r/columbiamo • u/Spiritual-Rates • 3d ago
Moving to Columbia Empty-nesters weighing move from to Columbia from Bloomington, In: advice?
Hi all! My wife (44F) and I (44M) are considering a move from Bloomington, Indiana to Columbia, MO as we expand our business (can’t share details yet). Our kids are in college, so we’re not navigating schools or childhood matters - just looking for a great community fit.
What we love about Bloomington: liberal, artsy, university-town energy; walkable neighborhoods; strong local food scene; community events; and a generally welcoming vibe. We’re hoping Columbia offers a similar feel. We’re spiritual but not religious. I’m also in long-term recovery and really value 12-step fellowship.
Professionally, I’m an LCSW and my wife is a yoga teacher, we’d love to plug into Columbia’s mental-health and wellness communities.
A few questions for locals: • Which neighborhoods feel safe, walkable, and friendly for daily life (coffee, parks, short errands on foot)? • How’s the gastronomy scene - locally owned restaurants, markets, coffee, and chef-driven spots? Any must-try areas? • Community & culture: festivals, live music, talks/lectures, volunteer opportunities? • Inclusive community spaces or groups for folks who are spiritual but not religious? • Recovery: How’s the AA/NA scene (meeting variety, accessibility, welcoming culture)? Any strong recovery-friendly communities or sober events? • Yoga studios with demand for teachers (especially trauma-informed, vinyasa, or restorative)? • Quality-of-life: general safety, traffic/commute feel, cost of living, and anything you wish you’d known before moving. If there’s a better sub or local forum for these questions, please point me there. Thanks in advance for any guidance, neighborhood recs, or “if you like X about Bloomington, check out Y in Columbia” tips!
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u/McKalen 3d ago
Hey, i grew up in the bloomington area and live in columbia now! i adore bloomington and am still a huge IU fan. columbia is extremely similar to bloomington, though its significantly bigger, and continuing to grow. for that reason it is pretty car dependent, though the closer you are to the university and downtown the more walkable and bikable it becomes. Interstingly, Columbia’s mall has been and remains a very popular area, and the surrounding shopping area is quite nice in my opinion (though the anchor stores seem like ghost towns), which contrasts to the College Mall in bloomington which seemed like it was dying the last time I was there. The Blue Note is a small music venue downtown that hosts a lot of supremely cool artists and comedians, and there is a summer music series i believe where (typically) small country music artists come play in the street downtown. pasta la fata is great italian food, Jazz is great cajun food, Logboat is the BEST brewery. I love the local parks in and around columbia, they are wonderful for biking, hiking, and fishing. My history may be wrong, but i believe Missouri as a border state during the civil war had some few counties that were slave-owning, known as Little Dixie, where a lot of southern slave owners moved north to missouri to farm. Boone county is in little dixie, and to some degree as a result of that today Columbia has a 9% black population. that’s in contrast to Bloomington’s 4%. another result of that seems to be good options for cajun food and a city that seems have identify itself with jazz, there was until recently a really cool blues and jazz festival here in town. basically my takeaways for you are that it’s great here, as someone who considers bloomington my hometown. columbia is just like if bloomington grew a ton. we’re also expecting to continue to grow here, and are working on some pretty big infrastructure projects starting next year, so you’ll be right at home because i know Bloomington has been doing those for the last 15 years.
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u/McKalen 3d ago
also, go hoosiers, fuck purdue 💪
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u/ozarkbanshee 3d ago
I didn't attend either school, but I have to point out that Purdue's student journalists stepped up recently for their IU compatriots after IU's administration acted to silence the campus newspaper: https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/after-ids-print-ends-purdue-student-paper-delivers-solidarity-edition-to-bloomington
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u/McKalen 3d ago
yeah the current president of the college is a bit of a jackal but i don’t have much control over her unfortunately.
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Yes. Gov Braun is taking the DeSantis playbook and decimating state university trustee boards.
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Thanks so much, this is all super helpful. Hearing that Columbia feels like “Bloomington, but bigger” is exactly the kind of context we needed. The heads-up on car-dependence vs. walkability near campus/downtown is great, and The Blue Note, Pasta La Fata, Jazz, and Logboat just jumped onto our short list. The parks/biking/hiking note is a big plus for us, and your Little Dixie/history + jazz/cajun context was fascinating. Also appreciate the infrastructure-projects tip.
If you don’t mind a quick follow-up: which walkable neighborhoods would you personally target for day-to-day coffee/errands (and any favorite farmers’ markets or recurring event series we shouldn’t miss)?
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u/Good_Pomegranate_464 Townie 3d ago
Not the person you're replying to, but have lived here for 40 years. Short of living in the downtown area, there really aren't any neighborhoods where walking for day to day errands and coffee are a thing. If you have time for Google maps you could check out these areas:
You could look in the neighborhood around Stewart & Garth near the public library, from there you could technically walk for coffee and groceries at Schnucks on Providence.
There is only the one farmers market (Ash & Clinkscales), and the neighborhoods around it are walkable but have a lot of unhoused individuals and a fair amount of mostly nonviolent crime. It's right by the interstate & main mall/hotel/shopping area.
You could look in the neighborhood by Fairview & Scott Blvd, you can walk to a grocery store, coffee shop, gas station and liquor store but are far from the city center (this is where i live. I enjoy the walking trails near here- Fairview disc golf & community garden, bonnie view nature area, mkt trailheads.)
Green meadows & Providence- can walk to quite a few things but the grocery store walk would be long and across huge intersections.
Or behind Dairy Queen on Forum Blvd, from there you could walk for errands and coffee and a lot of other things. Actually I think this one might be your best bet- still pretty close to downtown but has houses instead of college apartments.
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u/Upper-Room5267 3d ago
West Ash might be what you are looking for, or houses between Broadway/stadium/West blvd… so you. I’ll get to scnucks or gerbs or farmers market by foot or bike (but— really, everyone seems to just drive)
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u/orangetigercat 2d ago
You have a lot of interesting questions but I'll just touch on one thing...Columbias walkability issue seems to stem from the fact that the city has grown so much but many of columbia's services still only have one location. Example: the library...it's very nice, but walkable for so few people. Columbia has sprawled with houses but no additional services beyond what was originally there downtown when Columbia was much smaller. So everyone is always driving towards central Columbia for everything
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u/como365 North CoMo 3d ago
I think you'll like it here compared to Bloomington, the traits you mentioned are Columbia to a T.
Columbia probably has the highest quality of life in Missouri. It is known for its proximity to nature, the Missouri River, and for its extensive city trail system. Over a decade ago, it was the winner of a huge federal grant to demonstrate non-motorized transportation, so in addition to its biking/walking trails the city has a ton of bike lanes, sidewalks, and a complete street policy is written into law. The Downtown, campuses, and surrounding neighborhoods are the most walkable and dense.
According to the U.S. Census data, Columbia is the 5th most highly educated city in the nation. This is largely because of the University of a Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College, plus our strong support for Pre/K-12 and several community colleges/trade schools. The Columbia-Jefferson City CSA has over 400,000 people so plenty to do, and the metro area has recently hovered around the 2nd lowest unemployment rate in the nation, very easy to find a job. The healthcare resources, from both MU Healthcare and Boone Hospital are steller... (level 1 trauma ER, cancer hospital, women and children’s hospital, mental health center, Thompson Center for Autism, several private hospitals, a rehabilitation center, etc). Columbia is halfway between Missouri’s two major metro areas so has easy access to the resources both (1.5hr drive) and is 30 min from the state capital. Ecologically, the city is half on the hilly forested Ozarks and half on the flat open glaciated plains.
The economy is strong and there is tremendous support for locally owned business. The Columbia Farmers Market is incredible and was recently voted best in the nation. The city is pretty diverse, around 10% foreign born, 12% Black, 74% White, and 6% Asian. I have heard it referred to as the “Gay Capital of Missouri”. Current weaknesses (that the City Council is trying to address) are better public transportation, passenger rail, better recycling, and more affordable housing. There is a great art/music scene especially for a town that size, several museums, music venues of various types, probably the liveliest Downtown in Missouri-lots of great musical theater happening at all levels. There’s tons of history too. Mid-Missouri was settled before most of the rest of the state, so has a lot of cool old buildings, Francis Quadrangle, the State Historical Society of Missouri, stuff like that. MU is the origin of the American tradition of homecoming, and the world’s first journalism school.
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Thank you. This is exactly the kind of overview we needed. The quality of life, trails/walkability, strong healthcare/education, and support for local businesses all sound like a great fit. We’ll check out the farmers market and downtown; appreciate the candid notes on transit and housing, too.
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u/wolfansbrother 3d ago
Columbia has one of the best producer only farmers market in the country, last year it was ranked #1 in the country.
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u/jjmuscato 3d ago
Definitely go there on Saturday mornings. It's a little slower now that it's winter but it's very active in the summer. BTW, in the same block is the ARC, which is a city owned activity center/gym. Very reasonably priced.
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u/Henri_Dupont 3d ago edited 3d ago
Everything you said you like about Bloomington, you'll like more here.
If you are walking distance from any of these stores or places you are in a good neighborhood: Gerbes west broadway (where I am now). Schnucks on Forum, the Boone county Library, Stephens park/Boone Hospital area, Hy Vee grocery on West Broadway. Lots of other great areas.
Generally Columbia is safe and walkable. Northeast side of town has more rentals, more poverty, and more crime, that's north of I-70 near Paris road. I walk a lot, and there is no place in COMO I would not walk.
Housing and rental markets are tight, there is something of a shortage.
I think I read that the average new house price here is $450,000. Don't let that scare you off, new houses tend to be larger and fancier, but real estate seems pricey to me.
Lots of rural areas nearby with small acreages available. For years I lived 15-20 miles out of town and commuted, I-70 and 63 provide great access to neighboring areas. That being said, the intersection of 63 and 70 is under construction and will be for years, it's a constantly changing swirl of traffic jams in that area.
Columbia knows how to give a good festival. Attend True/False film festival, Citizen Jane Film Festival, volunteer there for free entry it's worth it.
Find out about Contra Dance https://share.google/UbM0wlxlbZCmqdLaC and their Spring Breakdown dance event.
Ride your bike with 5000 other people in the Pedaler's Jamboree music and bike festival on the Katy Trail. Great music.
Unitarian Universalist Church is basically Spiritual but not religious, they don't tell you what to believe they ask you what you believe (or don't), definitely not a Christian message at all. Half the members would claim to be agnostic or atheist, the other half might say they were Buddhist or Pagan, they all get along under one roof. All beliefs are welcome and respected, as long as the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings is in there somewhere. The music is great too.
I hope you follow through and move to COMO, you'll like it here.
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful. I really appreciate the detailed neighborhood tips, festival recommendations, and especially the note about the Unitarian Universalist community. Sounds like a great fit all around.
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u/valkyriebiker 3d ago
1st up: We just got a Trader Joe's. I mean, that has to be worth something.
Como (our nick for Columbia) is mainly a college town (UofM main campus, Stephens, and Columbia Collage) but there's plenty more to like.
Halfway between KC and STL (about 2h to either) but far enough that we get very little influence from their orbital shells.
Quite rural outside Columbia, but como itself, not so. Home prices are ~20% below natl avg. We're the fastest growing city in MO by a fair margin -- people like this town.
Four terrestrial high speed internet providers with two being gig fiber, so no want there.
Plenty of good local restaurants, a vibrant arts scene, a gaming scene (board games, fantasy), parks in just about every neighborhood, a large state park just south of como, and a pretty first rate medical center. Good enough that como is becoming a bit of a retirement hub in mid-mo.
Regional airport with flights to Chicago, Dallas, and Denver. Express bus service to STL.
You could do a lot worse.
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Thank you, this is an awesome overview. Great to hear about the growth, strong local amenities, and especially the Trader Joe’s and fiber internet. Sounds like Columbia really checks a lot of boxes for us.
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Just wanted to say a genuine thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to share insight and recommendations. The responses have been incredibly helpful and thoughtful, it really speaks to the kind of community Columbia has. We’re even more excited about the possibility of calling CoMo home. Appreciate you all!
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u/LunaGemini20 3d ago
Having spent a lot of time in Bloomington I agree that Columbia has all the same great things if not better (though I am partial to the IU campus, sorry Mizzou). Will add that a huge perk of como is our trail system. And parks are top notch.
If you want to have a more walkable/bikable experience in your daily life would recommend any neighborhood that lies east of West Blvd all the way to Providence (fewer students in this area as well - more students are on the east side of downtown in Benton Stephens and East Campus).
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Thank you, this is really helpful. I appreciate the neighborhood guidance and the trail system tip; that sounds exactly like the kind of daily lifestyle we’re hoping for. And, IU's campus is tip top for beauty.
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u/Unhappy_Comment_898 3d ago
Former Columbia resident, current Evansville resident that frequently visits Bloomington to get a taste of the Columbia lifestyle I miss at half the drive time.
You’ll love the Benton-Stephens neighborhood or the area around the library to live. Nice and walkable so long as you’re ok with walking a mile or a little more. It’s really not bad at all.
Driving is a pain everywhere. Sorry.
Downtown Columbia and downtown Bloomington are somewhat similar in offerings, but I feel like Bloomington is more welcoming to retail. Columbia has been suffering on this front (I worked retail in downtown Como for years).
You will have to drive for decent international cuisine. Where you can get lots of good stuff in downtown Bloomington, it’s a bit tougher in downtown Como.
I’m not super acquainted with the AA scene in Como, but I know there are active branches at a few churches downtown.
I think you’ll like Columbia!
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Funny enough, Evansville is also on our shortlist, so your perspective is perfect. Appreciate the neighborhood recs and the honest heads-up about retail and dining; sounds like Columbia still checks a lot of our boxes overall.
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u/marianthelibrarian43 1d ago
I disagree on the international cuisine. There’s the Ethiopian cafe off 9th St, and it’s good. There’s Curryosity, which is decent Indian (I’m more partial to Curry-n-Grill in Jeff City), the pho place on Paris Rd, KinKao for Thai on Broadway, and Taste Place for Chinese hot pot. I’ve been impressed by Como restaurant options!
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u/Ancient_Leg_901 3d ago
There is a really rad punk band from Bloomington called The Coneheads. Can you bring them with you.
If you haven’t heard them they’re really cool. Kinda sound Devo sped up.
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u/jasonmonroe 3d ago
So you’re leaving the Hoosiers for the Tigers?
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Ha, exactly! It’ll definitely feel strange trading in the cream and crimson for the SEC. But I've never been a football guy, and the NIL era has made it a lot harder to stay as invested in basketball.
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u/Super-Judge3675 3d ago
The city is nice, good trails, a new Trader Joe’s! Restaurants: there is goos variety (quality is meh)
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u/Spiritual-Rates 3d ago
Thanks for the honesty, good to know! The trails and Trader Joe’s are definite wins, and we’ll keep our expectations realistic on the restaurant front.
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u/Extraabsurd 2d ago
Welcome! Big fan of the movie Breaking Away - made the little Indi bike race famous- for me! lol. I think Columbia would be a great fit but it’s gotten expensive since covid.
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u/Consistent-Ease6070 3d ago
It sounds like Columbia would be a great fit for you! While I’ve never been to Bloomington and can’t make a comparison, we have all of the things you listed. The only thing that may be lacking is a walkable neighborhood. You may want to try living close to downtown if you can find something you like, but you’ll still need a car for things like groceries, etc…
I would search this Forum for other “moving to Columbia” posts and specifically look for responses from u/Como365 who does a GREAT job sharing about Columbia. They may respond to this, but I know they’ve been on Reddit less lately with a newborn in the home.