Visiting to consider a move - what should we see? (Columbus: apartment, house)

[katelainmc]

This is good to know. Not something I considered. We are definitely attracted to "character"
which tends to mean older buildings... or new buildings made to reference older styles.


What are some of your favorite restaurants?

Curious when you say Boise and SLC offer more, what you mean by that?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Eaglealum

Columbus is a newer city. Lots of new suburban developments and strip centers. I like new, but I understand when people complain about the lack of character.

People are very friendly.

There are great restaurants.

Columbus is a nationally underrated city. But of the cities you mentioned, i think Boise and SLC offer more than the others.

[wrightflyer]

Of the cities with loads of character, I would think Pittsburgh would top that list in spades. But with character usually comes economic declines at certain points in a metros history. Pittsburgh certainly had that and still feels some effects. Cincinnati and Cleveland are similar, though I like Pittsburgh for its hills. Pittsburgh can feel hemmed in at times, and if you are used to mountains but with open vistas (think looking out from Griffith and seeing miles upon miles of sprawl), this river city can feel almost claustrophobic. Hills doesn't necessarily translate to views all the time. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have places with them, but Pitt especially can have towns and neighborhoods feel smothering from the valleys they sit in.

Austin and Columbus are similar in that they are cities with historic land grant universities. Austin is a little more "developed" while Columbus is certainly coming along as well. I'm sure Austin has its Clintonville's, German Village's and the like, but Columbus felt less "suburban dense" than Austin when I was there. Lot's of strip malls and highways in Austin. Also, like Columbus, very spread out. But because some areas felt older with bigger trees, or had large office buildings or apartments hemmed in between strip centers, it made the suburban feel to be more dense than typical. The Domain area and places around The Arboretum felt the most like this. Also, Austin traffic is awful, especially when comparing size-to-gridlock ratio.

SLC would be a wild card. I have liberal friends who love it there. But the Mormon church can be a little unfriendly, and many of the areas outside the inner-ring and urban neighborhoods that are attractive to families tend to be right-leaning and mostly Mormon. Not saying all Mormon's aren't welcoming. Many I know are. But there is a reason the state is red, has high-profile conservative leaders such as Romney and has a farcical musical centered around the cities primary religion. I have never been personally, and would suggest trying, but I don't think it would be my first choice on a spot check. Also, I hear schools aren't amazing, but aren't bad. I hear Park City has some good schools and that would be cool living in a commutable ski town. Prices might be too high for the budget.

As for Boise, I don't know anything about that metro. Hear the weather is nice and Idaho is pretty. But I think it can feel remote to other cities and their amenities.

Of all of these, I think you can probably narrow down to Austin, Columbus and Pittsburgh. Probably that order. If needing only two, a toss-up between Texas's liberal pocket and Ohio's left-leaning capital.

[Eaglealum]

Boise and SLC offer more in terms of scenery, outdoor activities and better weather. At least in the winter you can ski. In Columbus it’s just snow. SLC and Boise to a lesser extent, are vacation destinations. Columbus will never be considered that. I’ve only been to Boise once, but have family there. I’ve traveleves to SLC for work multiple times, and there are few cities as scenic as SLC.

[carlek]

Originally Posted by wrightflyer

Of all of these, I think you can probably narrow down to Austin, Columbus and Pittsburgh. Probably that order. If needing only two, a toss-up between Texas's liberal pocket and Ohio's left-leaning capital.

I grew up in San Antonio (60 miles south of Austin, and now basically connected to it via one dense, traffic-snarled I-35 sprawl, including New Braunfels and San Marcos), and I went to school in Georgetown, Texas, just north of Austin (it used to be a small town but is now just a suburb of Austin). All my family is still in the area, and yet you could not pay me enough to live in Austin these days. The traffic is HORRIBLE. And housing costs are outrageous. You would get more for your money in Columbus and without the tragically hip attitude, horrendous heat, yearly droughts/water rationing/flash-flooding. Just my opinion.

[carlek]

Originally Posted by katelainmc

This is good to know. Not something I considered. We are definitely attracted to "character"
which tends to mean older buildings... or new buildings made to reference older styles.

I think Columbus has plenty of architectural character, especially if you plan to spend most of your time in the denser, older neighborhoods closer to downtown. German Village, Italian Village, Harrison West, Victorian Village, Short North, Clintonville, Worthington, Grandview, Bexley, UA... ALL those places have lovely architecture that ranges from mid-1800s (earlier for Worthington) to 1950s. I don't get a sense of blandness until you get out to the suburbs, and even then, many of them have charming historic down town business districts with lots of charm.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by Eaglealum

Boise and SLC offer more in terms of scenery, outdoor activities and better weather. At least in the winter you can ski. In Columbus it’s just snow. SLC and Boise to a lesser extent, are vacation destinations. Columbus will never be considered that. I’ve only been to Boise once, but have family there. I’ve traveleves to SLC for work multiple times, and there are few cities as scenic as SLC.

Wait, SLC is a vacation destination? Outside of the skiing, which is not the city, I'm not seeing it.

[Eaglealum]

So outside of the beaches, Florida isn’t a vacation destintion?

Park City attracts tourists both in the winter and summer.

[WRnative]

Bexley and Grandview Hts. are two communities to check out in Greater Columbus. If you visit Clintonville, check out Whetstone Park and the Columbus Park of Roses there. There's a Northstar Café nearby.

My Columbus restaurant suggestions would include Lindey's in German Village (while there, visit Schiller Park and the Book Loft); Northstar Café (small chain); City Barbeque (chain); White Castle (original hamburger chain and inventor of the slider); Krema Nut Company for a PBJ; Melt Bar & Grilled (a chain); the original Max & Erma's in German Village; Jeni's Ice Cream (a chain), and Graeter's Ice Cream (a chain). Bexley has both a Jeni's and a Graeter's, and both Ohio ice creams are among the most acclaimed in the U.S.

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/33189

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...mbus_Ohio.html

Obviously, these recommendations are based on fun destinations as well as fine cuisine (Lindey's and Northstar are excellent IMO in all respects, and City Barbeque is among my favorite BBQ destinations in Ohio). LOL!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...mbus_Ohio.html

You can check tripadvisor.com for top-ranked attractions ("Things to Do") in Columbus. Easton Town Center is one of the Midwest's great shopping meccas. The Columbus Zoo in Powell is very good. Shadowbox Live is a unique performance space in Ohio. Ohio State's theater department typically has excellent productions.

http://www.shadowboxlive.org/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...mbus_Ohio.html

Outside of Columbus, if you have time, consider visting the extraordinary aviation history attractions in Dayton (one hour from Columbus), perhaps stopping in Yellow Springs to see Glen Helen Nature Preserve, a National Natural Landmark. Yellow Springs may be the most liberal community in the U.S.; have you ever heard of Antioch College? Young's Jersey Dairy is a favorite there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Springs,_Ohio

https://youngsdairy.com/

This is a dated travel article.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...The.World.html

Hocking Hills State Park, was rated by Fodor's as one of the best state parks in the U.S. It's one hour southeast of Columbus. See number 7 here:

https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/a...st-state-parks

The Hocking Hills are a popular retreat from Columbus in all seasons.

http://hockinghills.com/

If you're driving to Pittsburgh from Columbus, perhaps head northeast visiting Kenyon College, ranked by Forbes once as the most beautiful college campus in the world (not kidding), then heading north to Malabar Farm State Park, a one-time Hollywood retreat (Bacall and Bogart were married there) during the cross-country railroad age before the jet age. The Big House at Malabar Farm is frozen in the 1950s with virtually all of its original furnishings, and then head east to Ohio Amish Country on your way to Pittsburgh. This trip would allow you to see the rolling hills of the Ohio countryside. However, Malabar Farm is just over an hour from Columbus if you take I-71 to get there.

http://malabarfarm.org/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...h.Country.html

https://www.forbes.com/2010/03/01/mo...l#42c44b9e360b

https://www.forbes.com/2010/08/31/be...ure_slide.html

Alternatively, take I-70 east to check out Zanesville and the nearby The Wilds, run by the Columbus Zoo. On a hot day, visit the Wilds ASAP in the morning or in the evening when the animals aren't avoiding the afternoon heat, and bring binoculars.

Ohio looks much better in May than it does in April, so don't come before late April and certainly not in March.

https://thewilds.columbuszoo.org/

Good luck!

[ohioflorida]

You should check out Dublin and other cities listed in the article attached.
Good luck in your search.


https://www.niche.com/places-to-live...laces-to-live/

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus...ng-top-20.html



Pair of Central Ohio suburbs named among Top 20 places to live in the U.S.
Two Columbus suburbs have been named among the best places to live in the U.S., including one in the Top 10.

Real estate website Niche.com ranked Dublin at No. 6 on its national list, giving it As and Bs on all of its dozen ranking criteria save the weather, where it got a C. It got its best grades for its schools, environment for families, jobs and housing.

Bexley also landed in the Top 20, coming in a No. 17.

Upper Arlington finished just out of the Top 50 at No. 51.

Others highly ranked include Upper Arlington, Powell, Grandview Heights and New Albany.

The rankings were based on data from the U.S. Census, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and other sources.

[TXShar]

I am from Ohio.... Dayton Area...but lived in Columbus and Cincy... left Ohio and moved to Austin, Texas........ I went back to Ohio couple times a year to visit family and friends... OHIO is very conservative compared to Austin...... Family wanted me to move back but I just couldn't get past the lack of diversity... Austin is filled with folks from California... Lots of Restaurants, Businesses etc. from CA are also in Austin so you will see some familiar places. Also very walk-able areas near City.. and As far as a City goes... reasonably safe... Housing cost more closer to the city... but still nice places in your budget.

I also lived in Utah for a year......loved it...
Utah has snow.......BUT Dry snow and sunshine..........Columbus is Grey all winter ... that can get to you if you like Sun

Austin has some Winter...rarely snow...BUT July & August HEAT can be a killer... 110, no rain and you better hope the AC works...

You didn't mention Colorado........4 seasons...lots of sunshine and outdoor activity... very progressive ... lots of jobs...BUT like California... Expensive Housing. Still you have Mountains, lakes, snow, quaint towns, friendly, ...

Not sure I helped.... good luck