Relocating to columbus,ms (Starkville, West Point: 2014, apartment complexes, rentals)

[Nikki2512]

Hi! Thanks for your time I just wanted to know which is the best side to live on in Columbus, or surrounding areas{mainly Columbus but will consider west point} Looking for low crime rate & just your over all opinion of the area. Ive visited numerous of times and thinking bout making it official this spring. I'm very lowkey. I have a daughter and my fiancée. I have few family members in miss just not that part! I want all feedback and how do you think the job development is coming along? Please let me know how u feel and any info you feel would be worth sharing! Again thanks!!! Also any other newspaper besides dispatch? Any good landlords with nice property{rental} in a decent area!!!!!!!

[golden eagles fan]

I haven't been to Columbus in quite a long time. However, Starkville has the most going for it out of three Golden Triangle cities. MSU is the economic driver for the region, so I'd imagine job opportunities are a lot better. In fact, Starkville's population has surpassed Columbus. Even if you choose to stay in Columbus, Starkville is only 20-30 minutes away.

[Sharif662]

Originally Posted by golden eagles fan

I haven't been to Columbus in quite a long time. However, Starkville has the most going for it out of three Golden Triangle cities. MSU is the economic driver for the region, so I'd imagine job opportunities are a lot better. In fact, Starkville's population has surpassed Columbus. Even if you choose to stay in Columbus, Starkville is only 20-30 minutes away.

Columbus is bigger than Starkville , remember about 75% of Starkville is just MSU students LoL.

[brickpatio]

The best part of Columbus is probably downtown and adjacent historic neighborhoods. There are also some incredibly beautiful wealthy neighborhoods just north of downtown (a mile or two) with homes up on steep wooded hills and ridges. The main road with grocery stores etc is Hwy 45N, and I'm guessing there are several apartment complexes around there.

West Point has some very cute older homes with probably quite a few available for rent. Starkville obviously is loaded with apartments for students and faculty.

[golden eagles fan]

Originally Posted by Sharif662

Columbus is bigger than Starkville , remember about 75% of Starkville is just MSU students LoL.

The 2010 census puts Starkville at 23,888, with Columbus at 23,640. 2014 census estimates show Starkville having grown to almost 25K, while Columbus has dropped closer to 23K. Even with a large number of college students, companies have started locating there, attracting a population that will stay there after graduation. I'm going to take a day trip up there soon just to see what's going on up there.

[An Einnseanair]

Yeah, Columbus USED to be larger, but Starkville has grown a lot. And the census numbers are for permanent residents, not temporary students.

That said, the biggest growth driver in the area is all the new industry out at the Golden Triangle Industrial park located in the middle of the Columbus/Starkville/West Point triangle.

[Leslie41]

Columbus is much better than Starkville, if only for the retail offerings. There's a mall (a bit sad, but no mall at all in Starkville), and lots of new stuff like Hobby Lobby, Dick's, and Michael's. The people I know that live in Starkville routinely come here to shop.

If you are going to live close to downtown, you will experience property crime. Not one person I know living downtown or close to it hasn't had something stolen, sometimes multiple times. Don't ever leave your car door open. If your yard is not fenced, you better have everything locked up in your garage.

But our downtown and southside are really beautiful--lots of antebellum homes--and there is a "new" riverwalk that everyone has embraced. As for rentals it depends what you want--there are houses for rent, as well as some solid complexes. Generally you'll spend around $300 a bedroom. More if you're in a 1 bedroom, of course.

Columbus also doesn't have the overwhelming presence of students everywhere, and in everything. Eighteen thousand students go to MS State. Both towns have similar populations, but when you add students to that, they are completely different environments. There is a college here in Columbus--Mississippi University for Women--but it is much smaller, around 3000, and it is not a big SEC powerhouse by any means.

Don't know about job prospects--as I said there is retail coming in. But I'm not up on the other stuff.

[Sharif662]

Originally Posted by golden eagles fan

The 2010 census puts Starkville at 23,888, with Columbus at 23,640. 2014 census estimates show Starkville having grown to almost 25K, while Columbus has dropped closer to 23K. Even with a large number of college students, companies have started locating there, attracting a population that will stay there after graduation. I'm going to take a day trip up there soon just to see what's going on up there.

1. Columbus have annexed a few years ago after the 2010 census gaining 1,200-1,300 people , if they haven't moved, therefore the 2014 estimates from whatever site is inaccurate.

2. Census does count college students into location, so if you only count the locals not out-of-town students then it's clearer to see. Until then Columbus is still bigger.

[golden eagles fan]

Census only count students if Starkville is their permanent address. I don't doubt that MSU students make up a good number (if not the majority) of Starkville's population. There are many students from other areas who get apartments while going to school. Then you have some students who were already Starkville residents or live nearby and commute to school.

[Sharif662]

Originally Posted by golden eagles fan

Census only count students if Starkville is their permanent address. I don't doubt that MSU students make up a good number (if not the majority) of Starkville's population. There are many students from other areas who get apartments while going to school. Then you have some students who were already Starkville residents or live nearby and commute to school.

And that's why it's a college town, over half the residents are students.