Downtown Columbia is immediately adjacent to campus and hosts a great coffee shop culture, many fine restaurants and a vibrant local music scene.
More City links The City of Columbia website.
The figures would be slightly different for home buyers, which some MU graduate students actually do. The state is split by the Missouri River which separates the glaciated plains to the north from the Ozark highlands in the south. The Ozark regions have many interesting endemic plants and animals. Bikers like the great crushed-limestone trail system and the excellent rough trails in nearby state parks and state and national forests. The City of Columbia has recently expanded their bike trail system and plans to add many more miles of trails here very soon.