C olumbia, Missouri is quickly gaining a reputation as "Festival Town." Choose a holiday...any holiday, and you can bet Columbia has a festival somewhere in the city marking the event. From New Year's Eve to Earth Day, from the Fourth of July to Halloween, Columbia is a place that knows how to throw a party. Columbia has festivals celebrating the arts, classic cars, our country's history, even each of the four seasons. Columbia after all, has a lot to celebrate including top rated schools, affordable housing, low unemployment rates, excellent healthcare facilities, world class shopping and dining, and incredible entertainment.

Located in the center of Missouri as well as the nation, Columbia is what the term "Heartland" represents. It is nestled between Kansas City and St. Louis and is bisected by Interstate 70. Ringed by the Ozark foothills and rolling farmlands, Columbia serves as the county seat of Boone County and has an estimated population of 89,174 residents. In addition to the scenic Ozark Mountains, the Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Reservoir, and Mark Twain National Forest are all a short distance from the city. Columbia is also the midpoint of the Katy Trail State Park, a 240-mile hiking/biking path that extends across the state.

On Columbia, from the book 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family: "Columbia is a fast-growing city, valued for its highly educated work force, low cost of living, favorable government attitude toward business, award-winning schools and nationally recognized quality of life." Additionally, with several hospitals and the 2nd highest doctor to patient ratio in the nation, Columbia has been recognized by Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine as one of the "Healthiest Places to Live" and "Tops for Healthcare" in the magazine's "Great Places to Retire" issue.

The cost of living within Columbia is generally 5%-6% below the national average. Columbia has an average household income per capita of $33,729. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate for the City of Columbia for the month of May 2003 was impressively low at 1.9%.

The city is continuing to grow and currently encompasses an area 55.87 square miles of land. The housing market is diverse and markedly more affordable than much of the country. Whether you are seeking executive housing, a condo on the golf course or a traditional family neighborhood, Columbia has something to fit both your lifestyle and your budget. Based on city building-permit figures, the average cost for a newly built home in 2003 was $132,000. The highest sales activity has been in the southwest part of the city, with 174 homes sold at an average price of $192,99. Sales in the northeast part of town followed with 110 homes at an average price of $115,393.

For entertainment The District is the place to see and be seen. It is a trendy artsy area totaling 43 square blocks borders the university. It's the place to go to kick up your heels or to meet friends for a delicous meal. It's a lively mix of historic architecture, sidewalk cafes, shops and street musicians. It has 110 unique boutiques, 70 fun bars and restaurants, and over 40 live performances a week. Shopping enthusiasts will also enjoy other venues like Columbia Mall and Crossroads West Shopping Center throughout the city. Not to mention the numerous quaint antique shops with treasures for every room in the house. There are hundreds of delectable eateries woven throughout Columbia offering the palette new and exciting dishes from regions throughout the world.

The education system is the cornerstone to what makes Columbia so attractive. Columbia Public Schools have outstanding national reputations. They have earned the highest possible rating in Missouri and the students and teachers continue to receive national honors for their achievements. The school district graduates one of the highest percentages of Merit Scholars in the country. Columbia Public Schools encompasses three high schools, three junior highs, three middle schools and 19 elementary schools. The University of Missouri-Columbia has about 19,700 undergraduate students and 6,426 graduate and professional students. It has a faculty and staff of about 11,400. It is both an acclaimed research institution and a state land-grant university. Columbia also has two private liberal arts colleges: Stephens College and Columbia College.

Columbia is a unique city the weaves the quality and culture of larger metropolitan areas with the warm friendly hospitality famous of the Midwest. This is the perfect place to pursue the American Dream. If you are considering moving to Columbia, or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!