Columbia, South Carolina has neighborhoods with entertaining theaters, river walks, and vibrant nightlife. Which is the right one for you? Read on to find the best area in the city.
Columbia, South Carolina is one of the lesser-known booming real estate markets in the country. According to realtor.com, the city’s median home prices grew by a whopping 16.5% in 2018. The current median price of a house in Columbia is $232,000 and it remains a very hot housing market.
One of the main reasons the real estate market has grown so much is the growing population. If you, like so many others, are considering a move to Columbia, these are some of the neighborhoods to keep an eye on.
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The Vista
The Vista is a Columbia neighborhood that is situated on the banks of the Congaree River. It was once known for the railway lines that passed through and for the many textile mills that stood in the area. The changing times turned The Vista into a hub for shopping, nightlife, and entertainment in Columbia.
The Artista Vista gallery crawl is held in The Vista every year. The two-day art event brings new art exhibitions and live entertainment to the neighborhood. The Trustus Theater is another important landmark in The Vista. The theater has two venues with a seating capacity of 132 and 50 each and puts on some of the best plays to the city. If cultural destinations are what you’re looking for, then The Vista is for you.
Lexington
Lexington is a suburb located just to the west of Columbia and 10 miles from its downtown. It used to be called Saxe Gotha in the late 18th century until the name was changed to commemorate the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Lexington does a good job of straddling rural roots and its more modern, cosmopolitan elements. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is located in Lexington, making residents well-connected to the rest of the state and country.
There are a number of good elementary, middle, and high schools in the neighborhood. In fact, the Lexington School District is the biggest employer in the area followed by Lexington County and then Walmart.
Downtown
Downtown has some enviable pieces of real estate thanks to the historic location and the constantly growing list of establishments in the area.
One of the most famous destinations in this part of the city is the Columbia Museum of Art. The museum gets upwards of 150,000 visitors each year. The Nickelodeon Theatre, or The Nick as it’s fondly known, is special to the city since it was founded by University of South Carolina students. The Nick screens a wide range of independent films and hosts the Indie Grits Film Festival each year.
Living in and around all these Columbia landmarks does come at a cost. The neighborhood has the highest rent in the city at $1,756 each month.
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Cayce
As much as some would like to live in Downtown, Columbia, it can be expensive to get a house there. What do you do when you can’t get a home in the heart of Downtown? Live close enough that you can reach that part of town quickly, which is exactly what living in Cayce lets you do.
Cayce is a neighborhood located by the Congaree River. The river has played an important role in the development of this part of Columbia. The Riverwalk in Cayce a 12-mile long path around the river. There’s a lot you can do along the path, including fishing, visiting the picnic areas, and attending the events held at the Riverwalk Park Amphitheater.
Cayce has a population of 13,684 and the median age in the area is 32.1.
Five Points
Five Points is one of the primary districts in downtown Columbia. It is the site of many firsts for the city, including its first Chinese restaurant, first supermarket, and first bar to put a cocktail on the menu.
This neighborhood is a prime destination for University of South Carolina students. As a result, Five Points comes alive in the evening with bustling bars and restaurants. Bar None, Cellar on Greene, and Breakers Live are some of the well-known watering holes in the area.
But there’s more to Five Points than the bars and nightlife. A number of the venues in the neighborhood host live music concerts. The Columbia Food and Wine Festival and Summer Sidewalk Sale, the city’s largest sidewalk sale, are held here.
Purchasing a home in the neighborhood of your choice can be tough in Columbia given the soaring demand for housing in the city. You can make a strong offer to sellers in the area by working with a Clever Partner Agent, who are real estate agents from some of the top brokerages in the U.S.
One of the ways our agents assist buyers in markets where homes are selling quickly is by setting up on-demand home showings. You don’t have to wait till there is an open house for a home you’re interested in. All you need to do is let a Clever Partner Agent know the address of the property, and they will set up a showing for you.
