I'm a nurse at the local hospital and The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. With a population of 106K, Columbia is a mid-size city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
59 upvotes
17 Replies
raised_brooks63
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
39 upvotes
James Campbell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Claire Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Savannah Peterson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want school system, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Jameson Peterson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
la_ella
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
27 upvotes
Claire Foster
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 15 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Winters are long and cold. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
23 upvotes
Everett Taylor
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 13 years here, that's my honest assessment.
17 upvotes
Brooks Collins
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Isabelle R.
I work in construction here and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market for my field is excellent. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Eliana Ortiz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 12 years. Moved from Portland for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is average - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited entertainment options. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Mackenzie Adams
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Riley Martinez
+1
11 upvotes
Olivia R.
+1
8 upvotes
Madelyn K.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
2 upvotes
Nathan Castillo
+1
2 upvotes
Willow N.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in West. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
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