Columbus has undergone a massive, Batman-less rehabilitation. The recently rejuvenated downtown has prompted several large companies to open offices and plants in the area, thus enticing new residents to move in.
Columbus offers a variety of different kinds of apartment living options, a fair number of recreational activities to choose from and a blossoming local arts and social scene
Columbus has undergone a massive, Batman-less rehabilitation. The recently rejuvenated downtown has prompted several large companies to open offices and plants in the area, thus enticing new residents to move in.
Columbus offers a variety of different kinds of apartment living options, a fair number of recreational activities to choose from and a blossoming local arts and social scene. So, without further ado, let’s take a look a quick look at Columbus’s main neighborhoods and figure out which area will work best for you.
Downtown
The downtown Columbus area is now a thriving community that offers a plethora of excellent restaurants and shopping, plenty of entertainment and recreational options. While the apartment complexes in this area are often pretty pricey – a one bedroom will cost you between $900.00 and $1350.00 a month, and a two or three bedroom will run you around $1250.00 to $1500.00 a month – most of them offer onsite security, secure parking and a good amount of recreational amenities at your disposal. A number of newly renovated loft apartments can be found along the downtown river area and will typically cost somewhere between $1000.00 and $1500.00 a month depending on the size, quality of the complex and proximity to the water.
North Columbus
The suburban North Columbus area offers a variety of different apartment living options, though most of them will cost you a pretty penny. This area offers tons of local shopping and recreational activities and an assortment of recently built apartment complexes and neighborhood subdivisions. Green Island Hills, which is certainly the nicest part of North Columbus, has several luxurious apartment complexes for rent. High-end apartments in this area cost between $1100.00 and $1600.00 per month and are well worth the money. Columbus Park Crossing is a more inexpensive area, enclosed with a general mall area.
East Columbus offers fewer recreational activities than the downtown area. You’ll find plenty of shopping and reasonably priced dining venues, not to mention a number of medium-priced apartments. A decent one bedroom in the area will cost between $650 and $1000.00 a month, and between $800 and $1250.00 for a two or three bedroom. Try to stick to complexes that have been consistently owned and operated by reputable management companies, especially those located in Woodlawn Estates and Crystal Valley.
Those looking for moderately priced, small and medium sized complexes should direct their search to the South Columbus area, especially around Carter Acres and Oakland Park. The apartments around here will run around $700.00 to $800.00 per month for a one bedroom and between $900.00 and $1200.00 per month for a two or three bedroom.
Most of Columbus’s nightclubs and bars are located in the MidTown area, hence there’s a bunch to do around here on Friday or Saturday nights. While there are plenty of larger and medium sized complexes throughout the area, they tend to (surprise-surprise) be on the pricier side - a one bedroom will start at around $1000.00 per month and a decent two bedroom will cost at least $1200.00 a month. Focus your apartment search around the Dinglewood and Hilton Heights areas.
Overall, locating an apartment in Columbus shouldn’t prove to be too difficult, especially if you’re looking or willing to live outside the downtown area. In fact, Columbus has more apartments available than residents to occupy them (lucky you!). So here are a few tips to help you along:
-
An apartment locating service will help make your move to Columbus all the easier & while the broker/personal service will cost you at least $100.00, it will nevertheless help you locate the neighborhood and apartment complex that best suits your lifestyle.
-
Investigate the area you’re considering moving to carefully before signing a lease. While there are a number of good complexes to choose from.
- Most high-end apartment complexes and communities – especially those in the downtown area – will require a month’s rent for a deposit, first and last month’s rent up front, a $25-$50 application fee, an often a non-refundable pet deposit fee ranging between $100-$300 per animal, a fair to good credit history, and past-rental references from the last five years. The apartment complexes located outside the downtown area often require only a small application fee, a deposit and first months rent, fair credit (or a co-signer with good credit), and three past rental and personal references. If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. There’s a reason we’re telling you to come prepared.
- Some of the moderately priced complexes outside the downtown area – especially those in the Midtown area – offer immediate move-in specials that wave the first month of rent upon signing lease, a relatively low security deposit, no application fee and a fairly low pet deposit.
While it’s hardly New York City in terms of quality of life, you’ll probably find Columbus to be a decent enough place to live, especially if you’re moving to the downtown or North Columbus areas. Columbus is continuing to grow and develop and promises to be an even better place in the coming years. If possible, we recommend taking a look around Columbus in person before choosing your apartment, especially if you’re opting to live outside the downtown area. As we said before, there are more places to rent than renters, so you definitely have options, just make sure it’s right before committing.
That's all for us, best of luck & happy hunting!
