About Columbia, SC

Thinking about making the move to Columbia? There's a lot to consider. What's the weather like in Columbia? What things are Columbia most known for and how does that match with your interests? How much is the cost of living? What's the culture like? We've compiled all of this information for you in order to give you a sense of what life is like in Columbia year round, and also made it easy for you to compare against other cities that you might be considering.

About Columbia - "The River City"

Columbia, SC is located in the heart of South Carolina which puts it in proximity of everything the state has to offer. The Saluda, Broad, and Congaree rivers offer kayaking, whitewater rafting, paddling, and tubing. Beaches like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach are only a few short hours away. Charleston is less than a 3 hour drive.

But don't look far for things to do in Columbia. The Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden offers beautiful gardens that Horticulture Magazine has called one of the 10 most inspirational. HGTV has listed the gardens as one of the top 20 in the U.S. The zoo has an exhibit called the Australian Animal with koala bears, kangaroos, and wallabies.

The Colonial Life Arena also has it goin' on. This is where the Gamecocks play their basketball games, but also many other events are hosted here such as Ringling Bros, Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, or concerts by top musicians ranging from the Foo Fighters, to The Weeknd, and Janet Jackson.

Five Points is where to go for nightlife. Here you'll find various bars, boutique shops, and quaint art galleries.

There's no shortage of farmers markets and local farms with organic produce in Columbia. City Roots is one of the most popular, which even offers farm-to-table dinner nights as well as education about environmentally friendly farming techniques and composting.

Even the most delicious food in South Carolina is nutritious. Salty boiled peanuts are the official state snack. You can find the most tasty boiled peanuts at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, Susie's Produce, and The Peanut Man.

There are several colleges in Columbia like Allen University, Benedict College, and Columbia College. But the largest is the University of South Carolina. Because of the strong presence of these schools, Columbians are well-educated, with over 15% of Columbians having earned a graduate or professional degree (compared to the national average of 7%). There are so many students, in fact, that the median age in Columbia is only 28.

It gets hot in Columbia, with temperatures frequently reaching the 90's and 100's in the summer. The humidity makes it feel even hotter than it actually is.

As far as transportation, the city is pretty spread out but the buses only serve the downtown area for the most part so you'll need a car to get around other parts of town.

But wherever you go in Columbia, bring your manners and acknowledge the people you walk by on the street, and don't be afraid to say hello!