A Newcomer Finds Community and Opportunity in Columbus, GA

Ashley Stanley

When her doctor recommended a move to a warmer climate, Ashley Stanley explored several cities before deciding on Columbus, GA. 

In May 2025, she traded Providence, Rhode Island, for Columbus after she was accepted into the city’s innovative Columbus Remote program, an initiative designed to attract remote professionals. As a participant, she received a generous welcome package with financial incentives, access to coworking spaces and resources to help her integrate into the community. Now, she’s sharing her story of settling into her new home. 

As a remote worker, what are your impressions of Columbus’ internet infrastructure, coworking spaces and overall support for a remote work lifestyle? 

Columbus has been fantastic as a remote worker. Part of Columbus Remote includes a membership at CoWork Columbus, which gives me access to professional workspace, meeting rooms and networking opportunities – which I love. 

Every time I go there, I meet someone, and everyone’s so nice. I also enjoy working from local coffee shops, like The Seed Coffee + Cafe, which is right on the Chattahoochee RiverWalk and lets me take a break with water views. The internet here is super reliable, the mobile data coverage is consistent and there are a variety of work-friendly spaces, which makes it really easy to stay productive while feeling like part of the community. 

How does the cost of living in Columbus compare to your previous location? 

The cost of living is literally night and day. In Rhode Island, housing and daily expenses are significantly higher. In Columbus, I’ve been able to enjoy a better quality of life at a much lower cost, which has given me more room to invest in my business and personal goals without the consistent pressure of high living expenses. 

Do you feel like Columbus is a diverse or welcoming community? 

Absolutely. From the moment I arrived, people have been very friendly, open and willing to help me navigate the city. There are so many amazing local businesses all within walking distance, and many of the businesses collaborate instead of competing. There’s a real culture of supporting one another, which not only makes it welcoming for newcomers like me but also helps the city continue to grow and thrive. 

What are some of your favorite things to do in Columbus during your downtime? 

The Columbus Botanical Garden is gorgeous, and every time I walk anywhere on the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, I always find an offbeat trail somewhere. There’s so much to do, especially if you love the outdoors. Providence Canyon State Park is a short drive away from here and absolutely blew my mind. 

What’s something about Columbus that has genuinely surprised you in a positive way since you moved here? 

I’ve been very impressed by the amount of construction, expansion and continuous beautification happening across the city. There’s a real sense that Columbus is growing in a thoughtful and intentional way. 

The strong level of community engagement and collaboration stands out to me; businesses lift each other up instead of trying to compete, and everyone comes together. That combination of pride and support makes Columbus a great place to work.