Great Place for Outdoor Activities - 3/13/2024

If you are an active person and love to be outdoors and go to college sporting events, Columbia is a great place to live! I run and bike and go to Mizzou events a lot. I have lived all over the country and few places are better than COMO for trails and greenways. We have the MKT trail and the Katy Trails, along with the Bear Creek Trail and many other greenways! We have Rockbridge State Park with all kinds of biking and hiking trails. Yes, a college town. Great night life and college scene. If this stuff is not important to you, then it may just be an average city.

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No water park here - 10/14/2021

I've live in CoMo for 20 yrs. NOT sure about this state of the art water park??!! There are great parks but nothing else for families. NO zoo, museum, and definitely no water park. VERY college oriented so in my opinion the best time to enjoy Columbia is when college is out of session.

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Not a good place to settle. - 11/25/2020

I lived there for a year and hated every minute. Columbia reminded me of the San Francisco of the Midwest. It is overrun with homeless people. Law enforcement is ineffective, but that's because they lack manpower. Crime is ridiculous. I lived in what was supposed to be a decent area, but there was a running gun battle in front of my place one afternoon. I lost count of the number of times the police were observed responding to incidents on my street. Another thing is the city is oddly overrun with Brown Recluse Spiders. I have lived all over the world, but have never seen an area infested with them like there. Columbia is a college town and everything is focused on that. There was nothing there I found attractive to compel me to stay. Even the weather was extreme with too much snow in the winter and too hot and humid in the summer.

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A Liberal Paradise - 10/4/2020

I've lived in Columbia for 10 years. I went to college here, left, and then returned to take care of my parents. These reviews amuse me. I will be leaving Columbia, but not for the reasons given. Some of you would absolutely love it. Columbia would hold enormous appeal if you're young, somewhat or mostly liberal, and an outdoor enthusiast. The parks here are outstanding. The city-owned trails like the Katy Trail and Bear Creek Trail wind through miles of woods and neighborhoods, and if you're so inclined, you can use these trails to ride your bike from your house to your job. There are also several hundred acres of open space parks in town. The geography is beautiful. Columbia is a heavily wooded town, with beautiful fall colors. Deer, raccoons and foxes live right in town. If you are a fan of music, art and theater, you will love Columbia. If your religious persuasions lean toward more modern and progressive churches or Tarot readings, this is your town. There is an Islamic mosque here. Lots of businesses selling marijuana. If you love college football, you'll enjoy the party-like atmosphere on game days. But this town actually has a terrible crime problem. There are drugs and gang activity here, and when you hear what sounds like gunshots on Saturday nights, those are indeed gunshots. Murders are not uncommon. There is a large population of homeless people, attracted by the numerous soup kitchens and homeless shelters set up by the liberal populace. Don't be surprised when you see a homeless person sleeping in the parking lot of a business. The people here don't discourage it. And even though there is a city ordinance against panhandling, every street corner has a begger on it. On the other hand, the locals DO enforce the city ordinance requiring a coronavirus mask (struggling businesses will pay a huge fine, and people here love to tattle on each other). If you're a Southerner at heart, throw around "ya'll" and "I reckon", vote Republican, don't believe in global warming, are an evangelical Christian and believe that people ought to let each other live their own lives, you won't like this town at all. Taxes are high here; Columbia's surcharge hikes the sales tax well over 10 percent. They don't freeze property taxes for the elderly here. And if you don't have a college degree, you will find it difficult to get a job here. I could also add that the city water tastes like the bottom of a swimming pool and the weather sucks, but I think that's already been covered.

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3 year stay (Latino review) - 5/27/2020

I lived in Columbia for three years since 2017 and moved here from California. I came to live with a girl and we eventually got married a few months later. We are both Latinos. You know, I've never experienced so much white racism in my life than in Columbia, Missouri. My wife and I have gotten awful looks from people when we go out in public and we once had an angry old white man approach our car in a parking lot and started harassing us and saying we couldn't be there (I got him away from us, we were parked in a public parking space). The summer weather in unbearable, it's way too humid to enjoy outdoors and the winters are kinda depressing because all the green from the trees start going away during the fall, and you're gonna wait nearly half a year for the green to come back when spring hits in March/April. Did I mention it snows a lot? If you live in a low-income area of CoMo, be prepared to wait a day or two for the city to plow your street (they plow the rich areas of CoMo first). The college kids at Mizzou give this city life, without them and the college this city would be dead. There are a lot of oak trees in the city and the trails are, ok. When I lived here, I worked at Walmart (Conley), Hy-vee (Broadway), and the FedEx factory hub and you know what, the majority of the people I served were arrogant, prideful, and domineering white people. It was an awful experience to serve the people of this city through customer service. Also, I would like to add that I went to Columbia College for the music program; it was more like an outdated choir program. I left after my first semester and I owe over $10,000. I met some really nice people and made a few friends but all-in-all, it was very hard for me (a native Californian) to adjust and love Columbia; it was just too small, boring, and the spirit of life isn't here like it is in California. I only stayed for three years because my wife was finishing a degree, and I am writing this review from a hotel in Colorado, we drove out of Columbia yesterday. I have never been this happy in my life. I am so happy Columbia is in my past, I'm never going back.

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Perfect Balance of All Things to Consider. - 4/14/2020

I've been traveling here for approximately 1 year, about 6 times, and have lived here for 3 months. If you are looking for a small to medium sized town with a lower than a high cost of living with options for what to do within the town (bike, hike, gym, shop, eat out) or travel to nearby St. Louis or Kansas City or hop on a short flight from the town or St. Louis or KC as airports, it's a great place to be. With a remote job and travel as a part of my work I am enjoying my time here. A major university and very good medical facilities/services are added benefits. If you want to compare Columbia, MO to NYC, SF, ATX, Denver, Dallas, etc. - ??? - not realistic - but I wouldn't live there either (I just left ATX after 20 years - it is crowded and quickly becoming "The Bay Area of Texas". But if you were to compare - there is no traffic, the cost of living is very reasonable, and there are things to do. For the next 5 years or so I think it's a great choice, a great balance of pro's and con's. FYI, you have to factor in that this only 1.5 hrs. north of Ozark the Netflix series but then again, the show exaggerates to sell viewership. :-) If you are looking for the very best in the U.S. in terms of dining, nightlife, shopping, traffic, crime, high cost of living with a challenge to get to the great outdoors because of overcrowding en route or at your destination, you should look at the other cities I've named in this review. I consider them great places to visit (been to all many times) but not to live unless you are banking $500k or more annually on a consistent year over year basis, and even then it's a poor spend of how far your money will take you.

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Columbia is Awful - 6/11/2019

I lived in CoMo for three years. I've lived in several types of cities and small towns, including two other college towns. Columbia is the most horrible place that I have ever lived. When you take away the college students and other people temporarily living there, you are left with the racist, bigoted townsfolk. Nearly every day there is some old white person protesting/praying outside the Planned Parenthood (they don't even provide abortions at that location anymore). They just sit there, wasting their time looking like fools. Someone actually set fire to the building in protest one night. They clearly have surveillance cameras, not a smart move. The city can't do anything right. I have never lived in a place where you put the garbage/recycling bags and cardboard on the curb instead of in a bin. On the day of trash collection the whole neighborhood has garbage everywhere because it gets blown around. It looks terrible. The city says that switching to bins would force them to lay off some staff, but then they fail to pick up recycling and claim that they are short staffed. Get bins or get enough staff - pick one! One winter we had almost 2 feet of snow drop within 24-30 hours. It took over 2 days for the city to finally plow our street once. I've never seen a city take that long to make ONE plow pass on a residential road. The people there have no idea how to drive in winter conditions either. Actually, they don't care about traffic laws in general. Most of the neighbors were not friendly and left their dog's feces on other people's lawns. Only my black neighbors were friendly, the other white people just stared at me from their houses. Very weird. If you like overweight racist rednecks and ignorant college kids, then you'll like Columbia. Mizzou is also a joke. I worked there - your tuition money would be better spent somewhere else. I never found a good pizza place in that town either. Shakespeare's Pizza is gross. The walking/biking trails were decent - they have rock walls which are neat to look at. Yes, that is the only nice thing I have to say about Columbia.

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A great place to live and raise a family - 2/29/2016

We have it all, location, culture/recreation, education, cost of living and a diverse population. The only drawback is the unpredictable winter weather or occasional flooding if it is wet winter and spring.

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Came for College, Stayed 'til Retirement! - 6/12/2015

When I moved here to finish my education at the University of Missouri, it seemed a good place to remain to raise my young son as a single parent. It was very safe back in 1968 (crime rate is higher now but most parts of town are still pretty safe) and I knew the schools here have been top-notch at least since I was in high school. It was also pleasant to the eye and had plenty of other young adults, including a considerable number of other single moms, living and going to school in Columbia. Though my career has taken me away from Columbia on a few occasions, I have always returned when my situation allowed. As I grew older I found that there were always people of like mind around (whatever that mind happened to be) and a wide variety of activities to be enjoyed. There are a number of small towns (including several historical Missouri river towns(within a thirty minute to an hour's drive and Lake of the Ozarks is less than a couple of hours away. They give access to activities ranging from fishing, swimming, and all kinds of other water sports to indoor ice skating. There really is something here or in the area for just about anyone and if you get bored in mid-Missouri, both Kansas City and St. Louis are only a couple of hours away. Educational opportunities in Columbia abound. Besides the University there are an ever-growing number of "satellites" campuses here. Literally "ever-growing"...seems like I am often made aware of some new school arriving in town. We are considered "the" medical hub for much of out-state Missouri with the University of Missouri and its School of Medicine pretty much at the center. Quality medical care is readily available through the Medical Center or through the many community-based health professionals. I could actually go on and on...after living here for close to fifty years, I have lots of impressions and opinions about the place, but I think I hit the high points. But now I'm ready to live somewhere else...Colorado. I just have to figure out exactly where in Colorado.

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Housing - 3/19/2014

Columbia MO has a housing economy that is really growing. We saw the best numbers in 2012 that we have in a long time. I sell Real Estate here and it is very affordable to buy or rent here. I wouldn't say its the easiest to find and make decent money, but it's possible.

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Columbia & Jefferson City, Missouri - 10/10/2013

Extremes in temperature. It is often very hot & humid in the summer and very cold with lots of snow in the winter.

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Living in Columbia, MO - 6/2/2013

Columbia is a pleasant medium size city to live in. It is very diverse because of the three higher educational institutions located here. The University of Missouri, Stephens College and Columbia, College. There are 50,000 students so the summers after the students go home makes Columbia sweet and serene- though very hot and very humid. After living here 6 years - I would say most people would love raising a family here and enjoy living in this unique city. I don't know why I've never seen it on the best cities to live list. However, I don't think it is the friendliest town. From my experience here if you are not involved as a student or with one of the institutions or medical hospitals , which are more than I can count- it is hard to get to know people. That may just be me. All in all Columbia is a sweet and active place to live in the midwest.

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Forward Thinking, Fun City - 9/26/2012

Great place to live. Culturally diverse with forward thinking ideals.

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Ourt Town - 8/4/2011

Columbia is a great place to raise kids because the crime rate is so low. However, if you want something of interest to do, there isn't much of that here. More of a college town.

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como - 2/12/2011

Columbia MO is a fantastic place to live and to raise a family. There are so many fun things to do because it's a college town, yet it's still small and very friendly. There are excellent large employers and still the amazing mom and pop stores that I enjoy supporting. Getting outdoors is simplified with all of our parks and trails. There are bike lanes for those who bike around town.

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Temperature - 7/5/2010

Humidity has been terrible this summer.

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My Home for fifty years - 5/23/2010

I was born and raised in Columbia and have always loved the place. When I was small, the population was 10.000 with students and 8,000 in the summer. I went to school there, to Hickman High, then to Christian College--at that time it was a two year girl's Jr college. Now it is Columbia College--a four year coed college. I went from Christian to MU amd graduated from nursing school in 1957. I love Mo., but I live in Florida now with my daughter and find the climate here agrees with these old bones much better. There are many memories in Columbia. My parents are buried there as well as some other relatives. If you like lots of activities and different climate each season, then look the place over. Patricia James

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So What Would You Like To Do Today? - 5/22/2010

On any given day in Columbia, Missouri there are more things to do than you can 'shake a stick at'! If you like sports, there is any sport in season. You can participate in one of the seemingly jillions of little league options. We have fields everywhere and more coming. Have you heard of MU FOOTBALL or BASKETBALL? Yes they are that big here. What you may not have heard of is the MU women's gymnastics or the Columbia College Volleyball. Yep, lots a sports. Don't let's forget high school soccer or lacrosse or the Senior Games! Or a walk, run or ride on the fabulous Katy Trail. Already, I'm tired. Think I will go sit in the garden with a cup a tea. Smiles, M.A. - HatLady@MAGroves.com htttp://www.MoRelocation.com

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wanna good school?? - 1/7/2010

Columbia is an awesome little spot. Right in the middle of St Louis and Kansas City. Great Downtown. 4 Great colleges. Awesome place to live

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Nice place to live - 5/16/2009

I've lived in Columbia for nearly 20 years. I came here to go to MU and never left, which happens to a lot of people. If you want to go out to eat, you have loads of options. Want to see a movie, there are 2 multiplexes and an independent film theater too. We have chain stores but also a nice mix of cool independently owned shops. Downtown is vibrant. We get lots of good shows if you like to see live rock or alternative-type bands at a small club. We also get some bigger arena shows, and with the university, there are always chances to see bigger productions and plays. It is a pretty liberal place with. There are lots of great parks right in town. It's a great place if you like to take your dogs out (there are several leash-free areas) or if you like to hike, bike, or run on trails. I'm actually moving because I've always lived in Missouri and want to get closer to mountains and/or the ocean but it's not easy to leave this place. I was looking at posts from places I was looking to move and notice that most people seem to use this as a place to complain and vent and the Columbia posts are no different.

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