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Austin M. jobs

Best companies to work for in Columbia?

First post here. I'm a 54-year-old mechanic and The unemployment rate is 1.9%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What do you all think? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development.
18 upvotes

14 Replies

Avery C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.

I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Uptown side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Hope this helps!.
36 upvotes
Lillian Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.

Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in education you might struggle.

People: Generally better than expected. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Korean.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Jacob Hill
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The nightlife is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Sofia Alvarez
exactly what I was thinking
31 upvotes
Anna Rivera
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The weather is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
29 upvotes
local_chloe94
good to know, thanks
25 upvotes
Lucas Wood
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Elena Garcia
noted, appreciate it
17 upvotes
Landon A.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Midtown. It's underrated for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.

People: Generally better than expected. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Greyson G.
spot on
12 upvotes
Kai S.
Came here for school and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The cultural scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
9 upvotes
Kaylee Parker
Moved here from Minneapolis about 5 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to healthcare but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
7 upvotes
Sophie
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
3 upvotes
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