Columbia Information

Columbia's impressive array of neighborhoods offers many housing options for buyers or renters. Here we will attempt to describe in detail some of Columbia's best neighborhoods. 

The Vista Area and the Downtown Center  

The Vista area has sprung to life in recent years, offering unique properties ranging in size from one bedroom condominiums to 4,000 square foot homes overlooking the city's skyline. Nearby shops and restaurants as well as Columbia's most active nightlife make for a lively neighborhood.  

The Downtown Center has several options for living on Main Street in upscale condso over thriving storefronts. Main Street has recently welcomed Mast General and the well established Nickelodeon Theatre. Weekly open air markets offer downtown dwellers and workers alike the opportunty to purchase fresh bread, fruits and vegetables, and even arts and crafts.
Periodic festivals also add to the vibrancy of the area. 

Shandon  

East of the capital and yet only minutes away, older traditional neighborhoods abound. These include Shandon, which offers homes ranging from approximately $150,000 to upwards of $1 million. The tree shaded sidewalks and parks of Shandon foster a friendly and active lifestyle attractive to its residents. On any given day, runners, walkers, and dog walkers are abundant on the streets of Shandon. The neighborhood's friendly vibe ensures you feel at home immediately, as neighbors wave from front porches and gather to chat on the sidewalks or at Sims Park or Emily Douglas Park, both popular gathering spots for neighbors.
 

Wales Garden
This lovely historic neighborhood is bounded by Harden, Pickens and Blossom Streets. The stunning Saluda Street section of the neighborhood features fine and widely varying homes from Mediterranean style to classically styled estates on large lots. Much of Wales Garden features tree-lined streets named after SC's scenic rivers, including, Saluda, Enoree, Edisto, and Combahee. A popular neighborhood for the University community, this area is imminently walkable and only blocks from campus.
 

University Hill Neighborhood District 

University Hill is one of Columbia's oldest residential neighborhoods and is known for its leisurely elegance and charm. Designated in 1964 as an Architectural Conservation District (ACD) by the City of Columbia, its wide tree-lined streets, generous tree zones, and setbacks have been preserved. Homes in this area date generally from 1885 to 1950 and contain a range of architectural styles, often exhibiting the work of regionally and locally prominent architects. Due to its designation as an ACD, creatively designed, newer homes also maintain the neighborhood's scale, character, and established setbacks. The historic design and scale of the homes and properties afford drivers or walkers in the neighborhood beautiful glimpses of the splendor of the past. Live oaks, one hundred year old crepe myrtles, hydrangeas, azaleas, and climbing fig vine abound.  

Flanked on one side by the State's capitol, manicured grounds, and flagship University and on the other side by the bustling Five Points shopping, restaurant, and bar district, University Hill is ideally located for downtown living. Sidewalk laden streets lead to numerous points of interest within walking distance in the City, including the University's famous backyard--the "Horseshoe", McKissick Museum, Town, Longstreet, and Workshop theaters, Maxcy Gregg Park and Olympic size pool, Columbia's Senior Center, downtown Main Street, and live music in the Five Points district. Such geographic advantage in residential living encourages a vibrant mix of individuals and families ranging from diverse professionals, to University faculty and students. 

Hollywood-Rose Hill  

Slightly west of Shandon is the Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhood, often known as "Wales Garden." Less than a mile from the University of South Carolina campus, this neighborhood features traditionally styles homes with varied architectural styles and sizes. Prices range from approximately $150,000 to $1 million, and home styles include Mediterranean, bungalows, and Georgian styles. A popular gathering spot for children and adults alike is the neighborhoods' beautifully landscaped park, dedicated to long-time and much beloved neighbor Orene Horton, who used her incredible gardening talent to make the park a true focal point for Wales Garden. DiPrato's, a popular restaurant a few blocks from the neighborhood, is an easy stroll and great place for brunch.  

Melrose Heights  

Melrose Heights, a neighborhood nestled between Millwood Avenue and Gervais Street, also offers a wide range of architectural styles and prices. In recent years, many of these homes have been updated, yet the neighborhood retains its tree-lined streets and original charm. Bungalows and cottage styles are popular. A few new construction Craftsman style home are planned for the best of both worlds. From stunning, large two-story homes to humble but charming bungalows, Melrose Heights offers something for everyone and is, like Shandon and Wales Garden, only approximately five minutes to USC. 

Rosewood  

The Rosewood neighborhood, also approximately five minutes to USC, offers smaller, more affordable homes. The Owens Field Recreational Park lies at the heart of Rosewood and hosts Frisbee golf, doggie play space, and youth soccer leagues. Prices run from approximately $75,000 to the $300,000 range.  

Forest Acres  

Forest Acres is just minutes from downtown but with a small-town feel, Forest Acres offers primarily ranch style homes, as well as a few bungalows, along with the convenience being near some of Columbia's best dining and shopping amenities. Forest Acres sponsors festivals throughout the year to bring together neighbors of this rather large general area. Its excellent schools make it popular with families.  

Heathwood  

The Heathwood neighborhood, in central Columbia, is conveniently located to Columbia's downtown, Five Points, Fort Jackson and the University of South Carolina. Heathwood, with tall pines and ancient oaks, was named after Moses Chappelle Heath, a Columbia cotton broker. Mr. Heath purchased 130 acres in 1914 from the Ursuline Academy, a finishing school for women. The property dates back to the 1850's. The neighborhood was annexed into the City of Columbia in 1925 with some of the homes listed on the Register of Historic Places. Heathwood is a beautiful, traditional neighborhood featuring a variety of home styles and sizes ranging from condos below $100,000 to million dollar mansions. Bounded by Trenholm Road, Beltline Boulevard, and Devine Street, Heathwood features spacious homes often situated on large lots.  

Lake Katherine  

Lake Katherine is bounded by Beltline to the west, Trenholm Road to the north, Devine Street to the South, and Jackson Boulevard to the east. This neighborhood features a beautiful man-made lake as its primary feature. Its homes range upward from $150,000 to over a million.  

Forest Hills  

Forest Hills is a unique, historic in-town, neighborhood of about 285 homes. Designed by a renowned landscape architect, Forest Hills has a well documented history, and the neighborhood, as well as some individual homes, is on the Historic Register. It is distinguished by its rolling hills, unusual for Columbia, with abundant trees, large landscaped common islands, and well-kept, handsome houses and grounds. Its proximity to the cultural, business, and higher education centers in Columbia make it highly desirable as a place to live. Only five minutes to Main Street and USC, this beautiful neighborhood offers great schools and very often its growing families seek larger homes within the neighborhood as needed. Once here, residents seldom leave.
 

Forest Lake  

Forest Lake is a neighborhood within Forest Acres, conveniently located near Fort Jackson and the two major interstates, as well as near shopping and dining amenities. Homes are primarily ranch style, with a few Mid-Century Modern style homes. Several areas of the neighborhood offer lake front lots and water views. Forest Lake Golf Course, a private club, makes for peaceful views along Spring Lake Drive while Forest Lake is easily visible from Lakeshore Drive.  

Earlewood 

Earlewood is a neighborhood with rolling hills and spacious parks. Its natural beauty, along with its close-in location make this downtown neighborhood popular. Homes tend to be smaller and more affordable, and it is popular with young professionals. Earlewood features a beautiful park with a separate "doggie park" perfect for playdates.
 

Elmwood 

Elmwood is a historic neighborhood featuring homes built in the early 1900s as well as new construction that captures the charm of the past. Within a few minutes of the Main Street Business District, Elmwood's convenience cannot be beat. The neighbohood has a bit of a Charleston feel to it and is unique in Columbia for its well preserved architecture.
 

The Avenues District in West Columbia  

The Avenues District in West Columbia is just across the river via the Gervais Street Bridge. Tree-lined streets with neat, attractive homes define the Avenues. When West Columbia grew from the river, the Avenues became the premier residential area with each street designed by letter such as D Avenue, and C Avenue. Now young families, students and professionals have moved into these homes breathing new life into this lovely residential area. Convenient to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the Avenues is also super close to a made on site Krispy Kreme for those late night cravings.
 

Gregg Park 

Located just minutes from downtown Columbia and within walking distance of the restaurants and shops of Trenholm Plaza, Gregg Park is a neighborhood that appeals to all ages. Upon entering this gated community you pass through woods that transition you from a hectic world to a peaceful sense of coming home. As the road curves, you come upon the club house, pool, tennis courts and children’s playground. Just beyond these amenities are the lovely houses with their beautifully manicured lawns. Friendly neighbors are frequently out walking, enjoying the wooded trail, the many water features, and the pleasant surroundings. Gregg Park is one of Columbia’s premier communities, and a wonderful place to call home.
 

The Preserve
 

Kings Grant
Home to hundreds of families who desire new construction in a close in location, Kings Grant offers an active lifestyle for many who enjoy the clubhouse, pool, and tennis court amenities. A gated community, Kings Grant offers excellent schools and is situated just ten minutes from downtown and is convenient to shopping. Home prices range from the high 300s upwards to a million.
 

Olympia Mill Village
Located just outside of downtown Columbia, Olympia Mill started processing cotton in 1889, bringing in workers from many areas of the state. Living spaces surrounding the mill were provided to workers, with just enough land attached to each plot for a couple of farm animals. This kept the community self-sustaining. Members of the community formed strong bonds as they lived and worked together that even today, many years after the mill was shut down and eventually converted into luxury student condominiums, the culture of the village still has a strong grip on the area. A new and very popular addition to the Olympia neighborhood is 701 Whaley, a thriving community center with office suites, live/work lofts, 701 Center for Contemporary Arts, and unique spaces for event rentals. Just next door is Colubmia’s All Local Farmers Market, a favorite of many people living in and around the Columbia area.  

"Bob Guild bought his Pall Mall Street home in 1972 for $14,000. Guild, an environmental lawyer, has been a community activist for keeping the integrity of the historic Granby Mill neighborhood." The State Newspaper, 2/5/2012
To read more of this article, click the link below.
Change Amid the Mills 

Northeast Columbia  

Northeast Columbia offers numerous quality newer construction neighborhoods, ranging from homes that are perfect for first time buyers to homes for luxury buyers.  

Woodcreek Farms
WildeWood
Spring Valley
 

Lake Carolina 

Lake Carolina is located in the Northeast area of Columbia with a growing 36 neighborhoods in the community. Prices range from the mid-$100,000 up to $950,000.  

Saluda River Club
 

To the west of Columbia, you will find the popular areas of Irmo, Lexington, and Chapin as well as the Saluda River Club and the far-reaching and beautiful shorelines of Lake Murray where many Columbians enjoy recreational water sports and some enjoy year-round lake-side living. 

Lexington/Irmo
Golden Hills
Governors Grant
 

2615 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205

P: 803 771-2424
C: 803-608-4663
F: 803-771-2422

JillRMoylan@gmail.com