New Delhi — Ever thought a Midwestern town in the U.S. could have anything in common with Greater Kailash or Model Town? Probably not. But a recent Travel + Leisure piece on an underrated American college town has caught the attention of Dilli retirees and students alike—especially those itching for slow-paced living without sacrificing culture, healthcare, or that proximity-to-hustle magic Delhiites secretly love. So what’s so great about this seemingly random city in flyover country? Let’s dig in.
What’s the Big Deal About This College Town?
According to the recent Travel + Leisure feature, this Midwestern town—Columbia, Missouri—is topping lists for best places to live and retire. It’s not just the leafy streets and friendly vibe we always expect from small-town America. Columbia is a full-fledged college hub, home to the University of Missouri, and that brings in a steady stream of culture, healthcare innovation, and surprisingly good food scenes—sound familiar? Think of it as the US version of Civil Lines with better zoning rules.
So, why should Delhi residents care? Because for many upper middle-class families—from Vasant Kunj to Noida Sector 93—the dream of retiring abroad or sending kids to a safe, well-connected, and enriching environment is alive and well. Columbia offers a compelling combo: low cost of living, great hospital networks (a big one for NRI parents looking to finally take that golf game seriously), public transport you can actually rely on, and walkable neighborhoods. Basically, think of it as a peaceful East of Kailash, but without the 8 a.m. garbage truck horn.
Locals Think It’s the India-West Bridge We Didn’t Know We Needed
Delhiites tied to Columbia—either through family, college admissions, or just YouTube-based research—are seeing parallels that make this place oddly appealing. “It’s calm, but not dead. People still hang out, there are book readings and yoga groups, not just retirees feeding pigeons,” a software engineer in Gurugram said about the place, after a cousin moved there for a PhD two years ago.
For families in South Ex and Dwarka considering retirement plans, destinations like Columbia promise healthcare that doesn’t involve endless queues or ‘aap kal aaiye’ shrug-offs. Meanwhile, parents of students prepping for SATs at Rajouri Garden’s coaching houses now have a new university town to consider, with significantly lower tuition and living expenses than Boston or California.
As one shopkeeper near INA Metro put it, while chatting about his niece moving abroad: “Yeh toh theek jagah lagti hai, na zyada thand, na zyada crime. Mandir bhi hai wahan.” Locals report relatively low crime rates, increasing South Asian communities, and peaceful neighbourhoods like Old Southwest Columbia that mirror the vibe of Chanakyapuri sans embassies—or traffic.
How Does It Compare to Delhi’s Own Evolution?
Back in the day, retirement anywhere outside of India felt like a luxury. But with growing NRI investments and globalized families, Delhi’s seniors today are exploring their options—especially spots that offer urban conveniences without urban chaos. Think of early Noida in the 90s: quiet, semi-rural, and planned, but with a promise of future bustle. Columbia feels like that moment—just already three steps ahead.
It’s also reminiscent of how Gurgaon developed its identity: anchored around education and medical facilities, but tightly knit, just a bit less chaotic. The big difference? In Columbia, the planning stuck. No tower mushrooms sprouting overnight. No drains flooding down roads like Mathura Road in peak monsoon. Just solid infrastructure, walkable blocks, and a reliable public bus system that runs like clockwork—not like the way some Orange Line Metros just vanish from the screen mid-schedule.
What You Should Do If You’re Curious
- Start your Columbia dive with a virtual campus tour of the University of Missouri—it’ll help families gauge whether your kid really wants to be there or is just romanced by the photos.
- Join a Columbia-based NRI Facebook group or Subreddit. Local advice there can be more useful than any formal brochure plans.
- Talk to a travel consultant near Nehru Place or Connaught Place who specializes in student or retirement visa planning—they often have insights regular agents skip.
📍 Spot Check: You’ll find visa consultants near Barakhamba Metro Station who regularly handle applications for U.S. colleges like Mizzou. Also, places like Khanna Market in Lodhi Colony have book shops and info centers where students prepping for TOEFL or IELTS can grab resources.
The Final Word
This isn’t about dumping Delhi for faraway pastures—it’s about realizing that good living isn’t always in the places you expect. For Delhi families balancing tradition and ambition, Columbia could be the sweet middle. It’s safe, cultured, medically equipped, and maybe, just maybe, quiet enough to finally finish that book you bought from Janpath last year. Would you ever swap India Gate views for sunset walks in the Midwest? Stranger things have happened.
People Also Ask
Is this officially confirmed?
Yes, but implementation on ground may vary.
Who benefits the most?
Daily commuters, students and small shop owners.
Any hidden catch?
Check timings & local enforcement.
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