The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Columbus, Georgia

As the second-most populous city in Georgia after Atlanta, Columbus has a lot to offer. Moving to Columbus is a smart investment in your future—here, you can get more home and adventure for your buck compared to sprawling cities. In fact, Forbes chose Columbus as the #3 most affordable place to live in America with good weather.

If you’re thinking of moving to Columbus, Georgia, one of the first steps is finding the perfect neighborhood to call home. In this guide, we’ll break down the best options—whether you’re starting a family, looking for fellow young professionals, or searching for a short commute to the office.

For more information on the lovely neighborhoods in Columbus, check out our full directory here.  

Let’s dive in!

How we chose the best neighborhoods in Columbus

We measured a variety of factors to determine the best neighborhoods in Columbus, Georgia. In the following list, we broke down Columbus neighborhoods by:

• Area Type: We classified the area type as “City”, “City Neighborhood”, “Suburb”, and “Town” in terms of the area’s feel and population (from most urban to most rural).
• Cost of Living: Depending on the neighborhood’s average home price and cost of necessities like food and gas, we rated the cost of living for each neighborhood as “$” (low cost), “$$” (medium cost), and “$$$” (high cost).
• Public School Grade: We looked at the public elementary, middle, and high schools in the area and averaged their ratings, with 5 being the highest possible rating.
• Typical Resident: Based on population demographics, we’ve listed the typical resident who lives in this neighborhood (i.e. young professionals, retirees, families, etc).
• Walkability: We used WalkScore and a central address to each neighborhood to calculate that neighborhood’s walkability out of 100.
• Typical Homes: We listed the typical homes for each neighborhood (i.e. single-family, small apartment buildings, townhomes and condominiums, etc).
• Things To Do: We researched the top things to do in each neighborhood.

*Information present in this article is subject to change over time.

Top 9 Columbus-area neighborhoods

Now that we’ve reviewed the framework for deciding the best neighborhoods to live in Columbus, let’s look at the top 9 Columbus-area neighborhoods! Keep in mind that these neighborhoods aren’t in a best-to-worst order. Rather, different neighborhoods are better for different people, and we’ve detailed that below.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect fit!

1. North Columbus: Best for suburban living

North Columbus is a wonderful area full of great neighborhoods, including Old Town, Ivy Park, The Glenns, and Maple Ridge. It stands out thanks to a recent explosion of new housing developments and fantastic school ratings, making it a great neighborhood for families and soon-to-be parents.

In North Columbus, you can enjoy the spaciousness of the suburbs without worrying about a long commute—bustling Uptown Columbus is just a 15-minute drive away.

• Area Type: Suburb
• Cost of Living: $$$
• Public School Grade: 4.5/5
• Typical Resident: Families and retirees
• Walkability: 66/100
• Typical Homes: Single-family and small apartment buildings

There’s lots to do in North Columbus. The Heath Lake Loop at Heath Park offers a lovely trail for weekend and after-work walks. There’s also the Columbus Botanical Gardens, which features expansive gardens, walking trails and interactive workshops. Families will also love Hollywood Connection, a family fun center where your kiddos can enjoy skating, mini golf, and laser tag.

2. The Mill District: Best for quiet living

With a population of less than 1,000, this quaint town located just slightly north of central Columbus is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town was founded around the Bibb Manufacturing Company’s Columbus Mill. If you prefer small-town living with a short commute to vibrant Uptown Columbus, The Mill District is right for you.

• Area Type: Town
• Cost of Living: $$
• Public School Grade: 3.5/5
• Typical Resident: Young- to middle-aged professionals
• Walkability: 29/100
• Typical Homes: Small apartment buildings

The Mill District may be small, but its location on the Chattahoochee River has its perks. Walk the Highlands Dam Riverwalk for beautiful nature scenery or try Hemlock Park for more river beauty. Once you’re worn out from walking, try a delicious, fluffy, yeast donut from Golden Donuts.

3. Dinglewood: Best for those new to the city

Just east of the city center is Dinglewood, a neighborhood that is perfect for those new to Columbus—especially if you’re looking for charm, convenience, and beautiful architecture.

Dinglewood is close to the airport and is within walking distance of a decent number of trendy coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and attractions, making it a social neighborhood. Historic homes from the early 1900s sit alongside more modern apartment buildings, offering something for every type of dweller.

• Area Type: City Neighborhood
• Cost of Living: $$
• Public School Grade: 4.6/5
• Typical Resident: Families
• Walkability: 68/100
• Typical Homes: Single-family

Dinglewood Pharmacy is a hidden gem in the neighborhood and has been for over 100 years. Try its scrambled hot dog, which features an unusual assortment of toppings. The Wicked Hen and Jarfly are two additional popular restaurants and The Columbus Museum, an American art museum, is on the edge of this fun neighborhood.

4. Green Island Hills: Best for an active lifestyle

With beautiful properties situated along the Chattahoochee River waterfront, you can’t go wrong with the Green Island Hills neighborhood. It’s a well-established community just north of the heart of Columbus with beautiful views, expansive lawns, and a slower pace than in-town living.

• Area Type: Suburb
• Cost of Living: $$$
• Public School Grade: 4.8/5
• Typical Resident: Families and retirees
• Walkability: 32/100
• Typical Homes: Large single-family

While the homes might be larger than some retirees need, anyone who enjoys ample leisure time will love having golf readily available at Green Island Country Club, a key fixture in the neighborhood. Other natural adventures include trips to nearby Lake Oliver which can be reached via boat, paddleboard, or kayak.

5. MidTown: Best for short commutes

Many young professionals and young families choose greater MidTown for its proximity to almost every neighborhood in the greater Columbus area (including the Historic Districts and the suburbs). It’s close to Columbus State University as well, making MidTown an ideal location for those affiliated with the school.

• Area Type: City Neighborhood
• Cost of Living: $$$
• Public School Grade: 4/5
• Typical Resident: College students and young professionals
• Walkability: 31/100
• Typical Homes: Single-family, townhomes

While living in MidTown can get you just about anywhere in Greater Columbus in 20 minutes or less, there are some distinct attractions in the neighborhood, such as Country Club of Columbus and Peachtree Mall. Several parks also dot the area, such as Lakebottom Park, making it an ideal location for professionals and young families who enjoy the benefits of both outdoor adventures and city living.

6. City Village: Best for young professionals

City Village appeals to young professionals, since it’s nestled between Bibb City, Phenix City, and Uptown Columbus. The Chattahoochee River is also just minutes away. The area is full of lovely apartment buildings, ideal for those starting their careers.

• Area Type: City Neighborhood
• Cost of Living: $
• Public School Grade: 3.7/5
• Typical Resident: Young professionals
• Walkability: 61/100
• Typical Homes: Small apartment buildings

If you live in City Village, you might find yourself regularly grabbing Georgia-roasted coffee at Harvest Coffee Co. If you’re a seafood fan, you can’t beat Rosehill Seafood’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar for freshness. Once you’ve satiated your hunger, visit the Columbus Collective Museums, where eight different colorfully displayed art and history collections are open for viewing.

7. Downtown Historic District: Best for walkability

The Downtown Historic District neighborhood is made up of several historic districts, almost all of which feature interesting and beautiful architecture. Some homes even date back hundreds of years. Historic districts like Liberty Heritage District and High Uptown Historic District offer a mix of bungalows and Victorian homes.

The area has a high walkability score and excellent average school rating, which attracts a diverse group of people looking to experience true city living along the Chattahoochee River. The historic neighborhood also boasts architectural contributions from the original freedmen settlers of the 1830s and 1840s.

• Area Type: City Neighborhood
• Cost of Living: $
• Public School Grade: 4.4/5
• Typical Resident: Families
• Walkability: 74/100
• Typical Homes: Single-family

In this neighborhood, you can enjoy the Liberty Theatre Cultural Center, a massive location of importance for African American music and art history, to see a play or show, or stop into the RiverCenter for Performing Arts.

The hungry will want to pop into Banks Food Hall, where they can choose from a variety of food stalls such as Fountain City Coffee, Poke Sun, and Filberto’s, a Filipino restaurant. If you’re ready to get on the water, Whitewater Express, which sits on the edge of Woodruff Riverfront Park, has all the gear you could need for an adventure.

8. Baker Village: Best for proximity to Fort Moore

Baker Village is an up-and-coming neighborhood that offers affordable off-base living for those associated with Fort Moore. It’s located very close to the main access points for the base, as well as the Fort Moore Visitor Center, the Martin Army Community Hospital and several parks.

• Area Type: Suburb
• Cost of Living: $
• Public School Grade: 3.3/5
• Typical Resident: Young professionals
• Walkability: 38/100
• Typical Homes: Single-family

The National Infantry Museum is a highly-rated museum that has a virtual reality center to put you “in the boots of a soldier.” On hotter days, cool off in the Chattahoochee River, which is only a few minutes away.

9. East Columbus/Midland: Best for outdoor enthusiasts

For those looking to get a little further outside of town but still have access to Columbus and Fort Moore, East Columbus and Midland are ideal. Popular neighborhoods include Midland Commons, Beaver Run and Flat Rock, which features Flat Rock Park, a popular family-friendly greenspace.

Bull Creek Golf Course is nearby and will appeal to golfers. Those who like a little more land will be able to find it more readily in East Columbus.

• Area Type: Suburb
• Cost of Living: $
• Public School Grade: 3.9/5
• Typical Resident: Young professionals and families
• Walkability: 18/100
• Typical Homes: Single-family and small apartment buildings

While the official visitor’s center to Fort Moore is about 20 minutes away on the south side of Columbus, those with clearance can enter on the Midland side, making it a very convenient place to live off base.

Tips for choosing a neighborhood in Columbus, GA

Struggling to choose a neighborhood in Columbus? With so many options, it can be hard to narrow it down. Here are a few tips for choosing between the best neighborhoods in Columbus:

• Talk to locals: You can find locals in social media groups and forums online, or talk to family or friends you know who live in the area. If you don’t know anyone, speak with one of our local Columbus ambassadors, who can help you get connected – to information and moving resources, neighborhoods and cultural centers, or job prospects and news friends. Feel free to contact us here.
• Browse online: the internet makes seeing things online easy. You can look at homes, apartments and local things to do online without leaving your couch! Use sites such as Zillow to see houses and apartments that have been recently sold/rented or listed for sale/rent in the area.
• Map your commute: Use Apple Maps or Google Maps to calculate your office commute from the neighborhood you’re considering. Make sure to look at traffic patterns too, by setting your arrival and departure time to and from the office/home.
• Budget accordingly: If you know what your salary will be when moving to Columbus, make sure you choose a neighborhood that has home prices that fit within your budget. By living within your means, you’re sure to enjoy life in Columbus that much more.

Why live in Columbus, GA?

Whether you’re looking for a more affordable cost of living or an amazing place to raise a family, Columbus could be the perfect place to call home. With a thriving job market, plenty of recreational activities, a strong sense of community and short commutes, Columbus makes it easy to fit in more of what makes life meaningful.

For more excellent neighborhoods in Columbus, explore our full directory.

Is Columbus, Georgia a safe place to live?

Yes! Living in Columbus, Georgia means you can enjoy the perks of a larger city and the warmth of a smaller town, where you get to know your neighbors and friends become family. Columbus residents feel confident about their safety and the city has instituted many programs like Neighborhood Watch and Connect Columbus to maintain a safe and secure community. Read more about Columbus’ safety initiatives and investments here!

If you’re ready to learn more about living in Columbus, contact us here. Our team is here to help!