Being transfered to Columbus (Middletown, Westerville: hardwood floors, crime, houses)

[MaureenP1]

Hello. My husband is being transfered to Columbus. His office will be in the home and this will free us to live to any location within the Columbus area. I have three children and am looking for a nice area with excellent schools. I like older homes with a little "character" but the schools are more important. I was impressed with the students from Grove City at a recent band competition. Friendly, respectful and not snobby or stuck-up. They were having fun and seemed very nice. We have also been told to consider Dublin although I have been told that it is a bit "preppy" and "white bread". Is Worthington nice? We have been in Middletown for a long time and have made many friends here having been involved in too many groups as a volunteer or coach to mention. The decline of the schools here had a lot to do with why we have accepted the transfer. We love having a diverse culture around us, but lately the discipline in the schools has become too lax and the standards have dropped. Unfortunately our town isn't diverse - it's segregated. I don't mean to sound like a snob, but we have finally given up. A family oriented area that is friendly with mature trees is the dream. Our current home was built in 1929 with big (but drafty) windows and nice large rooms with hardwood floors. I won't miss the lack of water pressure or the layers upon layers of wallpaper, or the bathtub that feels like an ice block in the winter (or the ONE bathroom), but I will miss the warm oak built-in cabinets and the huge front porch with a 100 year old tree out front. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to begin? Thanks for listening.

[macsports2]

Originally Posted by MaureenP1

Hello. My husband is being transfered to Columbus. His office will be in the home and this will free us to live to any location within the Columbus area. I have three children and am looking for a nice area with excellent schools. I like older homes with a little "character" but the schools are more important. I was impressed with the students from Grove City at a recent band competition. Friendly, respectful and not snobby or stuck-up. They were having fun and seemed very nice. We have also been told to consider Dublin although I have been told that it is a bit "preppy" and "white bread". Is Worthington nice? We have been in Middletown for a long time and have made many friends here having been involved in too many groups as a volunteer or coach to mention. The decline of the schools here had a lot to do with why we have accepted the transfer. We love having a diverse culture around us, but lately the discipline in the schools has become too lax and the standards have dropped. Unfortunately our town isn't diverse - it's segregated. I don't mean to sound like a snob, but we have finally given up. A family oriented area that is friendly with mature trees is the dream. Our current home was built in 1929 with big (but drafty) windows and nice large rooms with hardwood floors. I won't miss the lack of water pressure or the layers upon layers of wallpaper, or the bathtub that feels like an ice block in the winter (or the ONE bathroom), but I will miss the warm oak built-in cabinets and the huge front porch with a 100 year old tree out front. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to begin? Thanks for listening.

I am also looking at relocating to Grove City soon from Northeast PA. I have been doing a lot of research on the area and haven't really found anything negative about it. If you go into greatschools.net you could compare each school in that area. I've found JC Sommer Elementaryto be a very good rating and many others. The prices of houses aren't too bad either and are really nice. Good luck on your search.

[jajosh07]

Worthington, Westerville- Probably not Dublin or Hilliard, how far out are you willing to live from the City? I would suggest places consider Plain City, Marysville or Canal Winchester

[bgfalcons86]

Try Worthington for the mature neighborhood feel with good schools. Plain City (Jonathan Alder) and Marysville are nice communities with good schools, but I'd take Worthington over those two communities when it comes to good schools with some diversity. Worthington's reputation when it comes to academics has been very good for a long time. JA and Marysville are 'up-and-comers'.

[jajosh07]

The only reason that I would suggest a location other than Worthington is that it has a reputation for being "Preppy" or "Snotty"

[happymee]

Originally Posted by jajosh07

The only reason that I would suggest a location other than Worthington is that it has a reputation for being "Preppy" or "Snotty"

DITTO...but I will say canal winchester is a nice little city that is growing... I believe they just built a new middle school there too...IMO

[Camiller26]

I personally would NOT do Grove City. I have friends there that are currently looking to get out of the area. It is getting worse by the minute. We live in Westerville and I can not say enough good things about it. The schools rate a 10 and are just absolutely wonderful right down to the preschools!!! Uptown Westerville is just so quaint and adorable. You can find some beautiful older homes. Some have already been updated or you can find one to update yourself. Taxes are high here but in the Columbus area you truly get what you pay for. I have friends in all suburbs of Columbus and I sincerely think Westerville is the best. But at the very least I would suggest you stay north of Columbus. The schools are much better in that area than anywhere else. I know great realtor if you need one!

[sftong]

I don't think Westerville schools is that great though, like a full 10 rated or best.

Its School District Rating is Effective, Performance Index Score is second tier at 97.7, compared to many Excellent rated schools with scores at 102 and above.

Maureen, Worthington is probably your best bet, though schools is currently a concern but would probably improve next year. I say Worthington fit your bill because it is an older city with mature trees, and it rest on the north. Typically the north and north-west, and west (like hilliard) is more culturally diverse.

[tscrilla]

I just want to second Camiller. Westerville is wonderful. I moved here a couple of years ago and have loved every minute of it. I checked into Grove City too but just didn't get a good feel. Lots of fast food chains and does not have a quaint feel like Uptown Westerville. Plenty of older nice homes in the area too.

Originally Posted by Camiller26

I personally would NOT do Grove City. I have friends there that are currently looking to get out of the area. It is getting worse by the minute. We live in Westerville and I can not say enough good things about it. The schools rate a 10 and are just absolutely wonderful right down to the preschools!!! Uptown Westerville is just so quaint and adorable. You can find some beautiful older homes. Some have already been updated or you can find one to update yourself. Taxes are high here but in the Columbus area you truly get what you pay for. I have friends in all suburbs of Columbus and I sincerely think Westerville is the best. But at the very least I would suggest you stay north of Columbus. The schools are much better in that area than anywhere else. I know great realtor if you need one!

[Torn2pieces]

I live in Grove City - what is so bad about it???? All I hear is this negativity, yet no one says why!?!?!?

I hear all these other towns having crime - these so called "good" towns.

I live in a Nice neighbor....


My Husband works over in Worthington - says it stinks....The people are snobbish. But, that's just his opinion...