Columbia, MissouriThe ‘Athens of Missouri’

It’s a College town Home to University of Missouri and the ‘Mizzou’

tigers football team Home to Columbia College and Stephens College Education is a big deal.

A large percentage of the teachers in the public school system were trained at the local colleges

Why it’s a favorite among young families -

Close proximity to Missouri River Close to Mark Twain National Forest, Rock

Bridge State Park, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuse, nature trails for runners and cyclists that connect to Katy Trail State Park Katy Trail State Park is the longest rails-to-

trails conversion project in America, traversing 185 miles across the state.

For the outdoor enthusiasts -

Access to the University of Missouri health-care system with over 50 primary and specialty clinics The University of Missouri School of Medicine

ranks 29th nationwide for the best primary care by U.S. News & World Report

Home to Missouri Orthopedic Institute, Women’s and Children’s Hospital and a Ronald McDonald House.

Premium Health Care

Home to Shakespeare’s Pizza – ‘America’s Best College Hangout’ according to Good Morning America.

Wide range of ethnic restaurants including Thai, Middle Eastern, and Indian

Ethnic food stores A large selection of traditional family-style,

steak houses, and greasy spoon type restaurants

Dining

Annual Earth Day celebrations Art in the Park True/False Film Festival Roots ‘n Blues ‘ BBQ Festival – live blues music

and Missouri BBQ annually Quick access to Kansas City and St. Louis 13 major shopping areas including the region’s

largest mall and a downtown area that’s been highlighted in Southern Living Magazine several times.

Entertainment and Activities

Milken Institute ranked Columbia as the Number 1 Best Performing Small City in 2013.

Money Magazine ranks Columbia as one of the ‘Best Places to Live in the Nation’.

Forbes Parade Magazine named Columbia ‘the #1 Hardest Working City in America’ (April 2012)

Forbes has named Columbia 5 times in a row to the Top 10 list of Best Small Places for Business and Careers. (June 2011)

NewGeography put Columbia Missouri #20 on their list of Best Small Cities for Job Growth (2011)

Southern Living magazine included Columbia, Missouri in their list of ‘The South’s Best College Towns.”

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked Columbia as having the fastest growing economy in the state of Missouri (2013)

In 2014, Forbes ranks Columbia 6th Best Small Places for Business and Careers

Quality of Life

Money Magazine reported ‘the price of an average home puts Columbia in the most affordable 15% of all cities and the cost of living places it in the best 20%’

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index indicates housing costs in Columbia to be 5-6% below the national average

In 2010, the Cost of Living in Columbia was 91.7%, well below the national average

Housing

Columbia is home to several large companies Shelter Insurance Carfax Veterans United Home Loans MoHela Commerce Bank Farmers Insurance U.S. Cellular

Employment

If you are a Skilled IT professional and you want to look at Columbia as a viable relocation option – contact us at careers@power-it.net.

Thinking about moving to Columbia, MO?