futureman wrote >>
I think the biggest thing preventing families moving and staying in Columbus are the schools. Yes you are take a chance for the lottery, but few will actually take *chance* with there kids. Private schools are extremely expensive and you might be better off moving. Anymore the property taxes between Columbus and Grandview (yes I'm biased) are just about equal.
1) I agree that CPS is the biggest thing keeping young families from moving into Columbus neighborhoods... with crime perception issues a close second, and grocery shopping a close third.
2) "Taking a chance" on the lottery schools does not mean "taking a chance with your children". I know you only just said it this once, but I'm really tired of hearing that from other people. Our plan is to shoot for lottery schools with private schools as a backup plan. We're not at risk of selling our children on the black market if they can't get into a lottery school. We're hardly "taking a chance" on their futures.
3) Your property taxes depend upon the value of your home. With our historic home in a currently-less-than-prime-neighborhood we're saving a minimum of around $2,000 per year compared to similar sized homes with a greater value in moderately-taxed "nicer" suburbs. Over the span of 18 years, that works out to a $36,000 savings. Just on taxes.
So yes, private schools can be expensive, but those stellar suburban public school districts ARE NOT FREE. You are paying for them... just in a more indirect way.