Utilities in Columbus area. (Grandview, Marble Cliff: apartments, rent, how much)

[ab7735]

I will be moving to the Columbus area soon. As I am doing apartment searches, I am noticing a lot of talk of high gas bills and apartments making you pay for your water. Do most apartment buildings in the area provide at least one of those services or am I mistaken?

[cbusgal614]

I can only talk from personal experience where I rented:

Campus area-usually bundled, wasn't too terrible, especially split with roommates

Grandview/Marble Cliff-Paid electric (had electric heat/window unit air) and water, gas was included (stove) (electric was about 50-90 a month, depending on the temp, and water was about 15) <<rent was much higher than below, one person

SW side-Pay gas (central heat/air), water/sewer, electric (split between two of us...gas=30-40/month, water/sewer=20-30 a month depending on melt/runoff water, electric=30-50 a month) however, rent is much cheaper than the close to downtown apartment

So just take this as an example...I would focus on the combo price of utility bills+rent when considering. Think about how much space you have to heat, how new the windows are, keeping in mind the weather will fluctuate quite a bit and there are plenty of advantages/disadvantages between gas and electric heat/air depending on who you ask and what time of the year it is! =)

Personally we prefer the gas heat/central air. It has so far been cheaper. But we usually put plastic up in the winter and use windows a lot in the summer.

One more thing...some areas in Columbus will charge for trash pick-up and city parking permits (especially in the more urban areas), so factor that in too! Any questions, let me know. I'm not sure how clear this response was...ack