Excellent question. Being originally from the Georgia/South Carolina border I'm dying to know this also. USC is about a quarter of Columbia's total population so my guess is anywhere you live you will see your fellow Gamecocks.
Hey I actually just graduated from USC two weeks ago and still here in Columbia for the summer. There are a lot of options obviously depending on whether you want apartment, house, or duplex set up and what kind of environment you're looking for. My advice would be to try to live as close to downtown as you can. It's a bit sprawly here and personally I dont like having to rely on a car for everything. It's pretty cheap too even for nicer places compared to other larger cities. PM me if you want specific information on a neighborhood/appartment complex. ill throw out a few names for places to look: Granby/Olympia Mills, Senate Club, Aspyre
but I guess it really depends on where you're willing to live and who you want to be around. Congrats! All the profs I've met here have been super nice and extremely helpful (even though I was applying to other public health schools)
I have lived in Columbia for 7 years and am starting the MPH program in the fall. There are lots of nice places to live, but there are definitely some areas to avoid. It really depends on how much you want to pay and whether you want to live in a house or an apt. I am looking for a new place to live and a roommate if you or anyone you know is looking.
If you are looking at places online feel free to PM me and Ill let you know what I know.
