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vegas_chloe
best-worst
Things Columbia needs to improve
Longtime lurker here, Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
2 upvotes
7 Replies
Jonathan Gray
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
38 upvotes
Nora Perez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. Definitely worth checking out..
25 upvotes
Hazel
I've lived in South for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Feel free to reach out with questions..
16 upvotes
Logan W.
facts
12 upvotes
Kelly W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 25, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a social worker, 25, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cost of living situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for retirees. improving vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
5 upvotes
Evan Wright
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Eastside. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
4 upvotes
Claire K.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
1 upvotes