Why does Columbus have such a small town atmosphere compared to other big Georgia cities? (Atlanta: new home, neighborhoods)

[Big_Dave_Jones]

Is there a legit, serious reason why Columbus has so much more of a small town atmosphere than the other bigger sized Georgia towns???

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Big_Dave_Jones

Is there a legit, serious reason why Columbus has so much more of a small town atmosphere than the other bigger sized Georgia towns???

It doesn't..... We have the largest corporate base outside of Atlanta and one of the largest military installations in the world. Columbus will soon regain its place as Georgia's 2nd largest city very soon due to BRAC.

[nedergras]

Because in reality, without the presence of Fort Benning, Columbus Georgia's population would probably be around 100k. Due to Ft. Benning, many soldiers get stationed here around the end of their 20/30 years in the service, retire and settle down in Columbus. So almost half ended up in Columbus due to the military, and the other half are locals born and raised.

So you've got half the city whose just trying to live, earn a wage, raise a family, etc... then you have the other half of the city who are military retirees just trying to enjoy living in one location instead of moving around every 3 or 4 years.

The locals think Columbus is a proper city, so they're not going to change anything, and the military retirees who just want to live somewhere with a low cost of living prefer living in the suburban country type environment Columbus offers, so what happens when more people move here, or when people decide to move into a new home? More suburban single-family style residential developments.

[Teddy_DRK]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

It doesn't..... We have the largest corporate base outside of Atlanta and one of the largest military installations in the world. Columbus will soon regain its place as Georgia's 2nd largest city very soon due to BRAC.

Having a larger corporate base is irrelevant. Atlanta has a larger corporate base than St. Louis, Cincinnati and several other cities that are more urban within the city proper.

The cities are more alike than different but when comparing them all:

-Savannah has the more urban downtown and urban neighborhoods

-Augusta has the larger metro area that sprawls out more than the others

-Columbus has the larger corporate presence, but feels the most suburban.

-Macon is the least populated of the 4, but with the traffic from 75, and the gritty "street" appearance, you could get the illusion that you're traveling through a city larger than the others, even though it's smaller

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Teddy_DRK

Having a larger corporate base is irrelevant. Atlanta has a larger corporate base than St. Louis, Cincinnati and several other cities that are more urban within the city proper.

The cities are more alike than different but when comparing them all:

-Savannah has the more urban downtown and urban neighborhoods

-Augusta has the larger metro area that sprawls out more than the others

-Columbus has the larger corporate presence, but feels the most suburban.

-Macon is the least populated of the 4, but with the traffic from 75, and the gritty "street" appearance, you could get the illusion that you're traveling through a city larger than the others, even though it's smaller

Doesn't feel very "suburban" to me compared to Augusta and Macon.

Uptown Columbus on Vimeo

[GRS86]

Originally Posted by Teddy_DRK

Having a larger corporate base is irrelevant. Atlanta has a larger corporate base than St. Louis, Cincinnati and several other cities that are more urban within the city proper.

The cities are more alike than different but when comparing them all:

-Savannah has the more urban downtown and urban neighborhoods

-Augusta has the larger metro area that sprawls out more than the others

-Columbus has the larger corporate presence, but feels the most suburban.

-Macon is the least populated of the 4, but with the traffic from 75, and the gritty "street" appearance, you could get the illusion that you're traveling through a city larger than the others, even though it's smaller

I'd say that's a pretty short, but accurate description of the four "sister cities".

[Atlanta-Kid]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Doesn't feel very "suburban" to me compared to Augusta and Macon.

Uptown Columbus on Vimeo

Yes I know you are annoyed of the take and making fun of Columbus.

[Columbuskidd92]

Originally Posted by nedergras

Because in reality, without the presence of Fort Benning, Columbus Georgia's population would probably be around 100k. Due to Ft. Benning, many soldiers get stationed here around the end of their 20/30 years in the service, retire and settle down in Columbus. So almost half ended up in Columbus due to the military, and the other half are locals born and raised.

So you've got half the city whose just trying to live, earn a wage, raise a family, etc... then you have the other half of the city who are military retirees just trying to enjoy living in one location instead of moving around every 3 or 4 years.

The locals think Columbus is a proper city, so they're not going to change anything, and the military retirees who just want to live somewhere with a low cost of living prefer living in the suburban country type environment Columbus offers, so what happens when more people move here, or when people decide to move into a new home? More suburban single-family style residential developments.

Fort Benning,GA does not get counted in Columbus,GA census. So you're wrong!

[rabernet]

Originally Posted by Columbuskidd92

Fort Benning,GA does not get counted in Columbus,GA census. So you're wrong!

I don't think he's counting Ft. Benning - he's saying that BECAUSE of Ft. Benning - that there is a large number of military retirees who choose to make Columbus home - no longer a part of Ft. Benning.

BUT, if Ft. Benning wasn't here, then those retiree's would be somewhere else. The retiree's are part of the Columbus population count.

I'm still getting a feel for Columbus after moving here in the beginning of May from metro Atlanta.

I don't think Columbus has to compare themselves to any other city in GA. It's a great community in its own right. We've grown to love it so far. Other than a few stores I'm hopeful will make their way to Columbus (Aldi, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods), there's nothing really that I'm missing and I'm definitely not missing the Atlanta traffic.

We do live and work pretty much off of JR Allen Parkway - and my boyfriend always comments how clean Columbus seems. We know that there are nitty gritty areas of Columbus, just as there are in any city, but for the most part - we've enjoyed exploring and getting to know our new home city. Though it feels like we've spent more weekends in Atlanta lately with get togethers with old friends! LOL

Next weekend in Atlanta is July 7 and 8, so we have a few more weekends down here to explore - I still want to make it to the farmer's market.

[River_Dawg]

Originally Posted by Columbus1984

Doesn't feel very "suburban" to me compared to Augusta and Macon.

Uptown Columbus on Vimeo

Augusta is much more urban than Columbus GA. Columbus will have a larger population in the next decade possibly, a few major corporation header quarters and a HUGE military installation. But those things can't hide the fact that Augusta is the Second most urban city in Georgia.


GA-28 to Downtown Augusta, GA - YouTube

Here is some footage of Columbus. I believe it passes the Peachtree Mall and CSU.
Driving in Columbus, Georgia Part 3 - YouTube