Any Columbia Tips?

iovinocm

Hi all!

My husband and I just found out we're moving to Columbia in the summer.  We live in San Antonio now but moved here from NYC last year.  We both have never been to South Carolina and we're excited for the move.

Anything you can tell me about living in Columbia?  How is the cost of living?  Where do most, young, professional couples live?  What's the weather like?  Anything you really love about living there?  I know it's a broad question but anything helps! 

2bmrs.hendrix

How exciting! Welcome *soon* to SC. I love Columbia.....I am a  big city girl and DH is a southern boy so Columbia is a great compromise. We are 5 minutes from downtown where there are great restaurants, shopping and decent night life. The Vista an area of downtown is loaded with restaurants, shops, salons, boutiques and bars. It really has brought a lot of business to Columbia. I also love how we are 1.5 hours from the mountains and about 1.5 hours from the beach as well.

The weather is very hot and humid in the summer and pretty chilly in the winter, but seeing  you are from Texas I think you can handle the summers.

I don't like soliciting business on the nest ...especially since it is a no-no, but I am a Realtor here in Columbia, so if you have any questions you can page me here or on the D&R board. I just helped a nestie moving to Columbia buy a home as well.

Again- Congrats on the move!

iovinocm

Thanks MrsHendrix!  We're probably just going to rent because we don't plan on being in SC for that long. I'm still hoping my husband will change his mind and want to move back to NYC!

 

bru22

I've lived in columbia all my life and basically some ppl get bored and other ppl love it it just depends on your preference. Like Mrshendrix said ?the vista is a cool place to hang out on the weekends if your in to the more college aged crowd then head 5min down gervais to 5pts. There are 2 major shopping areas in columbia: Columbiana in Irmo/Harbison area and Village at Sandhills in the NE Columbia area. both places have a lot of dining options. And cost of living wise its cheap to live here and if you're looking for a place to rent w/ young professionals theres a really cute neighborhood called Hampton Forest they're townhomes for rent and sale and its a really nice place to live and its 10-15 min away from downtown. if ur interested check this site out?http://hampton.inspiredcommunities.com/ hope this helps

CULauren

hello! i'm in the process of moving from columbia to phoenix and have finally realized how much i love it here! there really is  a lot to do as long as you are willing to go out and find it. just get a copy of the free times every week, see what bands are playing, and explore the different areas of the city. take advantage of things that may sound goofy-- tubing on the river, brew at the zoo, family concert series-- these things are always fun in columbia b/c there are so many young professional people here. we are moving from downtown columbia, and this is the best part of columbia in my opinion. There's elmwood park, earlewood, shandon, etc. if you really want to get the columbia experience while you are here, don't live in one of the suburbs (irmo, lexington, or the northeast area). they are nice areas and a lot of house for the money but for us being downtown has been a blessing. you're close to everything, the people are great, and the area can be really beautiful and historic. can you tell I'm getting the moving blues? anyway, enjoy your time here!

ama1221

lol!  Thanks guys for making me miss Columbia.  I seriously need to make a trip down there soon. :-(

I can't speak much for where to live.  I went to Columbia College down there and then dated a guy for awhile who lived there (but he lived in the ghetto).  So I more can tell you where NOT to live! 

The summers are brutal, but during the fall and winter it is great!

2bmrs.hendrix

Well, if you need some property managment companies to rent from I have a good list. Let me know if you need it.

iovinocm

Thanks!  I'll let you know in the coming months.