Answered: I want to live in a Columbia that _____.

For the love of Cola.

Three weeks ago, we asked you what type of Columbia you would like to live in and what you love most about Columbia. Y’all took to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and even our inbox to provide us with ~70 killer answers.

💙 Turns out you really love Cola, and here’s why:

“I love Columbia because we have a healthy sense of ownership and pride in our city and don’t try too hard to be like other cities. We’re growing in good ways (biggest perk: the exploding food scene).” –@madelynsmith

“I love Columbia because I’ve seen it in every stage of my life and it keeps getting better. I love Columbia because we are starting to emerge as a place to visit for the arts, culinary arts, sports, and more. The development of downtown blows me away and I love our blossoming city!! Makes me proud to be from here, raise my family here, and grow my business here!” –@huevintagefurnishings

🏙 That love also comes with a desire to live in a city that:

“I want to live in a Columbia with safe, bike friendly routes to get around.” –@hungryoldsoul

• Check out this Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in-the-works for West Columbia.

“I want to live in a Columbia where my husband and I can continue to feel comfortable. It’s the one thing that has brought us back being how diverse and progressive the city continues to be.” –@tylermmoser

“I want to live in a Columbia where I see myself and interests reflected in the entertainment options (music, bands, exhibits) and not just relegated to the outskirts of the city.” –@i_am_april

“I want to live in a Columbia that takes more of an advantage of its beautiful riverfront.” –@bradkingsmore

• Do Good Columbia spent this past weekend discussing how to make our rivers more accessible to the community. The winning project – updates, improvements + additions to Riverfront Amphitheater – will be funded + implemented within the next year (stay tuned for more deets).

Here’s all the feedback re: what kind of Cola you want to live in + why you love it here, all broken down into categories like livability, business + community. 👇

✨ Safety + Livability

• @ann1maness A safe one!
• Is safe to walk the streets of downtown, 5 Pts, USC and the Vista in in the daytime and nighttime – Mardi Smith
• Hotbabeonthenet i want to live in a columbia with a livable minimum wage and an approach to the homeless community that focuses more on placing them in long-term housing than keeping them away from the major commercial areas.
• Audreywhelan I love Columbia because it keeps me exploring and learning new things about the city, and is the perfect home away from home for a college kid like me ❤️
• Leyna.e I want to live in a Columbia that is planning ahead to make future Columbia a safe, inviting, and sustainable place to live.

🚎 Transportation + Infrastructure

• Abbycason I want to live in a Columbia with more parking
• Alexis Doktor I want to live in a columbia where the traffic lights change with the flow of traffic, and people don’t feel the need to drive like maniacs just to catch the light before it turns red – I think it was originally designed this way to keep traffic from getting too fast. But as we’ve become a more populated city, there’s more cars, and it’s just not working. It actually causes more incidents when people drive super fast to catch a light, or blow through it while it’s turning red because they don’t want to stop. Again.
• Jane Toole I want to live near Columbia that has much better roads and less traffic jams. Traffic could be a lot better with more road money and a subway system.
• Kristie Haustovich I want to live in a Columbia with better public transportation!
• I want to live in a Columbia with better bike lanes, public transportation, and with a focus on preserving green space whenever and wherever possible….. I love Columbia’s proximity to the river, beautiful state house, and local businesses which reflect the diversity of its inhabitants. – Connor McTeer
• That works on creating a real path forward for the many many people living in poverty here – Kathy Deccho
• I want to live in a Columbia with safer highways and more green spaces. + I love Columbia because I’ve watched it blossom since I moved here in 2000. I feel like I’ve grown up with my city, and I’m proud of both of our accomplishments. – Angel Sbardella
• Webgyrl2 I want to live in a Columbia with public transportation comparable to other cities of the same size. I love how Columbia has grown into a melting pot of culture and diversity.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia where lane-splitting is legal.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia where motorcyclists are required to wear helmets.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia where bicyclists are allowed and encouraged to occupy an entire vehicle lane.
• @towns_cola Would like a trolley to run down the middle of Main Street. Hop on, hop off.
  
  • The new Soda Cap Connector has a stop at Columbia Museum of Art, in the center of Main St. It’s free during the ~6 month trial period, which started on Sept. 1.

• Has a car free Main street on weekends – free Parking on side streets – and pedicabs… Ted Sbardella
• I want to live in a Columbia where….the trains are quiet. (Plenty of cities have figured out how to make their cities quiet zones. The mayor put together a committee but has not called any meetings - one committee member thinks that this committee is just for show. Studies in the past 5-10 years are beginning to show that there are negative health effects with train and other traffic noise….or any noise that has the ability to wake you out of a sound sleep. And besides, it would be so nice to sit outside in the morning with coffee and not get blasted by the horns. Mr. Friendly’s would probably be one of my favorite restaurants if I didn’t have to risk train horns to eat there.)............ I love Columbia because the downtown neighborhoods are still relatively affordable and most are walkable to something “cool” . Melrose Heights and Heathwood have Crave along Millwood, plus Earthfare. Shandon is easily walkable to everything along Devine, Rosewood, and 5 Points. Hollywood/Rose Hill and Wales Garden are easily walkable to 5 Points, parts of Rosewood, and USC campus………… I also love Columbia because it is just big enough to have many “big-city” amenities without the “big-city” traffic problems. Koger Center Broadway shows, local theater, Fireflies, college sports, Soda City, Street Festivals, Township music acts, cool restaurants….and more….. – Brenda Kramar
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia that doesn’t suffer a broken water main every week or two.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia where drivers maintain their lane through an intersection when joining a new road.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to line in a Columbia where the utilities are buried.

🌊 Outdoors

• Barbara Soblo I want to live in a Columbia that has connected green spaces & pathways for biking, runn & walking around town.
  
  • A master plan of connected green spaces + pathways is a long term goal of Richland County’s, funded by the Penny Tax Program.

• Karen Maloney I want to live in a Columbia that is more bicycle and pedestrian friendly with more in-town recreational opportunities.
• Lydia Porter I want to live in a Columbia that has lots of green spaces , walking trails festivals, and plays. One that has lots of small farmer’s markets not just one big one outside of town.
• Drkevhull I want to live in a Columbia that is about ten degrees cooler.
• Briemcgrievy I want to live in a Columbia that recognizes its full potential of having a beautiful riverwalk, accessible trails, bikeable/walkable commutes, and healthy dining options.
• Carlieallman I want to live in a Columbia that has more outdoor events and utilizes its green spaces weekly with festivals that are kid & adult friendly. This includes Irmo, Lex, and NE Cola

🌱 Sustainability + Environmentally-Friendly

• With NO plastic bags and straws and No styrofoam take out containers – Jane Durieux
• April Brown I want to live in a Columbia that is more sustainable... allowing goats which are very beneficial for overgrowth with is a huge problem in the city.
• Susan Carson Lambert I want to live in a columbia where there is a vibrant local food system and where schools, institutions, and restaurants work with local farmers to serve healthful food that is affordable.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia where one night a year (maybe from 8PM to 11PM, maybe in the winter) we turn off all city lights, and businesses and residents are encouraged to do the same. We can get rid of all the light pollution, step outside, and view the sky. Maybe even see the Milky Way. Take pictures. It would be awesome
  
  • A reader sent us info about the Earth Hour Initiative + the International Dark Sky Association in response to this idea.

💼 Business + City Services

• Stephanie Griggs Bridgers I want to.live in a Columbia that supports local business and that the city, county, and state offices and government agencies embrace new opportunities for businesses instead of adding fees and charges in order to start a business
• Madison Vander Well I want to live in a Columbia that has better places to work on your computer and be around community. Most of the coffee shops in town have old and uncomfortable seating, not great espresso or coffee, very little healthy food options, or are chain locations designed to boot you out after a few hours. (No need to leave suggestions, I have been to every coffee shop in town, and all of them fall under one of these categories, if not several)

• Sundara_soul_creations I want to live in a Columbia that is creative, & supports shops that are independently owned, exuding each owners unique creativity, hand painted signs, local products, hippie vibes, you name it. NO MORE CHAINS! I love Columbia because of the amazing people who live here, City Yoga (my tribe), and THE RIVERS!!!!
• Staceybee313 I want to live in a Columbia that has a midtown mall that isn’t Richland Mall.
• Chloerodgers I want to live in a Cola that has an independent bookstore. 😎 I love Columbia because there’s a lot of opportunity here (and it’s super affordable).
• Amc_acm I want to live in a Columbia where some bakeries are open on Sundays
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia that isn’t hostile to legitimate retail businesses like Taboo. I’ll take a thousand Taboos over any title/payday loan place.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia that has municipal Internet service.
• Benjamin Fenner I want to live in a Columbia that saves tax money by permanently housing the homeless. Use the money saved to bury the utilities.
• Matthew Marcom I want to live in a Columbia whose adult proffessionals are trustworthy.

💃 Entertainment + Culture

• Sarahwest511 I want to live in a Columbia that continues to develop more of a scene that caters to young professionals for career growth and nightlife beyond USC students (which is my alma mater). I love Columbia because over the past 12 years that I’ve lived here, it keeps getting better. I wish we had more direct flights, more interaction/attractions with the river and better concerts like Charleston, Charlotte and Greenville.
• Jetset_jackie I love Columbia because no matter how much you see or experience, the history of the city will always give you more. Such a beautiful place and only getting better- I will always have a place for Columbia in my heart.
• Amanda Pollak I love Columbia because there’s always something to do, and the city is growing in a diverse, progressive, manner. I would LOVE to see Huger street become more developed and walkable, along with the area around the Park Place apartments at the intersection of Huger and Blossom, thus connecting Cayce/State Street and the Vista into one large, walkable entertainment district. There’s an abandoned brick building at Bull Street and Taylor that I think would make great apartments, or some kind of co-op. I want to live in a Columbia where the fusion of its history (through use of old buildings, factories, etc) and an emphasis on modern city living (through unique eateries, live music venues, and greenspaces) are embraced.
• Brandoncoombes I want to live in a Columbia that has more public and interactive art not just in the core. Maybe somewhere out near the Broad River Road corridor to help with its image. I love Columbia because we have a mayor who sees more in the city than some of her own residents. And for the University of South Carolina FIGHTING GAMECOCKS!
• __thaartist__ I wanna live in a Columbia with more art work on building for people (like me) that like to take photography or do photo shoots with friends, or places like arcades for kids that aren’t old enough for 5 points. I love Columbia because we do at least have some of these present
  
  • So much public art is popping up around town these days, and here’s a list of 10 Insta-worthy locations perfect for photo ops.

• Enstergerm I want a columbia that preserves and maintains its ethnic and cultural make up. One that favors multigenerational natives over yankess and people from Ohio who come with no respect for our culture and history

🤝 Community Engagement

• Philreath I want to live in a Columbia that never stops listening to it’s residents. I love Columbia because in the short time I’ve lived here it keeps growing and developing. Also, it’s welcoming, even for a Tiger.
• Malleymo I want to live in a Columbia where neighbors get together as friends and form a strong sense of community identity. 🏡❤
• Kva_bowdoin I want to live in a Columbia that continues to work to integrate its residents from all socioeconomic, ethnic, and political backgrounds, so all feel heard, welcome and represented. I love Columbia because of its diversity, blossoming downtown, & affordability.
• Ashley Pullen I want to live in a Columbia that is constantly developing and changing for the better. I love Columbia because the people here are all do-ers and are passionate about their communities.
• Kathy Martin Toole I want to live in a Columbia where progress is expected and encouraged, where there is always an open ear to new ideas, and where we work for the improvement for everyone in the community. I love Columbia, because wherever you go, you can meet a new friend! 😘

• Lane Jeselnik Goodwin I want to live in a Columbia where every person can get involved. My brother, who lives in Atlanta, once expressed some jealousy when my husband and I did a little volunteering for the last mayoral campaign. He doesn’t feel like “just anybody” can get involved to that level in Atlanta, but Columbia is just the right size that we can!
• Maverickjewelry I want to live in a city that is excellent at connecting with the community about events that are going on. It brings our community together. I love that columbia has been offering so many fun events for families.
• Bigreddmusic I want to live in a Columbia where government, the arts, education, innovation, & entrepreneurship operate in concert, becoming a model for the country. I love Columbia because all of those elements are here, and we are on our way.
• Merritt McHaffie McNeely I want to live in a Columbia that says “yes” more than “no” to new opportunities. That gets away from the “old boy” way of doing things, that addresses and celebrates its natural amenities and in which the neighborhoods and cultural attractions work together - not against one another because there is plenty of everything to go around. I love Columbia because its authentic and affordable and all my friends are here. 😃”
• Columbia has the will to be a peaceful city creating one peaceful community after another. – Kathy

“I want a Columbia that is more pet friendly, with spaces that allow you to bring your pet along with you, venues for animal friendly activities, and hotels that are pet friendly.” – Memory Armstrong

• Columbia is making steps to becoming more pet-friendly – check out a list of places you can grab a drink with your dog. Also: Soda City is crawling with 4-legged friends every Saturday + Aloft (pet-friendly hotel chain located in the Vista) even offers beds, bowls + treats for visiting pups.

As a dog mom to two Pit bull puppies, I love the idea of Columbia becoming more pet-friendly. Pets are family members too, so it’s always great when you know you can leave the house + have them tag along with you – especially to happy hour or shopping at Soda City.

– Sam