Areas to avoid/look for near OSU campus (Columbus, Upper Arlington: for sale, rentals)

[davidthesteak]

I'm moving to Columbus to go to OSU for a six year graduate program. I'm planning on buying a house or condo in the 125k-150k range, and would like to be near OSU campus (within 3-4 miles, but closer if possible). I'm going out to look at houses in the near future, and would like to know what areas I should avoid. I've been told that East of High Street isn't the greatest, but does that mean all of High Street or just due East of campus because I was told Clintonville is a pretty nice area and much of it is East of High Street. What are areas near campus that should be avoided, and which are the desirable areas?

I'm not too concerned about schools (my wife is pregnant, but if we're in a bad school area we can home school our child for a year), but I would like a neighborhood that is quiet, has low crime, and is known as being a safe part of town. I've heard that Hilliard is nice (and there are a few condos in our price range), but what about other areas? Is the Italian Village area nice? What about North East of I-71 around Linden Park? What about South East of campus but still West of I-71? Are there any areas that have a reputation for being really good or areas that are not so good?

[streetcreed]

Well i happen to be an expert on these areas.
It seems your general knowledge is right.
East of high is not always bad, they mean directly east of campus is more "student oriented" housing, and not as much owner related.
There is an area just north of campus called "Clintonville" anything east or west of high in Clintonville is nice.
If you would like to closer to OSU but still own, I know a great area that you should look into.

Just East of High and north of central campus is the "north campus" area. The area known as north campus is north of Lane Ave and runs north until you enter Clintonville.
I have about 5 friends right now who bought homes in this area, one if a grad student, the other a gay couple, and the other a young professional.

The "North Campus" area offers a wide range of a mix of student housing, owner occupied within the same family tree for decades, and new younger people looking to fix up or a buy a newly fixed up property. The area known as north campus' true name is "old north columbus." As you go just north of East Huduson you get closer to Clintonville and there's many great homes and some condos just north of hudson as well.


I would look into the north campus area. The number of homes for sale though and renovated properties is not that high as there is still a lot of rentals in north campus, so if your lucky you may find a nice one for sell. The trick is looking and finding that home. The area is generally quite and the closer to clintonville you get the more expensive the price, but less student oriented the neighborhood will be.

Now south of campus is an area that is fastly becoming more expensive and has LOTS of renovations known as the short north/italian/victorian village.

The area called Italian Village just south of E. 5th ave and going to downtown is nice and changing over with a lot of renovated rentals and condos. However, this area has the fastest increasing property values in all of central ohio! So most properties are going to be more likely out of your price range. However, you may find one near the 150,000s closer to 4th and 5th.

The area that lies between Italian Village and the campus area is one to avoid and called Weinland Park, it is a small neighborhood going north of E. 6th ave. up to about E. 11th ave., where the student housing starts. Some people have ventured into Weinland Park, as the Italian Village renovations push northward, but I wouldn't advise giong into Weinland Park quite yet, give it another 5 yrs.

GOOD LUCK!

[osujewell]

You pretty much will only find condos for your price range near campus. They are building new condos on Riverside Dr which are in Upper Arlington (UA) a nice section of columbus. They also have better schools. Another option would be grandview but it might be too pricey. Clintonville is also a nice area. These are the three areas close to campus I would recommend. Victorian village is also nice but probably too expensive.

[jimthewacokid]

Grandview part of Columbus is nice and clean and only a mile and a half to 2 miles away. Grandview Heights can be expensive.

[Mez]

The best thing to do is to take a few hours and drive through the neighborhoods in early evening to see what they are like. If you want to know if a neighborhood is "safe" stop and talk to a cop or two. They will give you the straight answers. There are also some options in condos in the Downtown area in the $150K range. Also, some of the developments south of I670 and north of I70 are tax abated. If you want to stay within a few miles of campus, Clintonville would be a great option for single family homes. There are a number of choices in this area and prices can be negotiated. You can also look into the University Area, Near Grandview, lots of owner occupied homes.