Northeast Arcadia Lakes Columbia, SC

Arcadia Lakes was originally settled by families in the 1880s to escape the city life of Columbia. Its population density has grown steadily over time, adding over 1,600 residents per square mile to this more removed portion of Richland County. Now Arcadia Lakes has solidified its reputation as the go-to spot for those who want to live outside the city. No museums or arts scenes exist within Arcadia Lakes; however, residents can drive downtown to the Columbia Museum of Art on Main Street for permanent and rotating collections from historic and local artists. Head in early for free documentary films around noon.

A diverse assortment of American and ethnic restaurants line the streets of Arcadia Lakes. After fishing on the water, bring the kids to Little Pigs Barbecue for a lunch buffet of pork chops, fried chicken, and down-home Southern food, including fried okra. Try the mustard BBQ when available, paired with hushpuppies and its signature chocolate delight dessert. Relax with some bubble tea after a long day of work at Pho Viet Restaurant, a Vietnamese place on Decker Road. On hot days, pair the pho special with a side of steak followed by an avocado smoothie. If you're in the mood for something hot, order the spicy noodle soup with beef or chicken. Ask the servers for their favorite current specials, and inquire about which ingredients were grown fresh by management. Sample genuine Japanese sushi at Inakaya Japanese Restaurant on O'Neil Court. Choose from sitting at normal tables or on the floor for a traditional sit-down experience. Enjoy a date at the sushi bar, listening to the head chef crack jokes while he crafts you a perfect tuna roll. If you're feeling spicy, try the habanero roll -- but eat it slowly. Residents look mostly to pubs, bars, and clubs for nighttime entertainment, with few options inside Arcadia Lakes. Head into downtown Columbia to the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, a lively gastropub. Nibble on bratwurst pizza while watching the latest football game on the HDTVs scattered about the room. Try a beer sampler while chatting with other locals -- the open layout makes it easy to meet people.

Residents drive to run errands and commute into downtown Columbia. Not many public transportation options exist as the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority runs only one public bus line from the city to Northeast Arcadia Lakes. Cabs are readily available near the Columbia Airport and parts of downtown; otherwise, you can easily call a taxi service from anywhere in the city. Hail an Uber cab from your mobile device, or ride one of the many bus lines within Columbia, complete with free Wi-Fi. Park at any one of the 4,600 meters in downtown Columbia or for a full day in a garage for around $10. Resident easily access highways in and out of the city with the 20, 26 and 77 freeways close by. Walk or bike through Northeast Arcadia Lakes, but be aware that bike lanes do not exist in most areas. Be especially careful around the Highway 77 on and off ramps.

Parks in Columbia provide a natural oasis in the flurry of city life. Check in at Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park to walk along the river with your family and puppy. Take a stop at one of the many benches when you need a break, and breathe in the majestic scenery. Runners can track their distance using the many markers that line the river walk. Park nearby or easily walk from downtown to enjoy the people-watching on the weekends. Locals also flock to Finlay Park on Laurel Street to soak up the man-made lake and waterfalls. Bring the little ones for a few hours on the playground and in the fountain. Meet up with old friends on Saturday nights for free music in the park, or spend the whole day with your entire family, playing Frisbee and cards in the wide-open grass.

Living in Northeast Arcadia Lakes runs slightly less than living in downtown Columbia. For example, you can find a one-bedroom residence in Arcadia Lakes for $700-$800, compared to $850-$900 downtown. Public transportation is sparse from Arcadia to Columbia, but you can reach the center of downtown for $3.00. A beer at a local bar costs you about $4, while gas runs about 6 percent lower than the national average.

Northeast Arcadia Lakes does not provide many shopping centers, so locals prefer to head into Columbia to do most of their shopping. Hang out in Columbiana Centre for chain stores and a killer food court. Take your girlfriends shopping at Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret and the Threading Center, but try to avoid peak hours during the holidays; it gets chaotic in the afternoons. Used vintage clothing shoppers hunt for the most fashionable threads from yesteryear at Sid and Nancy. Find everything from 1960s tops, jeans and dresses to 1990s grunge gear at affordable prices. Indie scenesters love talking to the owner about her latest in rock and roll consignment clothing while engaging in some wickedly priced rummaging. Head down the road to 2G’s Clothing Company on Saluda Avenue for more women’s vintage clothing on consignment. Dig around for high-quality fashion at reasonable prices, searching for brand names like Dooney & Burke and Soft Surroundings. Few grocery stores service the residents of Northeast Arcadia Lakes, so residents prefer to drive into Columbia for the bulk of their shopping. Try Earth Fare for your health food needs, including organic meat. Stop in on your lunch break on Wednesdays for $5 sushi, or try its hot bar full of fresh, delicious meats. Become an Earthlete to save up to 15 percent on select items. Farmers market aficionados head to Soda City Farmers Market on Saturday for the freshest produce in Columbia. Check out the local artisans selling fruits and veggies, breads and drinks, or browse through teas, soaps and flowers. Graze on cheeses, donuts and other baked goods before snatching up samples of in-season fruits.