Just moved here in May....
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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??
Tom | Columbia, SC