Random thought, I'm originally from Atlanta and You can expect to pay around $1,067 for rent here. Household incomes average around $64,488 in Columbia. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Let me know your thoughts.
7 upvotes
11 Replies
Savannah Kim
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 12 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
Isla Martin
Moved here from Boston about 11 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to food scene but No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
nyc_melanie
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
21 upvotes
Ellie A.
100%
17 upvotes
Victoria R.
Bought a house here in 2019 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
15 upvotes
Zoey Cooper
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
14 upvotes
Piper
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Cora Edwards
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The weather is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Mason Price
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from San Diego about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
2 upvotes
Luca P.
Totally agree!
0 upvotes
raleigh_elijah
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
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