Katy Trail

    Columbia consistently ranks in the top "Best Places to Live in the Nation" by Money Magazine in its annual survey. In 1999, Money voted Columbia runner-up as the Best Small City in America. The 1999 issue of Editor & Publisher Market Guide ranked Columbia the as the third best metropolitan area in the United States.   

  Columbia is a great place to live for many reasons. We have an excellent school system, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, entertainment opportunities galore, low cost of living, a clean environment and much, much more. The book 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family has this to say: "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."

Columbia's centralized location offers quick access to St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as the State Capitol, Jefferson City, and the beautiful vacation getaway, Lake of the Ozarks. Columbia is also minutes away from a host of historic towns and state parks featuring boating, fishing, hiking, biking and more.

   In Columbia, you are never more than a few minutes away from one of the 13 major shopping areas including the region's largest mall and a Downtown area featuring restaurants and unique shopping experiences highlighted several times in Southern Living Magazine.     Abundant and affordable housing is also available in Columbia. If you are seeking majestic estates, a condo on the golf course or the traditional family neighborhood, Columbia has something to fit both your lifestyle and your pocketbook.

Columbia offers many different organizations, child care, and schools to help accommodate you and your family. 

NRS:

NRS-(Network of Residents' Spouses)- Organization for the spouses of Interns, residents, and fellows at MU. NRS offers many activities, including a playgroup, Book Club, Kaffeeklatch get-togethers, Food n' Friends, and Activity Corner, along with the annual summer picnic. There are also specialty days (i.e. Golf Day) and occasionally NRS will sponsor guest speakers on special interest topics such as financial planning, etc.
More than likely, there's an activity that you would enjoy, whether it be for the family, couples, or an individual. NRS will contact all new residents with their welcome packet each spring regarding their future activities.

Schools:

Columbia Public Schools:
Administration Building
1818 Worley
Columbia, MO 65203
573-886-2100
http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/

Child Care:

ChildCare Connection's website-the childcare resource for central Missouri.
310 Tiger Lane
Columbia, Missouri 65203
(573) 445-5627
Toll free (800) 243-9685
Fax (573) 446-0342
E-mail: childcareconnection@yahoo.com
WWW: http://childcare.missouri.org/

The Boone County Child Care Unit
573-882-9399
101 Park Deville Drive
Columbia, Missouri 65203

Visitors Information:

• Visitors Bureau
• Activities & Events in Columbia
• Chamber of Commerce
• Missouri Division of Tourism
• City of Columbia
• Bike the Katy Trail
• Interactive Map of Columbia
• Maps of the Columbia Campus