Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina and a great place to call home. It is surrounded by lots of parks, three rivers, Lake Murray and year-round recreation. Finlay Park is located downtown with a fountain overlooking the city. Riverbanks Zoo is off I-126, Saluda Shoals Park in the Irmo area near the dam, and Lake Murray is one of it's great assets as well with a beach and water sports, fishing too. You can enjoy foods from around the world during different festivals, visit a theatre, see an ice show at the Carolina Coliseum or attractions at the Colonial Center, there is something for everyone.http://www.riverbanks.org and visit the botanical garden while at the Zoo too www.riverbanks.org/garden/
Like all older cities Columbia's Downtown has some really beautiful historical buildings and tree lines streets. Some of these buildings are businesses today. In the Cotton Town area some of them have been restored and families enjoy living there as well as in the Shandon and Saluda areas. You will see new construction everywhere and many of them are high rises and condominiums and town homes.
Overview of Columbia from across the River
Per The State paper 9/30/2009
If you like to know a little more about it's history please go to http://www.columbiasc.net/columbia/257 and find about Columbia since 1700's
Columbia's population is 116,278 (per 2000 U.S. Census) . It has had a population growth of 3.17 percent since 2000. You can also go to http://www.citypopulation.de/USA-SouthCarolina.html and see how large some cities including Columbia is. Like to find out more about the Columbia South Carolina population sciway is always a good link to check: http://www.sciway.net/statistics/population.html and this is also a good site for more information http://www.columbiasc.net/columbia/256
View of Columbia from the Fountain at Finley Park
The Congaree National Park is a short drive from downtown. Harbison State Forest is in the Irmo area near Columbiana Centre Mall off Broad River Rd. You will love the many green areas Columbia is surrounded by. Columbia is centrally located, close to the beaches (Myrtle Beach is approximately 3 to 3 1/2 hours away, Charleston 1 to 1 1/2 hours, and many more). We are also close to Charlotte, Atlanta and the mountains. The Harbison State Forest link:http://www.state.sc.us/forest/refharb.htm
You will find that Columbia and it's surrounding communites are very green. We also have some hills. For some of the State Parks visit here http://southcarolinaparks.com/
to see what may be going on.
For your convenient visit to Columbiana Centre use this link http://www.columbianacentre.com and see that there is just about any store you want and need, including J C Penney, Sears, Belk, and Dillard. In the food court is a carroussell. You can be a mall walker if you prefer to walk-indoors. The childred can go trick-or-treating indoors Halloween among some scheduled events.
Columbia has several colleges and the University of South Carolina. It is known for it's excellent International School of Business and the Law School as well, engineering is ranked high, one of the best in the country. Check out more details on www.sc.edu/ Welcome to Gamecock Country. For tickets and more visit www.gamecocksonline.cstv.com/
Find more about Columbia here www.columbiasc.net and here www.columbiacvb.com
We have 1 of 5 EdVenture Childen's Museums in the entire country right here in Columbia and the State Museum. It is in the 1893 Columbia mill textile building right off Gervais Street downtown. www.museum.state.sc.us. and http://www.edventure.org/
RIVEBANKS ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
Columbia is very proud of it's beautiful botanical garden adn zoo. You can visit the zoo and botanical garden here and get an overview http://www.riverbanks.org and also check this link http://www.riverbanks.org/planvisit/visitorinfo.shtml to plan a visit or become a member.
There are two ways to get to the zoo. I-126 towards Columbia and take the Greystone exit or Hwy 378 in West Columbia. During the winter the zoo is lit up from Thanksgiving until New Years Eve. A trip well worth your while.
This site has many parks listed for activities for children. You will be amazed how many parks you will find here: http://www.columbia4kids.com/outdoors/parks.php
Columbia has the Vista area with fine dining and the Colonial Center for events and concerts, also the Koger center, Museum of Art. Columbia is one of 5 cities to have the EdVenture Children's Museum and The State Museum is also with a trip. The University of South Carolina is in the middle of downtown. A large campus with an outstanding reputation. The Darla Moor School of Business ranks high in the country, the USC Law School as well and then there are the Carolina Gamecocks with a football team and basket ball team. Columbia also features an Ice Hockey Team, the Infernos.
You will find this link very informative about the vista and history of Columbia http://www.vistaontheriver.com
The State House
Columbia Restaurants and More
Downtown Columbia features good restaurants, entertainment, events and more.
All our sites have links and information for you whether you live here and look for information or you are interested to move here. http://www.columbiasc.net and this is also a good site to explore is the South Carolina Information Highway http://www.sciway.net/city/columbia.html
Columbia has a large variety of restaurants for every taste. You can find some links on the following link and more followed:
www.vistacolumbia.com
www.bluemarlincolumbia.com on 1200 Lincoln Street in Columbia 803-799-3838
Columbia has a Ruth Chris Steak House on 924 Senate St in Columbia http://www.ruthschris.com/ or call (803) 212-6666
For the Liberty Taproom and Grill: www.liberytaproom.com 803-461-4677 on 828 Gervais Street in Columbia
Farmers Market
Columbia has a Farmers Market near the Williams Brice Football stadium and Fair Grounds. It is quite popular and you may want to plan a visit there once you have relocated to Columbia and surrounding communities. There will be an annual State Fair on the Fair Grounds with open air concerts. Parking can be a little difficult if there is an intown football game. But you will have lots of fun whether you tailgate, go see the game or go to the fair. www.scstatefair.org
For the Farmers Market click here: http://agriculture.sc.gov/content.aspx?MenuID=109 and if you like to find out a little more about the new State Farmers Market to be constructed and to open in spring 2010 go here http://scstatefarmersmarket.com/
ICE HOCKEY ANYONE?
You probably did not think that you can watch an Ice Hockey game in Columbia or go skating in a rink? Columbia has an Ice Hickey team. For tickets and all information please visit
http://www.columbiainferno.com/
Towards Chapin off the Peak Exit and I-26 is a Ice Hockey Rink.
There is a new Sports Complex in Irmo on 1019 Broad Stone Rd, Irmo SC 29063 call 803-732-1900 for schedules and details. You may find some information on this site:
http://www.plexindoorsports.com
Like I said earlier, there is something for everyone in Irmo and in Columbia. Columbia has an Ice Hickey team and there is an Ice Skating Rink off the Peak Exit and I-26. Check out this site for the Irmo Ice Hockey Federation and details: http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=iihf
Across The River Is West Columbia
www.westcolumbiasc.com
The City of West Columbia is located in Lexington County just across the Saluda and Congaree rivers and 2 bridges from downtown Columbia. It is minutes within the Columbia metropolitan area. The City began to realize its potential of using the riverfront which has not been developed in the past. There is some very expensive property along the river here.
West Columbia is an older community on the Congaree River in Lexington County. You may find some tree-lined streets, a popular older development "The Avenues" features also some quaint shops and you will find long-time residents and young families. With a heritage rich in history, West Columbia is coming into its own. Like all other areas in and around Columbia you will find historic areas stand side-by-side with new developments. The natural beauty of the river and its small town feeling attract local and newcomers. Whether you're looking for a place to live, start a business or just visit West Columbia welcomes you. It is so convenient to downtown that in years to come most people feel it will be more developed.
If you continue on Highway 378 it will take you into the town of Lexington which is one of the fastest growing communities in the Columbia area.
The State House
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Rosemarie Averhoff, CRS®
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The Capital Relocation Group with RE/MAX Metro Associates
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