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Liam G.
best-worst
Biggest downsides of living in Columbus?
Anyone else feel this way? What neighborhoods would you suggest?
17 upvotes
23 Replies
seattle_zoe
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Denver it's hit or miss.
38 upvotes
Lori K.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely challenging and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Downtown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
35 upvotes
Reagan S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Springfield for 3 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is tough - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Far from beaches/mountains. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
atl_julian
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's challenging.
34 upvotes
Maya P.
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
34 upvotes
Mason B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Samuel J.
I've lived in Greenfield for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Close to major attractions
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Xavier M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a nurse, 47, moved here 10 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Downtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
26 upvotes
Hudson
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Brooklyn G.
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
21 upvotes
Serenity Parker
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
Kyle G.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
17 upvotes
Oliver R.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
16 upvotes
Hazel
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is decent in most areas.
12 upvotes
Owen Perez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 43, moved here 13 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in East and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
11 upvotes
Josiah
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
I've been here 11 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Kennedy Jackson
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Italian places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
10 upvotes
orlandofan2023
The food scene here is average. Tons of great farm-to-table places. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Sophia W.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
Lydia Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Downtown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes
Skylar Chavez
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Hannah Jones
noted, appreciate it
1 upvotes
Abigail Nelson
literally same
1 upvotes