Opinion on a Franklinton (Central Ave/Mckinley) area? « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Opinion on a Franklinton (Central Ave/Mckinley) area?

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Started 1 year ago by cbus11
Latest reply from josiecat

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cbus11

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I have a friend who works in Grandview and just had his rent raised by a lot. He is now thinking of buying a cheap house in the McKinley/Central Ave area of Franklinton. His main reason is the easy access to Grandview Ave and the price of houses (he is looking at under $40k - with some in the 20k range).

I don't know this part of Columbus. Is it a safe area? Are there any amenities? I realize that it seems poor, but are there many drawbacks for a single young man (no children) in this area? Anyone have experience with this part of town?

thanks

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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That "Northern" part of Franklinton seems to be mostly a working-class neighborhood in my experiences, although that's pretty limited. I'm sure that Sherman or Sweeney or other Franklinton folks can provide a better assessment.

As far as amenities go, that's a very central spot close to Grandview (across the river bridge) and close to Downtown. Broad Street has just about every fast food option right around the corner too. ;) He'd also be right in between 70 and 315 for easy drives to just about anywhere.

Posted 1 year ago #
LATFJoss
Columbus
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I mean, if you think about it really, the crazy cost difference between two areas that are right next to each other is kind of crazy. If your friend locks their house and vehicle doors, I'm sure they will be fine. The northern part there of Franklinton is really not bad, it's the area south of 70 that is wacked-out. But there are still plenty of foreclosures in that area, meaning low prices and a wide selection. I would buy now, before the fed figures itself out and interest rates start to go up. It's a great location with all things considered, my boyfriend's family is moving to that area soon.

Posted 1 year ago #
cbus11

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LATFJoss wrote >>
I mean, if you think about it really, the crazy cost difference between two areas that are right next to each other is kind of crazy.

That's kind of why I posted this, it is a major price difference. Made me wonder why? I guess it is because the river acts as a pretty good barrier between the two nieghborhoods. The way Grandview Ave crosses the river and merges the highways and Mckinley is fine for cars, but seems decidedly unfriendly to pedestrians and bikers. I looked on Zillow and you can get some very inexpensive houses with mortgages less then the cost of rent across the river in Grandview.

On a similar note he said he planned to bike to Grandview from there. Is it safe to take a bike over the river on Grandview Ave? Is there some other route?

Thanks again

Posted 1 year ago #
cyclist II
Short North & Peach District
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N. Central is pretty shabby shape.

Posted 1 year ago #
Chris Sherman
East Franklinton
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Super rough area. I wouldn't buy a house over there. Maybe west of central. Maybe..

Posted 1 year ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Before buying over there, I'd drive thru a few streets north of Broad at different times of the day - in particular on a Fri/Sat night. Like Sherm said; rough. Some people can hack it, but not many.

Posted 1 year ago #
cbus11

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Chris Sherman wrote >>
Super rough area. I wouldn't buy a house over there. Maybe west of central. Maybe..

Whoa, it's that bad?

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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Chris Sherman wrote >>
Super rough area. I wouldn't buy a house over there. Maybe west of central. Maybe..

This. If Sherm said he wouldn't trust it, no way I would.

Posted 1 year ago #
Sunshiney
High St.
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Maybe you should look at something on the East side of Franklinton. Lots of affordable places, slightly less sketch.

Posted 1 year ago #
cyclist II
Short North & Peach District
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there are melted houses in that area

Posted 1 year ago #
Matthew
Hilltop
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Not to derail, but there are some deals to be had a mile west as well several if not most which are move in ready, with an active neighborhood association. Plus the new bike path bridge crossing the Scioto is nearly complete and will be tying in at Harper and into N Eureka Ave, straight over to Grandview on the other side.

There are forty houses under rehab/rebuild in the area if you want new. Here's a few cheap nice ones with payments you could definitely work to make less than 700/mo.

http://champions3.ohio.remax.com/PropertySearch/ListingDetail.aspx?map=1&lid=88972824

http://champions3.ohio.remax.com/PropertySearch/ListingDetail.aspx?map=1&lid=88172132

http://champions3.ohio.remax.com/PropertySearch/ListingDetail.aspx?map=1&lid=88298515

http://towncenter.ohio.remax.com/PropertySearch/ListingDetail.aspx?map=1&lid=88972906

And one really upscale one if you have the budget....
http://champions3.ohio.remax.com/PropertySearch/ListingDetail.aspx?map=1&lid=89153696

Posted 1 year ago #
Chris Sherman
East Franklinton
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Guilford is a decent street. It has a park blvd down half of it. Again that is west of central. North of broad east of central is one of franklintons rural enclaves... And yes I have seen melted houses. Never knew vynal siding could melt like that.

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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cbus11 wrote >>

LATFJoss wrote >>
I mean, if you think about it really, the crazy cost difference between two areas that are right next to each other is kind of crazy.

That's kind of why I posted this, it is a major price difference. Made me wonder why? I guess it is because the river acts as a pretty good barrier between the two nieghborhoods.

Could also be the difference between living in the City of Columbus VS City of Grandview Heights.

That being said, there are plenty of natural and unnatural barriers, boundaries and neighborhood lines where property values differ quite a bit from one side to another.

Posted 1 year ago #
LATFJoss
Columbus
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Matthew wrote >>
Plus the new bike path bridge crossing the Scioto is nearly complete and will be tying in at Harper and into N Eureka Ave, straight over to Grandview on the other side.

That bike bridge makes my mouth water, if that's not a too-weird thing to say. XD It will open up access to the city by making the river easy to cross. One could live for super-cheap in Franklinton, and still bike to places like downtown and campus. Additionally, bus access is good in Franklinton.

Posted 1 year ago #
cyclist II
Short North & Peach District
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Another nice thing about FTON is you can walk in the street or on the sidewalk. And you can sell parking for Red, White, and Boom!

Posted 1 year ago #
cbus11

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Sigh, I just saw some pictures. WTF? AMC would be interested. There seems to be no doubt that the next door nieghbor has some hoarding issues. I think that if you leave your crap to rot outside your house, that someone would say something.

Posted 1 year ago #
shenanigans

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I'm actually in the process of looking for my first house and I'm a single self-employed guy. I have looked and researched nearly every neighborhood in the city looking at safety, price, demographics etc. It appears I have settled on the Hilltop area.

I'm looking at distressed properties...I mean distressed...missing pipes, siding, no furnace and so on. Upside is I can pay cash and not have a mortgage. If your buddy is handy, he can make a killing there. Anyway, while looking at these places, neighbors came out and were more than willing to chat me up. Most are were owners that were thrilled someone was looking at the eyesore on the street. When I told them I intended on living in it they all but rolled out the red carpet.

Long story short...I think some people can't handle a little grit. Yeah yeah yeah, I looked up the neighborhoods crime report and spoke with people in the area about common crimes. Really no worse than Merion Village or OTE. I think the Hilltop feels very similar to the old neighborhoods I remember as a kid in Cleveland...people talking from their porches and yelling at each others kids. Like ANY neighborhood I think it's all in how you approach it. If you come in acting like your shit doesn't stink you are bound to rub people the wrong way.

Good luck to your friend.

Posted 1 year ago #
Corrin Radd

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I work on the west side and I appreciate and respect the people who live in the bottoms, but no one would live in that particular location (McKinley and Central) who didn't have to. I cycle-commute from Clintonville to the west side, and incidentally west on McKinley and then left on Central, every day and I've made been making this trek for the last 10 years, so I am very familiar with that spot. It's fine for cycling, especially since they repaved McKinley a few years back. I also take the circular ramp from McKinley into Grandview occasionally for kicks, and it looks intimidating but is fine for cycling. Also, that new bike bridge will make it a breeze to get into Grandview from there if and when they ever get it done. So the cycling and getting into Grandview is a non-issue. But I can't imagine anyone in their right mind wanting to live there. It is a very rough area.

I have heard that there is a younger crowd interested in revitalizing Franklinton, though, so your friend might try to pave the way and see what happens.

Posted 1 year ago #
Chris Sherman
East Franklinton
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We don't take a liken' to that there terminology of the "bottoms" kind sir...

Posted 1 year ago #