WELCOME TO CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA
Welcome to the communities of Central South Carolina. The city of Columbia is the center of this region and radiating from the city are suburbs, premier lakefront communities, and welcoming small towns all in a setting of natural beauty and splendor. Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina, the largest city in the state, and part of one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation.
Lifestyle
Whether your passion is culture and the arts, outdoor adventure, or attractions designed for family enjoyment, the region offers a four-season cornucopia of delights. This panoramic area offers some of the nation’s finest recreation, including sprawling green spaces such as Sesquicentennial State Park, Harbison State Forest, and Congaree Swamp. Nestled in southeastern Richland County, the swamp is one of the last surviving old-growth swamps in the eastern United States and offers boardwalks and trails for lengthy hikes as well as canoeing and fishing. Newcomers to the region can look forward to hundreds of miles of trails in varied terrain as well as opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, water sports, fishing, and hunting.
Lake Murray is the crown jewel of water sports and boating, although landings on the Congaree River also provide boat ramps and ideal fishing conditions. Three of the celebrated recreational areas within the city of Columbia are the Columbia Canal, Riverfront Park and Finlay Park, attracting thousands of visitors each year who enjoy relaxing and exercising close to home.
Columbia also boasts one of the finest zoos in the southeast, cradled against the north side of the Saluda River. The Riverbanks Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals, duplicating their natural surroundings as closely as possible. Behind the zoo, a bridge leads visitors across the river to the Riverbanks Botanical Garden and scenic nature trails. Students of history will want to visit some of the many historic sites and superb venues that include the South Carolina State Museum and the Columbia Museum of Art. More than 100 cultural organizations keep the calendar filled with exciting special events that are showcased in elegant venues or state-of-the-art amphitheaters.
Shopping opportunities seem to appear around every corner, from regional malls to historic districts, neighborhood plazas, open-air retail centers, farmers markets, and flea markets. The housing options are as diverse as the communities, ranging from country manors and horse properties to lakefront condominiums, executive homes in upscale developments, historic treasure in the heart of a long-established neighborhood, and handsome new loft developments in the heart of the city. Regardless of the community or environment you select in the Columbia area, the greatest asset will be the warmth and friendliness of your new neighbors. Without a doubt, this area creates an idyllic blend of Southern hospitality and charm with the most contemporary of amenities.
Services
Students of all ages will find virtually unlimited opportunities for education in public and private schools that offer a strong core curriculum enhanced by high technology. Well-supported public schools excel in academics and extra-curricular programs, evidenced by acclaimed music education programs and foreign language study in elementary school. In addition to parochial or religiously affiliated private schools, the area offers independent schools like the highly respected college preparatory institution of the Hammond School. Colleges and universities in the Metropolitan Columbia area are anchored by the vast campus for the University of South Carolina, conferring undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical degrees. The university is also renowned for the Moore School of Business, recognized internationally for innovative programs that emphasize internships, consulting projects, study abroad programs, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Columbia Junior College and Midlands Technical College are available for two-year certification and degree programs, continuing education, and an affordable start on a four-year degree. Private colleges include Allen University, Benedict College, Columbia College, Columbia International University, and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
Healthcare services and facilities in the area are among the finest in the state and the nation, with leading-edge teaching hospitals, multi-specialty practices, centers of excellence, specialty clinics, and every imaginable resource. From acute care to community-based programs that include health screenings and wellness guidance, residents are able to meet routine and advanced needs close to home. In addition to urban and suburban facilities, Moncrieff Army Community Hospital serves residents of Fort Jackson — distinguished as the largest and most active initial entry training center in the United States Army.
