Does a place like this exist near Columbia? (Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes: daycare, homes)

[ame0110]

My husband's job may relocate us to the Columbia area. Ideally, I'd like to find a town that would include:

Either sizable enough for decent job prospects (for me) or close enough for a relatively painless commute into Columbia.

Excellent daycare options as well as an excellent public school system.

Homes in the $300K range sized around 2K square ft but not on a tiny plot of land. I would love some mature landscaping.

I know nothing about Columbia and I'm just now starting my research. Anyone have any advice to offer?

[nin_man]

With a $300K budget, you can buy pretty much anywhere you want in the Columbia area. If you want to be closer to the city, look around Forest Acres, but if you don't mind a 10-15 minute drive into the city from the 'burbs then check out the Blythewood area.

[waccamatt]

Forest Acres, Blythewood, Arcadia Lakes, Forest Lake, Heathwood, Shandon, Forest Hills, Spring Valley, Wildwood. There are many options.

[TXGamecock]

Your criteria is met by most of Columbia and the burbs, you really haven't narrowed anything down. LOL

What do you consider a "painless" commute. Most of the burbs you are looking at 20 minutes or more depending on the exact location, which is high for SC but not too bad compared to the rest of the country. As nin_man said, with your budget and expectations there are very few areas that would be out of reach. $300k can get you a lot of home around here, and in an excellent school district.