People have different viewpoints and interests when choosing a city to call home. Some are looking for a family-friendly location with outstanding schools, while others seek a low cost of living and employment prospects.
While relocating to Columbus, Georgia, you can expect all these things, with quaint neighborhoods and a warm community.
This southern city on the Chattahoochee River bears the name of the explorer Christopher Columbus and is 100 miles south of Atlanta. It is known as the Fountain City and holds the title of the largest town in the country.
It is also a town that easily blends traditional Southern hospitality with a contemporary and forward-thinking mindset.
If you’re considering relocating to this area, you should know its benefits and drawbacks. To assist you, we have compiled a summary of the pro and cons of living in Columbus, Georgia.
If this tranquil little city is your next destination, continue reading for more information.
List of Contents
Is Columbus a Good Place To Live In? – A Vibrant City With a Low-key Environment
The Good Side
It Is an Interesting City
One of the best ways to characterize Columbus is that it is, at the very least, always entertaining. This city never ceases to amaze visitors as well as its locals.
Due to the city’s location in the heart of the southern United States, the climate here is almost always ideal for engaging in outdoor activities, and it does not disappoint.
Living here, you can fish in the numerous lakes and streams and boat on some of them. If you’re a hunter, you won’t have any trouble finding a game because there is more than enough available in this place.
Camping is a popular pastime in this area, and the city also offers a wealth of chances for hiking, riding, and other outdoor pursuits.
Most people living here have their outdoor gear stored in Columbus storage units that they rent. It’s simple, inexpensive, and keeps everything secure.
The Coca-Cola Space Science Center, the Columbus Botanical Gardens, the Columbus Museum, and the Bo Bartlett Center are some tourist attractions you can find in the neighborhood.
Also, the city is home to an outstanding assortment of outdoor recreation sites, one of which is the world’s most extensive urban whitewater rafting course.
Once you choose to make this location your home, you will never lack exciting opportunities to participate because there are so many different things to do in this city.
The Place Experiences a Humid Subtropical Climate
Like other cities in Georgia, Columbus enjoys pleasant weather year-round, which residents and tourists love.
There will be a couple more days with freezing temperatures, but they won’t be as severe.
If you can’t tolerate the cold weather, there’s no need to worry about staying in this city because the freezing temperatures only last for a brief period. Winter temperatures can reach as high as 35°, although they can also reach the 50s and 60s.
Due to the location of Georgia, there are also likely to be certain hot months, such as June and September, but the temperatures will still be bearable.
Summertime temperatures exceed 92°, with occasional afternoon precipitation. The average summer lasts from mid-April until late October, with temperatures around 70°.
The average rainfall in the city is 49 inches, which is significantly more than the national average of 38 inches. Even with such frigid weather, it does not receive much snow, which is unusual compared to the 28 inches of snow that falls nationwide.
Furthermore, Columbus has 214 sunny days, more than the national average of 205, so you can expect pleasant weather when you live here.
Columbus Has the Most Desirable Neighborhoods
If you choose to make this city your home, you will have access to some of the best communities in Georgia. The town provides outstanding residences and locations that complement your way of life and meet your family’s demands.
Are you seeking a home that is affordable, convenient for walking, or located near schools? Wonderful house selections are available to you in various Columbus areas; nevertheless, you should base your decision on your preferences, requirements, and way of life.
When moving to this area, many new residents prefer to set up their homes downtown and in the surrounding regions. The city’s business core contains numerous historic districts, big churches, and single-family homes.
However, if you choose a more tranquil lifestyle, you can relocate to East Columbus. You will be able to locate beautiful homes in this area, many of which are close to the breathtaking Bull Greek Golf Course.
Those who desire even more tranquility and fresh air can choose suburban living in North Columbus. This location introduces individuals to Allendale and Green Island Hills, two established neighborhoods. This area also contains recently constructed subdivisions.
Living in this city will provide you with several different neighborhood possibilities from which you can select one that best suits your way of life and your needs.
The Bad Side
The City Has a High Rate of Overall Crime
Crime is an issue that affects every city in the United States. Unfortunately, compared to other cities of a similar size, the crime rate in Columbus is slightly higher.
The city’s crime rate, which is significantly higher than the national average, is the primary drawback of residing in the area.
The violent crime rate is 36.8, significantly higher than the national average of 22.7. Compared to the US average of 35.4, property crime here isn’t all that much better at 75.5.
However, the city government of Columbus is attempting to address the crime issue, and there are signs that the situation is improving.
It can be challenging to locate a safe area to live and work in this place due to the pervasive criminal activity across the region. However, there are numerous safer communities here than others.
The Hilton Heights and the western parts of Hillside Terrace are some of the safest neighborhoods in this place. Just outside the city, Beverley Heights is also the safest community in the area.
As someone who plans to live here, you owe it to yourself to confirm that the neighborhood in which you will make your home is risk-free.
What Is the Cost of Living in Columbus? – A Low-cost Southern City
The Good Side
Columbus Living Is Not Particularly Expensive
The town’s low cost of living, which is 12% lower than the national average and significantly lower than comparable US cities with a low cost of living, is by far the most attractive pro of living in Columbus from a financial standpoint.
As in many other American communities with a cheap cost of living, all other living expenses are below the national average, and housing is mainly responsible.
The housing costs in this city are 26% less than the national average, and the utility costs are 32% less than the national average.
Furthermore, transportation costs such as bus fares and gas prices are 11% less than the national average.
If you decide to make this town your new home, you will discover that you can take advantage of the plentiful advantages of a good quality of life.
The Bad Side
The City’s Housing Market Is in High Demand
Even though the high demand for housing is considered a pro, if you are considering relocating to Columbus, one of your first concerns will be the availability of affordable housing.
There is a significant demand for housing due to the rise in business activity in the city and the sizable military presence at Fort Benning nearby; on average, 2000 properties are available, but they can be out of the market at any time.
One could say that the town is experiencing a boom in the real estate market. As a result of this market competitiveness, it isn’t easy to find a reasonably priced place to buy or rent.
Also, compared to other regions of the country, several home prices in the city have doubled since the 1970s, while others have gained in value by a substantial amount.
Before you decide to live here, you should make sure that you have already found a place that is appropriate for you and fits within your financial constraints.
Why Work in Columbus? – The Economic Hub of Georgia
The Good Side
The City Is Experiencing a Job Growth
Being in a city like Columbus, where things are generally heading positively, can feel fantastic. The region is going through a period of increased employment opportunities at the moment.
AFLAC, a Fortune 500 company that offers financial security to more than 50 million people worldwide, is doing well and is currently employing 2,000 employees for various positions inside the company.
The transfer of the KIA plant to the city of La Grange, which is right close, contributes to the overall expansion of the surrounding area.
The Columbus State College is also expanding, contributing to the redevelopment of the city’s central business district. Plus, the town is one of the areas that benefited from the military’s BRAC realignment.
Because of the combination of all of these aspects, the current work environment in Columbus is one that many people find very enticing, and you should consider it when you live in this city.
Columbus Possesses a Robust and Growing Economy
In its 191 years of existence, the city of Columbus has provided thousands of individuals with access to many opportunities.
The city predates Atlanta by nearly two decades, and it has long been an economic engine of Georgia. Today, the town offers a thriving downtown, a rich cultural past, and business strength that exceeds what its 200,000 population can suggest.
The local economy provides work for more than seventy-nine thousand individuals. Most employees have health care and social assistance positions, retail trade and accommodation, and food services.
Fort Benning, the Muscogee County School District, TSYS, and Aflac Insurance are the four companies that have the most employees in the city. These employers and others continue to direct the city’s emphasis toward the military, education, and technological manufacturing industries.
The town is also the location of Columbus State University. The university, which boasts more than ninety different undergraduate and graduate degree programs, is frequently known as being among the best regional educational institutions in the southern United States.
Also, the expansion of employment opportunities here has been positive and increased by 2.3% over the preceding year, with a median income of $41,362.
The Bad Side
It Is Devoid of Employment Opportunities
In many circumstances, a disadvantage of living in a small town is the lack of employment options. The unemployment rate in Columbus is 5.3%, which is comparable to the national average of 6%.
This city has become dependent on only three to five different sources of employment, which is one of the many reasons there aren’t as many work prospects.
Fort Benning, the School District, TSYS, AFLAC, and Synovus are just a few companies that employ many of its personnel; most of these workers have not pursued other employment opportunities.
It would be disastrous for the already oversaturated employment sector in this metropolis. Columbus is a great city to have so few giant corporations.
However, there is a glimmer of optimism that Columbus experienced a positive increase in the number of jobs available during the past few years. But if getting high-paying work at a prestigious company is a priority for you, this city is probably not for you.
After reading this summary of the pros and cons of life in the city, have you thought about relocating to Columbus to try it out? If so, perhaps you found this information instructive and valuable.
If you choose to make Columbus your home, you will not only benefit from the low cost of living in the area, but you will also be able to take advantage of the excellent outdoor recreation places in the city.
Wherever you decide to live, we hope you’ll find this community to be warm, kind, and open.