Relocating to Columbus (Hamilton, Beavercreek, Westerville: apartment, rental, house)

[tricofranklin]

My wife and I are relocating to Columbus, and are not at all familiar with the city. We would like any information about what areas are nice to live in, or more specifiably what areas to avoid. We currently have a newborn so schools are not a big issue for a few more years, but safety is of the utmost importance. We are looking to rent an apartment first and hopefully buy a house within the next year. We would like to be in a neighborhood that is safe to take walks and go to parks with our 6 month old. I will be working near the Port Columbus International Airport but have no problem with commuting 20-30 min each way. Any helpful comments would be appreciated.

[NewToCA]

I'd probably take a look at Gahanna and Westerville first, they put you in a pretty good commute to the airport.


http://www.city-data.com/city/Gahanna-Ohio.html

http://www.city-data.com/city/Westerville-Ohio.html

[lizloh]

we're moving (my fiance and i) to the villages at worthington green (its mailing address is columbus but we're between worthington and dublin i think) it's a real nice place, good price, ranch style, attic space.... seems like a great area!! and there are plenty of parks in columbus it seems! the bad areas i have heard of are south and (maybe) west of the university....sorry if i am no help at all!

[streetcreed]

the bad areas i have heard of are south and (maybe) west of the university....sorry if i am no help at all!

To clarify it is hard to generalize any area or side of the city as "bad" columbus has a central/older city and "new" outer city, then a ring of suburbs.

The area known as the far south side, before the suburb Grove City, has a reputation for having many high poverty neighborhoods.

The area west of the university, OSU, is actually one of the higher income areas of Columbus, known as NW Columbus, and then the high income, very safe suburb of Upper Arlington. I believe you meant to say the area just east of OSU is known for having higher crime, this neighborhood is called Linden.

[TJSellsHomes]

Originally Posted by tricofranklin

My wife and I are relocating to Columbus, and are not at all familiar with the city. We would like any information about what areas are nice to live in, or more specifiably what areas to avoid. We currently have a newborn so schools are not a big issue for a few more years, but safety is of the utmost importance. We are looking to rent an apartment first and hopefully buy a house within the next year. We would like to be in a neighborhood that is safe to take walks and go to parks with our 6 month old. I will be working near the Port Columbus International Airport but have no problem with commuting 20-30 min each way. Any helpful comments would be appreciated.

Morse Road, East of I-270 has been steadily built up for a few years now. There's a lot of nice rental options there. Also, Rt 161, East of Hamilton Rd, has a lot to offer too.

[ColumbusNEWb]

I moved here last September and settled in Groveport. I actually settled in OLD Groveport. It's quiet, walkable, small, good jogging trails, really good Community Centre with gym and indoor running/walking track as well as one outside. I jog the trails from my house to the gym there cause it's connected to one of the trails.

Also I picked Groveport because it's close to the edge of the metro and I can hop on US 33 and head Southeast to the Hocking Hills region (45 minute drive) for hiking, canoeing, camping, offroading and other things the hills offer. The terrain of Ohio takes on a whole different look in this area. Hilly and thickly wooded.

Groveport is a 20 minute drive into the city as well via the US 33 freeway to I-70 so I can experience everything Columbus has but return to a quiet village when I've had enough city life

I also work just North of the Airport and my commute US 33/Hamilton interchange to 270 north runs about a 20 minute commute each way... thats if traffic is flowing and depending on the hour.

There is also two Metro Parks just outside of Groveport/Canal Winchester for local recreation.
Slate Run: Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System- Slate Run

Chestnut Ridge: Metro Parks - Central Ohio Park System- Chestnut Ridge

Here is a link for the Village of Groveport http://www.groveport.org/

Also Canal Winchester is right next to Groveport and has a decent amount of shopping, cute downtown and also walkable.
Welcome to The Village of Canal Winchester

[Beavercreek33]

I really would suggest Westerville just north of Columbus.

City of Westerville, Ohio

Its been about two years since this article was published, but Westerville still lives up to being a very livable place:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/...oneymag/46.htm

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Beavercreek33

I really would suggest Westerville just north of Columbus.

City of Westerville, Ohio

Its been about two years since this article was published, but Westerville still lives up to being a very livable place:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/...oneymag/46.htm

CNN/Money Magazine link didn't work, hopefully this one will:

Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Westerville, Ohio (46) - Money Magazine

[Beavercreek33]

Thank you, CA. Didn't even go back to look if it worked.

[Sumack0075]

I live in Gahanna and it is a great place. Schools are good, it's a newer area with lots going on, and there are several different places to access 270,161, and 670.