Columbia · Relocation
Relocating to Columbia, SC
Moving to Columbia from somewhere else. We help you learn the areas, focus your search, and time the move around your start date.
Relocating to Columbia: getting your bearings
If you are relocating to Columbia, learn the roads before you learn the neighborhoods. You will need a car here. Your daily drive will most likely use I-77 on the east side, or I-26 and I-20 out toward Lexington and Irmo, plus one of the big in-town corridors: Garners Ferry Road, Forest Drive, or Two Notch Road. A home ten minutes from post on paper can take twice that at 7:30 in the morning, depending on which of those you rely on.
The good news for newcomers is that the city is compact. From Southeast, Northeast, or Forest Acres you can reach downtown's Vista and Main Street, the university, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, or the river trails without much of a drive, and Congaree National Park is an easy weekend trip.
Plan my move to Columbia
Why people moving to Columbia call us
Taylored Realty Team is Terry and Yolanda Taylor, Columbia REALTORS® and Military Relocation Professionals. We help people buy here from out of town all the time, often on a fixed start date or report date.
A buyer with a busy schedule wrote: "Considering my busy schedule they made all of the inspection happen and were on site to ensure things were performed." That is how we work with out-of-town buyers: we are your eyes and ears here, and we keep you updated by phone and email.
How a relocation purchase works
Before your trip: pre-approval and a call to narrow the parts of Columbia that fit your commute and budget.
Your first visit: drive the areas at the hours you would use them, then tour the homes worth seeing.
The offer: backed by comps from that part of town.
From out of town: inspections in the due diligence period, about 10 business days in our contracts, with us there and you updated. Closing is handled by a South Carolina closing attorney. Read our relocation guide for the wider Midlands.
Which part of Columbia fits a newcomer
Southeast Columbia suits people working at Fort Jackson or the Dorn VA Medical Center, with the most affordable prices of the three areas and quick access to I-77 and downtown.
Northeast Columbia suits people who want a newer home and a neighborhood with amenities, and do not mind a longer drive downtown at rush hour.
Forest Acres and Trenholm Road suits people who want mid-century homes on tree-lined streets, Forest Drive restaurants nearby, and a short drive to downtown and the university.
See our relocation page or tell us where you are moving from.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commute like in Columbia?
It depends on which road you live near. I-77, I-26, and I-20 move traffic around the city, while Garners Ferry Road, Forest Drive, and Two Notch Road carry most in-town trips. We recommend driving your commute at rush hour before you choose an area.
Can I buy in Columbia without visiting many times?
Yes. Many buyers make one focused trip and handle the rest by phone and email, with us at inspections and a South Carolina closing attorney handling closing.
Columbia
What relocation looks like in Columbia
Home base for Taylored Realty Team, where Terry and Yolanda do most of their business.
We work three parts of Columbia most: Southeast Columbia near Fort Jackson and Garners Ferry Road, the newer subdivisions of Northeast Columbia, and the Forest Acres and Trenholm Road area close to downtown. Each has its own homes, prices, and pace.
Relocation: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Taylored Realty Team?