Irmo

Just 10 minutes from the bustling downtown area, Northwest Columbia's streets offer tranquil shelter under a blanket of greenery. For 12 consecutive years, Irmo has been recognized as a "tree city;" even its director of public works, Whit Cline, is a certified arborist. Neighbors live surrounded by oaks, magnolias, maples, and pines of all varieties, and with every tree that's cut down, they also know another will be planted. Named the "Gateway to Lake Murray," Northwest Columbia sits right next to its waters, which bound the neighborhood's southwestern edge — giving locals easy access to all manner of fun, from boating to fishing. All the while, the neighborhood also harbors several parks and a central shopping strip. By purchasing property, Northwest Columbia locals also buy into a careful system that preserves nature. With strict codes in place, residents must seek approval before tearing down trees, and there are requirements for replacing any that are torn down. Unsurprisingly, a forest-like feeling here blends with all the trappings of suburbia, complete with ivy winding around white mailboxes and modestly sized manicured lawns. Neighbors live a comfortable distance apart in Colonial, ranch-style, Charleston-style and Victorian homes. Properties mostly range from $200,000 to $300,000, but some surpassing 2,500 square feet will topple over $400,000. Though homes aren't on the lake in Northwest Columbia, some have sunrooms overlooking ponds. Something like it, with four bedrooms and a dock, was recently valued at $450,000. Properties sell within 25 days, faster than the national average of 38. The Lexington-Richland School District No. 5 serves students in Northwest Columbia. Many take their first steps at Harbison West Elementary School, which serves them through to fifth grade. From there, they may go to Crossroads Intermediate for sixth grade, then to Irmo Middle School and Irmo High School. The elementary and middle schools both earn an A-minus rating from Niche. Crossroads is not far behind with a B-plus score, and the high school maintains a B rating. The high school publishes a literary magazine, The Lagniappe, where students showcase their poetry and short stories. Michael J and Mary Meech Mungo Park off Lake Murray Boulevard has four miles of walking paths and an indoor facility that can be rented for meetings, parties, and special events. Along the neighborhood's southwestern shore, Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area has a public boat launch, fishing dock, swimming area and a paved 1.7-mile walkway with views of the water and downtown skyline. At Saluda Shoals Park, also south on Bush River Road, furry friends tag along to the dog park, neighbors paddle down Broad River, and kids play at an inclusive playground featuring a sound garden with chimes, drums, and other acoustic instruments. One day each December, locals organize the Christmas Light Boat Parade. "Four different counties touch Lake Murray, so you have all different people coming together to decorate their boats and show off their spirit. It's a magical, community-organized event," says Tracy Stutler, a 30-year local and Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. The Irmo Okra Strut festival is a 50-year institution, held every September just 2 miles from Northwest Columbia. Locals share sweet tea and fried food as live music and kids squealing in delight on amusement park rides create the ambiance. Commercial stops and strips are all along the neighborhood's eastern side, either on or just off Harbison Boulevard. Colombiana Centre has chains from Loft to Sephora, Starbucks and more. Publix Super Market is a stone's throw away, as are other amenities like Planet Fitness, HomeGoods, Harbison Hill Dentistry, Chick-fil-A, and more. Liberty Tap Room & Grill, 6 miles from the neighborhood's core, also offers waterfront dining. Locals clink their cocktails and dig into their Hawaiian chicken on the patio, watching the sunset unfold over the water. Northwest Columbia has no sidewalks or biking lanes. Locals are heavily reliant on cars for everyday needs. "There is a bus service that goes by the subdivision, but it doesn't go much further than Harbison," Stutler says. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is about 16 miles east via Interstate 26. Lexington Medical Center is 10 miles away along the same route and direction.

In Ballentine, families walk down to Lake Murray in the summertime to watch the thousands of purple martins fly overhead during their annual migration. Other than the sound of flapping wings, Ballentine is a quiet community and, in the words of Jill Hydrick, a Realtor with Exit Real Estate Consultants and a proud Irmo resident, “a picturesque bump on the map.” Kayaking along the lake and enjoying sunset views are common rituals. Although big box retailers are never more than a few miles away, Ballentine has managed to preserve its small-town feel. “Letters to Santa” mailboxes appear around town during the holiday season, and residents head to Dutch Fork High School to watch football games on Friday nights. The town of Irmo and its abundance of shopping options is just a 5-mile drive away for most Ballentine residents, and downtown Columbia can be reached in 20 minutes or less along Interstate 26. “It’s a really neat place to be,” says Billy Trevathan, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, who grew up in the area. “People really enjoy living there because there’s such a strong sense of community." At Ballentine’s southern tip, residents take full advantage of Lake Murray. Powerboats, kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent at the Lake Murray Marina, and sunny weekends can be spent waterskiing or relaxing on a pontoon boat with a group of friends or family members. “Lake Murray is a manmade lake,” Trevathan says. “It has great fishing.” Ballentine Park, located across from Ballentine Elementary School, offers walking trails, soccer fields, basketball courts and a playground. Homebuyers will find a wealth of neo-traditional homes built after 2000. Spacious family homes border Lake Murray, but buyers can also find planned subdivisions a bit farther inland. “Ballentine is one of my favorite little areas,” Trevathan says. “It’s a rural area, so you can get a home with a nice piece of property.” Home prices typically range from $250,000 to over $1 million. Two-bedroom townhomes in The Villages at Lake Murray start at $230,000, vinyl-sided four-bedrooms with two-car garages and back decks in Salem Place can go for $350,000 and Ballentine Cove lakefront properties with dock access and in-ground pools can sell for upwards of $1 million. Undeveloped, single-acre lots in other parts of the neighborhood start at $50,000 and give buyers the opportunity to imagine their own custom homes. According to the CAP Index Crime Score, Ballentine's overall crime score is 2 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4. Events In September, Irmo’s Okra Strut Festival, just 5 miles south, draws local crowds. The two-day event kicks off with a parade, and residents enjoy live music, carnival rides and, of course, fried okra. For more arts and culture opportunities, residents drive 12 miles to downtown Columbia. The Koger Center for the Arts and the Township Auditorium host touring Broadway shows, A-list musicians and comedians. Ballentine is home to several popular chains like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s and Sonic, all located on Dutch Fork Road close to grocery stores like Food Lion and Aldi. Along the same stretch of road, residents can support local artisans at High Noon Gallery. For a taste of something local, Liberty on the Lake offers a range of seafood entrees, signature steaks and personal pizzas, all with views of Lake Murray. It’s also the spot to claim a bar stool and order a beer on game night. For even more retail options, Columbiana Centre indoor mall with stores like Dillard’s and Coach is about 5 miles southeast. Lexington-Richland School District 5 is a major draw for Ballentine buyers. Ballentine Elementary School, Dutch Fork Middle and Dutch Fork High School all received A’s from the educational review site, Niche. Along with its stellar academic offerings, Dutch Fork High also prides itself on its commitment to football. The Silver Foxes have claimed seven state title wins in the last eight seasons, and locals cheer from the stands on Friday nights in the fall. Downtown Columbia is about 15 miles from Ballentine by way of Interstate 26 East. “From Lake Murray, you can zip to downtown Columbia real fast,” Hydrick says. To get out of state, hop onboard Amtrak’s Silver Star train downtown, which travels along the East Coast all the way from New York City to Miami. Alternatively, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, 20 miles away on Interstate 26 East, offers nonstop flights to nine major U.S. cities. Prima Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital, a 76-bed facility, is less than 10 miles southeast in Irmo.