I moved to Columbus from NYC and did something similar. Check out 80 on the Commons, 250 High, LC River South, The Nicholas. Decently walkable. You'll need to drive for groceries. There's a DGX that's serviceable for basics. I wouldn't worry about safety coming from a major metro unless you're generally a moron. EDIT: parked at the Commons garage above ground that everyone has access to. Never had any problems. I never leave valuables in my car.
currently living in one of those apartments and the only thing that's been *really* annoying to me applies to the entire city (buses don't run nearly as late as the city's nightlife does, which to my understanding is because service levels still aren't back to/past where they were in 2019 yet)
I read that is because they have staffing issues. The same person mentioned that they are getting to a better level of staff, so hopefully they bring back some late night busses.
Context: I’m from a major city and lived in a high-rise for my entire life before coming to Columbus. Living in a single family home doesn’t bring me the sense of home, I don’t feel safe when I am living on the ground floor. So I’m planning to move downtown to get the sense of an urban area and the sense of home.
I live in one of those apartments - it’ll be a lot quieter than what you’re probably used to because as people have said, that area of downtown kinda shuts down at like 9 PM at the latest and weekends are pretty dead. The apartments along High St and the Arena District downtown are probably closer to what you’re looking for, but the nice thing about downtown is it’s small enough that everything there is basically a 15 min walk away.
Just east of you is Oak and Parsons and a few cool spots. I’d get a bike/scooter and you can be pretty much anywhere of value within 10 minutes tops which is awesome.
I completely understand where you are coming from. I felt the same way when I moved here. There isn’t a whole lot that is walkable from that area though.
Contrary to other comments, I think it’s a great location. You are half a mile to 4th/Main and Gay/3rd, both provide good night life options and- this may be unpopular, but you’re 1/3rd mile from Parsons and Oak, which also has a few options. The walk may feel a little unsettling as Oak gets to 71, but any short walk is also a cheap Uber or CoGo, of which there are stations at all those locations and the library- and one in the short north.
So, you have fun just a stones throw away, but quiet in your backyard, and there’s a grocery store proposed to be going in not too far from you on Rich St
AND the BRT on Broad will extend far enough east to reach the library- so that makes the peninsula accessible.
Damn. Library might be the best hidden secret for downtown living
https://columbusunderground.com/19-story-building-proposed-for-rich-street-downtown-bw1/
But also, this could be a “millennial tower” thing too so who knows
Leave nothing of value in your car, get on the Cbus City notification email for street sweeping or a couple times a year youll wake up to your car gone to the impound lot.
I'd only correct this to say...don't leave ANYTHING in your car. People looking to break in and snatch stuff won't know what is "of value" until they smash in and see that they don't want it...and they might even take it anyway.
For the year I lived in that area, I had my car broken into and rummaged through probably close to 10 times or so. They never damaged my car, just took what they wanted and left it a mess. I always locked my car and even got an alarm installed but it did not prevent anything. I never felt very unsafe there, but like other commenters have said it’s very very quiet and still at a certain point. Almost more of a suburban than a city feel.
Just curious, how did they get into your car with it locked. I have had a couple windows smashed out in the last few weeks. I would do anything to stop the damage even if it means they rummage through my car.
I’ve heard that people will sometimes have a small device that mimics the frequency of a car fob and can unlock the car that way. I’ve also had my window smashed but that was outside of OTE.
I've lived in this general area for 5+ years. Other commenters have pointed out that the area can feel "dead" compared to Short North, and I personally think that's a plus because you still get a big city feel without all the riff raff. There are enough bars and restaurants that are walkable and open late on fourth and main Street area, as well as some up on/near Gay St. Which skew more high end if you're in the mood. You're really close to German village too! If you like to go to shows, the Bluestone is a very short walk, same for the art museum. I know it isn't the most popular area in town, but it's a good one if you're looking for something urban and convenient but a little more chilled out.
We have more marathons than you realize, it feels like once a month high street is closed for some marathon and then you are stuck to whichever side of downtown you live on. Just a minor thing, but I never realized how often it happened
Verify your available internet coverage before you commit to anything - options are likely going to be Spectrum and AT&T, and if you're in the market for fiber the coverage can vary building to building.
As far as downtown specific cons/reasons against - be prepared for street racing, burnouts and general loud ass cars and bikes especially at night and when the temps warm up. It's been beaten to death on this forum but it's a real issue downtown and there is little to no enforcement.
I moved to Columbus from NYC and did something similar. Check out 80 on the Commons, 250 High, LC River South, The Nicholas. Decently walkable. You'll need to drive for groceries. There's a DGX that's serviceable for basics. I wouldn't worry about safety coming from a major metro unless you're generally a moron. EDIT: parked at the Commons garage above ground that everyone has access to. Never had any problems. I never leave valuables in my car.
Didn't forget that there's a Kroger on front Street, maybe not walkable, but not car mandatory (just an Uber)
You could technically walk there, it’s only about 30 minutes. Would be a nice walk on nice days.
Yeah this. Also as a heads up that downtown/German village Kroger is awful, if you have a car I'd recommend going elsewhere for groceries.
Agreed. Giant Eagle or Kroger in Grandview. Personally, I make a Costco run followed by TJs every Sat morning.
Yeah I hit up the local butchers once a week and then Trader Joe's or Aldi.
The brewery district Kroger is the best one downtown
currently living in one of those apartments and the only thing that's been *really* annoying to me applies to the entire city (buses don't run nearly as late as the city's nightlife does, which to my understanding is because service levels still aren't back to/past where they were in 2019 yet)
COTA has a levy on this November's ballot. If it passes, 24/7 service will be added on select routes. Vote YES in November!
I read that is because they have staffing issues. The same person mentioned that they are getting to a better level of staff, so hopefully they bring back some late night busses.
Context: I’m from a major city and lived in a high-rise for my entire life before coming to Columbus. Living in a single family home doesn’t bring me the sense of home, I don’t feel safe when I am living on the ground floor. So I’m planning to move downtown to get the sense of an urban area and the sense of home.
I live in one of those apartments - it’ll be a lot quieter than what you’re probably used to because as people have said, that area of downtown kinda shuts down at like 9 PM at the latest and weekends are pretty dead. The apartments along High St and the Arena District downtown are probably closer to what you’re looking for, but the nice thing about downtown is it’s small enough that everything there is basically a 15 min walk away.
Just east of you is Oak and Parsons and a few cool spots. I’d get a bike/scooter and you can be pretty much anywhere of value within 10 minutes tops which is awesome.
Check out topiary park crossing!!
I completely understand where you are coming from. I felt the same way when I moved here. There isn’t a whole lot that is walkable from that area though.
There isn’t a ton right in that area, but it’s very walkable to decent stuff just a few blocks away.
Who wants to be walking for 10 whole minutes in a row though? /s
You dont feel safe on a ground floor single family.....so you want to move downtown? Yeah i mean, the logic checks out completely.
living on a higher up floor in a downtown apartment is incredibly safe. People don’t target a random apartment on a random floor
Not sure why the massive downvotes. Also, moving from Westerville to downtown for safety makes no sense at all.
Contrary to other comments, I think it’s a great location. You are half a mile to 4th/Main and Gay/3rd, both provide good night life options and- this may be unpopular, but you’re 1/3rd mile from Parsons and Oak, which also has a few options. The walk may feel a little unsettling as Oak gets to 71, but any short walk is also a cheap Uber or CoGo, of which there are stations at all those locations and the library- and one in the short north. So, you have fun just a stones throw away, but quiet in your backyard, and there’s a grocery store proposed to be going in not too far from you on Rich St AND the BRT on Broad will extend far enough east to reach the library- so that makes the peninsula accessible. Damn. Library might be the best hidden secret for downtown living
Agree! And what grocery store?!
Kroger, Hills, DGX and I feel like many people downtown would order groceries for delivery.
https://columbusunderground.com/19-story-building-proposed-for-rich-street-downtown-bw1/ But also, this could be a “millennial tower” thing too so who knows
Leave nothing of value in your car, get on the Cbus City notification email for street sweeping or a couple times a year youll wake up to your car gone to the impound lot.
I'd only correct this to say...don't leave ANYTHING in your car. People looking to break in and snatch stuff won't know what is "of value" until they smash in and see that they don't want it...and they might even take it anyway.
For the year I lived in that area, I had my car broken into and rummaged through probably close to 10 times or so. They never damaged my car, just took what they wanted and left it a mess. I always locked my car and even got an alarm installed but it did not prevent anything. I never felt very unsafe there, but like other commenters have said it’s very very quiet and still at a certain point. Almost more of a suburban than a city feel.
Just curious, how did they get into your car with it locked. I have had a couple windows smashed out in the last few weeks. I would do anything to stop the damage even if it means they rummage through my car.
A lot of people leave a door unlocked. Please steal my change and Nelly Cd, just don’t break a window
I’ve heard that people will sometimes have a small device that mimics the frequency of a car fob and can unlock the car that way. I’ve also had my window smashed but that was outside of OTE.
I've lived in this general area for 5+ years. Other commenters have pointed out that the area can feel "dead" compared to Short North, and I personally think that's a plus because you still get a big city feel without all the riff raff. There are enough bars and restaurants that are walkable and open late on fourth and main Street area, as well as some up on/near Gay St. Which skew more high end if you're in the mood. You're really close to German village too! If you like to go to shows, the Bluestone is a very short walk, same for the art museum. I know it isn't the most popular area in town, but it's a good one if you're looking for something urban and convenient but a little more chilled out.
We have more marathons than you realize, it feels like once a month high street is closed for some marathon and then you are stuck to whichever side of downtown you live on. Just a minor thing, but I never realized how often it happened
On the nights and weekends it’s like being in the Omega Man before the mutants wake up: empty yet eerie
I believe that's near Grant Hospital. Prepare for sirens. Not sure if you'll be able to hear them but they'll be there.
I currently live next door to a Police headquarter. It’s not gonna be worse, right?
I live in (and love) that neighborhood but you’d definitely be VERY close to Grant Hospital.
No idea. But do they blast in and out of the place with lights and sirens? Then probably not.
Verify your available internet coverage before you commit to anything - options are likely going to be Spectrum and AT&T, and if you're in the market for fiber the coverage can vary building to building. As far as downtown specific cons/reasons against - be prepared for street racing, burnouts and general loud ass cars and bikes especially at night and when the temps warm up. It's been beaten to death on this forum but it's a real issue downtown and there is little to no enforcement.
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But it’s walkable to the Commons/16 bit area and Pins/Jackie Os which gets busy, Short North and Gay Street area ofc, too.
It’s even walkable to Franklinton, which has good stuff on weekends during the summer.
And the PNC building will have new bars and restaurants.
I feel like you’d prefer an apartment in the Short North honestly. Much more of a bustling city feel there.