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Columbia, South Carolina

#5 Columbia,
South Carolina

Population: 127,029 (city);
765,886 (metro)

Percentage over 55: 18

Median Home Price: $137,000

State Income Tax: 3 to 7 percent

No. of Clubs: 1

Columbia Rowing Club

Columbia, SC skyline at night

Types of Water: A 2.5-mile section of the Broad River in downtown Columbia, and 41 miles of rowable water on nearby Lake Murray.

No. of Rowers in Area: More than 100

Rowers seeking to retire in a progressive urban area will find Columbia, South Carolina an attractive option. This historic city recently was named one of “America’s Best Affordable Places to Retire,” by US News and World Report.

Home to the University of South Carolina and three major medical centers, Columbia is also a year-round rowing Mecca. Collegiate squads come to train on the 4,000-meter length of the Broad River just north of downtown Columbia. The epicenter of Columbia’s rowing community is the Columbia Rowing Club, headquartered at the Richland County Rowing Center on the Broad.

Richland County Rowing Center

Established in 1997, the CRC offers use of boats and facilities with membership dues and features rowing programs for all age groups. Rowers also have access to 41 miles of rowable

water on Lake Murray a few miles west of town. Two regattas–the Head of the Broad in the fall and the Spring Sprints–provide a great competitive outlet.

No fewer than 15 golf courses surround Columbia, which was designated a League of American Bicyclists “bike-friendly city” because of its network of paths and trails. The early 2000’s saw a revitalization of the

click for full size photo

downtown area when the Congaree Vista– previously the warehouse district– exploded with a number of new art galleries, shops and restaurants. Dining options are plentiful with more than 500 eateries and bars within a 15 mile radius of the city.

For a taste of the South, check out the Blue Marlin serving traditional “low country fare.” Start with the Fried Green Tomato appetizer then move on to a skillet of Oysters Bienville or the Salmon Pontchartrain.