Local Biz Spotlight: The Hub at Columbia

This week, we’re highlighting another popular apartment that has become a go-to for many students: The Hub at Columbia!

The Hub is a prime place to be—I even lived there for two years, so I’ve got a lot to say about it. The downtown location is unbeatable, putting you right in the middle of the action with plenty of food spots and nightlife nearby. Whether it's a quick walk to class or meeting friends for dinner, you're always in the heart of Columbia. With top-notch amenities like a pool, hot tub, and fitness center, The Hub offers the perfect balance of convenience and community for students.

Positives:

First comes first – it comes fully furnished! Coming from the dorms - do you really want to be figuring out where to buy furniture for an entire apartment in Columbia humidity early August? Ya me neither.

Location - It's so close to campus even your 8 a.m. classes suddenly seem doable. Stumble out of bed, and boom, you’re basically there. Plus, when the parental units come a-callin', you've got an array of bars and restaurants nearby to impress them with – show 'em you know a good place to eat outside Russell House.

The amenity game here is stronger than a triple shot of espresso. We're talking a large pool (hello, poolside selfies!), a hot tub for your "ahhh" moments, a volleyball court to flex those competitive muscles, and a health and wellness center that says “I care about my body, but also pizza."

Don't have a car? No biggie. Everything is so close, you can give your Apple Watch a run for its money. Plus, Amazon lockers onsite mean your online shopping addiction has never been more justified. "Oh, this old thing? Got it delivered to my locker downstairs.”

Swing by the renowned Soda City farmers market right outside your door for some fresh eats (or just some fresh Instagram content). And, for real, the events here? Yoga classes to find your inner peace or outer flexibility, pizza parties that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would be proud of, and massages... because adulthood is hard, and sometimes you want to be pummeled into relaxation. Overall it's a great place to balance academics with a social life.


Negatives:

Living at The Hub definitely has its perks, but like any city living, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The location is prime, right in downtown, but with that comes some challenges, like the occasional crowd of homeless individuals around the area. While The Hub’s security does a solid job monitoring the building and checking who comes in and out, there are still moments when unauthorized folks try to sneak in. It's not ideal, but it's something to be aware of.

The fitness center, while nice in theory, is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of the machines have a bit more of a "vintage" feel than others, and you may find that your treadmill is more out of order than you'd like. But hey, think of it as a bonus rest day on leg day, right?

As for the parking garage—well, it’s a bit of a maze. Since it's run by the city, residents have to navigate through a tunnel to access the parking area, and with the garage being a separate entity from The Hub itself, there can be occasional elevator glitches. Oh, and if anything happens to your car—like, say, a broken window or a break-in—the Hub isn’t responsible, as it’s all managed by the city.

So, while The Hub offers a lot of great amenities and an unbeatable location, it’s got its quirks. It’s like a movie you love with a few plot twists that make you go, "Well, that's life!" But all in all, it’s still a pretty solid place to call home.


Would I recommend:

If you're a sophomore or junior looking to dive into a vibrant social scene, The Hub is your perfect match. With its prime location, you'll feel like you're living in the heart of the action. Seriously, convenience is key, and The Hub nails it. The atmosphere? Electric. You’ll never run out of things to do, from exploring downtown to hanging out with friends.

Now, I won’t sugarcoat everything – there are a few little bumps along the way, but hey, when you're living in downtown Columbia with all the perks The Hub offers, those small downsides fade into the background like last season's trends. Upscale living with top-tier amenities? Yes, please. It’s the kind of place where you can kick back and enjoy the city life without a hitch.