.
Thanks, appreciate the candid assessment. We'll definitely keep Shandon on the list for the reasons you say, plus it seems to have a high walkability score, which appeals to us.
At one point someone told us not to live near Devine for some reason. I'm not sure why except maybe because it's more commercial. Any other reason to stay away from it? Is it dangerous at night or something?
I can't think of any reason someone would say that unless they perceived that there's too much traffic volume on the parallel streets within a block of Devine. Also, I think a lot of the homes along that corridor (Devine Street, Blossom Street and Lee Street) are rented by college students.
Thanks, appreciate the candid assessment. We'll definitely keep Shandon on the list for the reasons you say, plus it seems to have a high walkability score, which appeals to us.
At one point someone told us not to live near Devine for some reason. I'm not sure why except maybe because it's more commercial. Any other reason to stay away from it? Is it dangerous at night or something?
no, not really. i worked as a valet on devine street for several years, working until late at night on the street.
I would not recommend living anywhere that you can see devine street. not that it would be a tragedy, just that it would be loud, busy with vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
last i checked, shandon wasn't much of a bargain, but it is aesthetically pleasing.
Hmmm, I guess that begs the question, what areas would currently be a bargain?
I am fairly new in Columbia myself so I invite others to correct me in answering your question if my answer sounds farfetched. I guess the bargain areas would entirely depend on wether you have school aged children or not. Northeastern Columbia (Spring Valley) has the best schools and so does Irmo (District 5). Unfortunately you pay heavily in real estate terms for these areas. Shandon, Lake Katherine, Forest Acres and Heathwood in inner Columbia are high end and no bargains here. You may consider Olympia or the areas just south of I-20 and Two Notch Road as absolute bargains but then be prepared to send your kids to private school.
I wouldn't describe Columbia's upper crust as ostentatious. I believe it is the opposite. But provincial? Absolutely. You must 'speak the language'.
As far as Shandon goes, it is not the foo-foo neighborhood of Columbia. I'd say that is Heathwood. Shandon is what I'd call the home of the "modest white Democrats". Sort of a Chapel Hill/Charlottesville style crowd, well educated, 'old money', moderately wealthy but inconspicuous, very charitable and community-oriented, open-minded, mildly liberal, and politically connected.
In my opinion, a stark contrast to the more suburban and outlying neighborhoods of Columbia and Lexington, of which I have nothing positive to say, so I'll just keep my mouth shut.
And don't get me wrong on the politics here - I am fairly conservative. I just really appreciate the progressive community vibe of Shandon, which is rare in South Carolina.
I can agree with that .. Heathwood is probably more accurate.
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Bargains galore!
