Best Places to Live in Columbus, GA

Columbus, Georgia, is a fantastic place to live for families and people of all ages. Columbus has creative artistic energy with its own distinct history and an active food scene. It’s also the ideal location to go hiking, listen to local bands, and enjoy superbly brewed beer. Access to Lake Oliver adds to the energetic and vibrant atmosphere of living in Columbus.

If you’re considering moving to this city along the Alabama border, you’re probably wondering where to live. We’ve pinpointed some of the best places to live in Columbus.

Why move to Columbus, GA?

As the second-largest city in Georgia, Columbus has something for everyone – whether you’re looking for exciting nightlife, great food, or outdoor activities. The city has a rich history dating to 1828 when it was established along the Chattahoochee banks as a cotton shipping center.

Parts of Columbus feel like a college town, with Columbus State University, Georgia Military College, Columbus Technical College, and an assort of for-profit colleges operating in the area. It also has the no. 3 ranked public high school in Georgia. 

Nearby Fort Benning adds to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. The base employs over 35,000 soldiers and 7,000 civilians, making it one of the largest employers in the area. 

Local attractions include the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and the Columbus Museum, one of the nation’s best art museums. The top-ranked National Infantry Museum tells the story of the United States Army infantrymen. Visit ships used during the Civil War at the National Civil War Naval Museum.

Columbus also has many great parks and green spaces, such as Downtown Riverside Park, Lakebottom Park, and Woodruff Farm. The Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a scenic trail connecting the historic downtown and its communities along the riverbank. One of the Top 12 Man-Made Adventures in the World awaits off the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Whitewater Columbus is an urban whitewater rafting course that is the longest in the world. More opportunities are available for biking, fishing, birding, or flat water boating.

What’s the real estate market like in Columbus?

The median home value in Columbus was $185,000, with 786 homes on the market in June 2022. Prices ranged from $5,000 to $4 million, with single-family homes, condos, and townhomes available. Median prices were up 9.5% year-over-year. Overall, the housing market is very affordable compared to the national average.

Columbus is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for an affordable place to live with a good quality of life. Let’s look at some of the best places to live in Columbus.

East Columbus

This larger district is close to downtown and has many amenities nearby. Local neighborhoods include Crystal Valley, Englewood, and Woodlawn Estates. The southern edge borders Fort Benning. Military families will appreciate the easy access. 

Given its size, locals have many grocery stores, schools, and community centers available in East Columbus.

It is also one of the most affordable areas in Columbus. The median price was $145,000 in June 2022, with 233 homes for sale. Prices ranged from $10,000 to $450,000.

Bibb City

Bibb City is a historic town beside Columbus with a lot of character. A former company town for Bibb Manufacturing Company still has the historic Columbus Mill area on the National Register of Historic Places. The town sits along the Chattahoochee River beside the North Highlands Dam.

The former town is now the site of redevelopment. The River Mill Event Center was launched in 2008 to draw traffic into the area. New dining venues, small businesses, and art galleries are coming into the area.

Bibb City had one home for sale in June 2022 with a median price of $103,000.

Fort Benning

Fort Benning is a U.S. Army base south of Columbus near the Alabama border. The area around the base has many amenities for families, especially those with children in school.

Residents of Fort Benning enjoy easy access to and from work, shopping, dining, and entertainment options such as a movie theater, bowling, an internet cafe, and a video game lounge. National chains such as Starbucks and Zaxby’s are all located close to the base communities.

Midland

Midland is a small city located east of Columbus and near Fort Benning. The population was 1,852 at the 2010 census.

Midland residents enjoy a more rural lifestyle. The newer Lakeside Village houses a variety of quick-casual and full-service eateries. Midland Commons is a mixed-use development that will include residential, commercial, and culinary facilities.

Midland has both master-planned subdivisions and large property lots. The median list price in June 2022 was $327,000, with 70 homes for sale. Prices ranged from $70,000 to $1.3 million.

Green Island Hills

Live a waterfront lifestyle in Green Island Hills, an affluent neighborhood in northeastern Columbus. The area is known for its rolling hills, mature trees, and scenic views of Lake Oliver.

The Green Island Hills Neighborhood is a model of sophisticated living and nature coexisting in harmony. It was built around the Green Island Country Club in the late 1950s when Georgia Power announced the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Chattahoochee River.

The median price was $575,000, with 15 homes on the market in June 2022. Prices ranged from $169,000 to $3.9 million.

Old Town

Old Town is a historic district in north Columbus that is being revitalized. The area has many 19th-century buildings that have been converted into lofts, offices, and retail space. It was named a 2016 Southern Living Inspired Community of the Year.

The area is pedestrian-friendly, with wide sidewalks and brick-paved streets. It is also home to the Columbus Museum, the Springer Opera House, and the Riverwalk. It strives to be a walkable, urban area with many 300 acres of mixed-use development for shopping and dining.

Old Town has apartments, townhomes, and single-family residences. New construction properties are available.

Phenix City, Alabama

Phenix City is a city in Alabama, directly west across the Chattahoochee River from much larger Columbus, Georgia. It has a turbulent past, but today is known for having a family-friendly atmosphere, many historical sites, and an active lifestyle. Attractions include breweries, drag racing, zip-lining, golfing, and more.

Phenix City had a median list price of $206,000, with 240 homes for sale in June. Prices ranged from $6,400 to $2.5 million.

Rose Hill Heights

Rosehill is a historic neighborhood located in central Columbus near the Chattahoochee riverbank. This friendly area is near many restaurants and shops and is close to downtown. Dating to 1835, the area had large estates that were later subdivided into smaller lots. A predominant Victorian architectural style remains.

The median list price in June 2022 was $125,000. The eight homes ranged from $85,000 to $200,000.

MidTown

The Midtown area is located in the center of Columbus and is known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and bars. The area has a lively nightlife and is also home to a diverse range of young professionals, families, and retirees.

MidTown is a broader area comprised of six historic districts and even more pocket neighborhoods, some with a distinct history and character. A few options include, but are not limited to:

East Wynnton

East Wynnton is a historic neighborhood located just east of downtown Columbus. The area was developed in the early 1900s and is known for its grand old homes. Its 150-years of development span from a small village center in the 1900s into a bustling city during the 1940s.

The median price was $109,000, with 14 homes on the market in June 2022. Prices ranged from $47,900 to $673,000. Early examples of Greek and Gothic Revival architecture are contrasted with present-day styles, including Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and English Vernacular Revival.

Dinglewood

Dinglewood Historic District wraps around Dinglewood Park and 13th St. Dinglewood began as an antebellum estate under Col. John Early Hurt. It was divided into residential lots from 1917 to 1946. The district contains excellent examples of architectural styles such as Italianate, English Vernacular Revival, and Colonial Revival. The city was named for the dense growth of dinglewood trees in the area.

Modern Dinglewood is a mix of old and new development. Two homes were listed in June 2022 from $175,000 to $669,000.

Lindsey Creek-Boxwood Estates

Boxwood Estates is an affluent neighborhood in northwest Columbus with single-family homes and new high rises. Having boomed in post-World War II, the ranch-style homes were placed near regional shopping centers and an educational complex. The area is also part of the Emerald Forest, a community developed in the 1980s.

Weracoba Heights

Weracoba Heights is an affluent neighborhood in northeast Columbus that developed in the 1930s and 1940s. It has two Antebellum residences and one of the state’s largest and most complete collections of Craftsman Bungalow, Tudor Revival, Neoclassical Revival, and Spanish Revival homes. This family-friendly area is close to amenities like the Peachtree Mall, St. Elmo Shopping Center, and Columbus State University.  

Living in Columbus, GA

Columbus is a great place to live for families, with excellent schools and plenty of things to do. It’s also a great place to retire, with a relaxed pace of life and access to all the amenities you need. The real estate market is strong, with a wide range of prices and styles of homes available to suit any budget. Whether you’re looking for a historic home in one of the city’s many historic districts or a brand new home in a suburban development, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Columbus.