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For the second year in a row, The Short North has topped our reader’s poll as the best neighborhood of the year. Whether you call the area home, or just enjoy spending time as a visitor, the Short North has just about anything you could ask for. 2009 was a very transformational year for the neighborhood as well, as some businesses closed (Rosendales, Counter Culture, East Village, Four Winds, Norka Futon, Lux de Vie, etc) and others opened (Go Figure Consignment, Sandbox, Basil Thai, Level, Late Night Slice, Undone, Big Rock Little Rooster, Bakery Gingham, Funky & Functional, Impero Coffee, etc).
Best Neighborhoods of 2009:
Well deserved! and fully agree with the lineup as it was voted.
This is a real shocker. I would have never guessed that the readers of this site would think the SN is the best evar!!!
ok so Fton doesn’t make the list. just you wait you CU voters. just you wait!! we’ll crack this damn list by 2029! hear that Arena District?
Of course I’d say the Peach District is #1 with all of the kick-ass events we’ve had/are going to have (like this Saturday, Jan. 8th). I’m surprised Old North Columbus didn’t make it on here, but Clintonville ranked 2nd? I demand a recount! Clintonville is a ghost town after 5. ONC has; The Dube, Taj Bar, Kafe Kerouac, Cafe Bourbon Street, Shi-Sha Lounge, Dick’s Den, Jack & Benny’s, Hound Dogs, Ravari Room, Rumba Cafe, Wild Goose Creative, Blue Nile, Johnny Oaks, Sage, Bella’s, etc, etc. Regardless of the votes, I see more people heading to this neighborhood for its destinations vs. Clintonville, especially at night. It’s also more walkable than Clintonville and unlike the Short North it also has utilitarian retail like a hardware store and a grocery store right on High St. And whatever happened to their arch because I don’t recall seeing it recently. Did the city pay to have it removed so that the letter “e” could be added on the end of “Old” and then pay to have it re-installed?
Anyway, I hope to see a couple of different neighborhoods on the list next year rather than the exact same thing, just shuffled around a bit. I could see Merion Village and Fton getting on that list with just a few more new destinations to draw more visitors and attention there. I mean, Hal & Al’s for a lot of locals is Parsons, so it just goes to show it doesn’t take a big flashy development to make a big change.
Columbusite Says: I’m surprised Old North Columbus didn’t make it on here, but Clintonville ranked 2nd?
I was surprised to see Clintonville and German Village switch places over last year’s results, but there’s a lot to like about Clintonville. Just because it doesn’t fit your personal opinion for what makes a great place to live or hang out, doesn’t mean that it’s not perfect for someone else.
I’m not saying Clintonville is Eastmoor, but it could definitely be better and it’s just a simple fact that there’s more foot traffic and stuff to do, whatever it is, in ONC than C-ville. Pure, unadulterated fact. Every time I go to Lavash or Cup O Joe or Pattycake with someone the one thing always brought up (surprisingly not by me) is how much of a pain in the ass it is to cross High over here. I’m sure even the most die-hard Clintonville resident agrees with that.
Columbusite Says: Pure, unadulterated fact.
No, that still largely depends on your personal opinion of what you like to do for fun or entertainment. Old North Columbus could add a dozen extra hookah bars and cheap beer joints, but for some people it wouldn’t add any value at all. Perhaps it would even be a deterrent from spending time there.
Someday you’re just going to have to admit that your personal values are not a mandate for other people. ;) To each his/her own.
@ Columbusite: the list is generate mostly by people who live in these areas and come to this site, this I am pretty sure of, so it should be no surprise that the majority prefer them. This sites viewers are also a younger demographic who frequent places in the SN. There’s nothing wrong with that. We just need to keep in mind that people in Grandview or other areas probably have not voted as frequently.
On another note, I used to live in C-ville and High is not hard to cross. There are crosswalks even mid-block. You want hard to cross, try West Broad in Franklinton – I think there are two crosses, at COSI, and somewhere before the Hilltop, it’s like playing Frogger IRL!!
@Walker – If less is more then Clintonville bests SN, GV, and ONC. If I were to take visitors to all neighborhoods listed above and claim Clintonville is the 2nd best neighborhood in the city I guarantee they will not agree. There’s a reason why travel guides that cover the region and include Columbus mention SN, GV, OSU and omit Clintonville.
@Parker – As for crosswalks in Clintonville, have you ever used one? Walking in front of vehicles traveling 40MPH and expecting a crosswalk to magically slow traffic and protect you is not a good idea. They don’t even work on High near Clark and that stretch is signed as 25MPH. I do agree about Franklinton and even made requests on the city website to add traffic lights so that pedestrians don’t have to walk a quarter mile every time they want a safe place to cross. Unfortunately, the Public Service Dept. decided those requests were “incorrect” and changed them to requests for crosswalks, which we all know won’t slow traffic and provide a safe crossing. Oh well, they just figure it’s good enough for Franklinton and the Hilltop.
Columbusite Says: If less is more then Clintonville bests SN, GV, and ONC.
I never said that. What I’m implying is more along the lines of “different is different” rather than “less is more”.
Columbusite Says: If I were to take visitors to all neighborhoods listed above and claim Clintonville is the 2nd best neighborhood in the city I guarantee they will not agree.
That largely depends upon the personal preferences of your visitors. Many people like Clintonville just fine. Over 60 people voted it as their favorite neighborhood in the city on this reader’s poll. What you’re trying to argue here is that their opinion is wrong and yours is right, which is an argument you’ll never win.
Columbusite Says: There’s a reason why travel guides that cover the region and include Columbus mention SN, GV, OSU and omit Clintonville.
This survey question has absolutely nothing to do with out of town visitors or travel guides.