Desirous about shifting to Columbus, Georgia? There’s lots to like about this metropolis in Muscogee County.
Whether or not you’re into historical past, a various mixture of cultures, or simply need to get pleasure from 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 at all times one thing occurring.
The river provides loads of outside enjoyable, from kayaking to mountaineering, making it an incredible 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 about making the transfer, it’s a good suggestion to get the complete image first.
Professionals of dwelling in Columbus, GA
Listed here are the reason why Columbus, GA, is a gorgeous place to stay.
Inexpensive Housing
Properties in Columbus are often extra inexpensive than in different close by cities, with the common itemizing value 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 house or a household in want of extra room, you’ll discover budget-friendly choices.
And let’s not overlook about property taxes—they’re fairly low too, averaging round 0.87%.
Abundance of Out of doors Actions
Columbus is a haven for outside fans. With scenic spots just like the Chattahoochee Riverwalk and Lake Harding, there’s at all times a chance to hike, bike, or fish.
If you happen to’re within the temper for a brief drive, FDR State Park is simply half-hour to the north in Pine Mountain, providing yet one more stunning backdrop in your outside actions.
When 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 shocking pure formation that’s particularly stunning when the distinctive azaleas are in bloom.
For individuals 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 Categorical, 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 mountaineering 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
If you happen to’re into sports activities, you’ll really feel proper at house in Columbus.
Town’s obtained one thing for everybody, from baseball video games on the traditional 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 full of life sports activities scene with tons of rec leagues and amenities, so you’ll be able to be a part of within the enjoyable too.
Good Climate
You’ll get to get pleasure from gentle winters and heat summers in Columbus, making it a fairly comfortable place to stay.
With about 218 sunny days a 12 months, there’s loads of time to get exterior and have some enjoyable.
The great climate isn’t simply nice for spending a day on the park; it’s additionally good for holding your backyard inexperienced all 12 months or diving into different outside hobbies.
Plenty of Job Alternatives
Columbus has a fairly stable job market, making it an incredible spot in the event you’re seeking to construct a profession.
Massive names in healthcare, manufacturing, and schooling like Columbus Regional Well being System and TSYS are sometimes looking out for brand new expertise.
Even with some locations freezing hires, there’s a number of exercise. For example, Publix is ramping up hiring for its new retailer, and close by spots like Culver’s are additionally anticipated to convey on workers quickly.
If you happen to’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 often hiring.
Plus, the 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 quick on expertise—particularly in case your resume and software are well-prepared.
It’s not simply the standard 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.
By way of commerce jobs, there are corporations that’ll rent and prepare you to turn into 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 Value of Residing
Georgia has many places with a low cost of living, and Columbus is a standout instance.
Right here, you’ll discover the price of dwelling is a full 30% cheaper than what most Individuals are used to.
Utilities? They’re 32% inexpensive 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 stay comfortably with out stressing an excessive amount of concerning the price range.
Good Schooling
In Columbus, the schooling is significantly better than you would possibly initially suppose.
Whereas the Muscogee County Faculty District provides a mixture of colleges with various efficiency ranges, it’s house to some actual gems.
Take Columbus Excessive and Britt David Elementary, for instance; these colleges will not be simply top-tier within the district however constantly rank among the many high 3 public colleges in all of Georgia.
Nevertheless, they’re magnet colleges, so the competitors to get in is fierce.
However don’t let common or below-average rankings idiot you. Many faculties in Columbus have specialised applications that basically elevate the educational expertise.
Wynnton Elementary could have decrease general take a look at scores, however its magnet arts program is a hotbed for creativity and has college students performing properly above the varsity’s common.
The beauty of Columbus colleges is the range in instructional focus—from STEM and Worldwide Baccalaureate to Mass Communication and Positive Arts, there’s a magnet program for nearly any curiosity.
This flexibility in program choices means mother and father have much less stress in the case of selecting the place to stay within the metropolis; admissions are typically fairly simple, supplying you with the liberty to decide on a college that most accurately fits your little one’s pursuits and skills.
If public faculty isn’t your factor, Columbus additionally provides a choice of personal instructional choices, together with faith-based colleges and Brookstone, a secular prep faculty.
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Cons of dwelling in Columbus, GA
Now, it’s time to think about the cons related to this metropolis earlier than deciding to relocate.
Excessive crime
Sadly, this metropolis has a fame for being some of the harmful locations to stay in Georgia.
In response to current statistics, Columbus has a criminal offense charge considerably increased than the nationwide common at 36.8 vs. 22.7. Property crimes, akin to theft and housebreaking, are significantly prevalent.
Geographically, the crime panorama varies. Usually, the northern elements of the town are thought of safer.
If you happen to’re seeking to purchase a house, you would possibly need to keep away from areas south of Manchester and Macon Roads.
Lots of the violent crime reported within the information is commonly gang-related.
That’s to not say it doesn’t have an effect on the group—no person needs the hazard of stray bullets.
However other than gang exercise, crime charges are pretty typical for a metropolis of Columbus’s dimension.
Macon Highway serves as an off-the-cuff dividing line, demarcating financial and, to some extent, racial traces as properly.
South of it, you’ll discover areas which might be economically deprived and have increased charges of violent crime.
North of Macon Highway, the neighborhoods are wealthier and primarily expertise property crimes, typically close to procuring 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 essential campus
- The Lakebottom/Weracoba Park space
- Bibb Metropolis
- Waverly Terrace (regardless of some naysayers, it’s typically a quiet and good space)
If you happen to’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.
Threat of extreme storms
In Columbus, you’ll be able to 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 will also be a security concern.
Excessive Poverty Fee
In Columbus, practically one in 5 folks stay below the poverty line, in response to information from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Lots of communities within the space grapple with monetary challenges, making it powerful for a lot of to cowl fundamental dwelling bills.
Low Proportion of Open Land
As the town grows and new developments pop up, there’s much less and fewer room for parks and pure spots.
If you happen to’re somebody who likes to spend time outdoor, whether or not it’s mountaineering or simply having fun with a picnic, this is usually a little bit of a letdown.
Low Homeownership Fee
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, monetary limitations make it powerful to take that step into homeownership.
Others is likely to be a part of the town’s ever-changing inhabitants, maybe navy households or younger professionals, who discover it simpler to lease.
Both means, renting appears to be the go-to for lots of parents within the space.
Is Columbus a Good Place to Reside?
Columbus is likely one of the greatest locations to retire in Georgia, and for good cause.
Town provides 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 worth right here; it’s additionally a incredible place to boost a household.
Whereas it’s true that homeownership charges are on the decrease aspect, don’t let that deter you.
The academic system, significantly north of Macon Highway, provides stable alternatives for youths.
Faculties like Columbus Excessive and Britt David Elementary often rank among the many high within the state.
Security is usually a concern, particularly in areas south of Macon Highway, however similar to another metropolis, realizing the place to settle could make all of the distinction.
Town has excessive poverty charge and areas of excessive crime, however we might argue that the group spirit, instructional choices, and high quality of life outweigh the drawbacks.
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