There’s a well-kept secret gem of a neighborhood behind the VA Hospital and past the Target off Garners Ferry Rd.: The Hamptons. It’s one huge, beautiful neighborhood with a ton of smaller neighborhoods tucked away within it, like Hampton Woods, Hampton Trace, Hampton Leas, Hamptons Grant, Hampton Crest, Hampton Ridge and Old Woodlands.

While often looked over for its downtown neighbors Shandon, Melrose Heights and Heathwood, here are five reasons why The Hamptons is one of Cola’s best buys for house hunters.

Affordable | You get more house for your money here. Homes range from $200-650K, and the lots are bigger than other downtown neighborhoods for the price tag. Zillow predicts home values in this 29209 zip code will rise 4% next year, compared to a 3.7% increase for Columbia as a whole.

1072 Flat Chimney | 4b/3.5ba | $475,000
124 Chimney Hill | 4b/3ba | $275,000
Vacant lot at 723 Chimney Hill | $150,000

Photo courtesy The Moore Company

Neighborhood feel | The drive away from traffic into the quiet neighborhood gives you a true “neighborhood” feel –vs. areas like Shandon, where everything's perpendicular. You usually see people walking, and most residents are families, professionals or retirees.

Photo courtesy The Moore Company

Great park | Did we mention this area is great for families with kids? The huge park here really stands out, with a walking trail, tennis courts, playground with swings and slides, basketball courts, a baseball field + picnic tables.

Photo via Hamptons And Old Woodlands Neighbors Facebook page

Schools | Some of Cola’s best schools are super closeby: Meadowfield Elementary, Hand Middle and Dreher High; plus private schools Hammond + Heathwood Hall.
Easy Access | There’s nothing better than only a 5-minute run to the Target shopping center (with a Starbucks, of course) and Cross Hill Market (looking at you, Whole Foods + Duck Donuts). Plus, easy access to interstates 77 and 20 – because a weekend getaway doesn’t need 30 mins of extra standstill traffic time.

“The Hampton’s is a hidden gem, a little slice of heaven,” says Andrea Reynolds, REALTOR®, CRS® at The Moore Company. “I grew up in Columbia and have lived in many different neighborhoods, but this one is definitely my favorite. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Want to see it IRL? Contact Andrea at The Moore Company via email: andrea@themoorecompany.com or shoot her a text at 803.606.1416.

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