The small city of Forest Acres is just 4 square miles, but it’s packed with perks. The 10,000 residents here enjoy a plethora of parks and a thriving restaurant and shopping scene. First established in 1935, Forest Acres lives up to its motto, "a city apart," and has its own police force and mayor separate from its Columbia neighbor. As much as locals love the convenience of the area, the top-ranked schools are among the biggest draws for homebuyers. “The whole area is anchored by the schools,” says Franklin Jones, owner of The Neighborhood Co. and founding partner of Keller-Williams Palmetto, who has 16 years of experience.
An elevated view of the Forest Acres, SC neighborhood.
Forest Acres was voted “Best Neighborhood” in Columbia.
Forest Drive intersects Trenholm Road in Forest Acres, SC.
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Forest Drive serves as a hub for shopping and dining
Running through the heart of the city is Forest Drive, which can get busy during the weekends because of the number of dining and shopping options. Trenholm Plaza is one of the most popular shopping spots in the Midlands, where locals can browse the racks at Anthropologie or Granger Owings. For dining out, head to Tazza Kitchen for brick-oven pizza on the patio. Verde offers a quick option to grab salads or wraps.
There’s no shortage of grocery options here, either. Trader Joe’s, Publix, Fresh Market and Walmart are all within a mile of each other along Forest Drive.
Fab'rik employees create a great shopping experience.
Shoppers can find treasures at Scout & Molly's Boutique.
The bakery at Publix always greets shoppers with delightful aromas.
Tazza Kitchen employees are attentive to their customers.
Trenholm Plaza has been a shopping destination for over thirty years in Forest Acres.
Residents will often enjoy a meal at Verde Restaurant in the Forest Acres, SC neighborhood.
Publix is a great place for Forest Acres residents to get all of their grocery needs met.
Tazza Kitchen Restaurant sits on the corner of Trenholm Plaza in Forest Acres.
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Support local farmers and artists at the Forest Acres Market
From April through November, rain or shine, the city hosts a farmers’ market on Beltline Boulevard under a green and white tent. Vendors sell produce, baked goods, artwork, meats and cheeses.
Residents also look forward to the annual city-sponsored Forest Acres Festival. Each April, hundreds of people in the surrounding Columbia area descend on the site at A.C. Flora High School to listen to live music, hop on carnival rides and check out the petting zoo.
Forest Acres curb appeal
Forest Acres is divided into several subdivisions, each with its own individualized feel. Home seekers will find a wealth of brick ranch houses, but the city offers a variety of architectural styles, including split-levels and neo-traditional homes with Palmetto palm trees in the front yards.
Homes in Forest Acres commonly sit back from the quiet residential streets on roomy lots, complete with a backyard. The average sale price hovers around $350,000. A two-bedroom condo could be found for around $125,000, while a stately five-bedroom could fetch $650,000.
There are many different elevations throughout the Forest Acres area.
This stately home displays the traditional design elements of a Cottage-design.
A modern Ranch-style home will often have a gable porch to give emphasis to the design.
Most homes in the area will have off-street parking or garages.
Neighborhoods in Forest Acres have a warm and inviting style.
Painted brick provides an added dimension to a timeless classic home.
Brick homes have enduring beauty ,such as this home in Forest Acres, SC.
A Cottage-style design is known for steep roof overhangs and distinctive cross gables.
This Cottage-style home is surrounded by lush vegetation.
Lovely homes line the street and create a cozy atmosphere.
Ranch-style homes come in many sizes and shapes, and all are charming and cozy.
Traditional Ranch-style homes are quite common in Forest Acres.
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Richland School District No. 1 offers well-ranked schools
Jones says Satchel Ford Elementary is well-known for its active PTO program. The group hosts multiple spirit nights and dances throughout the year, as well as events to help fund projects like The Farm at Satchel Ford, which promotes hands-on learning, by allowing students to grow their own crops and enjoy the fruits of their labor. From there, students could move to Crayton Middle and A.C. Flora High, which boasts state titles in boys’ basketball, golf, baseball and football. Part of Richland School District No. 1, all three schools score A-minus Niche grades.
Satchel Ford Elementary School serves students in Forest Acres, SC.
Memorial Stadium serves Richland County School District 1.
Local high school football teams benefit from playing at Memorial Stadium in Forest Acres.
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Go outside and play at Trenholm Park
Outdoor fun abounds at the parks dotted throughout the city. Kids can burn off some energy on the playground at Trenholm Park on Covenant Road, which has several slides and a rock-climbing wall. The 11-acre park also features a public swimming pool, eight tennis courts, and baseball and softball fields. For something a bit more low-key, residents visit Citadel Park on Citadel Avenue to relax on one of the bench swings or sit in the shade of the covered gazebo. There’s also plenty of green space for locals to get their steps in.
Trenholm Park has several amenities including play equipment.
Trenholm Park has lighted Little League baseball and Little League softball fields.
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Hop on Gervais Street to get downtown
Conveniently located, Forest Acres is just 3 miles east of downtown Columbia by way of Gervais Street. The closest hospital, MUSC Health Medical Center Downtown, is 2 miles west on Forest Drive, and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport can be reached with a quick 10-mile trip on Route 602. “Everything you ever need is only minutes away,” Jones says. “It’s a great place to live, work and play.”
Written By
Jessica Haddad
Photography Contributed By
Viktor Zagorevskiy
Video By
GL Moses
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brad Dampier,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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