Trying to decide on best area to buy a house...need advice! (Columbus: 2011, houses)

[Destiny4]

My husband and I have two small children and want to buy a house in the Columbus area next summer (price range btw $200K - $260K). We are looking at Powell, Lewis Center and Westerville. Our oldest will be starting school in the fall of 2011 and we want to make sure we live in an excellent school district.

I've heard so many things about each of these suburbs...some good, some not so good. For instance, have heard and researched that Powell is a beautiful area with excellent school district (Olentangy) but very expensive and not very diverse...same with Lewis Center, less expensive than Powell but also not very diverse. So far, Westerville is the only area I've found that appears to be diverse, has affordable homes and a great school district. However, I've read and heard that some think Westerville is not as nice a place to live (crime, etc.)

Would love to hear others opinions!

[NewToCA]

If diversity is a specific requirement I'd probably take a look at Westerville and Gahanna.

[Tenzo]

What do you mean by diverse?
Ethnic
Values
wage
jobs
sexual orientation

Not judging your wants. It's completely your decision what you want.
I will say that Columbus is the least diverse of any place I have ever lived in. But then I gravitate toward large cities.

[Destiny4]

Thanks for your response. By diverse I mean ethnicity, values, political views, etc. I agree that Columbus appears to be a less diverse place than most cities. I continue to look into Westerville and so far it looks pretty good! So we'll see...

[Tenzo]

Westerville is pretty heavy into White Christian values, which is OK, if you are Christian.
It's also the wife swapping capital of the US.

Go figure

That aside, it's a nice area with good schools and access to the highways.

[GeminiGal]

Originally Posted by Destiny4

I've heard so many things about each of these suburbs...some good, some not so good. For instance, have heard and researched that Powell is a beautiful area with excellent school district (Olentangy) but very expensive and not very diverse...same with Lewis Center, less expensive than Powell but also not very diverse. So far, Westerville is the only area I've found that appears to be diverse, has affordable homes and a great school district. However, I've read and heard that some think Westerville is not as nice a place to live (crime, etc.)

Would love to hear others opinions!

I think Westerville would be a great choice and you are more than likely to find something in your price range.

I live in Powell, and yes, it is not very "diverse". In as many places that I have lived and in the number of houses that we have owned, the higher the priced home the less diversity, in most cases. Folks seem to segregate themselves and seem to want to live amongst people/families "like them".

Good luck in your search. Central OH is a great place for families!

[LMS7689]

Originally Posted by Tenzo

Westerville is pretty heavy into White Christian values, which is OK, if you are Christian.
It's also the wife swapping capital of the US.

LOL. Where did that bit of information (wife swapping) come from, Tenzo? I'm not calling you on it, I'm just curious...

[bbb3601]

Originally Posted by Tenzo

Westerville is pretty heavy into White Christian values, which is OK, if you are Christian.
It's also the wife swapping capital of the US.

Go figure

That aside, it's a nice area with good schools and access to the highways.

You know I have heard that as well.

[Tenzo]

Originally Posted by LMS7689

LOL. Where did that bit of information (wife swapping) come from, Tenzo? I'm not calling you on it, I'm just curious...

It was an AP or UPI article that was picked up and expanded on by one of the local rags. Either 'the other paper' or the one just like it.

I was brand new to Columbus and reading the local papers to get a feeling for the town.


Just tried googleing 'westerville ohio wife swapping' but there were so many ads for wife swapping in Westerville it overwelmed me. Personally I don't see the attraction with wife swapping. I find the one I have troublesome enough.

[GeminiGal]

Originally Posted by Tenzo

Personally I don't see the attraction with wife swapping. I find the one I have troublesome enough.

DH says the same thing.

Seriuosly though, you are going to find interesting "characters" everywhere. I have lived in enough places that I could tell you some interesting stories. Even two recent stories come out of GA & NC. The one in metro ATL about a knidnapping/bondage scenario and the Charlotte area one about a man having his wife ***** (I can't even say it ) with their two kids in the house.

OP - Westerville would be great place to live - no worries!