Looking outside of town... (Columbus, Lancaster: low crime, homes, school district)

[bmljjs]

My wife and family (2 young boys) are looking at relocating to the Columbus area. We want a nice family oriented suburb, good schools, activities,sports and low crime.

We can afford a middle class income as far as living cost is concerned.

We are moving from southeastern Ohio, so semi-quaint or country style is okay for us too. Just not in the city.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

[Gee]

It depends on where you work and how close you want to be, but to get you started try looking in Far west Franklin county, eastern Madison and Northern *****way county. To be specific try looking in Grove City, Harrisburg, Galloway, Lincoln Village, Clarks Lake, and the Mt Sterling area. The northern edges of Franklin county are very nice too. Try looking in Westerville.

[bmljjs]

Thanks Gee.

I've heard good things about Grove City. And Westerville too.

I will be working in Dublin, so it seems as far as commuting is concerned, it would be nice to be on the SW N NW or NE side. Dublin, Hilliard and those areas sound really nice, probably too upity for me.

Grove City schools? Good? I've heard the SW School district is decent. Everyone has levy issues, so that doesn't bother me.

[Gee]

Some area that would work well for a commute to Dublin would be Madison County specifically West Jefferson and Plain City. Rural Union and Delaware county may work too if you can afford it. As far as SW School district.. the 2007 Ohio teacher of the year is a teacher at Grove City High School and Grove City was chosen for this years parade of homes.

[dobiefamily]

My vote would be for Lancaster..........has a nice small town quaint feel to it, friendly folks, good churches, schools are not bad. We have been here 7 years and have grown to love it. Job is relocating us and we hate to leave. Hocking Hills is not far away, beautiful place. Also, nice parks and rec. program. My daughter enjoys the City Parks Soccer program. The city programs also offer t-ball, softball, etc. There is a program called Upwards that offers Basketball, soccer and other sports. Nice town, good luck with your decision . We wish we did not have to move

[ulsterscot]

I would recommend Pataskala. It still has a nice small town feel, but is not far from the city. Plus, no city income tax!

[LancasterNative]

I concur with the last two posters about Pataskala and my hometown of Lancaster—both are wonderful places!

BUT...since these are both E/SE of Columbus, commuting to Dublin would be a total nightmare, unfortunately.

To be out a-ways but still fairly close to work, you might want to check out Marysville, Plain City or Ostrander.

Marysville is the county seat of Union Co. and is known as the HQ of Honda in North America.

Plain City is a charming little town west of Dublin, sitting on the Union/Madison county line. It has somehow avoided the creeping crud of suburban sprawl so far, maintaining a nice rural character.

Ostrander sits a few miles west of Delaware, north/NW of Dublin.

There is still plenty of rural, undeveloped township property throughout these areas. Probably most affordable would be the northern part of Madison County.

[ulsterscot]

Oops. I missed that you were working in Dublin. LancasterNative hit the top areas on that side of town.