I've been here for 13 years and Household incomes average around $61,204 in Columbia. It's a a smaller city city with about 43,971 people. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
26 upvotes
26 Replies
Serenity Morris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is underrated in most areas.
40 upvotes
Skylar Rivera
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Houston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Decent public transit for the size
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Summers can be brutally hot
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is decent.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Connor Hall
facts
39 upvotes
Santiago Castillo
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
38 upvotes
Aaron Cruz
Bought a house here in 2023 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
38 upvotes
Rylee Davis
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
Elijah B.
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Westside area are excellent. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Elijah Brown
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Midtown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
30 upvotes
cora_walker
wish I knew this sooner
29 upvotes
Brenda D.
good to know, thanks
29 upvotes
Maria M.
haha yep pretty much
28 upvotes
Bennett Murphy
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Naomi K.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Ian S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
17 upvotes
Emily
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a software engineer who relocated here from San Francisco about 4 years ago. The main reasons were work and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
native_nicholas3
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Jayden Hughes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is solid in most areas.
9 upvotes
Asher D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 3 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
8 upvotes
Landon T.
couldn't agree more
8 upvotes
tucsonfan2020
I've lived in Greenfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Diverse dining options
- The cost of living scene is improving
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for couples. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Zoe B.
this is the way
6 upvotes
Leonardo
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 2 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the public transit is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
5 upvotes
Colton Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
4 upvotes
Elena M.
Bought a house here in 2019 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
3 upvotes
Mason Scott
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is outdoor recreation. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
2 upvotes
Emilia G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Denver. I've lived in North and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Low crime in most neighborhoods
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Denver, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
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