Different Areas of Columbia SC

Searching the best area neighborhoods in the Midlands of Columbia, South Carolina can result in hours of research. Some buyers prefer to have waterfront property, others want to be close to shopping, and some just want acreage outside of The City of Columbia. Many of the new subdivisions in Columbia have amenities such as golf, swimming, fishing, and other recreational sports. While others stick to the basics with no homeowners associations and light restrictions. Here is a basic list of some of the areas around Columbia and some of the amenities that they offer, if any. But first, I should explain the benefits of each section of town.

Nowadays the interstate highways are the main channels of traffic in Columbia. I-20, I- 77 and I-26 generates and distributes traffic into and throughout the City of Columbia. Columbia's Irmo area is easily accessible from I-20 and I-26 whereas the Columbia Northeast benefits from I-77 and I-20. The drive between Irmo to the Northeast can be very hectic during rush hour or on a Saturday afternoon. Both areas have common use of I-20, which is practically the only connection between the two areas without driving into Downtown Columbia or through rural Jenkinsville on Highway 34 near Lake Monticello. The largest natural obstacle is the Broad River that separates The Northeast from the Irmo/Lexington regions.

Downtown Columbia

The downtown area of Columbia is an ever-growing residential community. There are many historic neighborhoods surrounding the perimeter of Downtown Columbia. Interwoven into these neighborhoods are both new and old multi-family developments where you can find rental properties during any part of the season. One economic attribute to Columbia is The University of South Carolina (or USC) which is spread throughout Five Points and The Vista. USC could support a small town solely by the number of suppliers, employees, students, faculty, and service providers that keep the area busy, stable and ever changing. Subsequently, a new regeneration of homeowners seems to recycle every decade. The rental market in Columbia is pretty solid and is supported by Midlands Technical College, Fort Jackson and USC just to name a few of the many variables.

Some neighborhoods and subdivisions in the Columbia Downtown area include:

• University of South Carolina (AKA USC)
• Elmwood Park
• The Vista
• Five Points
• Cayce
• Rosewood
• Shandon
• Heathwood
• Forest Acres
• West Columbia
• Forest Hills
• Forest Lake
• Olympia

The Northeast

Fort Jackson is also a huge economic influence for Columbia's housing market. Homes near Ft. Jackson are plentiful and its market stretches from the Southeast, near the Township of Eastover, up to the northern section of Blythewood...which many refer to as "The Northeast". Although there are nice established neighborhoods just outside the gates of Fort Jackson, many find themselves migrating to the new home developments in the Columbia Northeast. The Columbia Northeast is where you can find a mixture of home styles both old and new. Within the past 15 years new developments have been making their presence up and down Hardscrabble and Clemson Roads. You can navigate into almost any subdivision in the Columbia Northeast by travelling on these two main thoroughfares.

Some neighborhoods and subdivisions in the Columbia Northeast area include:

Northeast Columbia

• Spring Valley
• The Summit
• Lake Carolina
• Wildewood
• Woodcreek
• Woodlands

Blythewood

• Cobblestone Park
• Longcreek Plantation
• Wren Creek
• Ashley Oaks
• Crickentree

Irmo

Irmo has a similar vibe to the Northeast. The Irmo area was one of the first areas outside the City of Columbia to develop into both a residential and commercial area. Streets like Harbison Blvd., Lake Murray Blvd., and St. Andrews Road can take you through this sector. With Columbiana Mall and Lake Murray located minutes apart, it is no doubt that homeowners in these residential communities of Irmo have plenty of recreation and shopping. The Irmo and Lexington communities are both convenient to Augusta and the Greenville/Spartanburg area via the Interstate Highways. But locally the appeal of Lake Murray and Columbiana Mall keep this area active and prosperous.

Some neighborhoods and subdivisions in the Lexington and Irmo SC area include:

• Lake Murray
• Ascot Ridge
• Whitehall
• Friarsgate
• Riverwalk
• Waterford
• Heatherstone

These are just a few areas of Columbia SC where real estate is popular. Other counties around the Columbia Midlands area have small town charm and rural farms and acreage. Once you get into these areas you will find more unrestricted acreage for sale from horse farms to hunting tracts. There is so much that Columbia has to offer and it is difficult to even scratch the surface with just one article. Please review my Bio and visit our website www.HuntLLC.com for in-depth information about Columbia SC.