RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTubeSo Im fairly new to the board, love what Ive discovered. I was wondering what kinda reasons you guys and gals think that more people dont live downtown? Im just kind of curious.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A
Q: Why don't more people live downtown?
[85 posts] [35 contributors]
Topic Rating:
(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:
Rate this topic:
-
Columbusite
Minneapolis
Login to Send PM
Downtown is not urban enough to appeal to urbanites and not suburban enough to appeal to suburbanites. It's in limbo, mostly a blank canvas and more apt for hardcore urbanites who see the potential in all those surface lots.
Posted 4 years ago # -
dnm
Merion Village
Login to Send PM
Duh, I guess I shouldve posted a reason of my own :roll: IMHO I think a big reason why more people dont live downtown is price. I know that many young professionals such as myself(25) probably couldnt afford a place downtown. With most places going for $200+/Sq foot, its just out of my reach unless I wanna settle for a 500 Sq/foot studio.
Posted 4 years ago # -
artbomb112
The Heights
Login to Send PM
I'm more than sure you came to the right place. Lots of talk about that on this board.
I think more people don't live downtown because they might be afraid to take a chance. I think if a bunch of people took a chance at getting a place... that the demand for such things as transportation, grocery stores, and things like that would grow so much.. that developers would find it profitable to make it happen.
I agree the prices are a bit steep... but with all the condos going in... it won't be long before the market is saturated with more places to live than people to move in... and prices will drop. Not too much.. but enough to bring it back to Columbus living costs.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Cyclist
Peach District (State of Mind)
Login to Send PM
Downtown is not much of a neighborhood like where I live in Italian Village, but that can always happen. Downtown is way to expensive for me and most all the new housing is trying to cater to a very narrow audience of young people with nice incomes. I could one of those people in a few years, but I am not now.
Downtown is also out-of-scale with wide streets and to many non-cohesive buildings.
A purpose for a downtown is as the location of certian vital commerical and institutional buildings, so much of the area is used by non-residential facilities.
Frankly there is little demand to live downtown. Few want to do it. The developers and powers that be are instead building places and creating the mentality to consumers that they 'need' to live downtown. Just like any other firm that instills the idea that the onsumer 'needs' this product of this service. The same is being done with all the condo projects. If there was a real need and demand from consumers, then you would not see a 'Condo Hop' or thousand of ads proclaiming the joys of urban living.
You do not see many ads or promotions for bread or milk because poeple are always buying it. Downtown living needs all the promotion it can get.
Posted 4 years ago # -
artbomb112
The Heights
Login to Send PM
I agree with Cyclist.
I think that once the people that have the "need" start filling spaces.. and more things move in... it will become more of a want to the people who don't need to be there.
It just takes time.
Nice bread and milk analogy.
Posted 4 years ago # -
joshua
Columbus
Login to Send PM
Downtown was designed for cars, unfortunately. Wide one way streets, and some of the best parts of town have ugly government buildings instead of residential. We probably have one of the most underedeveloped river frontage that I have ever seen. There is lots of work to be done, but, the journey is most of the fun!
Posted 4 years ago # -
artbomb112
The Heights
Login to Send PM
In my opinion... this city is all upward movement. Those areas you mentioned.. are all blank canvas...
I think it will be exciting to see how this city grows in the next five years.
Posted 4 years ago # -
dnm
Merion Village
Login to Send PM
I agree. Does anyone else think Coleman has been hands down the best mayor so far at trying to move people in downtown? Im young so I dont know way back, but as far as I can remember, hes been the man. I kinda wish hed just stay mayor instead of trying to run for higher office
Posted 4 years ago # -
artbomb112
The Heights
Login to Send PM
I like Mayor Coleman...
I think he spends money un-neededly on certain things... but he has good motivations in doing so.
I wish he listened the people in town that are helping make things great... rather than going to other people to ask them things (artspace, Rebecca Ryan)....
I think overall... people will look at him in a positive light.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Mercurius
First Avenue
Login to Send PM
It cost too much to get something with some character.
You can get this in Olde Towne with awesome views of the city for 139,000
http://centralohiorealty.kingthompson.info/cgi-bin/prop-detail/CBR/2715651
http://centralohiorealty.kingthompson.info/cgi-bin/prop-detail/CBR/2728612
General Comments: Great Loft Condo Just Steps From Downtown! Exposed Brick Walls, 17 Ft Loft Ceilings, Private Balcony, Granite Counters, SS Appliances, Stained Wdwk & Wood Flrs. Secured Gated Parking, 12 Yr Tax Abatement & Special Financing. Hurry And You Can Pick Your Finishes! Seller represented by: Paul Mielke - PH: 1-614-221-7400 - with HER Real Living
Posted 4 years ago # -
JKZ
Brewery District
Login to Send PM
For some reason people in Columbus are scared of downtown. They act like it's the plague when I tell people I live downtown. I get asked these questions all the time- "Isn't it scary driving downtown? Are you scared at night? Is there a lot of homeless people around?"
Give me a break!
Posted 4 years ago # -
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
Login to Send PM
I think JKZ was right on with that response.
Columbus is at this weird point where everyone is crying to be more urban, but not willing to take the necessary risks to do so. They don't see the good things like walkability, they just look at how they will be inconvenienced.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Motorist
The Trots
Login to Send PM
OTE isn't scary at all. Just get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other. The big problem with OTE is that there isn't much business there yet. Carabar and Black Creek Bistro are the only food or entertainment options at this point. Depending on where you live in the neighborhood, the grocery isn't very convenient either.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Mercurius
First Avenue
Login to Send PM
dnm wrote ok,I hope your not lashing out at me. I never said I wouldve been inconveinenced if I moved into OTE, Im just saying the places I drove around looked pretty rough, and Im not willing to feel threatend just to be a pioneer
There is a disperportionate amount of social services on the east side that leads to some problems. Columbus just put a bicycle patrol in the area about a year ago, which I believe makes a big difference. In addition, there are many active block watch programs and August 7th is National Night Out. If you look at the actual statistics of crime in Olde Towne proper it is very equivilent to German Village. Any of the "downtown niegborhoods" you need to stay aware of your surroundings, but I dont believe Olde Towne is much worse than anywhere else. There are more loitering and boarded up houses which makes it look rough, but it keeps getting better. I would encourage everyone to go on the spring and winter tours and actually see the places. There is woodland park garden tour also that just passed.
http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/
Posted 4 years ago # -
MikeReed
Login to Send PM
I can ride my bike to downtown- which means I can live anywhere within 5 miles and it is all good.
I don't want to own property. I sure don't want to own a condo.
No grocery stores. It is a ghost town after 4 on weekdays.
The condos are too expensive.
There is no Northstar Cafe downtown.
Lots of reasons.
Posted 4 years ago #
You must log in to post.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.