lizless
Columbus/Hocking Hills
Login to Send PM
North Campus/Glen Echo
Pros: Glen Echo Ravine is one of the city's best kept secrets. Yeah, Me Too Coffee and Studio 35 within walking distance. Easy to get everywhere by bicycle, bus or car. Beautiful and historic homes (lots of Arts and Crafts era) similar to Clintonville but significantly less expensive.
Cons: Lots of trash/litter problems, especially during game days. Sometimes noisy. Magnet for really ugly tags/graffiti.
Mike Brown
Experiencing Columbus
Login to Send PM
Harrison West
Love: great neighbors, easy walk to Short North, OSU, Huntington Park, Chuck's Man-Cave, easy roll to Grandview and downtown. Perfect yard for dog and backyard BBQs, 2 car garage, 110-year-old house that I was able to (mostly) rehab. Cafe Corner is within crawling distance.
Just wrong: those b*st*rds who tried 2x to break into my garage by driving through the door last winter. There's nothing in there worth stealing!
Possible Change: Zenos could be a better neighbor... but hey, sometimes you just need to hear karaoke on a Wednesday...
NOBOPatriot
Login to Send PM
I like North of Broad and King Lincoln District
Pros- up and coming, affordable new builds, good apartments and good rates, awesome location, can bike or wlak to high street, great history, relatively safe and getting safer all the time, lots of young people CCAD, CSCC and new homeowners and charm, coffee shops on Long, diversity, close to Olde Towne and Parsons strip and great, hip vibe
Cons - need more retail on Long Street and waiting for Pointdexter towner to come down - also Mt Vernon has a lot of potential, but still creepy and sketchy a few years away from where it needs to be in order to be the next Harrison West or Italian Village - Upside it is on the right road and rehabbing fast and many new faces and interested homeowners getting involved and making a difference
Pro Se
OTE-Franklin Park
Login to Send PM
The bastard child of the Near East Side. Technically, my home is in a portion of the Near East Side that has no official neighborhood association inclusion but borders Olde Towne, Franklin Park and Woodland Park Neighborhood Assns. Perhaps we should start an "Eastwood Neighborhood Assn.".
Pros: The finest housing stock in the city; living in a historically significant part of the city(a good many of the Columbus sites on the National Register are located in the Near East Side); great pricing; diverse neighbors; great location; accessible to most parts of town within 10 minutes; and most of all, an engaged community truly committed to making this neighborhood the best in the city.
Cons: We admittedly aren't the best yet and have a ways to go before we get there. Nevertheless, when the progress in this neighborhood reaches a critical mass, we can all say we were part of it.
columbusguy20
5XNW
Login to Send PM
5XNW
Pros - the walkability; large concentration of stores and restaurants; beautiful, old apartment buildings along Northwest, Grandview, and King; easy access to OSU, SN, HW, VV, downtown; 'wide' streets for biking; ability to get downtown without taking the freeways; friendly area; the coolness of Grandview without all of the pretentious attitude; high number of pizza joints; Rife's Market.
Cons - some streets don't have sidewalks; fear of getting pulled over for going 26 mph; being so close to those a-hole Grandview cops; the condition of some portions of 5th and King; the Tim Horton's at King and Olentangy River.
I really love 5XNW. It really is a great area that has TONS of potential and is so incredibly walkable. And truth be told it is mostly a 'renters' district, but for the most part, the buildings are well-kept up and attract a diverse group of people.
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
Login to Send PM
Already mentioned, but Westgate -
Good: Really excellent do-drop-in neighbors who really look out for one another, strong sense of community/pride of neighborhood, lots of neighborhood activities (Westgate Night Out, Westgate Neighbors Assn planned events), well-kept housing stock with decent sized yards that are a steal compared to similar houses in C-ville & G-view, Westgate Park, close proximity to Luc's market, lots of taco trucks, some general retail on W. Broad...
Not Good: I'm putting fishing in the park as a NOT GOOD - most of the folks who do so leave a damn mess all over the pond deck (think hooks, dead fish, to go wrappers/cups, long lengths of line). In fact, I'd like to see fishing banned. There is some property crime, and issues with vagrants at times. Not a lot to walk TO - I'd love a coffee shop/lunch spot, sit down restaurant, retail, etc. The Kroger on W. Broad and Wilson is terrible - I only go there in times of desperation.
Also - and this isn't necessarily just a Westgate thing (and doesn't belong in this thread), although it's starting to feel a little locational and personal... we are the land that the City forgot. We aren't part of the NCR district (stops at Roys), and cannot, for any reason, get friggin' city provided trash cans along W Broad between Roys and Demorest. The zoning along that strip is beyond outdated, and has frankly started to hinder business development - Handy Bikes can't have a bike rack in front of their business, and do not plan on renewing their lease. It's frustrating, to say the least.
NOBOPatriot
Login to Send PM
Dear Pro Se: RE: Olde Towne East/Critical mass
Great post - just to share - after going on the OTE and Franklin Park Tour of Historic homes a few Sundays ago - IMHO after seeing those houses, renovations and clean well kept, treed streets - THERE IS MAJOR CRITICAL MASS in Olde Towner - those streets were beautiful - compared to a few years ago simply incredible - when you have 10 houses on a block and 7 are completely rehabbed and look amazing that is critical mass - not every street is in this shape, but Olde Towne has moved 180 degrees from just a few years ago. In NOBO N 21rst has critical mass and we are trying to leverage the mass on N 21rst on N 20th and 22nd.
Cons: We admittedly aren't the best yet and have a ways to go before we get there. Nevertheless, when the progress in this neighborhood reaches a critical mass, we can all say we were part of it.
Pro Se
OTE-Franklin Park
Login to Send PM
@ NOBOPatriot:
The neighborhood has come a long way indeed and many of the streets have reached that critical mass. We just need to bridge a few more gaps to have a real cohesion. For my part, I'd love my neighboring property, the old Jeffrey mansion at 1444 E. Broad St., to be renovated and inhabited.
I am glad you enjoyed the OTE/Franklin Park tour (my home was the Broad Street residence that was featured that day). That event taught me how committed the residents are to restoring the Near East Side to its former glory.
chrisgillespie
Short North/Victorian Village
Login to Send PM
Victorian Village
Pros: Nice neighbors, Goodale Park, North Market, all the Short North businesses, great festivals that are close enough to come home to pee, and 2 Jeni's within walking distance. My dentist, fam prac doctor, eye doctor, and urgent care are all 2 blocks from my house. We also walk to the arena district and the s campus gateway.
Cons: Parking and car break-ins (we are lucky to have a garage, but these are an issue for others and a concern when we have visitors). Graffiti (both sides of our garage have been hit).
KingLincolnUrbanEnthusiast
Login to Send PM
King Lincoln District
PROS
Great housing stock, great potential, great value for your money, apts and lots of new young people and students, lots of very cool architecture and small well built and designed brick houses between E Long and Mt Vernon (waiting to be purchased cheap and rehabbed into new dream homes), views of the down town "cityscape" and skyline "second to none" and 2 minutes to Downtown, High street - BEST LOCATION in town by foot, bike or car and minutes by car from SN, VV and GV and 5 minutes to Easton. NOBO is a happening area (3 to 4 streets) and Olde Towne is fun!
Cons- need more retail on E Long and Columbus needs to clean up Mt Vernon - could be very hip and artsy - we need more collaboration on Mt Vernon between homeowners in NOBO, new renters and business owners - POTENTIAL is there just need to reach out and chase the GREEN/money. The area's proximity to DT, the new interchange, airport, Easton is A number one!
noca1218
Worthington
Login to Send PM
North Campus/South Clintonville: (Yeah, I know this has been mentioned a lot)
PROS: Lots of retail/food, including two convenient grocery stores and lots of diverse food options. My street has a mix of families, couples, and students on it, but its not crazy loud at odd hours. And one of our neighbors have lived here for 30 years and is great. Close to Crew Stadium, on a COTA line and near a CABS line. Easy access to both downtown and freeways. Can walk to OSU, and its an easy trip down Summit/3rd to get to Columbus State when you know the freeways are going to be bad. I lived in Westerville during my first undergrad (at Otterbein), and I actually like this area better. You can walk to the corner store when you need milk or smokes, and Andy's Carryout on High Street has an awesome beer selection and is also a five minute walk.
CONS: We've had a few car break-ins and like incidents in the last few months, but nothing too crazy. Sometimes we clash with our neighbors across the street because we "park in his space" (on a public street). We do have 11 girls in my house with 11 cars, so I see where he's coming from. OSU football game days get a little nuts- before the USC game last year, someone tried to get me to pay $20 to park in my own off-street spots. And I'm not sure why... but all the street lamps are out right now. Odd.
roy
Downtown
Login to Send PM
KingLincolnUrbanEnthusiast wrote >>
Columbus needs to clean up Mt Vernon
Is there a litter problem? If so, Keep Columbus Beautiful will provide tools and trash bags for a neighborhood organized litter cleanup. It's up to residents, businesses and property owners to "clean up" Mt. Vernon.
ohiojimmie
Westgate
Login to Send PM
Twixlen wrote >>
Already mentioned, but Westgate -
Good: Really excellent do-drop-in neighbors who really look out for one another, strong sense of community/pride of neighborhood, lots of neighborhood activities (Westgate Night Out, Westgate Neighbors Assn planned events), well-kept housing stock with decent sized yards that are a steal compared to similar houses in C-ville & G-view, Westgate Park, close proximity to Luc's market, lots of taco trucks, some general retail on W. Broad...
Not Good: I'm putting fishing in the park as a NOT GOOD - most of the folks who do so leave a damn mess all over the pond deck (think hooks, dead fish, to go wrappers/cups, long lengths of line). In fact, I'd like to see fishing banned. There is some property crime, and issues with vagrants at times. Not a lot to walk TO - I'd love a coffee shop/lunch spot, sit down restaurant, retail, etc. The Kroger on W. Broad and Wilson is terrible - I only go there in times of desperation.
Also - and this isn't necessarily just a Westgate thing (and doesn't belong in this thread), although it's starting to feel a little locational and personal... we are the land that the City forgot. We aren't part of the NCR district (stops at Roys), and cannot, for any reason, get friggin' city provided trash cans along W Broad between Roys and Demorest. The zoning along that strip is beyond outdated, and has frankly started to hinder business development - Handy Bikes can't have a bike rack in front of their business, and do not plan on renewing their lease. It's frustrating, to say the least.
I'm just going to add some things to Westgate.
PRO: The houses are old and beautiful, traffic isn't heavy, there are always police nearby, its close to a mix of different cultures.
CON: I really agree with the Kroger's. I get frustrated and need a drink whenever I go in there. I would like to add the lack of and scattered sidewalks. I don't know of a spot where the sidewalk is continuous except for the schools, churches, and park so to get to those places I need to walk in the street! And the closest liquor store has all the booze behind the counter :(
I don't like when other people think its the hood and dangerous to go there when they only see W Broad, not so much the case on CU though.
15Step
Powell
Login to Send PM
Powell. (Okay so it's in Delaware County, so sue me)
Pros: Joys of suburbs combined with locally-owned pride. I live in a lovely 3br, 2.5 bath house in a great, established neighborhood with Olentangy Schools (no kids now or in future, but awesome for resale). The property is wooded with two ravines, and we have a pool with an awesome deck... all for the price of a 2br, 1ba house in Grandview. Taxes are reasonable. Downtown Powell has great locally owned shops and restaurants (Local Roots, Libery Tavern anyone?) and is growing by the minute - Easy Street Cafe just opened, and Jeni's (plus a couple others) are opening this fall. Bike trails are close by, not to mention Highbanks Metropark right across the street. If I take a left out of my neighborhood, I end up hitting Polaris and all of the chains/fast food/Walmarts/movie theaters/etc; if I turn right, I end up in quaint downtown Powell, the Wedgewood area, then the zoo. It's really in the middle of anything you could ever want. People are super friendly (even the rich ones! Which is not us), and there's a strong sense of community here. Oh, and the best, non-sketch Meijer I've EVER seen.
Cons: The distance to Grandview/Short North. It's 20 minutes straight down 315, but this is a painful drive for those of us who moved to Powell from Grandview. The traffic on Polaris Pkwy makes me want to shoot myself, as does the 315/Powell Rd. intersection. Lack of bars/nightlife, unless you want to hit up Polaris or a bar in a strip mall.
Overall I'm incredibly happy in Powell. Its a great place for younger professionals to consider "settling down" a bit. It's still a young (or at least young at heart) community, which is great. Highly recommended.
e8453b
Ganthers Place
Login to Send PM
Ganthers Place
Pros: A neighborhood on the Rebound. Neighbors taking pride again
in their Homes. Young families moving into our Neighborhood !! Our New
Art Gallery on Parson's Ave,Our two beautiful Murals on Parson'S and
Reinhard. The beautiful Pocket Park on Reinhard. Our Neighborhood Events. The high level of community input in neighborhood affairs. The positive changes I have seen in the eight years that I have lived in Ganther's. Our flower boxes, and the Beautiful Flower Pots
on Parson's
Cons:Absentee Landlords. The negative image that East of Parson's has
Foot traffic from outside our neighborhood,. Flowers pots seem to walk
away. Home owners and renters that do not take pride in their neighborhood. Overall Ganthers Place is moving in the right direction
steelfist
Southwest Clintonville
Login to Send PM
I live in Grandview on King Avenue for the next 7 days; have lived here for a close to a year.
I hate the fact that there aren't many parks in the neighborhood. I like walking and sightseeing. There isn't much as far as landscape in Grandview.
What I like is that there are tons of resteraunts and places to eat. Also, there are a lot of cool stores like freso furnishings. I also like 3rd avenue and how I can ride my bike down there all the way to the olentangy bike trail on Olentangy River Rd.
drawrobot
Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM
Recently moved to Hilliard (from North Campus). What I've assessed so far:
PRO's: There are a couple of restaurants I've heard good things about (Louie's Fusion & Starliner Diner). Have yet to partake in either. I like the over landscaped apartment complexes. It's quiet. I like the fact that I can hit the library, go check out the long-boxes in Packrat Comic's basement and hit a greasy spoon within a short distance of each other.
CON's: lack of a nearby coffee shop. (and no, I don't count the Starbucks in the Target or Timmy Ho's)Round-a-bout's: Oh how I hate them. It looks nice in spots but Cemetary Road's sketchy looking. The vibe is very... *rural suburban. I swear, if I blink, I feel like I'm in Lima, Ohio. Sorry, I miss Clintonville.
ps
Vassor Village
Login to Send PM
Vassor Village ... Since April 2010
Pro : We're the second owners of the house and it was built in 1941. Only needed cosmetic updates; tearing up carpet, getting through three layers of wallpaper, etc. Underneath it all we found a sturdy structure and perfect hardwood floors. Huge backyard, ample on-street parking, perfect neighbors who take pride in their properties. We keep each other informed about incidents and make sure CPD knows about them as well. I'm all about the Block Watch.
Cons : A few vacants and overgrown lawns due to foreclosure. Piece of crap cars flooring it between stop signs. Bad kids from the rentals on Frebis Ave. CPD chopper on a regular basis.
We're not bothered about proximity to shopping. We head over to the Brewery District for groceries, German Village for a cup of coffee, etc. Ideally we would have loved to live in Clintonville but it was a tad out of our price range. Our house has tons of charm and so be it that it's in the "south end". I know east of Parsons Ave gets a bad rep and for good reason. It's coming around, though, one house at a time.
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. Click here to visit TheMetropreneur.com.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
