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I just got orders for Shaw AFB and was beginning to do some house hunting. Here's the deal, I will be working at Shaw and my wife will most likely be working at one of the airports in Columbia. Any recommendations on living in Sumter as opposed to Columbia and the commute?
I've been looking at some new homes in SE Columbia/Hopkins area. How is that area? I've also been looking around Sumter/Shaw. If we live there, however, I would prefer to live in the NE area so as to keep my wife's commute reasonable. I found a couple of houses just south of base near Cherryvale. I read in one of the threads that I should stay away from Cherryvale. Is this the consensus?
My son is only 1 so the school systems aren't a big deal for us yet since we'll be moving again before he turns 4. Any input regarding the areas mentioned above is greatly appreciated.
The Hopkins area can be very nice or horrible, depending on where you live. Traditionally one side of the major road going through there (US 378) is safe while on the other side you can get into one of the highest crime neighborhoods in the Columbia area. It is, however, building up very quickly as it is the last side of close-to-Columbia country left, and was until recently mostly working farms. But the money offered got to be too big and most of the larger farms are gone. (Can't blame them.)
Chosen wisely, a piece of land around here is almost certain to appreciate, which can't be said for the other outlying sides of town.
It's an easy commute (30 min) to Shaw and maybe less (20-25) to the Columbia airport.
I would recommend it if you get good advice on a property and do it quick before the prices go up any more.
I would have to say finding a nice place in South East Columbia would be a good idea in my opinion. It would put you guys between Shaw and Columbia Airport. There are some nice communities out there, you just need to do a little research ride through some of them to see what you think.
I live right next to Shaw (on the West side) and it takes me approximately 35 minutes to get to Pineview Rd (which I take to Shop > Assembly > Whaley > Huger > Gervais). I have a friend that lives in the neighborhood across from Pineview, back behind the Bi-Lo shopping center, in a new development. They're townhomes but the prices seem reasonable if you're looking for something for just a few years. They actually rent theirs, for around the same as my mortgage payment in Sumter, but say the rates are going up this year because the owner wants to get them sold.
Anyway, I bring that up because that area through Lower Richland is probably ideal as you'd be 30-35 minutes from Shaw and your wife could hop Pineview > Shop > I77 > I26 to the airport and be there in around 20-25 minutes, as Swampwolf stated.
Hopefully we'll see some development in that strip of 378 sometime soon.
And just in case you weren't aware, there *is* a small regional airport in Sumter. I don't know what type of work your wife does and if there's room for more there, but it might be something to look into
Will she be working at the main airport (Columbia Metro) or the smaller airport (Owen's Field)? If you live in NE Columbia the drive to Columbia Metro would be pretty long, but almost all interstate and the drive to Shaw would be mostly back roads. I'd say no more than a 40 minute commute for either of you. If you live in SE Columbia or Hopkins the commute for both of you should be no more than a half hour.
She'll probably be working at Columbia Metro but if a job is available at Owen's Field that would work too. After doing some more research I think we're leaning more toward SE Columbia over Sumter. Can anyone tell me about the newer neighborhoods around 378 and Trotter such as Myer's Creek? That seems like it would be a good place to start and only give me about a 30 min commute to Shaw. Also, we're pretty active (i.e. running, working out, biking, hiking). Is there much to do around SE Columbia in that regard? Finally, how is Fort Jackson base services (i.e. Commissary, PX, gym, golf course)? Since we'd be pretty close we'd probably use their base services more than Shaw's. Thanks again!
SE Columbia is a good middle ground. You'll both have manageable trips and Myers Creek and Willow Tree and some of those other subdivisions are in good areas. There are plenty to pick from. NE Columbia has better schools but it will make both of your commutes longer.
Can anyone tell me about the newer neighborhoods around 378 and Trotter such as Myer's Creek?
I have a friend that lives there by Caughman Road Park and she likes it. She says there are always people playing tennis there (she's in the city league), and there's a group of roadies that meet up there for bike rides in the area. I'm sure there are runners in the area, too.
Kingston Ridge, Honeytree, Canary Woods, and Alexander Pointe are also off Trotter, or I should say off roads off of Trotter. I have friends who play golf at the base and they and go to the PX, they have never complained about either one. I don't know about the gym. You should be able to find things to keep active and you will be within a short drive to a reasonable drive from several parks where you would be able to run and hike.
A friend of mine lives in one of those off-Trotter neighborhoods and she likes it just fine. She keeps two horses and rides them down to the park and all around.
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