Need some advice...Bexley vs Granville? (Columbus, Newark: homes, school district, live in)

[profjsh]

Hello all,

I work in Lancaster (currently live in Pickerington). I'm looking to move into a different -and hopefully smaller- school district as my son starts Kindergarten next year. Any thoughts on Bexley and/or Granville Schools, and also the communities? I know Bexley is surrounded by seriously depressed areas, so I worry about safety...

If all else fails, private or parochial school is a consideration for us too. Thanks

[wrightflyer]

First and foremost, what is your budget? I'm assuming it is going to be over 200K, since both locations can be on the higher side. I'm thinking easily for a move-in ready home to see over $250-300K. Not to say you can't find something under that. It will just either go quickly, be sold as-is or need a lot of work/updates. Granville Exempted Village Schools as of now has 86 properties on the MLS. About 2/3 are north of 161 and 1/3 are south. More may come online as summer moving season gets closer.

Bexley will have homes cheaper than Granville, perhaps? But again, they will be smaller, need work and may be on edges closer to parts of Columbus that are not as reflective (think spot shined) as Bexley. Bexley also has fewer homes now on the MLS. 50 are listed inside Bexley City Schools. Easily three quarters or more of those listings will be north of $250-300K. There will most certainly be more listings coming online as summer moving season approaches.

You'll find more diversity in offerings in Granville. Small village life, near a respected liberal arts institution, coupled with exurban (for Newark and by extension, Columbus) and rural life can be found in Granville's school district. If you need space, the answer is easy. If you want urban or inner-ring street car suburb, the answer is easy again. If you are flexible, then you have the option.

Traffic times and commutes.

Looking at Google Maps at 4:30, Lancaster to Granville is about 36 minutes. I'd say add 5 or 10 if leaving around 5:00 and maybe a little more if bad weather. My concern would be how well the jurisdictions along OH-37 remove the snow. Blowing snow, especially with winds out of the west or northwest, could cause issues as it is mostly two-lane state "country" road. It sits at 25-26 miles from center to center. Keep in mind the school district extends well south of OH-161, so this could be shorter (or longer).

For Bexley, at 4:30, you're looking at least a 40 minute commute. The good news is you will be going against much of the grind that is US-33 going in towards downtown in the morning and vice versa in the afternoon. You'll continue to have those lights, however. Snow removal on US-33 would probably be a higher priority and offer less blowing snow obstacles than OH-37. It sits at 29-30 miles from center to center. Depending on where in Lancaster you are, this will probably be consistent less bad weather or an accident, the latter a higher concern with a commute inside or near the outer-belt.

Granville isn't as remote as it may seem. Newark offers much of the basic needed shopping you'll come across everyday. And with OH-161 being limited-access expressway all the way to the outer-belt, you can do your mall/Christmas shopping at Easton without schlepping back roads for an hour. But if amenities are what you want, Bexley would be where you need to end up. The offering of more activities for kids within Columbus metro itself should also be considered. Think club sports, educational activities, etc.

Hope this helps! Either way, it should be a good move.

[Supergrrl7]

Depending on your price range, you may also want to consider Grandview. Their school district is very small and well regarded.