Moving to a new city is always challenging. A big portion of that challenge is finding a good place to live, especially when you don’t know what it has to offer.

But we’ve got your back!

That’s why we packed this article with information about Columbus to see if it’s the right fit for you!

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We’ve done the research for you, so you don’t have to (oh, and by way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—Columbus movers and movers throughout the country).

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A Little About Columbus’ Suburbs

Living in the city can be exciting. With the culture, the vast array of restaurants and bars, and the attractions, urban life has its benefits. But there’s also the traffic, lack of free parking, higher-priced housing and the high-energy atmosphere, which isn’t for everyone.

That’s where the suburbs come in. They are close enough to the city so you can take advantage of all urban life has to offer without having to live there. Columbus’ suburbs provide a quieter, more peaceful environment for those who prefer it.

So without further ado, here are some of the best suburbs surrounding Columbus, Ohio.

Powell

The city of Powell is just a 25 minute drive from downtown Columbus. It was first established by settlers from Middlebury, Connecticut in 1801. Originally called Middlebury (not very original, huh?), it was renamed Powell after Judge Thomas Powell in 1857 after he started the first post office there. Today, Powell is home to more than 13,000 residents, more than double the population from just a decade ago.

What’s Happening in Powell

Considered by many as one of the best suburbs in Columbus (duh, that’s why it made our list), Powell is located in the Olentangy Valley region and is close enough to enjoy the amenities of Columbus’ metropolitan area. But there’s plenty to do in Powell as well, like shopping in its historic shopping district or taking the kids to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium or exploring local history at the Olentangy Indian Caverns.

Dining options vary from local eateries to upscale restaurants. Stop by Anne’s Kitchen, a family-owned restaurant serving Southern-style breakfast and lunch all day. Be sure to check out Local Roots for dinner. Popular among locals, they serve traditional American fare with seasonal ingredients from their own farm.

Schools in Powell

Powell is part of  the Olentangy Local School District. It serves more than 22,000 students and is rated the top district in the county.. Private schools in Powell serve both grades K-12 and 9-12. 

Homes in Powell

We’ve got news for you. Most everyone in Powell is wealthy. Families in this area earn an average of $159,386 a year.

Homes in this area have a median price of $484,000.  Rentals average $1,560 per month.

Grandview Heights

Grandview Heights is a city about five miles west of downtown Columbus. You can bike downtown on the Olentangy Trail or Lower Scioto Greenway in just under 25 minutes. Public transit via the COTA Bus will take just over half an hour.

Grandview Heights  was initially part of Marble Cliff, one of the first suburbs near the city, which was settled in 1890. Grandview Heights became a separate village in 1906 and a city in 1931.

Even though the suburb is so close to Columbus, Grandview Heights has its own emergency services and school district. Grandview Heights offers a simple commute into Columbus and is an excellent area for those who want to live in the suburbs while still being part of an urban environment.

What’s Happening in Grandview Heights

Because Grandview Heights is minutes away from downtown Columbus, residents can enjoy the many attractions, shopping, and restaurants Ohio’s capital has to offer. Enjoy a concert or hockey game at Nationwide Arena, or attend a Broadway show at The Palace or Ohio Theatre. Check out a Buckeyes game at The Ohio State University, or do some shopping at the Easton Town Center.

There is no shortage of restaurants in Grandview Heights. Check out DK Diner for their specialty sandwiches and burgers or their homemade donuts. The award-winning Arch City Tavern is worth a visit for local beers and pub fare.

Schools in Grandview Heights

Grandview Heights has one of the smallest school districts around, but you can count on quality education at Grandview Heights High School. This high school measures above average in state testing and college readiness. Metro Early College High School for grades 6-12 also ranks high in academics, quality of teachers and college prep courses.

Homes in Grandview Heights

Choosing a home in central Ohio isn’t just about finding the right house, but about the right location. Grandview Heights is a great location. Grandview Yard is an area with new construction homes with prices starting at just under $738,000. The average rental price is $1,485 per month.

Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington is on the northwest side of the Columbus metropolitan area, and just a 10-minute drive to downtown. You can also hop on the bus line, which runs every 30 minutes.  wIt was founded by real estate developers Ben and King Thompson in 1913. Not only is the area one of the safest in the metro area, but it’s also one of the wealthiest. Because Upper Arlington is a city, it has its own police and fire stations, along with a public library and its own school district. Residents here are mainly families with kids under 18 and older adults.

What’s Happening in Upper Arlington

Upper Arlington is all about public parks, with 23 total. It’s also very art-friendly, with many art galleries such as The Concourse Gallery and the Ohio Craft Museum. For great dining experiences, we recommend Hudson 29 Kitchen+Drinks to have a drink on their sidewalk patio and Chef-O-Nette Restaurant, a diner with homestyle favorites and a drive-thru.

Schools in Upper Arlington

This small city has its own school district serving just over 6,000 students.  Their highly-rated district includes  one early childhood education facility, five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

Homes in Upper Arlington

Homes in Upper Arlington range from historic to new builds, with part of the area in the National Register of Historic Places. The average sales price for a home is $499,900, with large or historic homes going into the million-dollar range. Apartments in this neighborhood average $1,369 a month.

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Dublin

Dublin is a great place to raise kids. It’s a city with more than 47,000 residents northwest of Columbus. It is less than 25 minutes from downtown, depending on which road you take. (I-270 is faster when there’s no traffic.) It is one of the safest cities in the nation and ranked in 2015 as one of America’s Top 20 Creative Class Cities. It’s home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, an entrepreneurial center, and more than 4,300 businesses.

What’s Happening in Dublin

Dublin annually hosts Jack Nicklaus’ PGA Tour Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club and one of the nation’s largest Irish cultural events, the Dublin Irish Festival, quite appropriate, we think, due to the city’s name. Dublin also boasts the walkable Bridge Street District, which includes retail, housing, and restaurants.

The Dublin Village Tavern is a favorite in the area for its Irish-inspired menu. Tucci’s is a second-generation Italian restaurant with a huge selection of wines and patio seating.

Schools in Dublin

Students in the neighborhood can attend one of the five elementary, four middle or three high schools in the Dublin City School district. All three high schools in Dublin rank among the top high schools in the country. The city also has several higher learning facilities, including Ohio State University at Dublin.

Homes in Dublin

 Home prices in Dublin have increased over the last few years, making home prices average $394,000. The average rent price is around $1,429 a month.

Granville

Located in Licking County, Granville is a small village about 30 minutes outside of Columbus. A drive to downtown can take up to 40 minutes. The average household income is $138,372 a year, and the average age of residents is 39 years old. If you’re looking for a low crime rate (who isn’t, right?), Granville’s is 75 percent lower than the rest of the state.

With more than 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, this quaint town maintains its ties to its New England-inspired roots but with an innovative eye to the future.

What’s Happening in Granville

Have an itch for polo (and maybe a little Marco)? What about tennis or golf? Granville’s got all of that and more. It’s got locally-owned shops that range from bookstores to antiques to furniture and home decor. There are also a few museums and sites displaying Granville’s rich history. The village also holds an art walk the first Saturday of each month.

Visit Alfie’s, a quaint cafe where all of their sandwiches and salads are made from scratch. For dinner, stop by the family-owned Day Y Noche for authentic Mexican food.

Schools in Granville

Education is at the root of Granville’s beginnings in 1805, when it had its first log-cabin school that had 80 kids enrolled. Now, it’s home to the Granville Exempted Village School District, which serves 2,500 students in four schools. It is one of Ohio’s best public school districts with an average graduation rate of 99 percent..

Homes in Granville

Though there are new homes built here in ranch and other more common styles, many of the homes here are inspired by the traditional New England designs its founders brought with them when settling the area. The average home sale price is $389,200. Most people own their own homes here, but you can find apartments for rent for around $891.

There you have it: The best suburbs in Columbus

Suburbs are about location and lifestyle, to be sure. But they are also about the people who live in them. These neighborhoods offer a variety of lifestyles to meet most anyone’s needs.

We hope this guide helps you make the right choice to fit your lifestyle. Just as a reminder, we have local movers in Columbus, and can serve long-distance moves to Columbus as well. Need to move quickly? We also provide last minute moving services in Columbus!

Lastly, if you’re interested in any nearby cities with a good reputation, Cincinnati and Cleveland are a couple that should be high on your radar. Feel free to give us a call if you decide to make the move!

And if you’re interested in more information about Columbus, check out our other Columbus guides:

Columbus City Guide

Best Neighborhoods in Columbus

Best Family Neighborhoods in Columbus

Good luck with your move to the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio!

Harrison Stevens
The Better Way to Move