Grove City was home to the country's oldest and largest forge, Wendell August, which was in continuous operation from 1923 until it was destroyed in a fire in 2010. Although the original forge is gone, the company opened a new 52,000 square foot facility in 2013 near the Grove City Premium Outlets.
Grove City is part of the Ohio-Pennsylvania metropolitan area included in metro statistics of Youngstown, Ohio
Grove City was home to the country's oldest and largest forge, Wendell August, which was in continuous operation from 1923 until it was destroyed in a fire in 2010. Although the original forge is gone, the company opened a new 52,000 square foot facility in 2013 near the Grove City Premium Outlets.
Grove City is part of the Ohio-Pennsylvania metropolitan area included in metro statistics of Youngstown, Ohio. Over 8,300 residents pack into the borough's 2.7 square miles, and yet leave plenty of room for a bustling commercial and industrial district. Located just 60 miles north of Pittsburgh and 75 miles from the shores of Lake Erie, Grove City is in the center of what makes people love the Penn/Ohio border area. Each of the little towns in this area is self-contained, vibrant and distinct, and Grove City is no different. From the Grove City Premium Outlets to popular little hole-in-the-wall pubs, a country club and a 1920s theatre with art installations (and modern movies!) on the city square, Grove City packs a lot into its small space. Now that you're yearning to move to this marvelous, mystical metropolis, let's get to work finding you a place!
Finding property rentals in Grove City won't be too difficult of an endeavor if you plan ahead, and know not only what you're looking for, but also what you're getting into. The city turned 200 at the end of last century, so if you're expecting a shiny new suburbia, you're not going to find it.
What You'll Find
A good portion of the housing in Grove City is renter-occupied, and renters have a lot of different housing options to choose from. You will have to be vigilant to find a studio apartment for rent as these are rare, but there are hundreds of 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments and houses regularly leased. Some of what Grove Citiers (Grovers?) call apartments are really duplexes, so be sure to get the information on any outside maintenance required of you when you call or visit the landlord or leasing agent. Also, because the city is so long-established, many of the houses are older, so check for any issues before signing on that dotted line.
Speaking of Leasing Agents‰Û_
You'll come across properties which are managed by the homeowner, who likely won't care a lot about running a background check on you or ask for much personal information-so long as you can pay the rent and aren't a horrible person. However, many homes are managed by a property company, and they require references from previous landlords, permission to speak with your employer and several personal references.
When looking at apartments, it gets a little stickier. Not only will they require a background and credit check, but they also want your bank's name and your entire employment history.
When to Move
Remember the mention of a college earlier? There are six within 30 miles of Grove City, but Grove City College is front and center, with an enrollment of 2,500. Not all these students seek off-campus housing, but enough of them do to warrant a recommendation that the end of spring semester might be a fine time to find a newly vacated rental apartment.
Other than the rushing outflow of a few dozen graduates, pretty much any time is a good time to find a place in Grove City.
Due to its small size, Grove City isn't split up into distinct neighborhoods, but it does have an awesome Walk Score for those who prefer to leave the wheels at home and cruise on foot. The city earns a reputable 86 in terms of walkability. Pretty much wherever you live, you'll be able to walk to meet most of your errand-running and entertainment needs.
Downtown: The downtown area is where you'll find your banks, specialty shops, the Guthrie Theatre, and other small businesses like Beans on Broad coffee shop. All of this is just blocks away from the campus of Grove City College, and radiating out the other side of the city center are grids of residential streets with a mix of owners and renters.
Northwest: To the northwest is the expansive Memorial Park, and medical centers are on the northeast side of town. You'll find small businesses peppered throughout the borough, easily mixing with residences, so the whole town feels very urban while maintaining a suburban population density. Some places even feel a little rural, especially where they meet the Pennsylvania farmland to the east.
With such a great Walk Score, you may be tempted to ditch your ride, but hold on to it. While a fair number of current residents walk to work, the majority of the rest of workers in Grove City commute-an average of less than 15 minutes each way. Grove City has so many businesses, there are plenty of work opportunities right outside your door. While the average household income is slightly below the national average, so is the cost of living.
For entertainment, there are various small pubs and restaurants to patronize, and this gives you a great chance to meet the laid-back locals. Join a league at the Bowl-O-Drome or join the Grove City Country Club-you'll see new friends from both places at the local Eat N Park on Saturday afternoon. Not only is there an absence of pretension in Grove Park, but there's a palpable absence of tension, period. Why be stressed out in a hurry to get somewhere else when everything you need is right here?
