176 Properties

Overview of Columbia

Voted one of the best places to live in the country in 2012 by Money Magazine, Columbia has a population of about 99,700. Make this city your home when you look for Columbia apartments for rent. A planned community located near historic Ellicott City, Md. Columbia is filled with tons of big-box stores and a giant arena. The city has laid out a plan to revitalize Columbia over the next 30 years. Development plans for projects in the years ahead will include neighborhood design guidelines, environmental restoration, public amenities and infrastructure. According to the city of Columbia, 13 million square feet of retail, up to 5,500 residential units, 4.3 million square feet of commercial office space, 1.25 million square feet of retail space and 640 hotel rooms will encompass the new plan for the city, making Columbia apartments for rent part of an up and coming area.

Living in Columbia

While you're looking for Columbia apartments for rent, check out some of the local attractions. The city boasts a vibrant town center featuring Lake Kittamaqundi, a promenade, restaurants, a mall with a variety of shops, department stores and a megaplex movie cinema. There are quality recreational and child care services, schools that rank among the highest in the state, and acres of parks, lakes, ponds and wooded pathways. According to CNN Money, a new development in the community, Blandair Park, will include 20 acres of forest, wetlands, meadows and a historic farm complex for residents to enjoy.

Columbia Apartments and Cost of Living

While it is pricey to live in Columbia, AreaVibes gives the city an "A+" for amenities and an "A" grade for jobs, so you'll be on the road to success once you find Columbia apartments. AreaVibes says that the cost of living in Columbia is 31.6 percent greater than the Maryland average. The cost of living in apartments in Columbia is 64.6 percent greater than the national average. Renting in this beautiful area is also expensive, with AreaVibes reporting that the median rental rates in Columbia are 11.3 percent greater than the Maryland average and 67.9 percent greater than the national average.

Apartments in Columbia Work and Study

Howard County has many employers including major companies like SAIC, Giant Food, Lorien Health Systems and Verizon Wireless. For those students looking for apartments for rent in Columbia, some of the esteemed nearby schools include the University of Maryland, Howard Community College and Towson University.