Living a College Town Lifestyle in Columbia-SC, South_Carolina

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Where to Retire in Columbia-SC and Home Prices

The city has many attractive neighborhoods, such as Elmwood Park, along with its suburbs. There are also active communities in the area.  The median price of a home in the 4thquarter of 2022 was $264,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.

What Is Special about Columbia-SC

Downtown Columbia has been the scene of ambitious and successful urban renewal projects. The historic Congaree Vista is a large district in the central business district near the Congaree river. It has many historic buildings that have been rehabilitated. The University, which is located downtown, has Innovista, a unique "innovation district"  between the campus' core and the banks of the Congaree River. This project integrates public and private sector research and researchers with retail, restaurant, residential, and recreational facilities in a contemporary urban landscape. The Robert Mills House (pictured above) is one of the local historical attractions.

What Is Not Special about Columbia-SC

The traffic can be heavy in this growing and bustling town. The crime rate is high.

Climate and Physical Environment

Columbia is located in the center of the state. The median January temperatures are in the mid to high 40's. The July median is in the low 80's. The city is on the Congaree River.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The Town Theatre, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been here since 1917m and is just one of several theatres in Columbia. The South Carolina State Museum has exhibits in technology, history, and the arts. It  one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The Columbia Museum of Art is here, as is the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbia's resident orchestra. The revitalized downtown has an assortment of good restaurants. The South Carolina State Fair and Riverfest Celebration are 2 of the larger festivals held in Columbia. The Koger Center of the Arts.

Crime

The crime rate is almost twice the national average, although that will vary by neighborhood. In a recent year there were 13 murders and 68 rapes.

Medical Facilities

Palmetto Health is very large health care provider with multiple locations. There are other hospitals including a VA hospital.

Transportation

CMRTA moves over 2 million passengers a year on its bus lines. There is Amtrak service and Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Valuable Links

Columbia on Wikipedia

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