Best Neighborhoods in Columbia, SC
Columbia's neighborhoods include single-family homes in historic settings, apartment complexes in urban areas, and planned communities.
Columbia’s neighborhoods range from thriving entertainment districts with plenty of apartments to quiet streets with large lots and spacious homes. The city easily accommodates the college crowd, young professionals, families and retirees.
Downtown City Center
Columbia’s downtown district includes The Congaree Vista, which has more than 60 restaurants and nightclubs, as well as the Five Points area and tourist hotspots like the Columbia Museum of Art and the Nickelodeon Theatre. The neighborhood includes the University of South Carolina and offers several rental properties such as Canalside Lofts, Vista Commons, Claire Tower and Aspyre at Assembly Station.
Shandon
Voted Columbia’s best neighborhood in 2012 by readers of Free Times, a weekly local newspaper, Shandon is one of the city’s oldest and largest neighborhoods. The area includes tree-lined streets and a mix of foursquare, bungalow and craftsman-style homes, and is located about two miles from the University of South Carolina’s campus. The family-friendly neighborhood also comprises Emily Douglas Park and Sims Park.
Rosewood
South of Shandon, Rosewood is popular among young professionals, families and retirees. The historic neighborhood primarily includes ranch-style homes, with many of them built in the 1950s and ’60s, as well as the city’s only urban farm and other amenities within walking distance. Rosewood also has Owens Field Park, which features an 18-hole disc golf course, 12 soccer fields and three tee-ball fields, and an outdoor skate park that is open to skateboarders, in-line skaters and cyclists.
Fort Jackson Area
Columbia’s southeastern portion is home to Fort Jackson, where new neighborhoods are offering residents more housing options than ever before. Congaree Pointe, a master-planned community, is conveniently located near Interstate 77, while the Eagle Park neighborhood is gated and just a few miles from Fort Jackson’s main entrance. The area also includes the Cottages at Hamlet Park, where the development manages lawn care and flexible floor plans are available. To the south of the military base in Hopkins, Richland Hills has new homes with craftsman-style exteriors and classic interiors, and residents enjoy proximity to parks, shopping destinations and more.
West Columbia
West Columbia offers a small-town feel with easy access to big-city amenities. The area includes an antique district, a broad selection of restaurants and coffee shops, and an entrance to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. One of the neighborhood’s most popular places to put down roots is the Avenues District, which has tree-lined streets with single-family homes.
Learn about Columbia’s colleges and universities.
