The capital of South Carolina is a fast-growing subway that offers a small-town atmosphere and an affordable cost of living. With a friendly culture, an incredible art scene, and fantastic restaurants, it's no wonder that Cola Town is one of the 100 best places to live in the U.S. UU. Located two hours from the coast, Columbia is home to South Carolina's largest university, a thriving downtown cultural scene and a growing business community.
Soda City, the city's affectionate nickname, replaced Charleston as the state capital in 1786 and has since been attracting new residents. Whether you're attracted to the effervescent promise of its nickname or want to enjoy all the history and arts the city has to offer, read on for everything you need to know about moving to Columbia, South Carolina, what it's like to live there and the city's best neighborhoods. With a metropolitan population of 136,632, Columbia is the capital of South Carolina and the second largest city, only behind Charleston, the charming tourist destination two hours to the southeast. While Columbia may not have the beaches and sea breezes of its coastal sister city, the capital has a lot to offer families, single professionals, and retirees looking for a relaxed lifestyle with a large dose of outdoor activities.
And it's just an hour and a half from Charlotte, North Carolina, which is a plus for any generation. Geographically, Columbia is in the center of the state, which means that there is no chance of a cool breeze from the Atlantic or the somewhat nearby Smoky Mountains to reach the city. But the confluence of three rivers makes a big difference on summer days. In fact, much of Columbia's outdoor recreational options are centered on the Three Rivers Greenway, which has 19.4 miles of trails along Broad, Saluda and Congaree (more on that later).
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer months, which is the norm in most of the southeastern U.S. The good news is that they give way to a brief nighttime cooldown, ideal for taking a walk on the Via Verde, but make sure the lightning is gone before leaving. January is the coldest month, with an average low temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, it snows once or twice a year, but don't count on a lot of white matter.
Instead, take a winter day trip to Walhalla, just 150 miles to the northwest, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You'll likely see a few gusts or even a stream or two, and if not, there are a dozen waterfalls to explore. In neighboring Richland School District No. What are outdoor recreational activities like in Columbia, South Carolina? The confluence of a 55,000-acre lake and three rivers (technically, the Broad and Saluda Rivers) come together to create the Congaree offers a world of outdoor possibilities for Columbians.
As mentioned, the Three Rivers Greenway encompasses more than 19 miles of ADA-accessible and puppy-friendly trails around waterways, with viewpoints and boardwalks, as well as opportunities to rent kayaks, canoes and tubing on the rivers and pontoons of Lake Murray, just west of downtown Columbia. How is the art scene? Columbia has a surprisingly active arts community, given the relative size of the city. Two professional ballet companies, the Columbia City Ballet and the Columbia Classical Ballet, call Soda City home, as does the South Carolina Philharmonic. A number of theaters offer live performances, including the Columbia Marionette Theater, a professional puppet company.
The outstanding Columbia Museum of Art is an award-winning institution that offers more than two dozen galleries that exhibit art from more than 5000 years of world history. And like most college cities, Columbia has a thriving community of musicians and artists who add a creative spark to established institutions. As for the music scene, the venues include the USC Colonial Life Arena, where larger artists perform, and smaller concert halls and clubs with local headquarters, such as Bill's Music Shop &, Pickin' Parlor, Tin Roof and The Senate. What is the best food in Columbia, South Carolina? Soda City cuisine has its roots in Southern comfort food, but it's expanding rapidly, although the classics will never go out of style and are still well represented here.
Innovative chefs have begun to call Columbia home, and eclectic districts are springing up across the area. The Congaree Vista neighborhood is a prominent dining hub, for example, especially along Devine Street, where several cozy restaurants welcome guests for outdoor dining under the oak trees. Is Columbia a good city for kid-friendly activities? In addition to all of its outdoor fun, such as the Riverbanks Zoo and the variety of parks and recreational options, Columbia offers lots of fun things for kids. The centerpiece is EdVenture, where interactive exhibits include World of Work, FLIGHT, Maker Works and Wags & Whiskers, with an animal health theme.
If you're moving to Soda City in the future, check out these hotspots. Among the best neighborhoods in Columbia, South Carolina, one could easily beat the rating and become your new home. Today's Shandon is just a short walk from the University of South Carolina campus and close to the Five Points and Devine Street shopping and shopping districts. On weekends and after school, retirees and local families enjoy Sims Park and Emily Douglas Park, which have play areas, an amphitheater, a basketball court and a dog park.
Choosing Columbia for your next home is the easy part. Getting there can be a challenge. Here are three options for your trip. DIY rental truckIf you really don't like other people touching your stuff, this may be your best option.
But it can be almost as expensive as the full-service option, considering buying gas, insurance, and food and hotel expenses on the way to Columbia. If you choose the DIY path, once again, make sure to read all the small print. Are you interested in other cities in the Southeast for your next move? Check out the PODS blog for information on Low Country and Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL. Shannon Jacobs is a Tampa-based freelance writer and a frequent contributor to the PODS blog.
He's lived in Atlanta, Berkshires and Nashville, but he always returns to the warmth of Florida's Gulf Coast. Columbia's metropolitan population is much larger than stated. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you're looking for a place where you can settle down in South Carolina, you can't go wrong with Columbia.
This fast-growing city offers the feel of a quaint rural town combined with affordable prices. Its delicious cuisine, fascinating art scene and welcoming culture have earned it a place among the 100 best places to live in the country. While moving to a new area can be a difficult decision, many will tell you that moving to “Cola Town” was the best decision of their lives. Here we share the definitive guide to living in Columbia, South Carolina.
We are also home to Allen University, Columbia College, Benedict College, Columbia International University, Virginia College and many more. Columbia was named the capital of South Carolina in 1786 after much debate about what it should be called. You can also attend a puppet show at the Columbia Marionette Theater or at the Columbia Children's Theater for fun with the whole family. If you want to escape the heat for a bit, you can head to South Carolina's nearly 3,000 miles of tidal coastline.
When people talk about the best food cities in South Carolina, you're likely to hear about Greenville and Charleston before anyone mentions Columbia. Columbia, South Carolina, which is often overlooked but definitely worth checking out, is a nice small city that has a lot of advantages. However, to be fair, the average income in South Carolina tends to be slightly lower than the national average because of the lower cost of living. Buying food and groceries is usually a little cheaper in South Carolina than in the rest of the country.
Other museums you'll want to visit are the South Carolina State Museum, the Adventure Children's Museum, the University of. .
