Any Hilltop residents? ( purchasing a home) (Columbus, Worthington: hardwood floor, foreclosed, budget)

[urbangal]

Hello all,
I am looking into purchasing a home in the Hilltop area (around Hilltonia). I was wondering if anyone had any insight to the neighborhood and how they like it, etc. I love the homes in this area. Thanks

[newnurse111]

I don't know much about the hilltop area but a website I really like is [think-urban] I has great info about neighborhoods in Columbus that are realistic and show positive and negative factors.

[newnurse111]

The website I listed before states this

The Hilltop is home to a very large Latino population. Although the neighborhood is considered one of the rougher areas of the city, Hilltop residents maintain a very close knit relationship with one another and promote community pride. The community has redeveloped commercial property, created the Hilltop Senior Village and developed several recreation trails and parks in the area. Homes contain large front porches situated on tree-lined streets. According to the Greater Hilltop Community Development Corporation (broken link), the neighborhood design unites residents. “Neighborhood block parties and local parades are bringing neighbors together. The close proximity of local shopping, easy access to bus lines and the short distance from downtown has contributed to the Hilltop’s success. Home values are rising and community infrastructure is improving and expanding.”
There are 14 parks and recreation areas in and around the Hilltop neighborhood. The GHCDC joined with city employees to plant evergreen trees and make sure Dry Run Creek at Holton Park had an easily accessible hiking trail.

[LASam]

I had limited experience when I lived in Columbus with the Hilltop area, but I would not recommend it from what I recall. I remember the public schools in that area being a little rough around the edges and crime being somewhat higher than other parts of the city. What is it about that area that attracts you?

[urbangal]

thanks everyone for your input so far, I appreciate it!

I like the homes in the area for the price and I like the central location; I don't have children, but yet I do want someplace I can feel safe. I live in the short north area now(for 10 yrs) but am ready to purchase.

[LASam]

How about Worthington, Clintonville, or Grandview Heights? I would think these would all be preferable to Hilltop.

[urbangal]

I wish I had the paycheck to afford these places, I love them all; I am looking in the $80,000 range, so I am limited for budget reasons, and unfortunately all that you mentioned takes a whole lot more as far as a paycheck is concerned

[jajosh07]

have you checked into buying a foreclosed house? you can find then on Homes and Communities - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) then click on the hud houses link.. there a a large amount in franklin county for very cheap

[xcountrymover]

My mom still lives in the Hilltop area - and she lives in a good 'pocket'. That seems to be the way it is. Areas around Bishop Ready HS - south to Hague Avenue are still mostly families with children, or older adults that have raised their families. The area around St Mary Magdalene church/school is nice as well. It's rougher around West High School - almost out of the Hilltop. So check out the area really well first, maybe even try to talk to some of the neighbors living there already.

So many of the houses in the Hilltop are full of hardwood floors, and character. Good luck!

[LRJohnson]

Eh, I've lived on the Hilltop for most of my life. Its not really too bad, I guess. There's a bunch of places, but I'd pretty much avoid anything past Central Avenue. That includes anything along Eakin, Mound, Sullivant and Broad and beyond going towards downtown. That's called the Bottoms, and its not the Bottoms just for show

Em, if you're looking for a good place, Eakin Rd, between West Mound Elementary on down to maybe demorest Rd all teh way out to Briggs High School is a really good neighborhood. I'm not too far, over here by West High School.