Columbia, SC · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 1 vote
My wife and I recently found out we will be stationed at Shaw AFB in Sumter South Carolina this fall. We decided we'd like to live in Columbia and make the relatively short commute into Sumter everyday. We'd like to buy a home that we can live in for our duration there (approximately three years) and then easily rent out after we move. Neither of us are familiar with the area and are looking for advice on what neighborhoods, ideally on the east/southeast side, would be a good option for us. Any advice would be helpful, thanks.
Hey! Former Airman here! Your best bet is to look right around the base. While Shaw is kind of near Columbia, there are no freeways to get to it like many other bases. It's quite the commute unless you live right off base. I work in the heart of downtown Columbia, and it's still a 40 minute drive to Shaw. Google maps/directions will be your friend here. It's in the middle of nowhere.
I would recommend looking for something relatively close to Fort Jackson. And of course, anything near UofSC and downtown will rent out pretty easily later. Like David mentioned in his comment, Melrose Heights is a good neighborhood. I would also recommend Forest Acres area. Zip codes to look at: 29209 (get you closest to the HWY that leads to Shaw, and closes to Fort Jackson). 29205 (area between Five Points and Beltline - great area for students). 29201 (near downtown and William Brice Stadium).
I grew up on Southeast side of Columbia and dad is from Sumter. I can tell you that if I were in your shoes, I would look the Wal-mart and work east on 378. Then find 1 of the the newer neighborhoods that have popped up. Don't go for the brand new home (Burnside Farm) but one that has had time to have prices settle down, ie Preston Green and Rosecliff. They all rent really well and you won't have to worry about too much maintenance when you leave in a few years.