Named after explorer Christopher Columbus, this southern city along the Chattahoochee River just 100 miles away from Atlanta, has a vast history to boast of.
Columbus and its surrounding Metropolitan area was ranked fourth on the 100 Best U.S. Cities to live in by Best Life Magazine in 2009, and has plenty of outdoor activities and sunshine. If you're interested in relocating to this Georgia city, go through the following guide for useful information and resources to better help your decision.
Columbus Climate
There isn't a lack of warm weather in this area, as Columbus is characterized as a humid subtropical climate. In the summer, temperatures reach the mid 90s quite often, with some rainfall during the afternoon. Summers are typically from mid-April until late October, with temperatures starting around 70 degrees.
Winter can be significantly colder, though very short lived. Temperatures average in the high 30s but can be much more mild and warm up to the low 50s.
Columbus Neighborhoods
For work, for play, for raising a family - whatever reason you decide to move to Columbus, you'll need to live in an area that suits your needs. Luckily, the downtown area of Columbus is the city's central business district, but also features many historic districts with single family residences and churches. In East Columbus, you'll find homes intermingled with Bull Creek Golf Course, and Peachtree Mall in Midtown.
For a suburban lifestyle, North Columbus has many established neighborhoods like Allendale and Green Island Hills, and newly built subdivisions mixed with high-rise hotels.
Registering Your Car
As a new Georgia resident, you will have 30 days to register your car in the state. You will need your driver's license, proof of insurance, proof of residency, a completed Certificate of Inspection, a completed Title/Tag Application, and proof of passed vehicle emissions inspection (if applicable).
You'll need to apply for a Georgia driver's license within 30 days of residency, prior to registering your vehicle. You can do this at any customer service center, and most centers in the metro Atlanta area offer appointments to transfer your out-of-state license. As long as your out-of-state license is current and surrendered at the time of your appointment, you will not have to take any written exam.
Columbus Schools
For public education in the area, children attend school served by Muscogee County School District, which includes pre-school to 12th grade. As of 2010, there was a combined enrollment (elementary, middle school and high school) of almost 33,000 students and over 2,000 teachers. The district has nine high schools, 13 middle schools and over 30 elementary schools.
If you're moving to Columbus for higher education, you'll be able to choose from Columbus State University, Columbus Technical College, Georgia Military College and Troy University. Columbus is also home to a University of Phoenix campus as well as other technical colleges and beauty schools.
Columbus Employment
Armed forces take top billing when it comes to number of employees in the city, with over 42,000 personnel at Fort Benning. Following Fort Benning is Muscogee County School District with over 6,000 employees, TSYS with 4,300, and Aflac with 4,100.The average household income in the area is just under $41,000, and the unemployment rate sits below the national average at 8.5 percent.
Living Costs in the City
You'll most likely find that Columbus is cheaper to live in, depending on where you're moving from within the U.S. The median house value in the city is approximately $135,000, but the average listing price is closer to $200,000. One-bedroom apartments range from $500 to $1,100 based on size and location.
Gas is slightly cheaper than the rest of the country, while the average cost for utilities in Columbus is approximately $300 per month-but this figure includes larger homes with multiple consumers. With energy conversation many locals say their bills are closer to $140 per month, depending on the size of their homes.
Columbus Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are eager to help you with your move to Columbus, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Georgia. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Columbus Transportation
Columbus Consolidated Government heads up METRA Transit System, which provides the public transportation in the Muscogee County area with nine routes in Columbus. Greyhound provides intercity bus service, with a station on Veterans Parkway.
Most residents own their own vehicles to commute, and take Interstate 185, U.S. Routes 27, 80, 280 and 431. Other State Routes include: S.R. 1, 22, 85, 219, 411, 520 and 540. For airport transportation, the city uses Columbus Airport or Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport by way of a shuttle service.
Culture & Contemporary Life
If you're looking for rich culture, you'll find it in Columbus. Home to the Columbus Museum, the National Infantry Museum, the National Civil War Museum and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, visitors and locals alike can embrace the city's American war history and scientific contributions.
The Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia and the Auburn Tigers played their rival games at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium from 1916 to 1958 - a venue also home to the Pioneer Bowl in 2010 and rival games between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College.
If you like being on the green, you'll have seven different golf courses in the area to choose from, as well as the Chattahoochee RiverWalk and Black Heritage Trail for bikers, and the Columbus Fall Line Trace for fitness lovers.
Columbus Relocation Tips
- Unemployment is still fairly high in this city, so make sure you research employment opportunities and secure a job before relocating, if possible.
- Make sure you dress for the weather. It is mostly hot and humid for a majority of the year in the city, so stock up on loose breathable clothing that will keep you cool.
- There are plenty of media outlets in the area, like newspapers and radio stations. Subscribe to your local newspaper and tune in to the radio station for current events.