Black mother trying to find a good Columbus neighborhood (frank post). (Cleveland: 2010, apartment)

[urpalmaryann00]

I should also say that Hilliard is mostly white, been there and everyone looked pretty much like me....but Reynoldsburg is way more diverse, and is very close to where you mentioned in your original post, which i think would be considered the " near east side",possibly groveport(not as diverse as Reynoldburg),AVOID the "historic" part of Groveport,more south, not ANYONE past tan, but you would notice that right away, because it is so close to a very diverse community, yet it is all white!the rest of groveport,as well as the schools is fine and i would say good for your concerns. the area you were in is probably Columbus city schools, which are improving, and some are very good, so with diversity plus good schools, may be a good choice. You can go to the ohio department of education and break it all down with demographics!My long time bf worked downtown and drove from Reynoldsbug every day(for 8 years), was NOT a bad drive, because the easy access to the freeways all over columbus area! That area u mentioned is close to canal winchester too, been there a lot too, mostly white and I think too high money-wise. Just east of refugee is Reynoldsburg.If you were to go back to where you were,at the intersection of Hamilton(runs north and south) and Refugee,by eastland mall and take any big street and turn east, you would be in reynoldsburg asap."Near east" blends into reynolsburg(east) very fast. Hilliard is considered west side. I have friends i used to work with who lived in the refugee/eastland mall area that were all happy and safe, and the price is RIGHT!cheaper than reynoldsburg,which is still a good deal.. all were black..including a couple immigrants who were not familiar with the country,much less the east side of columbus...hope this helps

[streetcreed]

Some of the apartment complexes in the Refugee/Gender (near Eastland Mall) areas looked pretty nice. Does anyone know the name of this part of town and whether it is high crime or not? Any sincere input is appreciated. Thanks

I looked back at your original post and realized that your question has maybe been lost in the discussion. The area you mentioned, Refugee and Gender, is a decent area.

It falls into a similar demographic as the other areas I gave you. Refugee and Gender is just further east. Most of the area has Columbus City Schools, but a lot of the elementary schools, in this area, are ranked efficient or excellent.

The area is very diverse and has a large black population.

Eastland Mall is still alive and has some shopping nearby and there is a healthy mix of homes and apartments around here, including some brand new apartments and homes.

Also, the area is on bus routes and near highway access. As far as crime, I have friends who live there and have not had any car break-ins and such. The area is not known as a high crime area, but incidents do happen sometimes. I do know there are sometimes incidents at certain bars or hang out locations. If you simply avoid these then you should be fine.

In order to see which Columbus city school your neighborhood would attend you can easily use the CCS website. Here is a link to a PDF file which has every school listed by boundary.
http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/school_boundaries/es.pdf

Here is a link to the school's website, every school is listed with a profile of the school. You can compare the profile with the schools on the eastside.

Columbus City Schools - Elementary School Profiles

Here is a link to Great Schools.net, here you can compare the school with their rankings.

Great Schools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

You will find that there are some good, diverse elementary schools on the east side. The ones in the area you were originally looking into are some of the better and newer ones.

[colswestista]

Originally Posted by urpalmaryann00

I should also say that Hilliard is mostly white, been there and everyone looked pretty much like me....but Reynoldsburg is way more diverse, and is very close to where you mentioned in your original post,

yes, I agree. Reynoldsburg is a good option to fit the criteria.
Very diverse, good school system, and not too far from things to do around town.

[mrb69]

Originally Posted by colswestista

yes, I agree. Reynoldsburg is a good option to fit the criteria.
Very diverse, good school system, and not too far from things to do around town.

Reynoldsburg is only 10% black.

[umm2boyz]

well let me just tell you my story... I to am a black mother living in Columbus I moved here in August. I moved here because it was a position at my job which requiredrelocation to the " Columbus Ohio area" it was more money and I work from home 90% of time i only go into the office which is in New Albany to train other or trainings myself. I don't know anyoner here only a few people in Cleveland Ohio. My job paid for my relocation etc.. I had until September 1st to find a home, apt, etc.. I had such a hard time finding one during my short visits here over the summer. Time was running short so I found one in the dispatch called him up met with the owners....very nice house it was early Sunday morning so not alot of people was outside neighborhood didn't look so bad owners told me "it's pretty quiet"...i took the place my relocation assistance was about to end...well I live on the EASTSIDE...found that out later... to shorten the story...its a whole mess around here...scared and afraid and stuck here for 2 years...gangs everything gun shots at night my son was robbed on day 3 going to the store to get milk....my children dont go out to ride their bikes...i'm really sad because of where we live i have enrolled my sons in basketball, chess, karate in the suburban area so won't be prisoners...now that it's darker earlier we have to go out for earlier dinners on fridays night...i don't wear my diamonds anymore or carry my expensive bags because i don't want anyone to rob me....the schools are a mess...both my sons where put in "advanced classes" so called but it's the same work they were gettig in basic classes in Pennsylvania...I like Columbus and in 2 years when I am able to move I will stay in Columbus....but i have strong advise..DO YOUR RESEARCH...please...i wish i knew about this site in August....p.s buckeyes haven't won us over yet we still love penn state!

[dustin183]

2 good options:

1. Eastgate (just west of Bexley)

2. Berwick (south of Bexley)

Both are safe. Have many upper class blacks. For example, the former Columbus school board president, the police chief's son, and mayor's mother-in-law all reside in Eastgate. The mayor himself resides in Berwick.

Back in the 70's when whites moved out of these areas, it was the black doctors, lawyers, and accountants that bought up the homes. Now though, some whites and gays are moving in because these places offer great value.

[Buckeye 89]

Originally Posted by umm2boyz

well let me just tell you my story... I to am a black mother living in Columbus I moved here in August. I moved here because it was a position at my job which requiredrelocation to the " Columbus Ohio area" it was more money and I work from home 90% of time i only go into the office which is in New Albany to train other or trainings myself. I don't know anyoner here only a few people in Cleveland Ohio. My job paid for my relocation etc.. I had until September 1st to find a home, apt, etc.. I had such a hard time finding one during my short visits here over the summer. Time was running short so I found one in the dispatch called him up met with the owners....very nice house it was early Sunday morning so not alot of people was outside neighborhood didn't look so bad owners told me "it's pretty quiet"...i took the place my relocation assistance was about to end...well I live on the EASTSIDE...found that out later... to shorten the story...its a whole mess around here...scared and afraid and stuck here for 2 years...gangs everything gun shots at night my son was robbed on day 3 going to the store to get milk....my children dont go out to ride their bikes...i'm really sad because of where we live i have enrolled my sons in basketball, chess, karate in the suburban area so won't be prisoners...now that it's darker earlier we have to go out for earlier dinners on fridays night...i don't wear my diamonds anymore or carry my expensive bags because i don't want anyone to rob me....the schools are a mess...both my sons where put in "advanced classes" so called but it's the same work they were gettig in basic classes in Pennsylvania...I like Columbus and in 2 years when I am able to move I will stay in Columbus....but i have strong advise..DO YOUR RESEARCH...please...i wish i knew about this site in August....p.s buckeyes haven't won us over yet we still love penn state!

Where do you live on the Eastside and how old are your boys?

[umm2boyz]

I live off of Fairwood ave the nearest large street is Livingston ave. My sons are 13 & 9 years olds. The store my son was walking to when they robbed him is on Livingston Ave.

[streetcreed]

I live off of Fairwood ave the nearest large street is Livingston ave. My sons are 13 & 9 years olds. The store my son was walking to when they robbed him is on Livingston Ave.

Fairwood and Livingston is an area in transition and is the closest thing many would call a "bad" area on the east side.

I am sorry that you did not have more information on the area before moving.

The areas of the east side that we are mentioning as "good diverse" areas are further east than where you live. Berwick, far east columbus, berwin, eastmoor, and east gate are all east and south of the suburb Bexley. Their local schools are performing well or good and the neighborhood is much more stable and has far less crime.

For your situation I would recommend looking at either A) moving futher east, to the mentioned neigborhoods and researching each school your child would attend.

or B) You can actually use the Columbus City Schools open enrollment policy and send your kids to one of the better schools in the district.

The Berwick School is a Columbus School just further east of you. You can enter your child into the lottery to attend this school. It is a strong College Prep public school.

I recommend using the links that I posted in this thread. The links will give you information on all of the Columbus schools, their boundaries, and information on how to enroll your children in one of the better schools. Also, the middle school east of you is rated as effective and would be a better option than your local middle school.

[dustin183]

Originally Posted by umm2boyz

I live off of Fairwood ave the nearest large street is Livingston ave. My sons are 13 & 9 years olds. The store my son was walking to when they robbed him is on Livingston Ave.

That is a rough area. I'm sorry you have to live there. Whoever set you up with that did a bad thing and you should request to be allowed to break the lease and move.