Columbia Or Charlotte?

I know I keep talking about moving to South Carolina, but I'm trying to decide between Columbia and Charlotte, at least for the first move. Jeanette lives in Blythewood, about 15-20 miles northeast of Columbia's suburbs, and about 70 miles (1 hour) from Charlotte's suburbs. So Charlotte would be farther from home, of course, but I'm from L.A., we're used to spending over an hour in a car to get to anywhere.

Charlotte would be a bit more urbane, a little less of a culture shock, especially for my son, who has known nothing but life in a large city. Also, he has a disability, doesn't drive, and needs access to special services. It's a little hard to tell from online searches, but it looks like Charlotte may have better public transportation than Columbia. I'm going to have to research the availability of services for people with disabilities across the two cities and states, but I'm guessing Charlotte/NC may offer more than Columbia/SC. Still, I could be wrong. They're both red states, and most social services are offered at the state level. First state to offer expanded Medicaid, though, wins our vote. Medicaid is extremely important to people with disabilities; it is usually their only access to health care.*

On the other hand, my quick first look shows Columbia with cheaper housing, which would help Renaud and me. Renaud is on Section 8 (a national program, so his eligibility would travel with him to any state he moved to), and Columbia may have nicer apartments for the money. I would also probably get more house for the money in the Columbia area. Plus, I'd be closer to family.

But, I have read that Charlotte properties are considered one of the best real estate investments in the country, at least for now. I could buy a house there, initially, then move to Columbia and rent or sell the Charlotte house. If Charlotte were better for Renaud, he could stay there, it wouldn't be far.

Decisions, decisions. I'm starting a research page with links about Columbia and Charlotte, real estate, neighborhoods, public transportation, social services, etc.

* Yes, most people with disabilities, including my son, are on SSI or SSDI (or similar), which includes Medicaid and/or Medicare. But you can lose your eligibility for those programs, including Medicaid/Medicare, if you earn too much money, or for other reasons. The "expanded Medicaid" offered under the Affordable Care Act, where eligibility for Medicaid was expanded to include low-income people (not just people on SSI/SSDI), means that people with disabilities don't have to worry about earning too much money or otherwise losing their SSI/SSDI eligibility: their health care is guaranteed either way. However, states need to opt in to the program, and to date neither SC nor NC has opted in.