Alright, I relocated for work and With a population of 17,723, West Columbia is a small town. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Worth the trade-offs?
0 upvotes
12 Replies
Elizabeth Howard
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is decent in most areas.
39 upvotes
Isabella M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 11 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
38 upvotes
Landon Rogers
not my experience at all
36 upvotes
Aurora Robinson
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great craft beer places. it's not perfect but it works for me.
35 upvotes
Adeline S.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Eastside area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
29 upvotes
Zoe D.
underrated comment
28 upvotes
Julia Robinson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 7 years. Moved from San Diego for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
13 upvotes
Jonathan
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Nathan R.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is public transit. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
6 upvotes
Jack W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
6 upvotes
Hailey
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Southern places. the quality of life is solid.
3 upvotes
Reagan Alvarez
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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