Relocating- ?'s on Westerville Neighborhoods (Columbus, Cleveland: best neighborhoods, high crime, affordable houses)

[cakarbear]

My husband and I are relocating this summer from Los Angeles as he will be attending OSU for Grad School in the fall. We have already looked at several neighborhoods and are now currently looking in Westerville. We are looking to be just north of Columbus (my family is in Cleveland) but in an area that has lots of parks, trails, is dog and family friendly and more importantly to get the most house for our buck. We are on a limited budget as he will be in school and can only spend about $150k. Schools are not really important right now as we don't have any children (yet). We have seen a lot of affordable houses in areas east of 71 and south of 270. Some of the neighborhoods include Huber Ridge, Blendon, Minerva Park & Sharon. Any advice on these neighborhoods is greatly appreciated. Plus, if you have any other advice, I'll take it! Thanks

[Keethler]

I grew up in Westerville, although I do not live in Columbus anymore. I would recommend living in Westerville for the parks, safety, and cleanliness. However, you should know that there are not many bars, restaurants in the city as it was formerly the dry capital of the US. Something to keep in mind.

[2006Buckeye]

Originally Posted by cakarbear

My husband and I are relocating this summer from Los Angeles as he will be attending OSU for Grad School in the fall. We have already looked at several neighborhoods and are now currently looking in Westerville. We are looking to be just north of Columbus (my family is in Cleveland) but in an area that has lots of parks, trails, is dog and family friendly and more importantly to get the most house for our buck. We are on a limited budget as he will be in school and can only spend about $150k. Schools are not really important right now as we don't have any children (yet). We have seen a lot of affordable houses in areas east of 71 and south of 270. Some of the neighborhoods include Huber Ridge, Blendon, Minerva Park & Sharon. Any advice on these neighborhoods is greatly appreciated. Plus, if you have any other advice, I'll take it! Thanks

IMO most of the homes you will get for under $150k are going to be in declining neighborhoods. An exception might be the little homes in the neighborhoods north of Schrock, west of State (Rt 3) or north of Schrock and east of State (Rt 3).

The neighborhoods you have listed are cheap for a reason. Huber Ridge is probably the best bet of all the neighborhoods you have listed, but really, it's better to stay north of Schrock Rd. Here are a few examples.
Real Living HER - Buy a home. Sell your house. Find an agent and a mortgage.
Real Living HER - Buy a home. Sell your house. Find an agent and a mortgage.

Is your husband only going to be in grad school for two years? Do you plan to relocate after he completes school?

[cakarbear]

Thanks. We don't really care about bars and such as I don't drink. We are planning on living there for at least 5 years as his program is a Masters into a PHD program, so that is why we want to buy.

[TJSellsHomes]

Have you considered looking closer to OSU? Clintonville, Italian Village, Short North, Harrison West and Victorian Village would meet your requirements. If schools are not an issue, then you'll find more house for your money in the Columbus school district vs. a suburb district. Your taxes will be lower too.

[cakarbear]

The areas closer to OSU seem to be much more expensive for a single family home.

[HuskerDu]

Originally Posted by cakarbear

The areas closer to OSU seem to be much more expensive for a single family home.

You get what you pay for in Columbus. Clintonville has a neighborhood to the north called Beechwold and it is a very good place if you look south of Morse Rd and west of I-71. It's less expensive as well.

[2006Buckeye]

Although all of the places TJ named are very nice, I really doubt there's a home in your price range. You could probably find something in the Beechwold area, but it would be a smaller house. If you are willing to settle for a smaller home, you could find something. There is a reason people want to live around campus, and resale is generally pretty good. But, you make concessions.

I can understand wanting to buy if you will be here for five years, but before you buy, make sure you check out the neighborhoods in person. The problem with the areas you are considering in "Westerville" is, uh, to be blunt, going kind of ghetto. Take a drive down Morse Road or 161. Not good areas. Fairly high crime. You might get more house, but that house is going to be in a declining neighborhood. Generally Columbus taxes and Westerville schools aren't going to be the best neighborhoods.

Dublin and Worthington are most likely out of your price range. Hilliard is west, Gahanna is east, and each would probably have homes in your price range. Pickerington is way east, and you can get a whole lot of house for your money. Delaware is north. You could prob get a 1400 sq. ft cookie cutter home for under $150k, but again, it's far from OSU. Although, tons of people live in Delaware and commute to Columbus.

[HuskerDu]

I would love to know where the official border between Clintonville and Beechwold happens to be. On one hand, you have (or had) the Beechwold Clinic, where my mother worked for 20 years, across the street from Overbrook which is two blocks south of Cooke Rd. Then you have people north of Henderson Rd, all the way up to Graceland, who seem to think they live in Clintonville. I would draw the line at Watterson High School... but that is just me. Any official word? (que streetcreed)

[TJSellsHomes]

Originally Posted by 2006Buckeye

Although all of the places TJ named are very nice, I really doubt there's a home in your price range.

While I don't like to have Internet fights, I must correct you. I just found about 80 properties between 135k-160k in the Clintonvile/OSU/Ital Village/NW Columbus area.

There are PLENTY of options for you in your price range, Bear. You just need some help narrowing it down.