For others, friendly neighbors and affordable living in an agricultural area are valued. Marilee Halliday moved to a quiet 5-acre lot off U.S. 90 West about four years ago. Before then, she lived in Jacksonville for about seven years and grew up on Long Island, N.Y., where she spent most of her adult life raising a family and working for the federal government. But she said the slower pace of Columbia was a welcome relief after living for years in more populated areas. Today, Halliday is retired and spends most of her spare time volunteering.
People are friendly.
They're warm people. Although there was an adjustment when she first moved to Columbia like getting used to a slower pace in obtaining government services, such as mail delivery and road maintenance the cost of living in the area is compatible with the income of retirees who live on pensions and Social Security. But Halliday fears the relatively low cost of living in rural North Florida will change as more people move into the county. You can see it every day when you wake up.