Your Ultimate Driving Tour & Neighborhood Guide: Find Your Dream Home in Columbia, SC (2025)
Looking for the perfect home for sale in Columbia, South Carolina that matches your lifestyle and budget? This in-depth guide and driving tour takes the guesswork out of your search. We spotlight Columbia’s most desirable neighborhoods, from historic downtown districts to family-friendly suburban communities, personally recommended by Patrick O’Connor, Team Lead for the #1 Coldwell Banker Team in South Carolina. To make it easy, we’ve also included a custom Google Map so you can explore some of Columbia’s top neighborhoods at your own pace.
Ready to discover the best places to call home in Columbia? Click below or reach out directly to Patrick O’Connor at 803-243-0224 for expert recommendations and details on homes currently available in Columbia’s most sought-after communities.
The Vista
The Vista is Columbia's urban arts and entertainment district with a wide range of condo and townhome options. Formerly a warehouse district, it has been revitalized into a hub of art galleries, upscale restaurants, and unique shops. It's a popular destination for nightlife and is home to the South Carolina State Museum and the convention center and is a very walkable area.
Five Points
Known as "Columbia's Original Village Neighborhood," Five Points is a historic, walkable area famous for its quirky boutiques, local restaurants, and lively bar scene. There are a variety of homes for sale in Five Points including condos, townhomes and single family homes. There are also duplex, triplex and quads mostly used for student housing. There are also luxury homes nearby that can be found on streets like Edisto and in Wheeler Hill.
Kings Grant
Kings Grant is a prestigious, gated community in Columbia. Known for its luxury homes and security, the neighborhood is a popular choice for families and professionals.
The community features large, traditional brick homes that typically range from 3,000 to over 6,000 square feet. Residents enjoy a variety of amenities including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, and scenic walking trails. Its location is a major draw, offering a short drive to both downtown Columbia and Fort Jackson.
Main Street
Similar to The Vista, this area offers high-end condo living in new or renovated historic buildings, with many options being new construction. Living here means being in the center of the city, with a walkable lifestyle and close proximity to the State House and businesses.
Shandon
One of Columbia's most sought-after neighborhoods, Shandon is a classic residential community with tree-lined streets, sidewalks, and beautiful historic bungalows and traditional homes. It's known for being a very family-friendly area with a strong sense of community.
Earlewood
Earlewood is a century-old neighborhood that has seen a recent resurgence. It features a mix of architectural styles, from Craftsman bungalows to Victorian homes. There are also many newer homes including the craftsman style home featured in the video above on Darlington Street in Earlewood. The neighborhood's centerpiece is a large community park, and it's praised for its convenient location and diverse residents.
Wheeler Hill
A historic neighborhood that experienced a major transformation due to the expansion of the University of South Carolina. Today, it is a blend of historic residences and university properties, offering a prime location with a view of the city.
Forest Acres
A separate city within a city, Forest Acres has its own government but is considered a major part of the Columbia area. It offers a suburban feel with upscale shopping centers, local boutiques, and well-established, family-friendly neighborhoods.
Forest Hills
Forest Hills is a highly desirable and established neighborhood known for its blend of historic charm and modern appeal. Located near the Columbia Museum of Art, it is a convenient and affluent community. The neighborhood features a mix of beautifully maintained historic homes, many built in the mid-20th century, alongside some newer luxury construction. It is a quiet, tree-lined area that is popular with families and professionals who want a suburban feel with easy access to the culture and amenities of downtown Columbia.
Hollywood / Rose Hill
This is a highly sought-after historic neighborhood close to downtown and the University of South Carolina. It's known for its bungalow-lined streets and for being a very established, quiet community popular with professionals and academics.
Heathwood
A distinguished and exclusive area, Heathwood is known for its large lots, mature landscaping, and beautiful homes designed by notable architects. It's an affluent and very tranquil neighborhood with a classic Southern feel.
Melrose Heights
A historic early-20th-century suburb, Melrose Heights is a charming neighborhood with a mix of architectural styles and a strong community feel. It's centrally located, providing easy access to shops, restaurants, and downtown.
Lake Katherine
This is an upscale, lakeside community that features stately homes, many of which are situated on the waterfront. It has evolved from a weekend getaway spot to a very desirable residential neighborhood known for its peaceful, natural setting and stunning sunset views.
Cottonwood
This historic neighborhood has a unique charm and is undergoing a revitalization. It's a walkable community with a mix of historic homes and new, local businesses, giving it a cool, up-and-coming vibe.
Waverly
A historic, residential neighborhood that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located close to downtown and is known for its beautiful, well-preserved homes and significant history as one of the city's older neighborhoods.
Rosewood
A cozy and walkable community with a diverse and eclectic mix of homes. It's a popular area for young professionals and families, offering a more affordable price point while still being close to the University of South Carolina and downtown.
Arsenal Hill
Located on one of the city's highest points, Arsenal Hill is a historic neighborhood named for a military academy established there in 1842. It has many historic homes and is situated very close to the State House and downtown.
The BullStreet District / TownPark at BullStreet
The BullStreet District is a large-scale, mixed-use redevelopment project in Columbia, SC. This 181-acre site was once home to the South Carolina State Hospital, a former state mental asylum with a history dating back to 1828. It is now the largest urban infill project east of the Mississippi River. The district is being transformed into a vibrant community with homes, shops, and offices. A key part of the area is Segra Park, home to the Columbia Fireflies minor league baseball team. The project also focuses on preserving historic buildings while adding modern amenities and green spaces.
Elmwood Park
Dubbed "Columbia's Front Porch," Elmwood Park is a historic neighborhood of beautifully restored homes and gardens. It has a very active and friendly community, with residents often gathering on their porches.
Wales Garden
A carefully planned and tranquil residential enclave with a mix of architectural styles. Its streets are named after South Carolina rivers, and its location is highly attractive to those who want to be near the University of South Carolina and Five Points.
Northeast Columbia
This is a large, rapidly growing area that includes a variety of planned communities and subdivisions like Lake Carolina, Wildewood. It's known for its new construction homes, good schools, and a more suburban lifestyle with easy access to shopping and dining.
Lake Carolina
Lake Carolina is a master-planned community in Northeast Columbia, SC. It's built around a 200-acre freshwater lake, which gives residents plenty of opportunities for boating, fishing, and water sports. The community is known for its wide variety of homes, from townhomes to large waterfront properties, and it includes over 30 distinct neighborhoods.
One of its main features is the Town Center, which offers shops, restaurants, and a weekly farmers market. The entire community is designed to be very walkable and promotes an active lifestyle. There are over 30 miles of walking and biking trails, multiple parks, and community pools.
Wildewood
Wildewood is an established and prestigious neighborhood located in Northeast Columbia. It's known for its beautiful, mature landscaping and large, custom-built homes on spacious lots.
The community's centerpiece is The Wildewood Club, which offers residents a private golf course, tennis courts, and swimming pools. The neighborhood also borders Sesquicentennial State Park, giving residents easy access to hiking, biking, and a lake. Wildewood is popular with families because of its location in the highly-regarded Richland School District Two.
