Gahanna or Blacklick (Columbus, Jefferson: apartment, HOA, condo)

[Muffy1]

I have not been in Columbus long. I am deciding between a house in Gahanna and Blacklick(Jefferson Township). Which one do you think is better? I don't know if Jefferson Township is considered Blacklick?

[Zen_master]

Originally Posted by Muffy1

I have not been in Columbus long. I am deciding between a house in Gahanna and Blacklick(Jefferson Township). Which one do you think is better? I don't know if Jefferson Township is considered Blacklick?

Happy to lend some thoughts. Can you provide some parameters of what you are looking for? What is your desired square footage? Any specifications for style or build year? Lot size? Proximity to destinations or you desired commute? Both are going to be Gahanna-Jefferson Schools, assuming you have kids in the district, that is a wash. But As you move from West to East homes tend to get newer, larger, and higher priced.

[Muffy1]

I am looking for a house that is about 2500 sq ft but it could be larger or smaller depending in the layout of the house. Many of the houses that I have looked at have the square footage but waste space. We are looking for a more traditional looking house. The lot can be small. I don't need an acre of land. My budget is between 350k to 400k which includes the cost of any additional renovation work. The problem I am encountering is an existing home that is 350 needs at minimum 50k in work. Most of the homes that I have seen are not well taken care of unfortunately. I am looking for something near the airport which is why I am looking at Gahanna and Blacklick. I was looking at something near Jefferson golf course. I don't know which area has a better resale value. I am looking at this in case I have to move. The HOA seem very strict in many subdivisions.

[adelaster]

Originally Posted by Muffy1

I am looking for a house that is about 2500 sq ft but it could be larger or smaller depending in the layout of the house. Many of the houses that I have looked at have the square footage but waste space. We are looking for a more traditional looking house. The lot can be small. I don't need an acre of land. My budget is between 350k to 400k which includes the cost of any additional renovation work. The problem I am encountering is an existing home that is 350 needs at minimum 50k in work. Most of the homes that I have seen are not well taken care of unfortunately. I am looking for something near the airport which is why I am looking at Gahanna and Blacklick. I was looking at something near Jefferson golf course. I don't know which area has a better resale value. I am looking at this in case I have to move. The HOA seem very strict in many subdivisions.

I think Gahanna might be closer to what you want, in that it has more variety of homes and it is closer to the airport. Blacklick is developing, but Gahanna is more established. Gahanna also has a really nice waterfront area - Creekside Plaza. I have lived in Blacklick for about three years, but we own a condo and not a house. Before that I had an apartment in Gahanna for over a year. I frequently drive through both the part of Blacklick you are eyeing and Gahanna, and it is my general impression that Blacklick is a little more "out" than Gahanna. I have seen a lot more stores and restaurants come in the short time I've been in the area in both cities, but Gahanna has more of a town feel, where Blacklick is more spread out. More of the homes in Blacklick might be newer though, if that is important to you. The area you mention is a nice one, quiet, and near not just the golf course but also Gahanna Woods Nature Preserve. Broad street would quickly take you to to 270 to the airport, or you could take a number of off freeway routes (both likely around 15-20 min with traffic).

There's a ton of food and shopping in both Blacklick and Gahanna, so really it comes down to which area appeals more. Gahanna has a "downtown" with events like parades, etc. while Blacklick is just close to a lot of things. I also notice more sidewalks in Gahanna.

Hope that helps!