I live in Lexington just 8 miles outside Columbia. The Vista area of downtown is a great hangout and you can still cross the river back to Lexington and be on the out skirt of the city. The 2 major hwys I-26 and I-20 get you to the beach and mountains in 2-3 hours. I like it. Only about an hour and a half away from Charlotte NC for car shows at the racetrack<Carowinds etc.. Local 1/8 mile strip in Orangeburg (Orangeburg dragstrip ,check it out on the web newly refurbished).
Just my 2 cents!