Hi from the UK! Moving to Ohio

[sftong]

specul8, Just curious, which part of UK are you living in?

As I studied and live in UK before, I guess the 1st thing you would notice is that US houses tend to be substantially bigger than UK houses. US educational systems of elementary through High school are all locally funded by the city and community, which means higher taxes, all properties with good school (in some cases a property could be in a city but you have to attend a different school district, so be careful) are higher in the yearl;y property taxes.

Best School honour definitely go to Upper Arlington, due to its consistent highest Performance Index score in central ohio. The rest are shared by Dublin, Grandview, Bexley, New Albany, Worthington (though it dropped a little this year), and Olentangy (Powell and Lewis Center city) distirct.

Hilliard, er... it actually has very high tax rate (by property values, and total tax is lower compared to other districts because Hilliard property are cheaper). The school is good, but never great compared to those listed above, if measured by district Performance Index.

The next thing to consider is New/Older homes, and Commute time to your work place. Generally, Dublin, New Albany, Olentangy and Hilliard have more selection of newer homes. Bexley, Grandview and Upper Arlington houses are typically built in 60s and 70s.

Take your time, maybe rent first before jumping into buying action. Good luck

[streetcreed]

Bexley, Grandview and Upper Arlington houses are typically built in 60s and 70s.

Sorry but most of Grandview and Bexley has homes from over 100 years ago or later that are fixed up. I don't know where you got your information that the homes in these two older inner-ring, nice suburbs are from the 60s?

[specul8]

Thanks for all your advice and opinions. Can't remember who asked but we are moving from Wales so will miss those mountains! Talked to hubby and we think the only thing we can do is do a reccie before we move so have booked flights for next month for a 2 week scouting expedition sans kids.
Ver excited.

[Martha all about Columbus]

There was a great article in The Columbus Dispatch rating all the Schools in central Ohio on August 15,2007. It rated the schools in every academic category you may want to refer to it for actual facts. Their web site is The Columbus Dispatch : dispatch.com this is our areas main news paper. The name of the article is "Some top school districts slip,but news good overall" Good luck on your move!! Columbus is a great city! You will love it.