HELP! A weekend in Columbus: Checking things out (Grandview: real estate, apartments)

[stlouislux]

I'm flying into Columbus on a Friday, and will have the weekend to check out the "scene" before I interview with a company on Monday.

1. I'm staying downtown, near the convention center. It has been suggested that I rent a car if I want to see all the different neighborhoods. Any comments?

2. Is there a service like "Apartment People," etc. that will show you various apartments in various neighborhoods, in a span of a few hours? We have several companies that do that here in Chicago.

3. What should I definitely see and do over the weekend so that I get a sense of the city?

4. I want to live in nice apartment, in a funky neighborhood, but not somewhere where people are so drunk from partying that they are screaming at 3:00 AM -- I'd like to live in a fun neighborhood in a nice apartment. Prefer a place that is modern with a washer/dryer in the unit, etc.

5. Open to any and all questions or suggestions....thanks!

[pinkpanther88]

Hi, yes you should rent a car - the public transportation (the bus) would not be easy to get around on if you're not from here.

If you want to live IN Columbus, and not one of the suburbs, then I suggest the following neighborhoods that fit the description of "funky, fun, but no loud drunks":

German Village - has lots of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, a great bookstore called "The Book Loft" which is gigantic - google it. Really pretty area, brick streets, parks, but still not all boring and suburban.

The Short North - it's a little edgier than German Village. It's been gentrified out the wazoo. There are still some homeless people and sketchy types wandering around there. It's considered the "arts district". Every first Saturday of the month they have the "Gallery Hop" which you can google. There are a *lot* of restaraunts, pubs, bars for dancing, art galleries, people who like things a little "left of center", and people who want to look like they like things a little "left of center." You might have some drunks on occasion, but it's probably the hottest neighborhood in Cols right now.

Right next to the Short North is "Italian Village." It's basically part of the Short North, but not as "hip" as the Short North, from what I know. Of course it being not as hip will probably make it more hip once people decide that it's more "dangerous" to be Italian Village.

Victorian Village - to the west of the Short North. Not as "upscale" as German Village, not as funky as the Short North, but still pretty cool. Like the other 2, it's all old houses but these are mostly in the Victorian Style (hence the name).

To the north of Victorian Vill and the Short North, is campus (OSU). Lots of drunks.

All of these neighborhoods are close to the Convention Center. But I wouldn't have a clue as to tell you how to use the bus to see them.

I'm not sure about an "apartment finders" service. I'm sure there is one. Some of it depends on what price range you're looking at. There are some pretty swanky lofts in those neighborhoods, that usually have open houses every weekend.

Definitely go to the Gallery Hop in the Short North on Saturday. You basically walk around from gallery to gallery, or pub to restaurant to pub, checking out the art and people watching. And eating and drinking, of course.

I just realized that you said "here in Chicago." Columbus is a nice place to live, good cost of living, pretty liberal-minded, but it will not be anything like Chicago. It might be like 1/20th of Chicago. There will be substantially less things to do here, but most people get all geared up for OSU football, the Hockey team, the soccer team, and trying to be "artsy." Don't get me wrong, it has it's good points, and I like the artsy areas, but it's nothing compared to Chicago or NYC. But you probably already knew this.

Ok, I hope this helped. If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them if I can. I live in Columbus, so I have nothing better to do!

Linda

[boubou]

Ouch Linda! What condescending digs at Columbus for an innocent relocating poster looking for help.

To the original poster, we just flew into Cbus last weekend to check it out before relo too. We had a blast! Your hotel will be able to give you the low down on nightlife and some good spots to eat depending on what you are looking for. People are gracious and friendly in Columbus. Get a good street map, rent a car and go exploring. I recommend Short North and Grandview for some restaurants and bars. I also recommend Craigs List for apartments. We looked at some places after contacting craigs List posters and had great success.

We're from NYC. Believe me Linda, "artsy" and "liberal minded" (whatever the heck that means) are overrated.

[stlouislux]

I appreciate both perspectives....anyone else care to contribute?

[pinkpanther88]

Hey boubou,

I absolutely love LOVE NYC. We visit there often because my sister in law lives there. I love how there's always something going on and there are people everywhere. We went there a couple of weeks ago - hey what's with that law that liquor can't be served within 200 feet (or yards?) from a church? I went into a place and asked for a rum and coke, and the bartender told me this and I thought he was joking.

Anyway, I think that living here in Cols for my entire life, I want the big city. And you being from the big city, want the smaller city? I guess the grass is always greener.

People from Columbus are always complaining that it's a "cow town." I don't think I'd ever say that, but it's no NYC/Chicago/Boston etc. And I *did* offer the op help - I think I did a pretty good job of describing/summarizing the different neighborhoods downtown, if I don't say so myself!

Whaddaya mean you don't know what liberal means? Yes you do. Liberal means not conservative in social views, ie the way Columbus is accepting of people who are gay and lesbian, for instance. Columbus is very liberal compared to other places in Ohio and the midwest. Most everyone I know would be democrat if they had to choose. I'm saying that Cols being liberal is a good thing. I'm one of those liberals.

And you would be hard pressed to find more devoted fans of a college football team than those of the Ohio State University Buckeyes. It's very fun how everyone wears their scarlet and gray, and we all know the traditional Buckeye songs. I think that "Hang on Sloopy" is actually the state song now, after being a huge OSU song for years and years. I don't know why Hang on Sloopy is an OSU song, that'd be interesting to look up. It's a blast to go down to campus and tailgate or go to the pubs on game days. Very festive and exciting atmosphere. Gotta wear your Buckeye necklace! But I digress...

Anyway, I'm glad you had fun here, and I hope that the op had a good time as well.

[boubou]

You were helpful Linda!! And you're right, you and I have different perspectives on cities b/c of our different lives. Keep in mind though, that especially here in NYC, liberal minded people are often not very liberal and open minded about people who choose to live diffferently then they do. And everyone can choose to be democrat or otherwise-we are free after all. I just don't like it when people mock midwestern cities as small town and not-to-so-liberal minded like the great cosmipolitan cities of San Francisco and NYC. Please. I am a Northeasterner and always have been, but there is something strangely suffocating about living in a liberal minded town that is only liberal when it comes it's free, unadultreated hatred of anything that smacks of tradition. Nothing open or liberal about that. But you have to live in NYC your whole life to realize and experience this irony.

[stlouislux]

I am here.....I think pinkpanther88's interpretation is pretty accurate. I still have a lot more site seeing / checking things out to do.

[Dublinpaul]

Check out Moderator cut: real estate link for good funky places to live. They have a ton of good listings.

Spend time in the short north - youll feel at home there.

Go to a crowded bar on Saturday and take in the local scene cheering on the buckeyes - at a minimum your prospective employer will appreciate it (trust me) and youll probably enjoy people watching at a minimum.


p.s. Easton is fun too.

[pinkpanther88]

Oh, boubou I know exactly what you mean!! I didn't mean to come off like that - yikes! I have friends who used to live in Ohio and moved out west and they are always making little remarks about Ohio. I lived out there for about 6 months and whenever someone would find out I was from Ohio, they'd ask about corn or potatoes. I had to tell them that as far as potatoes, they were mixing up Ohio with Idaho. Yes, a condescending attitude was definitely in the air. I even told them that yes, they are "liberal" but only when it comes to their own views.

You know, it's probably my experience with people looking down on Ohio and Ohioans that caused me to throw those "disclaimers" into my post! I always feel that I have to be like "yes, I know it's not as great as (insert more exciting/"progressive"/"liberal" city)" almost on the defensive. Insult myself before you get a chance to insult me. Hmmm...very interesting. Who knew that such personal insight could come forth from communicating on a message board!

I was in Boulder, Colorado for a bit, and let me tell you, the word "suffocating" you used was right on target. It's a great town, beautiful, mountains, lots to do, lots of sunshine, cool shops...but it was so important to be a certain way politically, socially, etc. If you were "traditional" you were looked down upon. In general, the people (I came into contact with) were so closed-minded and it drove me crazy.

"Sorry, I just got here, please excuse me for eating meat/occasionally listening to classic rock/ not knowing that I shouldn't buy Coors beer because they're not prochoice/watching the Miss America pageant/wearing makeup/doing my hair!" Not that I didn't agree with some of that, but the thing was, I'd better agree or be shunned.

I felt like such an outsider. At least back in the early 90s it was like this. I still like visiting there, though.

So now I understand where you're coming from. I'd still love to live in NYC though - at least for a little bit!

[boubou]

pinkpanther88,
Yes! I get your point exactly and totally understand where you are coming from! I once lived in this small town that was supposed to be laid back with an easy, tolerant, anything-goes "whatever-floats-your-boat-man" mentality that after two years I decided was a pretty rigid group afterall. I got lectured every where on the evils of everything from non-organic produce to Walmart. I had to endure countless comments on my gas guzzling SUV! A neighbor told me that since I didn't compost, I was endangering everyone's children with toxic fertilizer for my lawn. It seemed everyone was worshipping some idealogical god and putting it before people. What happened to manners? So I guess that's why I am sensitive to people saying that smaller, midwestern cities may not be as liberal minded as other cities. I've heard that people in Columbus are downright nice and gracious-I'll take it! Fondly...BB