Welcome to Downtown
Downtown Center
The Downtown Center has options for living on Main Street in condos over storefronts, such as Capitol Places. Main Street is home to Mast General Store and the well-established Nickelodeon Theatre. The popular weekly open-air market, Soda City, offers downtown dwellers the opportunity to purchase fresh bread, fruits, vegetables, and gourmet items. The south end of Main features the South Carolina State House and the University of South Carolina. Adesso, a luxury condominium building, is located at the south end of Main Street. To the east are high-rise units at the Heritage as well as the townhouses of Gibbes Court, located at the edge of campus on University Hill.
The Vista
The Vista offers unique properties ranging from one-bedroom condominiums to four thousand square foot homes overlooking the city’s skyline. Nearby shops, restaurants, and Columbia’s most active nightlife make for a lively neighborhood. Explore Renaissance Plaza, the Lofts at Printer’s Square, and Parkside, among others.
Elmwood Park
Elmwood is a historic neighborhood featuring homes built in the early 1900s as well as new construction that captures the charm of the past. Within a few minutes of the Main Street Business District, Elmwood’s convenience cannot be beaten. The neighborhood has a Charleston feel to it and is unique in Columbia for its well-preserved architecture. Stroll the tree-lined streets and greet neighbors on their front porches.
Earlewood
Earlewood, a popular neighborhood north of Elmwood Park, offers rolling hills, large parks, a neighborhood amphitheater, and a varied selection of home styles. Especially popular with young professionals, Earlewood is a short walk to local restaurants and bar destinations. A pet-friendly community, Earlewood offers plenty of trails and even its own dog park.
Cottontown
Cottontown is among Columbia’s most historic neighborhoods and was in the heart of what was formerly a bustling cotton district. Giant cotton warehouses were located near the neighborhood, and merchants often took residence in this nearby area to be close to their wares. Today, Cottontown is home to many young professionals who desire convenience to the Vista, Bull Street development, and other downtown areas.
Wales Garden
This lovely historic neighborhood is bounded by Harden, Pickens, and Blossom Streets. The stunning Avenue section of the neighborhood features a wide avenue of fine and widely varying homes from Mediterranean style to classically styled estates, all on large lots. Much of Wales Garden features tree-lined streets named after South Carolina’s scenic rivers. A popular neighborhood for the university community, this area is extremely walkable and only blocks from campus.
Hollywood-Rose Hill
Adjacent to Wales Garden and slightly west of Shandon is the Hollywood-Rose Hill neighborhood. Less than a mile from the USC campus, this neighborhood features traditionally styled homes with varied sizes. Prices range from the $300,000s to over $1 million, and homes include Mediterranean, Bungalow, and Georgian styles. The neighborhood is home to a popular park that serves as a gathering spot for children and adults. DiPrato’s, a popular restaurant a few blocks from the neighborhood, is an easy stroll and a great place for brunch. Five Points is nearby as well and is a pleasant walk down Saluda Avenue for coffee or brunch.
Rosewood
The Rosewood neighborhood is approximately a five-minute drive from the University of South Carolina and offers smaller, more affordable homes. The Owens Field Recreational Park lies at the heart of Rosewood and hosts Frisbee golf, doggie play space, and youth soccer leagues. The popular Hunter-Gatherer Brewery is located in a former airplane hangar used by the Wright Brothers. Columbia’s popular City Roots is an organic farm that features festivals and is open to the public. Home prices in Rosewood run from approximately $250,000 to $450,000.
Old Shandon
Old Shandon lies between present-day Shandon and Melrose Heights. This smaller neighborhood is rich in history and, like Shandon, is a short walk to the shops and restaurants of Devine Street. Prices range from approximately $175,000 up to $1 million, with some newer construction mixed in.
Melrose Heights
Melrose Heights, a neighborhood nestled between Millwood Avenue and Gervais Street, also offers a wide range of architectural styles and prices. In recent years, many of these homes have been renovated, yet the neighborhood retains its tree-lined streets and original charm. From stunning two-story homes to humble but charming bungalows, Melrose Heights offers something for everyone and is only a ten-minute drive to the university. Walk to Starbucks and excellent local restaurants like Crave.
Waverly
The Waverly Historic District’s original neighborhood covered a twelve-block area east of Columbia’s late-18th-century city limits. One of Columbia’s first documented suburbs, Waverly was initially home to both white and black residents until the South became increasingly segregated during the Jim Crow era. With its own small businesses, multiple churches, and even a hospital, Waverly developed spiritual, business, academic, and professional leaders, including civil rights activists. Benedict College and Allen University serve as social hubs in this neighborhood.
