Born here, raised here, family has been here or near here for 250 years. Your assessment of life in Columbia is quite fair and on-target. When new folks from up north ask how do you get used to the heat of that miserable 3 months of summer, I tell them "You don't". Winter temps are mild but the humidity can add a bit of extra chill that is not very pleasant. Everything else is very nice. We used to get top-notch touring acts decades ago, but you are a 2-2.5 hour drive from anything you might want for a big show. Or, the mountains, the ocean and beach, lots of really good things. Depending on how often you do a particular activity, its either pretty good or not-so-good. But, for most people for day-to-day living, its a very good place to be. This is mostly a government town. dominated by higher ed, retail banking, state and federal government, that sort of thing. The manufacturing base is and always has been a bit thin as compared to metro Greenville or Charleston. As our narrator above kinda' mentioned, that is by design. The two economic centers of the state, the Upstate and Low Country, put the political center out of harms way in the middle. Go to the navigable headwaters of the Santee-Congaree rivers, look for a high spot of ground above the malarial mosquitos of the day, and you have Columbia. Lots of people look at Columbia and see a lot of money and think they can sell upscale products here in quantity. But, a lot of the money is in tied up in old money, and they didn't get to be old money by spending a lot of it freely. Plan on selling a lot of high-end sports cars and other trinkets of conspicuous consumption? You will starve. You plan on selling a boatload of Kia's and lots of groceries and work clothes to people that go into the office to work for a living? You will do just fine. All in all, I love the place! Great place to grow up, great place to grow old...
Thanks for ur life experience and feeling of all the above of Columbia brotha my wife wants to be near the city so looking for a decent city that she can enjoy great dining shopping etc also as you put it’s not far from hiking swimming etc fun stuff for the kids Cheers -B
I did basic training at Ft. Jackson in 1990 Showed up in July being an 18 year old kid from Wyoming that was my first experience with humidity and that type of heat I thought I was going to die lol. I'm not talking bad about SC I also went to AIT there the weather seemed to start getting pleasant about the end of September
Thanks for making this. My family and I are contemplating a big move from Arizona this year and a couple job opportunities in Columbia have drawn our attention. I'm just beginning my research but so far I'm astonished by the quality of homes and reasonable pricing. The city looks very pretty as well and the idea of having a flagship university right there for our soon-to-be high-school student is very enticing. Is the air quality a negative, in your opinion? I understand the South in general is prone to inversions that lead to increases in ozone and other pollutants.
I'll admit, I haven't watched air quality that much, I haven't heard of it being bad...except for pollen levels, they are off the chart in the spring! (They get me, so I take allergy meds from now till almost June) Columbia is sorta in a bowl, but you could also look outside of it in Lexington, or really most directions. I'd be happy to chat if you want to talk at some point.
Lexington can be a great place. It's growing for sure, lots of movement that direction from Columbia in the last decade. I just had people move there and they love it. It's really a suburb of Columbia with good access to the Capitol if that's important to you. It is going to be money saving to move there vs. some areas of Columbia/Greenville/beach cities. That can really get more bang for your buck. I'd be happy to speak if you'd like to call during the day. :D
All due respect to your Pro list but entertainment, cultural events and outdoor activities are extremely underwhelming for the Capital City. The Vista and Five Points should definitely be in the Cons list.
🤔Thinking of Moving to Greenville SC? Let us help! 🌴
📲Call or Text: 864.607.3537
✉ Email: homesoftheupstate@gmail.com
Born here, raised here, family has been here or near here for 250 years. Your assessment of life in Columbia is quite fair and on-target. When new folks from up north ask how do you get used to the heat of that miserable 3 months of summer, I tell them "You don't". Winter temps are mild but the humidity can add a bit of extra chill that is not very pleasant. Everything else is very nice. We used to get top-notch touring acts decades ago, but you are a 2-2.5 hour drive from anything you might want for a big show. Or, the mountains, the ocean and beach, lots of really good things. Depending on how often you do a particular activity, its either pretty good or not-so-good. But, for most people for day-to-day living, its a very good place to be. This is mostly a government town. dominated by higher ed, retail banking, state and federal government, that sort of thing. The manufacturing base is and always has been a bit thin as compared to metro Greenville or Charleston. As our narrator above kinda' mentioned, that is by design. The two economic centers of the state, the Upstate and Low Country, put the political center out of harms way in the middle. Go to the navigable headwaters of the Santee-Congaree rivers, look for a high spot of ground above the malarial mosquitos of the day, and you have Columbia. Lots of people look at Columbia and see a lot of money and think they can sell upscale products here in quantity. But, a lot of the money is in tied up in old money, and they didn't get to be old money by spending a lot of it freely. Plan on selling a lot of high-end sports cars and other trinkets of conspicuous consumption? You will starve. You plan on selling a boatload of Kia's and lots of groceries and work clothes to people that go into the office to work for a living? You will do just fine. All in all, I love the place! Great place to grow up, great place to grow old...
Thanks for ur life experience and feeling of all the above of Columbia brotha my wife wants to be near the city so looking for a decent city that she can enjoy great dining shopping etc also as you put it’s not far from hiking swimming etc fun stuff for the kids
Cheers
-B
Thank you for sharing your experience!
@@brianahernofficial Greenville could be a good choice as well.
Spent the first 18 years of my life in Charleston went to USC and the rest is history. I consider the midlands to my homeland.
@@maximuskhan2100 I went to.USC and have family in Columbia. 😃
Thank you. I needed this badly...hopefully we're there within 3-5 years
My pleasure! Hope we can help when the time comes. 😃
I did basic training at Ft. Jackson in 1990 Showed up in July being an 18 year old kid from Wyoming that was my first experience with humidity and that type of heat I thought I was going to die lol. I'm not talking bad about SC I also went to AIT there the weather seemed to start getting pleasant about the end of September
I bet that was a system shock for sure! Right into the worst of the heat!
Thanks for making this. My family and I are contemplating a big move from Arizona this year and a couple job opportunities in Columbia have drawn our attention. I'm just beginning my research but so far I'm astonished by the quality of homes and reasonable pricing. The city looks very pretty as well and the idea of having a flagship university right there for our soon-to-be high-school student is very enticing. Is the air quality a negative, in your opinion? I understand the South in general is prone to inversions that lead to increases in ozone and other pollutants.
I'll admit, I haven't watched air quality that much, I haven't heard of it being bad...except for pollen levels, they are off the chart in the spring! (They get me, so I take allergy meds from now till almost June) Columbia is sorta in a bowl, but you could also look outside of it in Lexington, or really most directions. I'd be happy to chat if you want to talk at some point.
Very helpful. Thank you! 😊
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
You arw gentleman and scholar...thanks again
So nice of you!
What are the best areas and neighborhoods to live?
@@nicoleluxe what are you looking for in a place to live?
How long of a drive to ocean ? To Atlanta? To Nashville? Thx
Its about 2.5hrs to a beach near Charleston, or 3hrs to Atlanta.
I am planning to move to Lexington. Can you please share your thoughts about this suburb?
Lexington can be a great place. It's growing for sure, lots of movement that direction from Columbia in the last decade. I just had people move there and they love it. It's really a suburb of Columbia with good access to the Capitol if that's important to you. It is going to be money saving to move there vs. some areas of Columbia/Greenville/beach cities. That can really get more bang for your buck. I'd be happy to speak if you'd like to call during the day. :D
I’m moving from Fort Lauderdale fl to Columbia sc I’m nervous asl being I’m moving with my wife and 3 kids
It's totally normal to be nervous! It's a huge change with a big impact! I'm happy to chat if I can be of help, even just an ear to listen.
Doing the same thing but we are coming from ny. Closing my successful business here and hoping to relocate there.
@@ryancornelius1007 Love it!
summer worst than FL? Im used to FL Summer...
Summer will be a little shorter in SC, and the humidity will be a little "shorter" season as well.
@@HomesoftheUpstate sounds good... Planning a visit soon...I like what I'm seeing in that beautiful state.. Thanks a lot Sir..
@@elvic-xg6hh My pleasure! If you have the time, I love the spring/fall. It's gorgeous, but not hot. :D
All due respect to your Pro list but entertainment, cultural events and outdoor activities are extremely underwhelming for the Capital City. The Vista and Five Points should definitely be in the Cons list.
Summer can be from early May to late September.
Or longer sometimes!
I lived in Columbia for a year. It’s a real hell hole. Add that to your con list.
What madenit a hell hole for you?
@@HomesoftheUpstate The total lack of culture, general ignorance on the part of the population, racism and a vocal belief in the lost cause.
Good, don't come back