Horrible place to live - 5/28/2009

I am from PA and relocated here 4 years ago. Housing is less expensive but services and basic products are much more costly due to a lack of competition among most retailers. My biggest complaint has to do with something no one has commented on and is yet extremely disturbing. If you happen to have a fairly decent job with pay above 90K (average in most NE cities) this puts you in the sudo upper class in columbia. I have found the overwhelming majority of people who consider themselves Christian college educated and successful to be so out of control self obsorbed, arrogant, fake, and generally unfriendly in every regard. Most native columbians are at the top of the list when it comes to being self centered and fake. The entire southern charm nonsense is long gone and these ignorant money hungry fools have some sort of weird misguided confidence about themselves all the while living in a third rate city that no one outside of a 100 mile radius cares about. My advice is to stay far far away from this town unless of course you like to dress and act like everyone else with no individualism or interest about yourself whatsoever and if you like to wear your religion on your sleeve (of course Baptist or another form of Christianity, except Catholicism). Oh and the most important thing you will need to do if you hope to have any chance of fitting in with these ignorant self centered phonies is to buy a pontoon boat as soon as you get here, put a Gamecock flag on it, and read stories about Gamecock football every day since that is all these clowns seem to care about. Go to Charleston, its the only City in SC worth a dime, the rest should float out to sea and become another third world country no one cares about.

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Housing - 11/3/2008

The cost of housing for rent in columbia does not match the salary range in Columbia. An average 2broom appt will rent from 975-1200 a month.

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Just moved here in May.... - 10/15/2008

I moved to Columbia five months ago, and have been entirely pleasantly suprised at what a great place Columbia is to live! There is a good bit of culture for a mid-sized city (Latin Festival was fun, Gay Pride Festival drew several thousand, one of the biggest annual St. Patrick's Day festivals in the nation, SEC college football, great nightlife in Five Points, many unique, "non-chain" restaurants in the Vista area, tubing on Congaree River., top-notch alternative weekly newspaper, etc.) I have found the poplulation here diverse and open-minded, and not nearly as predominantly conservative as one might expect. Whether you are conservative or liberal, white or black or hispanic, gay or straight, I think you will find a place in Columbia for you. And, the crime is not nearly as bad as some have said. Most of the crime occurs in certain neighborhoods of town that you have no reason to ever go to. I regularly walk alone, at night, in the two main nightlife districts, and I have always felt completely safe. Sure, crime happens, but please name one sizeable city in America without any crime issues??

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Climate - 6/27/2008

As the old saying goes, In Columbia the only thing separating you from Hell's heat is your screen door.

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Wonderful Quality of Life - 5/24/2008

After traveling extensively for the past several years, I have recently decided to move back to Columbia, primarily for its overall quality of life. For me, it is the perfect size city: not too big, yet not too small (a common saying is that Columbia is "small enough where you always know someone, but big enough where you never know everyone!") In terms of outdoors/nature activity, Lake Murray is a wonderful resource for fishing and boating, located just outside of the city (20 minute drive from downtown). Also, Lake Carolina, in the Northeast, is rapidly attracting new residents. The Three Rivers Greenway, located in downtown Columbia, offers 6-8 miles of walking/biking along the shores of the Congaree River. Columbia is two hours from some of the best beaches in America, which makes for great weekend getaways (living in Columbia, you don't need to take a week-long vacation to go to the beach, you can make a weekend trip, or even a day trip.) Also, Columbia is a 2-3 hour drive for "Mountain Weekend trips," as well. Columbia offers a great entertainment/nightlife scene, with two major entertainment districts. The Vista district offers over 50 restaurants and bars, ample shopping, hotels, and upscale condos. The Five Points district offers plenty more nightlife, though geared more to the college-age crowd. Columbia is indeed very hot during the summer months. However, the spring and fall are extremely comfortable climates, and it rarely snows during the winter (perhaps one "big snow" every 3-4 years, and flurries once per year.) If you move to Columbia, I think you will be find our city to be a pleasurable place to call home.

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Columbia Area Information Available for Anyone In - 3/16/2008

I have read the online reviews of Columbia and the surrounding areas, and I must say, some of the reviews are a little out-of-line. Columbia doesn't have slum neighborhoods everywhere you look, and there aren't shootings in every neighborhood. It may be that you need an experienced guide to show you the rest of our great city. One of the greatest features Columbia has to offer is its small-town appeal. We don't have the major sky-scrapers of other cities, nor do we have the population you might expect. Traffic is bad in a couple of areas, but knowing when, and alternate routes can make commuting a breeze. Look me up if you're ever in need of an insider's view of the greater Columbia region!

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Columbia South Carolina - 1/12/2008

I have come to realize that Columbia IS the best kept secret of the "South". This comment comes from a former Ohio "Buckeye" who migrated from the North. The "locals" could not be more welcoming nor kind. The cost of living is managable yet growth is evident by some 30% increase in population of the general standard statical metropolitian area since 2000. The city is not unlike other state capitals which has as its center one of the major universities of the United States. The city has depended upon the University of South Carolina to provide many of the cultural events for the area. The city is attempting to bring in plays/musicals/ballets with major talents but finds itself competing with the Charlotte-Charleston communities for such talents. Columbia lies in a geographic area between the major cities yet no more that 1 1/2 hour drive to Charlotte and Charleston, and about 3 hours to Atlanta. One finds upon entering the city area that the road system is well established allowing a motorist to move throughout the surrounding areas without needing to exit from the highway. While Columbia is land locked some 2-hours from the Ocean there are multiple lakes surrounding the city with the largest being a man-made 15 by 7 mile Lake Murray built by the utility company serving the area. We have found the lake still primed for much more development at somewhat reasonable prices. The general community offers one just about anything one would want. The general area is referred to as the "Bible belt" but we have concluded that that does reflect the consevative nature of the community but in no way suggests that it has resulted in a lack of innovation of thought nor action. The University offers some of the most outstanding disciplines of the educational community throughout the U.S. and perhaps the World. The University brings in the diversity to the general community and welcomes what the multiple cultures offer. Not many people have had the opportunity of visiting the Columbia commuity and that is OK for those of us who would like to keep this the "best kept secret of the South".

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depress - 12/29/2007

What is their really to do here. The main things here are the schools and churches. It's nothing positive for these kids to do here so they try to create excitement although very destructive. This is a place more for retirees. If i make this my permanent home trust and believe i will be doing alot of traveling.

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Relocating - 10/22/2007

I was reading the reviews of Columbia, SC and the many inquiries about relocation to the area. Recently, I was in the area for an interview and deciding if it is a right fit for me. Before visiting, I did research crime rates for the area and the statistics are overwhelmingly high. While there, I was disappointed in the city. Most of the area appears to be slums (numerous strip malls having several empty buildings--not because there new buildings)and when a good area appears it is not long before entering a very bad section again. It is unfortunate because Columbia has such beautiful historical homes and buildings downtown. What I did learn while there is that the two better areas to live are Lexington and Northeast Columbia. The Harbison area is where the shopping areas are located. It is very, very congested in this area and the interstate backs up after 7 A.M. if you are headed anywhere further in to Columbia expect traffic. Those are my personal observations, hope it helps.

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Columbia SC - 9/14/2007

The crime in Columbia is very high, making it the reason #1 for our relocation.

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Base cost of living - 7/25/2007

A a whole Columbia and SC seems like a relatively low cost of living location. But once you factor in the taxes here, and primarily the personal property tax on cars, motorcycles, boats, rec vehicle, then this place can get rather expensive. But is you are more concerned about housing, then this could be a nice place to live, as housing is relatively inexpensive.

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Crime Rate in Columbia - 7/8/2007

The crime in Columbia is ever-growing. It seems like every neighborhood is effected by murders on a weekly basis. Gang activity is out of control, and the number of police to handle this is sadly too low. Shootings have occurred at an alarming rate in ALL neighborhoods.

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Easy Place to Live - 6/12/2007

Three interstates converge in this capital city making commutes easy for getting to one of the three rivers, symphony, concerts, USC sports, two live theaters, several excellent museums and numerous other activities. July and August are hot!

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Economy - 2/1/2007

Looking for median income for 2006.

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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.

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