Education
The University of South Carolina
USC is at the heart of South Carolina’s post high school education system. It supports tens of thousands of students each year, and provides over 350 programs of study leading to bachelor, masters, and doctoral degrees. It’s campus is integral in Columbia’s downtown. Learn more from USC’s website:
Award Winning Public Schools
The Midlands has a top notch public school system that features blue ribbon awarded schools. These schools have consistently high standardized testing scores, and feature excellent service learning programs. The South Carolina Department of Education website has some excellent tools to evaluate school performanace:
Other Higher Education
Columbia boasts the following higher education institutions:
Culture
Being centrally located, Columbia as grown to be a focal point of the culture of South Carolina. Here is a list of special points of interest in the Columbia area:
- SC State Museum – Features art, history, natural history and science/technology exhibits, especially as it relates to South Carolina.
- EdVenture Children Museum – A special museum, located on the Congaree River, focused on the education and development of children.
- Columbia Museum of Art
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden – An award winning zoo, located on the Saluda river, Riverbanks offer over 3000 species of animals, and a separate Botanical Garden featuring over 4200 species of plant life.
- Five Points – A downtown hot spot, made popular by students of the University of South Carolina, this area offers robust shopping, dining, and an active nightlife scene.
- The Vista – Literally, it’s a vista leading down to one of Columbia’s major rivers, the Congaree. The area has been revitalized by the City of Columbia, and has an array of fine dining, professional offices, are exhibits, nightlife entertainment, and shopping.
Military
Columbia welcomes our troops. With all the branches service represented here, we understand the needs of a military family. Fort Jackson is within 30 minutes of any part of Columbia, and we can help you find a home with easy access to it.
Lake Murray
Travel
Columbia and the areas we list properties in are located in what we call the “Midlands” here in South Carolina. The Midlands is right in the middle of the state, and this is convenient to everything the southeast United States has to offer.
The Coast
Myrtle Beach is one of the most visited beaches in the entire world. It has numerous ocean front resorts, sand coated beaches with blue waters, and an array of shopping options to meet all tastes. From Columbia, you can be at the ocean in a little over three hours.
Charleston, a city with a very old history and rich cultural influences, is also a little over three hours from Columbia. Charleston features an international trade port, historic downtown known for it beautiful oak-lined streets, piers over Charleston Harbor, and heavy navel presence. Charleston has been featured in numerous Hollywood movies as well.
Mountains
Columbia residents have quick access to a multitude of mountain towns and tourist locations located within the Northeastern part of the state and surrounding states. The appalachian mountains have remained mostly undeveloped since the days of the early settlers. Visitors can travel mountain roads, like the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoy overlooks, state and national parks, and appreciate the true beauty of the mountainous region.
Surrounding Cities and Towns
Being centrally located, Columbia has fast access to all the major cities and towns of the southeast, including Charlotte, Wilmington, and Raleigh in North Carolina, Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah in Georgia, and Greenville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
Air Travel
Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers residents travel to and from Columbia. It’s located close the heart of the city, and offers many direct flights to major cities, as well as connecting flights through Charlotte Douglas International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airports.