[brentyoung12]

Hey, on the Georgia thread I see the constant praising of Columbus, GA. It does seem like a nice place to raise a family, however, when I'm there it just doesn't seem as "urban" as the other mid-sized cities in Georgia or have as much to offer. When I mention this I am quickly shot down.

So...for any of the people out there that live in the part of east central Alabama between Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA, I'd just like to ask you...

Which city do you think is better for entertainment,shopping,urban life,etc.
Montgomery or Columbus?

Do people in the AUBURN-OPELIKA area often make the little longer drive to Montgomery rather than go to Columbus for entertainment,shopping,urban life,etc?

I'm just asking this to see if Columbus compares to Montgomery in these things. If it does, then clearly I'm missing something in Columbus that I need to check out. If not, then I guess my current feelings about the city are correct. I'm asking this here because I don't think I can get a completely straight answer out of the Columbus boosters on the Georgia forum. Thanks

[Jason1980]

I went to graduate school at Auburn, and seldom knew of people driving to Columbus or Montgomery for anything. Auburn sees itself as a much better educated and more white collar town than Columbus or Montgomery (or Opelika). When they bothered to drive anywhere, it was usually to Atlanta. They didn't even go to Birmingham that much unless they were from there. They could get to Atlanta quicker on I-85. Some of the gay graduate students in the Spectrum Alliance would occasionally go to "Questions" (that's a bar) in Columbus. After you cross the 13th Street Bridge, turn right after one block and it's right down there on the right. It's downtown, or "Uptown" as Columbus calls its downtown - just a block from the river. There are bunch of restaurants and straight bars down there too. It is a very lively, walkable little district. I was kind of impressed. All those old buildings down there have been restored - many into lofts and condos. They would also sometimes go to "Club 322" in Montgomery. Like the heteros though, they were far more likely to just stay in Auburn, or go to Atlanta if they did leave town.

[JLA]

When I attended Engineering school at Auburn I knew of quite a few people who would go to Columbus to party and shop. But that was before Tiger Town opened up. Now a lot of the chain stores and restaurants that are in Columbus are now in the Auburn/Opelika area also. Nevertheless, there still are a large number of people who lives in Columbus or Auburn /Opelika area and frequent the other, like myself. The four laning of US 280 has made the less than 30 mile trip easier. The other thing you have to realize is, unlike the University of Alabama, Auburn University has a large number of students that are from Atlanta and Columbus areas, therefor it would only be natural for them to choose Columbus or Atlanta over Montgomery.

[masterbucket]

Originally Posted by brentyoung12

Hey, on the Georgia thread I see the constant praising of Columbus, GA. It does seem like a nice place to raise a family, however, when I'm there it just doesn't seem as "urban" as the other mid-sized cities in Georgia or have as much to offer. When I mention this I am quickly shot down.

So...for any of the people out there that live in the part of east central Alabama between Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA, I'd just like to ask you...

Which city do you think is better for entertainment,shopping,urban life,etc.
Montgomery or Columbus?

Do people in the AUBURN-OPELIKA area often make the little longer drive to Montgomery rather than go to Columbus for entertainment,shopping,urban life,etc?

I'm just asking this to see if Columbus compares to Montgomery in these things. If it does, then clearly I'm missing something in Columbus that I need to check out. If not, then I guess my current feelings about the city are correct. I'm asking this here because I don't think I can get a completely straight answer out of the Columbus boosters on the Georgia forum. Thanks

You are correct in your assumptions as these posters obviously have some kind of vested interest in covering up the dirt....



Recent comment local resident on cityview site..............


Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowedI want to preface this by saying I grew up about 60 miles from Columbus...

I moved to Columbus when I moved back east, as a stop looking for a job in Atlanta. (I had friends here = cheap rent). I ended up getting a great job in town, and it kept me here.

Like most other companies, they re-organized and relocated. We opted to stay...big mistake! All that exists in this town are service jobs and data entry type jobs. (Do you like cubicle gray, and having 3 tiers of managers above you?) The big names in town keep wages ridiculously low - I'm talking 50% of market rate 90 miles north in Atlanta.

Of course, there is an excess of lawyers in this town...so if you do that, you'll fit in. Litigation is big business.

The summers are intolerably hot. The winters can be either bitter or mild. I've heard about Fall, but I've yet to see one.

Race relations are horrible. Caucasians are the minority. The city creeps north as it rots from the south. Locals call the current no-cross line the "Macon-Dixon Line," referring to Macon Road being the divider between white and black areas.

Recreation is essentially non-existent. The Riverwalk is unfit to venture out on alone. Public facilities are built in minority areas, so don't plan on going if you aren't of the same color. Callaway Gardens is close by, but how often can you do that? Minor league sports teams come and go, and again... they are located across the street from the largest housing projects in town. Don't leave valuables in your car...or in your pocket, as you are likely to be robbed.

Did I mention the crime? I've lived in Atlanta, Seattle and 3 other cities and never once was a victim of crime. The first day I was in Columbus, my bicycle was stolen off my locked bike rack. My apartment was burglarized. I've had power tools, gas and other things stolen from me. My wife's car was vandalized. Friends have been robbed at gunpoint. Most people I know, including me, carry protection.

The drivers here are morons. I've been involved in 3 no-fault accidents on my part, after being accident free for 15 years prior to that. Cell phones seem to be mandatory while driving, and don't expect anyone to understand Yield signs or 4-way stops.

The lakes here are crowded, beach-less and not easily accessible. You need to drive an hour or two away to reach a decent body of water.

Retail and restaurants are cookie cutter. You'll recognize everything, but won't find anything unique. We will officially have 5 Wal-Marts and maybe another... for a city of under 300k. Add 4 K-Marts, a Target and dozens of dollar stores and you are in retail hell.

Most people that are here have been here for life, and will never leave. The term "clique" was invented here. Don't expect to make many close friends with the locals if you are new to town.

For all of this, housing is expensive. Expect to pay a minimum of $110/sf to live in a safe area, and $128/sf to be comfortable. With average salaries in the 30-40k range, plan on having a two income household.

I wouldn't recommend moving to Columbus for any reason.

[Threestep]

Well masterbucket, I recommend reading your posts with two grains of salt. I did not see one where you were not negativ. Generally unhappy person?

Brent - it depends on what you want to do. We lived a number of years in Columbus, GA. Moved out of Green Island and built out in nowhere:>) To me it seemd like old money, new money and no money never crossed the lines. We belonged to all three plus military.

Cost of living compared to Birmingham - inexpensive, some good school, some great employers.

[ATLCOL1]

Haha I agree Threestep.

[masterbucket]

Originally Posted by Threestep

Well masterbucket, I recommend reading your posts with two grains of salt. I did not see one where you were not negativ. Generally unhappy person?

Brent - it depends on what you want to do. We lived a number of years in Columbus, GA. Moved out of Green Island and built out in nowhere:>) To me it seemd like old money, new money and no money never crossed the lines. We belonged to all three plus military.

Cost of living compared to Birmingham - inexpensive, some good school, some great employers.

The truth can sometimes look negative but is better than promoting something that does not exist..
Actually I have lived in Columbus since 1969 and have a well established business locally.
As far as salt is concerned I would rather have mine read with 2 grains of salt than the whole shaker on the others like the one who claims to be an expert on Columbus and does not even live here.

Have a great day everyone

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by masterbucket

The truth can sometimes look negative but is better than promoting something that does not exist..
Actually I have lived in Columbus since 1969 and have a well established business locally.
As far as salt is concerned I would rather have mine read with 2 grains of salt than the whole shaker on the others like the one who claims to be an expert on Columbus and does not even live here.

Have a great day everyone

I lived there for 24 years. I still have plenty of family there. I visit once or twice a month. If you hate it so bad why not leave???

[masterbucket]

Originally Posted by ATLCOL1

I lived there for 24 years. I still have plenty of family there. I visit once or twice a month. If you hate it so bad why not leave???

Actually the question should be if you love it so much why don't you still live there?
You should be talking up Buckhead and Atlanta but you don't.....why?
Sadly I think you validity has been lost.

Have a great day everyone!!

[Threestep]

Masterbucket you are a hoot!!!
Your bike was stolen on your first day in town. 1969 - and you are still sore about it?
No lake access? Ever heard of Green Island Marina? By the way - the game warden is pure eye candy.
Average income 30-40k - you are not informed, you pay your employees not enough or people do not chat with you.
Have you considered taking driving lessons? Car not golf.
You are right - as long as you are not interested in water sports, golf, foot ball, flying, hunting, fishing, the arts ... absolutely nothing to do in town.

You forgot to complain about the US Military, the local Asian population and Phenix City:>)