Columbia SC Update ~ we loved the area, plz help if you can?!

[Goingtodisneyworld]

We’re leaving tonight for DH interview in Columbia, if things work out & we need to check out possible relocation areas, can anyone tell me where to look for Best School District? I believe the job is in NE Columbia, we hope the commute is not more than 20mins & Home around $250,000. P.S. Any other helpful info would be Greatly Appreciated; I do know we’ll be closer to Disney World!

 

[Vacation Lover]

PM'd you.

 

[GiGi30]

Hello from Greenville, SC! No advice on school districts, but wanted to say that Columbia is a nice area!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

When I lived there (a while back ), Spring Valley High School (Richland District 2) and Irmo High School (with their corresponding elementary and middle schools) were the best in the area. My brother lives in the Airport HS district and they are pretty happy with it.

Just a warning - I lived in Columbia for 12 years growing up - it is the HOTTEST place in the state! It's a very nice place to grow up - just a few hours from the beach and the mountains, but so hot!!! If you can find a house or a neighborhood with a pool, you'll appreciate it a lot!

Best of luck!

 

[Goingtodisneyworld]

Thanks so much ~ I’m in the hotel now, they’re taking DH to lunch & then we’ll go exploring. We actually went through this in the Nashville area, & I was so excited & prepared then the job did not work out. So I was getting ready yesterday & thought I have no idea where to even begin in Columbia!
~ so far Richmond & Irmo first. Also, maybe Blythewood or Lake Carolina. Currently, they're in private school, because my mom teaches there & w/her tuition break it fit into our budget, so now I'm VERY worried about the change! So much so, I've also thought about homeschooling?
We’ll be coming from NC so we’re used to hot, however I hear you. Also DDs are now 4 & 6½ & we too feel like a pool would be a perfect fit in our family.
Thank you ALL again!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We’ll be coming from NC so we’re used to hot, however I hear you. Also DDs are now 4 & 6½ & we too feel like a pool would be a perfect fit in our family.
Thank you ALL again!

If you are living in Eastern NC (not coastal) - Raleigh, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, etc, you won't notice any difference in Columbia. We are in Wilmington, and it is usually about 10 degrees hotter in Columbia in the summer - a fact I like to mention to my brother frequently!

Best of luck to you and your DH!

 

[JAM'S MOM]

We’re leaving tonight for DH interview in Columbia, if things work out & we need to check out possible relocation areas, can anyone tell me where to look for Best School District? I believe the job is in NE Columbia, we hope the commute is not more than 20mins & Home around $250,000. P.S. Any other helpful info would be Greatly Appreciated; I do know we’ll be closer to Disney World!

Hi, we just moved to SC from New England and are very happy with the schools in Lexington School District One. Our schools have won many awards and this has translated to good teachers and strong community involvement. We have children in elementary, middle, and high school. Our area is close to Lake Murray and there are many affordable and new homes in your price range. We did look at Lake Carolina and found it to be a wonderful place. You can PM me if you would like additional information.

PS Be sure to check out the Zoo. There are many programs for kids! Best of luck to you.

 

[alloyd1170]

I live in Chapin (just west of Columbia on Lake Murray). Richland Lexington District 5 is one if not the best in the area. Chapin schools are better from what Ive heard. My son just started K at Lake Murray, but our friends have had kids go through Irmo HS, and Dutch Fork. Seems Chapin HS has less problems (probably because its smaller ???).

Lake Carolina on the NE is pretty popular, and Blythewood is growing fast. We have friends that moved there, but they dont have kids.

Also check out EdVenture for the kids. Both it and the zoo have pretty cheap family packages that pay for themself in no time!

 

[Goingtodisneyworld]

Just back ~ and we Loved the area! Dh's job would be @ I-20 & Clemson Rd. I believe we’ve narrowed it down to 2 subdivisions:
Woodlands ~ Spring Valley HS, Larger homes on Larger lots but older homes w/older floor plans, approx. commute w/ traffic 15mins, although one concern was, how stable is the golf course?
Lake Carolina ~ Ridgeview HS, New homes w/new open floor plans, but smaller sf & small lots, approx commute 30mins.
Also, I’m still looking for any info on homeschooling in Columbia?

However, my mom is an elem. teacher & will need to find a new job; will it prove to be difficult?

Please keep all your helpful input & advice coming, it’s sooo appreciated!

 

[Vacation Lover]

I'm so glad you liked the area. There's really a lot to do in Columbia!

I'm not that familiar with Woodlands, but I know Spring Valley is a respected area & high school. You would be zoned for Pontiac Elementary school, which is pretty new, I think. Sorry I don't know a lot about this one.

We did look at Lake Carolina a few years ago and loved the community. Lake Carolina Elementary is supposed to be very good, and Ridge View is one of the newer high schools. I've heard great things about it.

According to the SC School report card, Lake Carolina Elementary, Spring Valley HS and Ridge View HS all received an "Excellent" rating; Pontiac received a "Good" rating. For more info on the school report cards, go to http://ed.sc.gov/topics/researchandstats/schoolreportcard/2006/default.cfm

I think you'll find plenty of homeschoolers in the area, but I do think you'll be happy with the schools here. As I mentioned in my PM, Richland District 5 is very good (and Lexington 1, as a previous poster mentioned). But since you're husband will be working on the Northeast side of town I think you're right to look at the Richland 2 schools--I've heard good things about them too.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me with any questions.