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.
Ryan | Columbia, SC