Now that you've been admitted, you need somewhere to live. We're here to help!
Columbia is a wonderful location in a beautiful state, with beaches and mountains just a short drive away. We have exciting places to visit, amazing food and beautiful outdoor experiences. While you are looking for places to live, keep a list of what's around so you can go back and explore.
Because of their close proximity to the School of Law, most of our law students choose to live in the residential areas of Shandon, Rosewood, Heathwood, West Columbia, Cayce, University Hill, Earlewood, Forest Acres, Lexington, or in the Vista. There are many duplexes, houses, condos, lofts, garage apartments, and multi-family units available in these areas. There are also a few apartment communities and condos within walking distance of the School of Law.
You will be emailed your log-in information for the School of Law housing information after April 1, so any time after that is a good time to be looking and securing housing for the upcoming academic year. Housing can be found in a variety of ways:
VeryApt's Housing Guide offers law student reviews on housing around Columbia.
On the admitted student housing website, we maintain a listing of housing opportunities and law students looking for roommates throughout the summer, with new postings added as they come in.
Check USC's Off-Campus Housing database. You will need your University username and password to search their listings. You can see your USC Network username and set up your password at my.sc.edu.
Keep an eye out for listings on the University of South Carolina School of Law Class of 2024 group on Facebook. (Not an official page of the USC School of Law.)
With so many undergraduate students in Columbia, there are a number of apartment communities catering to college-age students. Keep in mind that these communities may be louder and have a more active social life than many graduate and professional school students want.
While they may offer extra amenities — pool, shuttle transportation to campus, workout rooms — many of our students have found them to be not ideally suited to good law school study habits and class preparation. Some may dedicate a specific area of their property to graduate or professional-school students, so be sure to ask about that if you go to visit.
Whitney Watts Bedard, Associate Director of Student Affairs
1525 Senate Street | Room 127 | Columbia, SC 29208