Columbia, South Carolina
SperlingViews

Moving to Colubmia, SC - 6/2/2007

I may have the opportunity to relocate to the Columbia area for a job at USC. I'd appreciate feedback on where best to live in the area. I'm interested in the best schools, low crime, and sense of community. I'm moving from a slightly higher-cost area, so housing prices won't be an issue. I'm most concerned about the schools, as everything I've read suggests that South Carolina schools are not, on average, very good. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. You may e-mail me directly with any comments at htoutanji@hotmail.com[more...]

Lol - 4/10/2007

Columbia an unexpected treasure? HA.I am on my way out. The climate is the only good thing going for this city. Except for a few congregated areas of mediocre clubs and shops you will be bored senseless, especially if you are young. Our crime rate is ridiculous,especially the murders which are multiple and daily, for a city with the population we have. I don't even want to get started on driving! You will dread every moment you have to leave your house, b/c people in columbia are NOTORIOUS for not knowing how to drive. I don't even know that the demographics are correct, there are hardly ANY white neighborhoods in this area so if you are looking for one you will be sorely dissapointed. If you are looking to move here it is in your best interest to look elsewhere.[more...]

Correction to Previous Posting - 3/29/2007

I am writing to correct a previous posting suggesting that Colubmia has a problem with "gang" activity within her city limits. My family and I have lived in the city limits of Columbia for 15 of the past 17 years. Columbia's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods are clean, beautiful, and safe. Outside the city limits, there has been and continues to be an occurrence of violence among the 17-25 year-old population that reportedly is associated with gangs. The Richland "County" Sheriff's Dept. is taking a proactive approach to dealing with this. The city of Columbia is in the midst of a renaissance (just visit the city to see for yourself), and unfortunately with escalating property values, the problems that are sometimes associated with lower socio-economic conditions are being driven out into the suburbs. But regardless of the location, I would not describe the Columbia area as having a "gang" problem.[more...]

Columbia proves to be unexpected treasure - 3/29/2007

Columbia — what a delightful city! My husband and I moved here recently from Ohio, and our standard of living and quality of life have exceeded our expectations. From the posh and polish of the Village at Sandhill, the charm of the Old Mill in Lexington, the quirky and quaint Vista and Five Points, each day is marked with pleasant surprises and friendly people. The Department of Motor Vehicles has the most efficient set-up I’ve ever encountered, and the employees were unfailingly polite. Unexpected treasures abound: seafood, flowers blooming, palm trees, ponds, rivers and lakes, a bustling and top-notch university, new construction — all combine to paint a picture of a thriving city and one that I am proud to call my “home.” You have the magic, Columbia! [more...]

Economy - 2/1/2007

Looking for median income for 2006.[more...]

I love Columbia! I have lived all - 1/16/2007

around the world literally, and Columbia, SC is the best place of all. It's small yet big. Close to the mountains, and the beach. People talk about the crime, but I don't really see it. I mean, I guess there is one section of town that is dangerous, but you get that almost in any metro, area. Overall, you couldn't ask for a better quality of life. Oh, yeah and lake Murray, is very clean and big. A great place to spend the day in the summer.[more...]

Columbia Offers an Excellent Quality of Life - 11/19/2006

My family and I live close to downtown in one of Columbia's many beautiful neighborhoods. The quality of life is excellent! The citizens are friendly and the cost of living is very reasonable. Columbia is 1 1/2 hours from the mountains (Asheville, NC), and 2 hours from the beaches and historic Charleston, SC. Columbia is a diverse city, but I believe race relations are very good. As an example, an African-American female has twice been elected to one of the at-large city council seats, even though the majority of Columbia's citizens are white. The citizens have judged her based on her qualifications, as it should be. Columbia is located in a very conservative state. The majority of SC's citizens would probably classify Columbia as a liberal city, but of course that judgement is relative. On a national scale, Columbia's citizens are as a whole moderate with a mix of both extremes. For the past 6 years, Columbia has seen increasing investments in her core areas. The Univ. of SC has begun developing its Innovista Campus (hydrogen fuel cell research, etc.) as well. Columbia has finally reached the point that people outside the state are taking notice. I believe Columbia's best days are on their way.[more...]

Quality Of Life? - 10/12/2006

I may have the opportunity to relocate to the Columbia area for a job in Camden. I'd appreciate feedback on where best to live in the area. I'm interested in the best schools, low crime, and sense of community. I'm moving from a high-cost area, so housing prices won't be an issue. I'm most concerned about the schools, as everything I've read suggests that South Carolina schools are not, on average, very good. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. You may e-mail me directly with any comments at mark@whiteman.com [more...]

What is the overall rating of SC - 9/14/2006

I currently live in Det, MI. My employer has an office there and we also have a church there, Refuge of Columbia. So I am really considering moving there. Is it a great place to raise a family? I visited Columbia in 2003 for our church convention but ws not able to see much. I loved the atmospher and the trees. Everyone I met was very nice. But thats on the outside looking in.[more...]

Crime in Columbia - 9/13/2006

Columbia does have one of the highest crime rates in the country. Also, gang activitiy. Just read the state newspaper online or check the crime stats on this site. However, I do feel safe living in Northeast Columbia. The crime seems to be located in and around the city limits. However, I still do not go out after dark.[more...]

Football - 8/14/2006

South Carolina has the best fans in college football.[more...]

IS THE CRIMES HIGHER IN COLUMBIA, SC - 7/16/2006

THINKING OF MOVING TO COLUMBIA, SC. I READ IN SPERLING'S BEST PLACES THAT CRIMES IN COLUMBIA IS VERY HIGH. IS THAT TRUE. ARE THERE GOOD SCHOOLS FOR MY 5 YEAR OLD SON. CAN ANYBODY HELP ME DECIDING THE MOVE. PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK AT hshah101@hotmail.com. thanks[more...]

The Best city in the world! - 6/15/2006

Columbia South Carolina is the best city in the world, the undisacovered pearl of the East Coast! I just moved to Columbia and I'm glad I discovered it! Gorgeous climate, beautiful sandhills, plenty of forests, great jobs, clean, extremely friendly folks, not far from beaches, not far from Florida, on the way to NYC, many many other good things I could say about Columbia. Definitely better than Atlanta and Charlotte combined! I see COLUMBIA as a fast rising star of the South-East. Columbia will become the next Atlanta, I'm positive about that![more...]

A great place to buy a home - 5/9/2006

I've lived in Columbia for 3 years and it's a great city that is growing. I live in Lake Carolina--master planned community voted "best place to live" in Columbia for 6 years in a row. There's lots to do, a large lake, and several interconnected neighborhoods. The best part: it's affordable. I have to reloate--if you are moving to SC check out my listing on this site. [more...]

Still the best - 2/27/2006

I have traveled extensively, and I still cannot move out of this city. You have all the facilities of a major city, with the peace and quiet of the country right around the corner[more...]

Columbia's Renaissance - 2/11/2006

Columbia is one of the South's "on deck" cities. Undergoing what city leaders have described as a "renaissance," the city has seen investment over $774 million between 2004-2005, including USC's research campus, streetscapings, and residential infill projects, just to name a few.[more...]