About Columbia

South Carolina’s capital, Columbia, is a city that has much to offer. Columbia offers several educational opportunities through the South Carolina State Museum, EdVenture Children’s Museum, the Columbia Museum of Art, the Riverbanks Zoo, and the Botanical Gardens. As for entertainment, one can hear the South Carolina Philharmonic or view a ballet at the Koger Center for the Arts, or attend music concerts at the Colonial Life Arena. Thanks to the Vista and 5 Points, downtown Columbia not only has excellent restaurants to choose from, but offers a vibrant downtown and nightlife. In regards to shopping, Columbia has many store front shops located downtown, as well as large shopping malls located at Columbiana Center and Village At Sandhills. Also, one can enjoy unique events such as the South Carolina State Fair in October and Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in February. As for sports, Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina’s Fighting Gamecocks, the Columbia Blowfish, and the Columbia Inferno. Columbia also offers many outdoor recreational opportunities. Columbia is home to the Congaree National Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Harbison State Forest. Columbia is one of the few places in the world that has the pleasure of having three rivers cross through the city. The Saluda and Broad Rivers meet in a rush of rapids and merge together forming the tranquil Congaree River. These three rivers can be enjoyed on land, courtesy of the Riverfront Park. But they also provide great opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Also, less than 15 minutes from the heart of the city is Lake Murray, a 50,000 acre lake. Furthermore, because Columbia is located at the center of the state, one is a short drive to the mountains, the beach, as well as cities such as Charlotte and Atlanta.

In recent years Columbia has been named a top midsized market for relocating families, and in 2009 was among the top 10 cities in America voted by MSN Real Estate as the “Most-Livable Bargain Markets.” For those wanting to live near the downtown area, Shandon, Melrose Heights, Heathwood, Lake Catherine and Forest Acres are the perfect choices. These are well established neighborhoods that exude charming southern living. In Northeast Columbia, Lexington and Irmo one will find wonderful suburban neighborhoods that are only a 30 minute drive to downtown.