Columbia South Carolina
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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".
Bp | Forest Acres, SC