Matt83USC

You may want to check out Earlewood/Laurel Hill/Canal Place area. I bought a house there last year for much less than your budget, and its 3br/2ba, great condition and less than a mile and a half to my office on main st. downtown. Its definitely and up-and-coming area.

GAME!!!

I've always been a big fan of Uncle Poon's for chinese, and now enjoy the Monsoon Noodle House when I go up to visit the family. Also worth noting is Bangkok for good Thai food. I used to really like Ellis' American Bistro as well as Abby's. Side note, I used to work at Stefano's during breaks from school. Sad to see it close and hear about Steve. I saw the entire restaurant listed for sale, I think they were planning on auctioning it off if it didn't sell soon. The family just wants to be rid of it.

I agree. North Main has been improving for quite some time, it'd be nice to get some retail/restaurants along Main just north of assembly to river rd. Its quite bleak and disappointing right now. However the Elmwood Park/Earlewood area is booming. btw how do you like the "Earlewood" historic neighborhood markers on all the street signs?

Pretty laid back, chill place. Mostly tables of people laughing and having a good time. Doesn't seem like a place to "mingle" because of all the tables. It'd be pretty cramped feeling if they got many more people. Seemed to be doing well, I'll definately go back, especially if they manage to get a couple more bars in that area.

For the record, I have no problem with lower cost housing. What I have a huge problem with would have been if the city had forced the developers to include it. Its like saying that people have a right to live in developments that they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford, and ultimately it hurts everyone in the process. I'm glad they came to their senses about the whole thing and decided to earmark the "extra" funds received from The Beach Co. toward mortgage assistance. They shouldn't have to compromise such an important part of downtown, the higher property values create a higher tax base which benefits everyone. Plus you're right, the upscale shopping will help cement downtown Columbia as the "place to be".

He's on here, i think his user name is JW2. Side note...where in Spartanburg are you from? I graduated SHS 2001. Parents still live in Hillbrook.

Spartanburg High School grad as well

Thanks guys, a friend referred me to this forum, and after lurking around for a while I decided to finally register and start posting. I'm from Spartanburg but have been living here in Cola for 4 years now, and have been eagerly following the development/redevelopment of both cities.

very true. I just graduated in may, and am buying my first house in Laurel Hill (Earlewood). I wanted to live near downtown, and while an older house appealed to me, I just don't have the time nor the money to deal with the maintenance issues. I found a house thats 5 years old on a beautiful sloped lot right in my price range. Its pretty much new, so it shouldn't have any problems, plus its hardwood/ceramic tile/berber carpets, and vinyl siding so its very low maintenance. The city also has a great loan program for first time homebuyers within the city limits. They're really trying to clean up some of the areas (earlewood, etc). I got a loan for 100% of the purchase price (less a $2000 dp) at less than 4.875% fixed for 30 years. Best of all its a nice part of town and only a mile and a half from my office. I close this friday...can't wait.

I agree...however Main St. is at a "chicken or the egg" moment. You need stores/restaurants/bars to get people to main st...but you need people to get those businesses to locate there in the first place. Having a "Music on Main" similar to spartanburg, along with a number of restaurants and bars (maybe upscale shopping) on main street would do WONDERS for the perception of downtown within the columbia area. Lots of people (myself included) work downtown, and having something like that after work that we could walk to would draw in LOTS of upper/middle class customers, and lots of young professionals.