Westerville, Gahanna, Dublin Or Reynoldsburg (Columbus, Lancaster: low crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[GOLDENDOME]

We have been thinking of relocating to Ohio.

The above towns appear to fit our needs.

Here are the stats: 2 small children 4 &9 , want Catholic School, quaint downtown, house 2500 sq ft, 4 br 2-3 bath 250k to 325k. Which of the above towns
(WESTERVILLE, GAHANNA, DUBLIN OR REYNOLDSBURG) would be the best fit.

Do not want too rural.

Presently live in North Jersey. Also If someone can comment on why the crime stats for all the towns exceed the North Jersey area.

Thanks
GD

[goins1119]

I think Westerville is a beautiful area, although I am not sure about Catholic schools. I use to live in the Little Turtle area off of 270 north. I loved the area. lots of beautiful homes and low crime.

[maestro]

I can't really comment on the Catholic schools, but as a former NYer living in Ohio, I can tell you to stay away from Reynoldsburg (some nice areas but too 'country' for a Jersey person).

Without knowing exactly which town in Jersey you're living in, I'd say Dublin would be your best bet, though north Westerville is very nice as well.

[streetcreed]

Ya really being a Jersey Person I think it sounds as though you want a more solid founded neighborhood. Reynoldsburg is a newer Columbus suburb. You will find a lot of new suburbs that are very car oriented and little downtown to them around Columbus. These types of suburbs are going to be more transitioning rural and have more ruralvscity development issues. There is something positive to note about the east side suburbs (Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pickerington) they all have a larger (though still small compared to a city) middle to upper class black populations than the other suburbs so if you are looking for a diversity as a priority this may be important to you.


Westerville could be all right, some sections get rural, but if you stay in the cities old downtown area you might be ok.

All of the suburbs you mentioned are further out from downtown the city than some others that may be more your style.

if your looking for catholic schools you might want to consider the Beechwold or Clintonville neighborhoods of Columbus. These are older but have very nice homes and there are a wide section of home styles, also many (a lot) people here send their kids to catholic schools in the actual neighorhood. Bishop Watterson ( I believe) is the high school in the area. Our Lady Of Peace is the middle I think.

Also Berwick, Eastmoor (eastside Columbus neighborhoods), and Bexley (eastside suburb) are close to downtown and on the east side and have a high catholic school presence. St. Charles is an all boys catholic high school right on the edge of Columbus and Bexley in the area.

If you really want a suburb then Grandview Heights and Bexley are nice suburbs, but houses are just a little over the price range you mentioned for a middle to large sized home, these ares are near downtown have very high property values though and are very sought after and are safe. If someone says Bexley is not safe they are talking about an area near Bexley and downtown and I would ignore them, because Bexley is very safe but expensive.

Worthington is just west of Westerville and is nice suburb with a mix of housing options and great downtown. Worthington may be right the perfect match for you, other than the city residents are very supportive of the local school system so many of your kids neighbors will not be attending catholic school as they would be in Clintonville or Beechwold neighborhoods of Columbus just south of Worthington. Worthington is smaller and has a more quaint downtown than Dublin, good families, and is very safe, and has decent housing costs.

Dublin is worth checking out, but Dublin has become almost its own middle sized city. The whole place is nearly of upper middle class to upper class status, but there’s many companies located there and the city of Dublin covers a decent area. Most of Dublin was just developed in the last 30 years and it would not maybe provide the tight net sense of community you are looking for when you mentioned smaller and downtown. Houses in Dublin will generally cost more than Worthington, Westerville, and Reynoldsburg

Sorry if that was lot but i think atlest a few of those areas might help put you on the right path.

[Gee]

Westgate Park,Clintonville,Grandview Heights,Worthington, and Dublin all fit the bill. A little further away is Grove City which will be the site of the 2007 Parade of homes, has a quaint downtown and new growth too.

[GOLDENDOME]

Thank you for the information. Knowing what neighborhoods within Columbus are best is nearly impossible to figure out on the web.

Worthington and Westerville appear to be best suited to our needs. What part of Westerville would you consider too rural?

GD

[ka1231]

Westerville is what I recommend. St.Paul's Catholic Church is the church in that parish. Wonderful church with wonderful people. Westerville schools are excellent. There are areas in Delaware county that have new neighborhoods, just watch to make sure it is Westerville schools. Olentangy and Big Walnut schools are nearby.

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by GOLDENDOME

We have been thinking of relocating to Ohio.

The above towns appear to fit our needs.

Here are the stats: 2 small children 4 &9 , want Catholic School, quaint downtown, house 2500 sq ft, 4 br 2-3 bath 250k to 325k. Which of the above towns
(WESTERVILLE, GAHANNA, DUBLIN OR REYNOLDSBURG) would be the best fit.

Do not want too rural.

Presently live in North Jersey. Also If someone can comment on why the crime stats for all the towns exceed the North Jersey area.

Thanks
GD

Howdy GD! Of the four you listed, Dublin and Westerville arguably have the better schools.

Westerville has a nice older downtown area (but they actually call it "Uptown"!) with a substantial number of pre-1930 homes and some eclectic shopping. Otterbein College is just blocks away. Until just the past few years, Westerville was a dry city(!) which explains the relative lack of great restaurants in the area.

In Dublin, the historic downtown area is much smaller, although developers are currently manufacturing a more "historic" look by putting up new commercial buildings that look old. A Dublin address carries with it lots of prestige (if you're into that sort of thing) due to the presence of Muirfield and some super-exclusive homes along both sides of the Scioto (sah-YO!-toe) River.

Another place you might add to your list: Worthington. Probably the most charming downtown of all, centered on an historic New England-style village green. The area is dotted with quaint old churches and a genuine bed & breakfast (Worthington Inn) that actually began as a stagecoach stop. Schools are well regarded. Strict zoning prevents the construction of anything too tacky.

As far as Catholic schools go, they're found in all these communities. But at least for now, the only Catholic high schools around (once your kids are a little older) are located in Columbus proper, such as Clintonville and Northland areas.

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by Gee

Westgate Park,Clintonville,Grandview Heights,Worthington, and Dublin all fit the bill. A little further away is Grove City which will be the site of the 2007 Parade of homes, has a quaint downtown and new growth too.

Not trying to shoot down your idea or be disrespectful, but...don'tcha think Grove City would be a little too much culture shock for a relocated Jersey family?

[bgfalcons86]

Originally Posted by LancasterNative

Howdy GD! Of the four you listed, Dublin and Westerville arguably have the better schools.

I wouldn't put Westerville ahead of Gahanna. I think they're very similar. I might even give Gahanna a slight edge. Anyhow.... I'd put Dublin first, Gahanna & Westerville next and then Reynoldsburg.