Excited about shifting to Columbus, Georgia? There’s so much to like about this metropolis in Muscogee County.
Whether or not you’re into historical past, a various mixture of cultures, or simply wish to take pleasure in life by the Chattahoochee River, Columbus has one thing for everybody.
Columbus isn’t a small city—with a inhabitants near 200,000, there’s all the time one thing occurring.
The river affords loads of outside enjoyable, from kayaking to mountain climbing, making it an excellent place for individuals who like to be exterior.
However similar to another place, Columbus has its ups and downs.
So, in the event you’re fascinated by making the transfer, it’s a good suggestion to get the total image first.
Execs of dwelling in Columbus, GA
Listed below are explanation why Columbus, GA, is a lovely place to reside.
Inexpensive Housing
Properties in Columbus are normally extra inexpensive than in different close by cities, with the typical itemizing worth sitting at $199k as of 2023.
So proudly owning your personal place right here received’t drain your pockets.
Whether or not you’re a younger skilled shopping for your first residence or a household in want of extra room, you’ll discover budget-friendly choices.
And let’s not neglect about property taxes—they’re fairly low too, averaging round 0.87%.
Abundance of Outside Actions
Columbus is a haven for outside fans. With scenic spots just like the Chattahoochee Riverwalk and Lake Harding, there’s all the time a possibility to hike, bike, or fish.
In the event you’re within the temper for a brief drive, FDR State Park is simply half-hour to the north in Pine Mountain, providing one more stunning backdrop on your outside actions.
Whilst you’re up there, Heat Springs is value a go to too. Head about 30 to 45 minutes south and also you’ll discover Windfall Canyon close to Lumpkin, a surprising pure formation that’s particularly stunning when the distinctive azaleas are in bloom.
For many who love an adrenaline rush, Columbus has its personal white water course at Rush South, proper close to the Riverwalk.
The native firm, White Water Specific, organizes group rafting journeys. They even supply zip traces that span the river in addition to a treetop journey course.
Past Columbus, each Georgia and Alabama supply a wealth of state parks good for weekend mountain climbing adventures.
Locations like Talladega Nationwide Forest, Amicalola Falls, Conecuh Nationwide Forest, and Chattahoochee Nationwide Forest are all nice choices for a nature-filled getaway.
Thriving Sports activities
In the event you’re into sports activities, you’ll really feel proper at residence in Columbus.
The town’s obtained one thing for everybody, from baseball video games on the basic Golden Park the place the Columbus Clippers play, to ice hockey motion with the Columbus Cottonmouths.
But it surely’s not nearly watching—Columbus has a vigorous sports activities scene with tons of rec leagues and amenities, so you possibly can be part of within the enjoyable too.
Good Climate
You’ll get to take pleasure in gentle winters and heat summers in Columbus, making it a fairly cozy place to reside.
With about 218 sunny days a 12 months, there’s loads of time to get exterior and have some enjoyable.
The good climate isn’t simply nice for spending a day on the park; it’s additionally good for maintaining your backyard inexperienced all 12 months or diving into different outside hobbies.
A number of Job Alternatives
Columbus has a fairly strong job market, making it an excellent spot in the event you’re seeking to construct a profession.
Huge names in healthcare, manufacturing, and schooling like Columbus Regional Well being System and TSYS are sometimes looking out for brand spanking new expertise.
Even with some locations freezing hires, there’s a whole lot of exercise. As an example, Publix is ramping up hiring for its new retailer, and close by spots like Culver’s are additionally anticipated to deliver on workers quickly.
In the event you’re into hospitality, quick meals, or retail, you’ve obtained choices. Locations like The Loft, Mabellas, Salt Cellar, and the soon-to-open The Combine are regularly hiring.
Plus, town itself has a spread of jobs that don’t ask for a lot expertise however pay decently within the $15-25 per hour vary. So, don’t hesitate to use even in the event you’re a bit of brief on expertise—particularly in case your resume and utility are well-prepared.
It’s not simply the same old jobs on supply, both. St. Francis Hospital, for instance, was on the hunt for roles like affected person registrars and janitors final I heard.
Safety roles are open too, significantly with Allied Safety, who additionally serve Pratt & Whitney.
When it comes to commerce jobs, there are corporations that’ll rent and prepare you to grow to be a licensed electrician.
And in the event you’re eyeing an entry-level IT function, healthcare and fintech organizations like Aflac or TSYS are value a shot.
Low Price of Residing
Georgia has many locations with a low price of dwelling, and Columbus is a standout instance.
Right here, you’ll discover the price of dwelling is a full 30% cheaper than what most People are used to.
Utilities? They’re 32% cheaper than the nationwide common.
Whether or not it’s housing, getting round city, and even simply choosing up some groceries, your cash stretches additional in Columbus.
It’s a spot the place each people and households can reside comfortably with out stressing an excessive amount of concerning the funds.
Good Schooling
In Columbus, the schooling is a lot better than you would possibly initially assume.
Whereas the Muscogee County College District affords a mixture of faculties with various efficiency ranges, it’s residence to some actual gems.
Take Columbus Excessive and Britt David Elementary, for instance; these faculties should not simply top-tier within the district however constantly rank among the many prime 3 public faculties in all of Georgia.
Nonetheless, they’re magnet faculties, so the competitors to get in is fierce.
However don’t let common or below-average rankings idiot you. Many colleges in Columbus have specialised applications that basically elevate the training expertise.
Wynnton Elementary might have decrease general check scores, however its magnet arts program is a hotbed for creativity and has college students performing effectively above the varsity’s common.
The beauty of Columbus faculties is the range in instructional focus—from STEM and Worldwide Baccalaureate to Mass Communication and Tremendous Arts, there’s a magnet program for nearly any curiosity.
This flexibility in program choices means dad and mom have much less stress relating to selecting the place to reside within the metropolis; admissions are typically fairly easy, supplying you with the liberty to decide on a college that most accurately fits your youngster’s pursuits and abilities.
If public college isn’t your factor, Columbus additionally affords a number of non-public instructional choices, together with faith-based faculties and Brookstone, a secular prep college.
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Cons of dwelling in Columbus, GA
Now, it’s time to contemplate the cons related to this metropolis earlier than deciding to relocate.
Excessive crime
Sadly, this metropolis has a status for being probably the most harmful locations to reside in Georgia.
In line with current statistics, Columbus has against the law fee considerably higher than the nationwide common at 36.8 vs. 22.7. Property crimes, comparable to theft and housebreaking, are significantly prevalent.
Geographically, the crime panorama varies. Usually, the northern elements of town are thought-about safer.
In the event you’re seeking to purchase a house, you would possibly wish to avoid areas south of Manchester and Macon Roads.
Lots of the violent crime reported within the information is usually gang-related.
That’s to not say it doesn’t have an effect on the neighborhood—no one desires the hazard of stray bullets.
However other than gang exercise, crime charges are pretty typical for a metropolis of Columbus’s dimension.
Macon Street serves as an off-the-cuff dividing line, demarcating financial and, to some extent, racial traces as effectively.
South of it, you’ll discover areas which might be economically deprived and have higher charges of violent crime.
North of Macon Street, the neighborhoods are wealthier and primarily expertise property crimes, usually close to buying facilities.
So the place must you think about dwelling for a greater high quality of life? Places to consider embrace:
- Downtown and the Historic District
- Round Columbus State College’s fundamental campus
- The Lakebottom/Weracoba Park space
- Bibb Metropolis
- Waverly Terrace (regardless of some naysayers, it’s typically a quiet and good space)
In the event you’re trying northward, North Columbus would possibly supply some cheap choices.
Alternatively, Phenix Metropolis additionally has a wide range of residences and houses for lease in additional upscale complexes.
Risk of extreme storms
In Columbus, you possibly can anticipate to come across a spread of extreme climate circumstances like hurricanes, tornadoes, and intense thunderstorms.
This not solely dangers damaging property and infrastructure however may also be a security concern.
Excessive Poverty Price
In Columbus, almost one in 5 individuals reside underneath the poverty line, in accordance with knowledge from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Lots of communities within the space grapple with financial challenges, making it powerful for a lot of to cowl fundamental dwelling bills.
Low Proportion of Open Land
As town grows and new developments pop up, there’s much less and fewer room for parks and pure spots.
In the event you’re somebody who likes to spend time open air, whether or not it’s mountain climbing or simply having fun with a picnic, this generally is a little bit of a letdown.
Low Homeownership Price
In Columbus, proudly owning a house isn’t as frequent as you would possibly discover in different elements of the nation.
Nearly 56.7% of individuals right here personal their properties, in comparison with a nationwide common of 64.4%.
Why the hole? Properly, a mixture of points comes into play. For some, financial limitations make it powerful to take that step into homeownership.
Others is likely to be a part of town’s ever-changing inhabitants, maybe army households or younger professionals, who discover it simpler to lease.
Both means, renting appears to be the go-to for lots of oldsters within the space.
Is Columbus a Good Place to Stay?
Columbus is among the greatest locations to retire in Georgia, and for good purpose.
The town affords a spread of facilities, from lush parks to cultural occasions, all wrapped up in a value of dwelling that received’t break the financial institution.
But it surely’s not simply retirees who discover value right here; it’s additionally a improbable place to boost a household.
Whereas it’s true that homeownership charges are on the decrease facet, don’t let that deter you.
The tutorial system, significantly north of Macon Street, affords strong alternatives for teenagers.
Colleges like Columbus Excessive and Britt David Elementary regularly rank among the many prime within the state.
Security generally is a concern, particularly in areas south of Macon Street, however similar to another metropolis, understanding the place to settle could make all of the distinction.
The town has high poverty fee and areas of high crime, however we’d argue that the neighborhood spirit, instructional choices, and high quality of life outweigh the drawbacks.
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