Areas to avoid in Columbia? (Springfield: rentals, crime, house)

[Rexi]

I have been debating on Springfield and Columbia and have really been persuaded to check out Columbia a lot more. Just wondering where is a good place to avoid moving to in Columbia? Safety wise. l am a single woman moving there so l wanted some place safe and quiet.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[edgeofhell]

I've lived in columbia for over thirty years, and the bad areas haven't changed a whole lot over the years. I guess the easiest way to point out the worst areas would be to list a couple of specific streets and you could mapquest the area. ?

there are a couple of main artery streets that run through the heart of the worst of columbias downtown hood, these are ash and worley (they run parallel to each other).. avoid these streets as well as any streets that run off of them at any cost, as well as anything on north garth.

other streets to avoid like the plague: sexton, banks, switzler, unity, oak, mcbaine, sanford, mikel

most of these run off of ash and worley as well

the standard rule of thumb here is if you are going to live north of broadway............go wayyyy north to the newer subdivisons
hope this helps

[Rexi]

Yes that helps a lot!!! Thank you so kindly for your help and information!

[edgeofhell]

there are other shady areas as well, I have listed the worst of the "downtown" area, if you are looking at an area and need an opinion I would be glad to help

good luck!

[skeeter85]

What do you mean exactly by avoiding these streets at all costs? I used to drive down Worley all of the time - it's not near as bad as you make it out to be. If shes a single woman, she probably wouldn't feel 100% comfortable walking these areas at night, but during the day I think she'd be fine.

Originally Posted by edgeofhell

I've lived in columbia for over thirty years, and the bad areas haven't changed a whole lot over the years. I guess the easiest way to point out the worst areas would be to list a couple of specific streets and you could mapquest the area. ?

there are a couple of main artery streets that run through the heart of the worst of columbias downtown hood, these are ash and worley (they run parallel to each other).. avoid these streets as well as any streets that run off of them at any cost, as well as anything on north garth.

other streets to avoid like the plague: sexton, banks, switzler, unity, oak, mcbaine, sanford, mikel

most of these run off of ash and worley as well

the standard rule of thumb here is if you are going to live north of broadway............go wayyyy north to the newer subdivisons
hope this helps

[Rexi]

l did find an apt complex in the North East part of town on Whitegate Dr that l really liked a lot! l phoned the complex and the girl on the phone was so nice and very helpful. She even lives in the complex herself and said she has never had any problems at all. l just worry about coming home late too as l might have a job where l work 3-11 shift. Or get a call out at 3am and not want to leave the house!

Thanks for all your help l really appreciate it!

[motraveler]

Um, I don't think I would live in the Whitegate complex area. Especially, coming home late at night. There are lots of other options out there. In fact, Columbia has a "glut" of rentals right now. Shouldn't be too hard to find something in a more desirable area.

[Rexi]

Originally Posted by motraveler

Um, I don't think I would live in the Whitegate complex area. Especially, coming home late at night. There are lots of other options out there. In fact, Columbia has a "glut" of rentals right now. Shouldn't be too hard to find something in a more desirable area.

Thank you very much Motraveler for your honest opinion! l really appreciate it! It's good to have a forum like this where you can get the help you need! Those apts look nice from the pics but one never knows! Thank you again!!

l have been looking on the newspaper ads too. l really can't do anything till l get there so l will just keep my eyes open. Would love to rent a house in the country somewhere but right now that might be a small dream! Will keep looking!

Thanks again!!!

[Clipperlover]

There's plenty of "country" rentals--homes that are a little outside the Columbia city limits. Actually, there's plenty of rentals, period. Comes from having a large student population.

I'll kind of second edgeofhell about Ash/Worley...they aren't as bad as the streets north of downtwon between the Business Loop and Broadway. Ash and Worley aren't great, but they're better than that...there are some OK rentals there (nearer to Broadway or Again park).

Lived in whitegate for a year about a decade ago; not great, but not horrible. Near shopping and transportation, if that's a priority for you. thing is, there's just a lot of rentals in the area... espeiclaly if you rent between Oct. and April. Students start dropping out and leaving in October; April/May is when 9-month student leases starting expiring.

[edgeofhell]

Originally Posted by skeeter85

What do you mean exactly by avoiding these streets at all costs? I used to drive down Worley all of the time - it's not near as bad as you make it out to be. If shes a single woman, she probably wouldn't feel 100% comfortable walking these areas at night, but during the day I think she'd be fine.

I know a single woman that JUST moved off of worley because of multiple daytime break ins as well as a man staring at her in HER BATHROOM WHILE SHE WAS SHOWERING!!
she started screaming and he ran out, but its still a nightmare

worley is crap, "driving" down worley doesnt mean its not crap, its dangerous, full of crime and crack


I cant imagine anyone not agreeing with that