Moving to Columbus on Morse Road. Good or Bad neighbor hood? (Lancaster: apartments, rentals)

[goodman.168]

I am a student at the Ohio state university and i am having a hard time finding an apartment. I found one off Morse Rd called Kings Highlands and when i took the tour all seemed well but it was also 1 in the afternoon. Can anyone tell me whether this is a good or bad neighborhood. If anyone would have any other suggestions for a place to live near campus any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[streetcreed]

Honestly, a lot of people move to columbus and think, "oh morse rd. it isn't that far from downtown or OSU." But in the land of columbus, morse rd. is a totally different world from OSU or downtown, neither have much interaction and the culture there is very different.

Most who move to columbus and live off morse end up moving within a year.
The story of the area is that it was a mostly white suburban neighborhood when it was developed in the 50's, 60's and 70's. But after that columbus became much more of a diverse city and low rents in that area and affordable houses, and columbus taxes caused a lot of immigrants and minorities to move there.

Thus the makeup in the "northland" or "sharron woods" areas they are called on the NE side is very "urban" and diverse. If your comfortable with that you may find the area okay. It is hardly the worst area in the columbus, it is just very middle of the road, however, Easton, one of columbus' premier shopping and entertainment centers is located off Morse Rd. closer to the suburb of Gahanna, there are some better aparments, more upscale, located the closer to Easton you get.

For an OSU student i would suggest looking at places in the university district, most are owned by private landlords so you must take a tour and see if the place is up to par before moving in. Also, there are some decent aparment complexes just south of OSU in the short north in Victorian Village that are not so expensive, and there's places in Grandview Heights. However, the later two are further from the school, and at OSU parking is not very easy, you must park then take a bus a miles or so. I suggest living within the closet walking distance possible to your classes. I live in the southern part of the university district and have a great one bedroom, but it took a lot of research and literally walking around checking out places that have signs up.

[LancasterNative]

Howdy Goodman, and welcome to Columbus.

I concur with what Streetcreed said; Morse Rd. is kinda far-removed from OSU campus. It could end up being quite a commute for you, if you had to do it every day.

I'm somewhat familiar with these apts. (Kings Highlands) since I looked at them some yrs. ago myself. Granted, you would be close to the freeway for easy access to other parts of town. But...

The neighborhood itself is really sketchy. It was starting to look pretty ghetto even 10 yrs. ago when I was checking it out. I can only imagine how much worse it's gotten since.

My suggestion would be to stick closer to campus. To the west of OSU, across 315 and the Olentangy River, there are lots of good rentals available, with tons of other students living in the area so it's more likely you'd find neighbors you'd at least have that in common with.

Best of luck to you!

Lanc

[MGbuckeye]

Having grown up in the Northland area and having parents that still live in the area you need to be careful when slecting an apartment. My personal opinion would be to look west of Sinclare Rd. ifyou are wanting to live in the Morse Rd area. You than can take the bus to Ohio State. If your classes are on the east side of campus it will be quicker than finding a campus parking spot and walking to your class. Good luck and GO BUCKS

[streetcreed]

Northland area is still decent for home buying, especially for homes that are good for value (less expensive, but decent upkeep and lower cost than other Columbus neighborhoods)
However, renting around northland is not as highly recommended. Most apartments have gone lower income.

Homebuying and renting in northland are two different issues. I would recommend homebuying for some and as far as renting "not so much."

[MGbuckeye]

I would have to agree with Streetcreed. If you look at most of the crime it's in the apartments and some of the rentals.

[ladybugaca]

I wouldn't recommend it at all. I live in the Dublin or NW area, very reasonable up here and very very close to OSU which is right down 315. I would say check out Dublin or the zip codes 43220 or 43235. You can even check out Upper arlington, but it tends to vary in costs. Good luck

[streetcreed]

I wouldn't recommend it at all. I live in the Dublin or NW area, very reasonable up here and very very close to OSU which is right down 315. I would say check out Dublin or the zip codes 43220 or 43235. You can even check out Upper arlington, but it tends to vary in costs. Good luck

That can be good advice if one can afford it. However, some may want to live on NE for jobs or other reasons, and there is a more diverse population on the NE side (for African Americans) so this might appeal to some. Also, people who want lower taxes and more affordable housing.

Dublin housing cost and Upper Arlington housing costs are higher, but nice areas to live if it is in ones budget.

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by ladybugaca

I wouldn't recommend it at all. I live in the Dublin or NW area, very reasonable up here and very very close to OSU which is right down 315. I would say check out Dublin or the zip codes 43220 or 43235. You can even check out Upper arlington, but it tends to vary in costs. Good luck

43220 is a great suggestion. Henderson and Bethel Rds. are nice areas w/affordable housing and plenty to do, plus it's not all that far from campus (provided you've got a car).

43235 is also very nice, but there you're a little further from campus--which would really suck if you had an 8:am class

[ghost99]

Originally Posted by LancasterNative

43220 is a great suggestion. Henderson and Bethel Rds. are nice areas w/affordable housing and plenty to do, plus it's not all that far from campus (provided you've got a car).

43235 is also very nice, but there you're a little further from campus--which would really suck if you had an 8:am class

I agree. When I went to OSU Back in the late 80's, I lived around campus (Holiday appts on neil and 7th..yea) and moved to 43220 (Governor's square). It was so much more relaxed. Highly recommend it.