Military going to Shaw (Columbia, Sumter: crime rates, neighborhood, school district)

[CJDMil]

I'm leaving for Shaw in Sept, but my wife and kids are headed that way in Aug for school. I'm trying to locate a good Realtor who's eager to put in work to find my family and I a house, any suggestions? We are also looking into to Camden area. From what i have seen and heard, its a much better place to raise a family then Sumter. We lived in a great community here, and are leaning towards to the same there if they have one. But then again, things may change once we arrive in SC.

any inputs would be great!

Thanks.

[Rophlmao]

Camden is much nicer, more rural, and if you like horses etc the place to go. If you live in Sumter, live near Shaw either in the Dalzell area or West of the base towards Columbia.

AVOID Cherryvale, which is an old neighborhood across from Shaw that went bad when BAH rates went up and Airmen quit living there around the same time the old residents left or passed away.

Avoid downtown Sumter, and the town of Sumter. It has nothing to recommend it. I've lived in Sumter County since 1985 and like it, but Sumter County has a variety of areas there is no reason to bother with.

I regard Shaw as a good station and have nearly two decades of service there before retiring.

[klmquiroz]

Camden Schools Camden Schools - Camden, SC | GreatSchools
Sumter schools Schools in Sumter 17 School District - Sumter, SC | GreatSchools (http://www.greatschools.org/south-carolina/sumter/Sumter-17-School-District/schools/ - broken link)


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Camden crime rates:
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[le roi]

Originally Posted by CJDMil

From what i have seen and heard, its a much better place to raise a family then Sumter.

It is not that clear cut. I would consider both as options.

Camden is a small town with great potential, and very nice people, but it there just isn't much to it. You will have to drive a ways to get anywhere.

Sumter is a bigger town that looks awful "on paper", and has some rough areas. However it also has some good, affordable areas, and a few schools that IMO will be better than what you find in Camden. Alice Drive / Sumter High, or Wilson Hall, is probably going to be better than what you find in Camden.