Columbia : Missouri

What Columbia is like for active adults

Columbia, Missouri is the home of the University of Missouri and rapidly becoming a popular '''retirement community'''. The population is grew by 14% recently, just under 100,000 people. Columbia is nicknamed “College Town” or “The Athens of Missouri” because it has so many colleges in one town. Columbia was listed as one of the “Top 10 Value Towns” of 2007 for retirement. It consistently ranks as a top city for safety, educational facilities, health care, technology, economic growth, cultural opportunities and cost of living. Money Magazine's annual list once ranked Columbia as the #2 best place to live in the U.S.

Active adults 55+ who want to live in a dynamic college town will find Columbia Missouri a stimulating community. It is a major educational center, home of the University of Missouri-Columbia, the flagship campus of the state system with over 33,000 students. The city is also home to Stephens College, Columbia College, and a number of community colleges. Columbia's health care in patient capacity per capita is one of the best ratios in the country.

The cultural, entertainment, and economic heart of Mid-Missouri is located in Columbia’s downtown near Columbia's two colleges and the University of Missouri. There is a plethora of restaurants, bars, live music, indie films, book stores, art galleries, and loft apartments to entertain active adults looking for entertainment and culture. The True/False Film Festival, Art in the Park, The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival, and the Twilight Festivals are all popular festivals that enliven the downtown area.

According to City-Data in early 2009 the MLS median asking price of homes had risen to about $170,000. Prices have not declined like they have in the rest of the country. Columbia is the county seat of Boone County. Find out other interesting facts about what is like to retire in Missouri

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What is special about this retirement community

• University of Missouri-Columbia and 2 other colleges • Festivals like the True/False Film Festival • Public sculpture • Lively and interesting downtown • Wonderful park system with public golf courses • Great public transportation, along with bike paths and trails • Outstanding health care • A strong plan for managing growth

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What is not special about this retirement community

You have to like living in the heartland

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What kinds of people like retiring here

Columbia attracts a community of people who want to live in an interesting and stimulating college town

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Local economy is driven by

The economy is driven by education, medicine, and insurance (State Farm Insurance and Shelter Insurance are headquartered here). The University of Missouri is undertaking significant construction

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Climate and Physical Environment

The city of Columbia is located very near the center of Missouri close to the Missouri River. The area was prairie and open forest before it was settled.

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Cultural environment

There is a lively musical and literary tradition here. • Publicly accessible art program (outdoor sculpture) • True/False Film Festival • Twilight Festival • Hot Summer Nights • Concert Series with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra • Art in the Park • Ninth Street Summerfest • The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival • First Night Columbia • Columbia Festival of the Arts

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Medical facilities

The University of Missouri’s School of Medicine is here, along with these hospitals: • University Hospital & Clinics • Boone Hospital Center • University of Missouri Children's Hospital • Columbia Regional Hospital • Ellis Fischel Cancer Center

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Transportation

Columbia Regional Airport is about 13 miles out of town. Columbia Transit operates an extensive bus system around the downtown area. It has 1.2 million passengers/year on its eight fixed routes and two University Shuttle routes. The old Wabash Station is being developed as a transportation center. The Katy Trail State Park provides for foot and bike traffic through the city.

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Facts about COLUMBIA

State: MO
Environment: College Town,Small Town,
City Population: 50,001-100,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: 2000-4000
Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
Cost of Living Index: 81-90 (low)
Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: retirementguy123

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