Living in Columbus, you will feel why this city continues to grow in the Midwest.

It is neither as complicated and expensive as neighborhoods like New York or LA, nor is it as inconvenient as rural suburban areas.

From the perspective of living costs, Columbus stands at a quite realistic position among American cities. First, looking at home prices and rents, the burden is lighter. For urban apartments, one-bedroom rents vary by area but are generally lower than the average of medium to large cities.

Short North and Downtown areas are expensive, but just 15 minutes away by car, rents drop significantly. It is a structure that makes sense for singles or dual-income couples. The same goes for home purchases. People coming from New Jersey or California are surprised to see that home prices here are in the $300,000 range. It is hard to believe that single-family homes are possible at this price. There are many good homes over $400,000.

Food costs, which are important in living expenses, are also relatively stable. Dining out prices are at or slightly below the national average. Chain restaurants are definitely cheap, and local restaurants are not excessively expensive. However, these days, due to inflation, grocery costs are not what they used to be, but if you choose well at large supermarkets, you can manage monthly food expenses without exceeding significantly.

Many Korean businesses in Columbus are closely tied to the local community. The most noticeable are restaurants, chicken shops, and snack bars. Since the competition is not as fierce as in big cities, just securing regular customers can lead to longevity.

Next, nail salons and hair salons are steady. Due to the characteristics of Ohio, the demand for services is stable, so sales fluctuations are not large. Korean markets and Asian grocery stores cannot be overlooked either. Although they are not large, they play a role in bringing together local Koreans and Asian customers.

Recently, more people are moving into professional services like real estate brokerage, insurance, and accounting. A common feature of Korean businesses in Columbus is that they focus on enduring rather than flashy sales.

Medical costs and insurance premiums are at the national average level. Large hospitals and medical systems are well established, so accessibility is good. Especially thanks to the Ohio State University hospital system, the medical infrastructure is quite solid.

Education-related costs are also more stable than expected. Costs go up if you go to private schools or areas with good school districts, but for public schools, it is not an excessive burden.

The real strength of this city is the quality of life relative to living costs. There are plenty of options for performances, sports, restaurants, and parks, and it is not overly crowded. You don't have to go far on weekends to find things to do.

However, surviving winter in Columbus is not to be taken lightly. It is exactly what a Midwest winter is like. It snows, but not as heavily as in New York, and instead, it comes intermittently. The problem is the wind. There are many days when the wind chill drops the temperature significantly, making it feel colder than the numbers suggest.

Still, the good thing is that the city is quite accustomed to the snow that comes in winter. Snow removal on roads is quick, and the city does not come to a halt due to snow. Schools and businesses generally operate normally. So at first, it feels cold, but after a season, your body adapts. However, winter feels long. From late November to early March, gray skies are the default. There are few sunny days, which can affect people's moods. So when you hear Columbus residents talk, you can tell their winter preparations are different. Electricity and gas bills definitely go up in winter. However, snowstorms and blizzards are rare.

Thus, Columbus has a wide range of residents, from young professionals and remote workers to families moving in. It may not be glamorous, but I think it is a comfortable city to live in.