Congratulations on getting into the University of South Carolina or on starting another year as a Gamecock in Columbia! Choosing where to live is one of the bigger decisions that shapes the year ahead, from how quickly you can get to class to where you will study, grab dinner, spend weekends, and settle into your routine.
This FAQ brings together the details about life at Saga Columbia that students usually want to know before committing to a year-long lease, including location, apartment features, amenities, parking, pet policies, and leasing support. Located at 1000 Whaley St., Saga Columbia places students close to UofSC while keeping everyday Columbia favorites nearby, from Five Points and The Vista to Main Street, the State House area, and game day destinations. If you are searching for apartments near the University of South Carolina, this guide is here to help you understand what makes Saga Columbia stand out among the crowd.
1. Location & Proximity to Campus
Saga Columbia is located 0.14 miles from the University of South Carolina at 1000 Whaley St. in Columbia, SC. That close-to-campus location helps students stay connected to classes, campus resources, study spots, and Gamecock traditions.
Saga Columbia is close to many major UofSC academic, wellness, and student life destinations, including:
Campus Recreation and Student Life
- 0.3 miles from Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center
- 0.6 miles from Russell House University Union
- 0.6 miles from The Horseshoe
- 0.8 miles from Colonial Life Arena
- 1.5 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium
Academics and Libraries
- 0.4 miles from Darla Moore School of Business
- 0.4 miles from Swearingen Engineering Center
- 0.5 miles from Thomas Cooper Library
- 0.9 miles from Amos Hall
- 1 mile from Science Learning Center
Saga Columbia puts students close to several of Columbia’s most useful and well-known areas for food, errands, and weekends out.
Nearby Columbia Destinations:
- 0.5 miles from Five Points for dining, bars, and shopping
- 0.7 miles from The Vista for restaurants and nightlife
- 0.8 miles from the South Carolina State House
- 1 mile from Main Street Columbia for downtown dining and entertainment
- 4 miles from the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Yes. Saga Columbia is 0.5 miles from Five Points, one of Columbia’s most recognizable student-friendly districts. The area is known for dining, bars, shopping, and social spots, making it a convenient nearby option for students living in Columbia apartments near the University of South Carolina.
Yes. The Vista is 0.7 miles from Saga Columbia. This district gives students another nearby option for restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment close to downtown Columbia.
Saga Columbia has a 70 Walkability Score, which supports a practical student lifestyle near campus and nearby Columbia destinations. Students looking for apartments near UofSC will appreciate being close to academic buildings, fitness facilities, dining areas, and entertainment without feeling far from the center of student life.
2. Floor Plans, Furnishings, & Furniture Packages
Saga Columbia offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments near the University of South Carolina.
Saga Columbia’s floor plan lineup includes several layout styles across studio through three-bedroom apartments.
Studio Apartments:
- The Major
- The Masters
- The Graduate
One-Bedroom Apartments:
- The View
- The Scholar
- The Alumni
- Cockaboose
Two-Bedroom Apartments:
- The Tailgate
- The Horseshoe
- The Spur
- The Gamecock
Three-Bedroom Apartments:
- The Stadium
- The University
Yes. Saga Columbia’s apartments are fully furnished. Each apartment includes furniture for the common area and bedroom spaces.
Common Area Furniture:
- Coffee table
- Barstools
- TV stand
- Couch
Bedroom Furniture:
- Bed frame
- Mattress
- Dresser
- Desk chair
Saga Columbia apartments include ENERGY STAR appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher. These kitchen essentials support everyday meals, quick snacks between classes, and shared apartment routines.
Yes. Each apartment includes a full-size washer and dryer. This keeps laundry inside the apartment, which is a practical feature for students with busy schedules.
Saga Columbia includes student-focused interiors designed with everyday comfort and convenience in mind.
Apartment Interior Features:
- Full-size washer and dryer in unit
- ENERGY STAR refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher
- High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property
- Furnished common areas
Available Upgrades:
- Balcony units
- Poolside units
- Top-floor units
- Views of campus
- Walk-in closets
- Premium units
Yes. Balcony units and campus view units are available in select apartments. Students interested in these features should contact the leasing office to ask which floor plans and locations currently include them.
Yes. Walk-in closets are available in select apartments. Availability varies by layout and apartment, so students should ask the leasing team for details before choosing a specific floor plan.
3. Amenities
Saga Columbia offers student-focused amenities for studying, working out, relaxing, and spending time outside. These features help support a balanced routine for students who want USC Columbia apartments close to campus with useful spaces built into daily life.
Study and Academic Amenities:
- Academic lounge
- Group study room
- Computer lab with free printing
Fitness and Wellness Amenities:
- Fitness studio
- Cardio equipment
- Strength equipment
Pool and Outdoor Amenities:
- Luxury pool
- Poolside pavilion
- Grilling station
- Zen garden
- Courtyard
- Local recreation nearby
Social and Convenience Amenities:
- Recreational clubhouse
- Monthly resident and community events
- High-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property
Yes. Saga Columbia includes an academic lounge, group study room, and computer lab with free printing. These spaces are useful for solo study sessions, group projects, last-minute printing, and staying productive close to home.
Yes. Saga Columbia has a fitness studio with cardio and strength equipment.
Fitness Equipment Includes:
- Elliptical trainers
- Smith machine with bench
- Leg extension and curl machine
- Cable machine
Yes. Saga Columbia has a luxury pool and poolside pavilion. These spaces give students a place to cool off, relax after class, or spend time with friends outdoors on warm Columbia days.
Saga Columbia includes several outdoor spaces for relaxing and gathering. The mix of green, social, and poolside areas gives residents more ways to enjoy time outside without going far from home.
Outdoor Amenities:
- Luxury pool
- Poolside pavilion
- Grilling station
- Zen garden
- Courtyard
- Local recreation nearby
Yes. Saga Columbia includes a recreational clubhouse and hosts monthly resident and community events. These amenities give students simple ways to meet neighbors, take a break from schoolwork, and feel connected at home.
Yes. Saga Columbia has a computer lab with free printing. This is helpful for class assignments, study materials, forms, and other school needs.
Yes. Saga Columbia includes high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property. That connection supports coursework, streaming, video calls, gaming, and everyday online use.
4. Shared Spaces & Community Programming
Saga Columbia offers shared spaces designed for studying, relaxing, and connecting with other students. These areas support both quiet productivity and a more social student lifestyle near UofSC.
Academic Shared Spaces:
- Academic lounge
- Group study room
- Computer lab with free printing
Social Shared Spaces:
- Recreational clubhouse
- Poolside pavilion
- Courtyard
Outdoor Shared Spaces:
- Luxury pool
- Grilling station
- Zen garden
- Local recreation nearby
Yes. Saga Columbia hosts monthly resident and community events. These events give students a built-in way to meet neighbors, take a break from classwork, and feel more connected where they live.
P.A.W.S. is Saga Columbia’s residence life programming model, centered on philanthropic, academic, wellness, and social growth. The goal is to help residents feel a sense of belonging while supporting a well-rounded student living experience.
Yes. Saga Columbia offers resident perks that add value beyond the apartment itself. Roommate matching through RoomSync helps students connect with compatible roommates, while RentPlus offers a credit-building benefit tied to on-time monthly housing payments. These extras support a smoother student living experience at Saga Columbia.
5. Safety, Security, & Transportation
Saga Columbia includes controlled-access features throughout the property, along with security cameras. These features help support a more secure student living environment close to UofSC.
Security Features:
- FOB-controlled building access for residents
- FOB-controlled stairwell access
- FOB-controlled amenity space access
- Individually locking bedrooms within units
- Security cameras throughout the property
Yes. Bedrooms within units lock individually. This is especially helpful in shared apartments, giving each resident added privacy within their own bedroom.
Yes. Parking is available at Saga Columbia. General parking is $60 per month, and reserved parking is $75 per month.
Students should contact the leasing office to confirm current parking availability before signing.
Saga Columbia has four bus stops within walking distance, including one on-site stop.
6. Pet Policies
Yes. Saga Columbia is pet-friendly, with approval required through the PetScreening application before move-in.
Saga Columbia allows a maximum of two animals per unit. Students planning to bring a pet should complete the required approval steps before move-in.
Yes. Restricted breeds include Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Mastiff breeds, Staffordshire Terrier breeds, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, Akita, Siberian Husky, Dogo Argentino, Alaskan Malamute, Wolf-hybrid, and any mix of these breeds.
No. Exotic animals are not permitted at Saga Columbia.
Restricted exotic animals include, but are not limited to:
- Birds such as parrots and toucans
- Reptiles such as snakes
- Rodents such as ferrets
- Fish
- Insects
Saga Columbia has a one-time pet fee of $500 and a monthly pet charge of $35. Students should contact the leasing office to confirm current pet-related costs, approval steps, and documentation requirements before move-in.
7. Management, Maintenance, & Leasing
Saga Columbia has a friendly on-site management team that supports residents with everyday property needs. The team helps with maintenance requests, package delivery, lease questions, resident events, and other details that shape the student living experience.
Residents can contact the on-site team when something needs attention in their apartment or around the property. The maintenance process is designed to help students get support without adding extra stress to an already busy schedule.
Yes. Saga Columbia offers individual leasing, which is especially helpful for students living with roommates. Each resident signs their own lease for their bedroom and shared apartment space, rather than being responsible for the full apartment.
Yes. Saga Columbia offers roommate matching through RoomSync. This service helps students connect with compatible roommates before move-in, which is especially useful for students choosing shared apartments near USC Columbia.
Yes. Residents are required to carry liability insurance as a condition of the housing contract. Residents may either provide proof of liability insurance from a licensed agent or be automatically enrolled in the Damage Waiver Program for an additional monthly fee.
Saga Columbia offers the Leap Guarantor Program for applicants who are not able to provide their own guarantor. Students who have questions about guarantor requirements, qualification steps, or alternatives should contact the leasing office for details before applying.
Yes. Saga Columbia offers a housing contract assignment process. Students who need to transfer their contract should contact the leasing office for assignment steps, fees, deadlines, and approval requirements.
Monthly installments can be paid online through the resident portal, by E-MoneyGram, or by paper check dropped off at the leasing office.
Monthly installments are due on the first day of each month. Late payments may be subject to late fees, so students should plan ahead and use the resident portal or another approved payment method before the deadline.
Saga Columbia housing contracts span 12 months, beginning in August and ending in July of the following year. This schedule is designed to align with the traditional academic year while giving residents a full annual housing term.