Affordable Columbia Storage Units

Moving and storage go hand in hand. Whether you are traveling across town or across the country, moving is an exciting and fresh start. While Storage Rentals of America is here to help you with all your storage needs, we also want to help you get familiar with the area. That's why we put together this resource guide for Columbia, Connecticut.

What You Should Know About Columbia, CT

Columbia, Connecticut is a small town in Tolland County that has a charming rural feel. Its population is 5,385 according to the latest census and has grown by 0.3% since 2010. It was originally a part of the town of Lebanon but then was incorporated in May 1804, named after the patriotic national symbol "Columbia", the earliest female symbol of America before the Statue of Liberty was erected.

Modeled after a Greek goddess, Columbia is a symbol of liberty and the national personification of the United States in female form. In the earlier years of American history, Columbia was a strong rival to the American eagle as a national, patriotic emblem. Today, Columbia is still a proud American small town that is known for its stable economy, vibrant local arts and culture, and cultural diversity.

What to do in Columbia, CT.

Columbia is a small town with plenty of natural beauty and adventure to offer residents and visitors. Here are the nearby hot spots:

Columbia Lake: This clean, peaceful lake is a popular retreat for locals. It has a good swim area that people enjoy in the summer. There are also many places for boaters and nature gazers to spend some much-needed quiet time in the fresh air.

Wineries: There are 6 wineries near Columbia, which offer plenty of beautiful scenery and vintages to sample. Guests have opportunities to sample each winery's selections as they relax on a patio or deck.

Connecticut Renaissance Faire: Anyone who has a fondness for history or fantasy will get lost in this magical event that happens once a year near Columbia. Attendees can come as they are or dress up in stunning costumes, eat turkey legs, watch jousting matches, and indulge in good family fun!

Working in Columbia, CT.

Columbia has a favorable unemployment rate of 3.1%, which is lower than the U.S. average of 3.7%. The recent job growth is positive, having increased by 0.3%. Meanwhile, the average per capita income in Columbia is around $47,985, which is above the average income for the entire state and the rest of the United States.

Many industries make up the jobs available in the area. Educational services (15.0%) are the largest source of careers, with health care (11.6%) and finance (8.4%) following. There are construction (7.2%), professional, scientific, technical services (6.3%), public administration (6.2%), and metal & metal products (2.7%) also contributing to the jobs in the town.

Columbia, CT. Neighborhoods

The town of Columbia is small enough for all residents to have access to the Town Beach at Columbia Lake and many local Parks. Much of Columbia has a rural feel with homes spread apart in no distinct neighborhood, instead, Columbia is considered to be a neighborhood of its own. However, some segments of the town are organized into community areas.

Grand View Farms: This neighborhood is currently adding new constructions that average $449,000 in value. This family-friendly cul-du-sac community offers customizable homes to future residents, with spacious open floor plans and other modern conveniences that benefit busy, modern lifestyles.

Homes around Columbia Lake: In Columbia, living near the pristine Columbia Lake is highly desirable. Homes in this area average $299,900 and offer the leisurely lake lifestyle that many people dream about. There are plenty of homes around the lake that were built at different times, so it's common to find homes built in the past century and beyond the year 2000.

Columbia, CT. School District

The Columbia public school system offers small class sizes, with an 11.5:1 average student to teacher ratio. The town spends $24,744 per student in the public school system, which is much higher than the national average of $12,383. Horace W. Porter School offers pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, while high school students can attend three nearby high schools: Bolton High School, E. O. Smith High School, or Windham Technical High School.

Moving to Columbia, CT. Resource Guide

Columbia residents need to connect their residences to utility services and amenities to have the best quality of life. Here is how you can get started:

• Water/Sewer: Residents of Columbia get their water and sewer services from Connecticut Water.
• Electricity: Connecticut Light & Power is the main electrical distributor, servicing Columbia's inhabitants.
• Natural Gas: In Connecticut, winters get cold, so many residents rely on natural gas from Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation.
• Cable/Phone/Internet: DirectTV, Spectrum, and Dish are the top three cable TV providers in the area. These services also bundle cable, phone, and internet together. There are also separate cell phone providers like Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T that also offer internet packages with their phone plans. Here is the full list of Columbia cell phone providers.
• Local Government & Parks: The town is governed by the Columbia Municipal Government, which also manages the parks and recreation in the area. For more information, visit the Town of Columbia website.

Columbia, CT. Housing

The cost of living in Columbia is 4.8% higher than the national average but 11.4% lower compared to Connecticut's capital, Hartford. A significant factor behind this figure is the average selling price of a home, which is $229,100. Homeownership is an attractive prospect in Columbia, as prices have appreciated in the last decade by 3.7%. The average rent is $1,104, and there is a 93% homeownership rate.