About Columbia

About Columbia

Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina, and is located roughly in the center of the state. Columbia is a city that has much to offer.

Educational Opportunities

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.

Entertainment

As for entertainment, one can enjoy the sounds of the South Carolina Philharmonic or take in a ballet at the Koger Center for the Arts, or watch their favorite band perform a concert at the Colonial Life Arena.

Shopping, Restaurants and Nightlife

Downtown Columbia features many store front shops located along Devine Street, 5 Points and the Vista, as well as large shopping malls such as Columbiana Center and Village At Sandhills. And thanks to the Vista and 5 Points, downtown Columbia has excellent restaurant choices, as well as a vibrant downtown and nightlife.

Sporting Events

Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina’s Fighting Gamecocks (which includes football, basketball and baseball), the Columbia Blowfish (minor league baseball), and the Columbia Inferno (minor league hockey).

Recreational Opportunities

Columbia is home to the Congaree National Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Harbison State Forest. Columbia is actually one of the few places in the world that has 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. Finally, because Columbia is at the heart of the state, one is only a short day trip away from cities like Asheville, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the city of Charleston along with it’s rich history, southern charm and sandy beaches, as well as other cities such as Charlotte and Atlanta.

Columbia’s Real Estate Market

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.”