Columbus makes me feel welcomed

Monday, May 26, 2008 - 07:23:14 pm CDT

Howdy Neighbor!

One of the pleasant aspects for me about living in a smaller community is the welcoming feeling you get, and the lack of fences… virtual and real.

For the first week or two after moving into our home here in Columbus, we had people from the neighborhood coming by to introduce themselves, bring us brownies and offer to help us get our home set up. Just this past May Day we had a family come by to introduce themselves and drop off a goodie bag. How nice!

Dave and I noticed right away that people seem to spend time with each other here, gathering in front yards on nice summer evenings just to talk and watch the kids play. I’m looking forward to those summer nights this year. Folks here have fewer “virtual” fences that would keep them from getting to know one another.

I’m also getting used to the lack of “real” fences. Sure, there are some fences here and there, but you don’t see the 6-foot high concrete block fences like we had at our last home in Arizona. We did have a fence put up around our home here in Columbus, mainly for safety reasons. But where we share a property line with the neighbor we kept the fence low so we could easily talk with each other while still keeping tabs on our dog.

Even though I don’t know very many people here compared to back in Arizona, I’m finding that I run into acquaintances much more often. I like seeing people I know while I’m out, especially if I can introduce them to my family. And I like that people take the time to chat when they see you in a store, even if they don’t know you very well.

I had a great chat with the receptionist at the dentist’s office the other day -- seems we had taken a rug hooking class together back in October. And Rita from the UPS store is always interested in what’s going on with the family.

So, I would say Columbus is a friendly place with people who like to take time to get to know each other. As summertime approaches and the evenings grow long, I hope you find time to spend with friends and family.

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Clifton P. Juarez
May 27, 2008 11:43 AM
Yeah, its a neighborly place if you are not a minority, eccentric, intellectual, interesting, freedom-loving, well-read, don't want to talk to your neighbors kind of place. Otherwise, you will likely be beat up, put in jail or worse.
JG
May 27, 2008 1:09 PM
One thing I found when my family and I moved here, is that people tend to be "more busy" here than the city we moved from. By that, I mean that we've invited several people over for a meal at our house, but we tend to get the "Oh, we're so busy that we just can't then" response. Also noticed that we used to have friends just stop by for a cup of coffee, but here it seems that unless you have a formal invitation, people are less than likely to do that. Seems as though people are friendly to a point, but don't try and get to know them too well. We were told when we moved here that Columbus is such a transcient town with business transfers that a lot of people don't want to make the extra effort when they know that 1-2 years down the road they'll be moving on. Stop by for a cup of coffee sometime.
Oh Cliffy
May 27, 2008 2:09 PM
That seems like a pretty bleak outlook for people when they move to Columbus. I wouldnt disagree with you when it comes to illegal minorities, eccentrics and alternative lifestlyes. I do however doubt that citizens of Columbus would hate against intellctuals, freedom loving and well read people. I have to ask what do you mean by "or worse"? Do you mean deported? I think that your anger may be directed toward the white folks of this community, are you racist?
Formeresident
May 27, 2008 2:22 PM
If you weren't born and raised in Columbus you are treated as an outcast. i moved to Columbus in 1992 and left 12 years later I never felt welcome no matter how hard I tried I was often put down because i was not Catholic and I didn't graduate from one of the local schools. I hae live many places and have never felt so unwelcome.
I now live out of state I was welcomed into the community with open arms it didn't matter where I was born or what church I belonged to, who my parents where or how much money I make. People here aren't fake if their kids get in trouble and aren't perfect they don't hide it like the hypocrits in Columbus do. I've never seen so many perfect straight A students as live in columbus. Get Real!!
Just Stop
May 27, 2008 4:09 PM
CLIFFE, PLEASE STOP YOUR RACIST RANTS. YOUR RANTS MEAN NOTHING BECAUSE YOU CONTINUE TO SPEW HATE. OH BY THE WAY CLIFFE BEFORE YOU ATTACK ME, I'M NOT WHITE AND YOU ARE GIVING LATINOS AROUND THE AREA A BAD NAME, SO JUST STOP.
Not local
May 27, 2008 4:39 PM
I moved to this town 10 years ago and felt comfortable in Columbus within months. I married a great girl and we have a family now. I think Cliffy's going to be an outcast anywhere he would go because of his obvious negativity. There are plenty of others with the same attitude that attempt to blame others for not accepting them but making no effort on their part. It's a two way street people. How can you judge others and then complain that they're being judgemental???
notAfriend
May 27, 2008 10:44 PM
Yes it is a friendly community: IF you were born here & belong to one of the many many high-schoolesque cliques in this town. If you are a transplant you are not welcomed with open arms. I received a nicer & truer welcome when I moved from a small town to a very large metropolitan area than I have here & I am a former business owner [& non-minority] here! As one of my neighbors liked to say "It's not that we don't want you here. It's that we just don't care."
Robby
May 28, 2008 9:46 AM
Yes people here don't know how good they have it. Wish some of these "losers" would move out of town so they could see how much worse it could be. We normal people are glad to have you here Welcome & enjoy NEBRASKA THE GOOD LIFE! p.s. GO BIG RED
Glad to live here
May 28, 2008 11:30 AM
I grew up in Columbus and never really wanted to move back once I graduated from college. My husband really wanted to move back so we did 10 years ago. While I did grow up here,most of our close friends are not originally from here. All towns can be "cliquey". OH, and by the way, I am not Catholic but some of my friends are. It just doesn't seem to be an issue. My suggestion for anyone struggling to meet others is that you should get involved. One of the best ways is to get active at a church. If you have children, make extra efforts to get to know the other parents. We have met some of our closest friends through our chidren's sports. There are countless civic groups here and many opportunities to volunteer.

All towns have some positives and some negatives. But it seems that several posters only look at the negative and so I don't know why you stay here. If you are truly that miserable, you should leave. I think any situation is what you make of it.

Linda, I am glad you've come here and really enjoy your articles. One of the things I missed most when we moved away was all the people who wave when you pass them in your car on the highway. It always makes me smile and reminds me that even though no town is perfect I'm thankful to live here.
Moving
May 28, 2008 1:06 PM
My family has lived in Columbus for 6 generations. In fact my great, great, great grandfather was one of the founders. But the time has come to move. Not because of a better job or better city, but because of the growing non-welcoming feeling in Columbus. Actually I live outside of town because my great, great, great grandfather (a legal immigrant) experianced the same non-welcoming feeling from his fellow founders back in the 1850's, and moved north. This city is not only growing non-welcoming to new arrivals, but to long time residents. In the town I'm moving to, I have already met more neighbors than I have living here for over 35 years. And I haven't even moved in yet!

As far as Cliff and your minorities, I have a police scanner. If there are more minorities being accused of crimes, there are four words that explain it. "Because They Did It!". Every day I listen, and the calls are reported by the crime being commited. Not by "There's a person of minority walking down the street, they must have done somthing." The persons ethnic background is usually not known until AFTER the police get there and catch them. People of all skin color commit crimes, why some people think their skin color should be a factor in the punishment for the crime THEY COMMITED is absurd. The growing ammount of narrow minded people like you is a big factor in why I'm leaving.
formerresident
May 28, 2008 2:17 PM
I will give you that people are friendly in Columbus that is if you drink and go to the Bar. I lived in the same house for nearly 7 yaars and my neighbors spoke to me less than 7 times in those 7 years I am not an unfriendly hard to get to know person. Even if we were working in the yard and the neighbors were outside they acted as if we were not there. On the other hand if I was willing to go to the Bar an drink Beer I was everyones friend of course it doesn't mattter who you are when your drunk everyone is friendly not one time in 12 years of living in Columbus did my neighbors bring meee!! brownies or anything. Brick walls are not bariers people are. I have a brick wall all around the back of my house were I live now and my neighbors are much friendlier and we do block parties and BBQ's all year long they stop just to say Hi and guess what no alcohol required
TeamRealTree
May 28, 2008 3:14 PM
I too have moved to Columbus. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone. Columbus is a town built on drama cause they know most of the people from high school. Columbus has many cliques. If you are not part of one you are not always welcomed. I got lucky and found some truley genuine friends. The type of friends that would give you the shirt off of there back for you. So there are people like this in Columbus. As for you Mr. Juares I live next to a hispanic family. They are nice people who say hi to me everytime I see them. I aslo make a point to say hi and invite them over when I am out doing yard work or grilling. They will admit that they have been discriminated against but do not hold any grudges against other races.
year resident
May 28, 2008 3:58 PM
"glad to live here" beat me to it, but I can't stress enough how newcomers need to be proactive and "Get Involved"! Don't wait for the neighbors to invite you over for coffee or for the Rotary to ask you to join. Seek out those organizations you have an interest in and get involved. You'll meet a lot of people with similar interests and gain lifetime friends in the process.
McGruff
May 28, 2008 6:26 PM
I have been wanting to whoop on an eccentric, intellectual, interesting, freedom-loving, well-read, untalkative minority for a long time. Like most Columbus residents, I particularly despise interesting people. Had I known this was an accepted practice in Columbus, I would not have to make up for lost time. Anyway, thanks for the Head's Up Clifton! Hooraw!
Tim
May 29, 2008 8:00 AM
We've lived in the Columbus area for almost 8 years now. Frankly, I don't see any difference between this town or any other Nebraska town. None of 'em are perfect.

My only real beef with Columbus is the city's stance on concealed carry. Permit holders are deemed to be responsible and trustworthy individuals most everywhere else in Nebraska but for very sad and very cynical reasons, not in Columbus.
john
May 29, 2008 1:58 PM
I find that one's view of those around him are actually a reflection of what is inside himself. If you believe that the world is a nasty place and everyone is out to get you, then that is what you get.

If you believe that most most people are friendly and want to do the right thing, then that is what you see.

Don't wait for others to make the world a better place for you, go out and make it a better place for them. The kindness usually will come back to you then.
kitty
May 29, 2008 9:54 PM
AMEN!
Not local
May 30, 2008 10:09 AM
Right on john. I think you stated the same thing as I did earlier, just better. Treat others as you would like to be treated. That's what I teach my daughter and that's what I was always taught. Columbus is a good town with the same problems as other towns.
Mary Ann Chidlow
May 30, 2008 4:28 PM
I do not even live in Columbus. At one time, I thought I would be moving thee but that all fell apart - no fault of the city's. I am still coming to at least visit next year as I am intrigued with it. Linda has made me even more curious about it.

When I called the paper to find out abotu Linda's columns that I had missed and then the Senior Center after I found out there is "bus service" run by them. Both times I was hurrying because I worried that they were busy. They seemed to want to just talk for a minute or two to find out more abotu me. It was wonderful. Even though I have never been there Columbus has my vote as a friendly city. One day I am coming to see it. I look forward to the parks, statuary and little shops. And, the people. I am very impressed.
Reality Check
May 30, 2008 7:28 PM
I have lived here in Columbus since 1999, when my husband was still in the Army and liked it. No one came with a WELCOME committee and not one particular organization threw a party...for those of you who expect it...it doesn't happen anywhere else. I have been fortunate enough to have made acquaintances with some of the "cliques" that do exist but I don't reserve myself for just them, I am open to all people because where I come from that is how it works. Some people will come right up to you some won't and others will keep to themselves. Isn't that the law of Humans??If I would fault Columbus for anything it is that it doesn't have a 4 lane to all the major cities, Columbus itself doesn't have much for shopping, and restaurant variety could be better but I can't say anything about the people, after all one chooses how friendly to be; if anything to at least set the example for those who aren't as friendly. Know Mr. Juarez let me tell you something, one Mexican to Hispanic (don't want to offend you) you need to really think about what you post for comments. For one speaking the way you do doesn't shed such a positive light on the Hispanic community (keep in mind Columbus, he speaks only for himself!). Two if you are so concerned about what you are not then work towards being SOMETHING. Three sounds to me like the law hasn't been so nice...what did you do?? AND FOUR you ever been in the military?? NO? WELL MY HUSBAND WHO ISN'T A CITIZEN JUST A RESIDENT SERVED 8 YEARS IN THE ARMY and he is "freedom loving" and displays it proudly being an active, positive role model in this community to his coworkers and neighbors...let me give you advice...go be a victim somewhere else and stop posting uneducated negative comments. Do you not know NOT to generalize about anyone subject or situation. I can't imagine why your neighbors and coworkes aren't jumping in line to be your friend si eres un caramelo(if you are just as sweet as honey). Go Big Red and Long Horns!!!!!!!!!!!
Porky
Jun 2, 2008 8:05 AM
16 years living here and love every minute of it!

Clifton...you are a loser; if you don't like Columbus, then leave.
KJ
Jun 3, 2008 9:02 AM
To all those with negative comments. Move.
GW
Jun 3, 2008 1:13 PM
I just bought a new home, lived here for almost 30years, but moved into a different neighborhood. My neighbors have been so welcoming! I didn't know any of them prior and they didn't know us! We have meet all the ones around us and i have to say, i am proud to live in this town..say what you want..there are many good people in this community and I am happy to be living here. People still watch out for people here.
hoome
Jun 3, 2008 2:58 PM
You're telling people if they make negative comments about Columbus they should just move-are you serious? You must be the type that sees everything in black & white-no shades of grey. Some of us may not like Columbus & may make negative comments but we also may be stuck here due to jobs or other situations. We make the best of it but we are also allowed to say the negative things about this city-which there are plenty of!!!! To feel that we only need happy positive comments is a Mr. Rogers approach to life-not realistic.
stuck
Jun 4, 2008 2:34 AM
"hoome-Some of us may not like Columbus & may make negative comments but we also may be stuck here due to jobs or other situations."

There is no job out there that anybody is stuck at.
annoyed
Jun 4, 2008 11:36 AM
It is up to each individual to make the best out of life situations, especially where they choose to live.

If I hated Columbus so much, as to start writing bad comments about it, I would move no matter what. I would not feel "stuck" at my job or "stuck" anywhere. Life is too short and complaining about a town doesn't get anyone anywhere - it is just annoying and frustrating for others to hear.

Either move or make the best out of it. Pick one.
Mindy
Jun 10, 2008 2:38 PM
Linda, welcome to Columbus. Sounds like you have met many new people in the community that have made you feel welcome. If you need to find outlets to meet people, I suggest, get involved at school, you will get to meet the parents your children go to school with. Take a class at the local community college, get involved with your church. join the Y. Maybe someday we will meet. I hope you enjoy your life in Columbus, I'm on my 27th year here, lived here longer than anywhere else in my life. Have some really great friends, and good people that I can socialize with.
Best of luck
Mother
Jun 17, 2008 4:04 PM
I my self is a native of columbus. Have lots of family from here. I my self would never raise my kids here. I live in a town that is white, spanish, blacks, with a little indian. I remember years ago when the spanish started moving into the area and a little black the town was going ape over it what kind of welcoming is that. I think columbus is self center and can't see past there noses that are turned up. i love where i live all the different culture around me what an experiance for my kids. to those with smart mouths "well just move" Don't worry don't ever plan on moving there ever. Maybe those who shoot there mouths off well just leave why don't you try welcoming people instead of telling them to leave. Columbus was at one time a great town but look at it now its nothing to really to write home to mom about. its just a speck on the map. Try opening your hearts and your minds instead of being close minded. Its a great feeling.
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About this blog ...



Linda Briley is a new resident in the community, and we thought it would be fun and interesting for her to share her perspectives as she and her family settled in to their new life.



We moved here from a suburb of Phoenix (Gilbert) last summer, and we made it through our first real winter ever! Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I expected, so I consider that a major success.



My daughter is a first grader at Emerson, along with her younger brother who is in kindergarten. They have adjusted well to the move and quickly made friends. We can tell already that the academic standards seem higher here than where we lived in Arizona. Our daughter has had to catch up a bit, and our son seems further along than our daughter was at the same time last year.



I look forward to getting to know Columbus and you better in the weeks and months ahead. I hope you find my points of view interesting and thought provoking and share your thoughts with me about life in Columbus.



Life here is significantly different from the one we left behind, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it as the weeks and months go by.



Linda

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