As the state capital of Ohio, Columbus is the largest city in the state and serves as an economic and cultural hub. It’s famous for its close-knit communities and welcoming environment, earning it the nickname of “The Biggest Small Town in America”.
There are many great reasons to consider renting in Columbus. However, before diving in, it’s important for renters to ask a few crucial questions.
Here’s what renters need to know before making a move to Columbus.
1. How Are the Schools in Columbus?
Columbus is split into a number of school districts. The largest is Columbus City Schools (CCS), a public school system that serves the majority of the city. Catering to more than 46,000 students across 113 schools, CCS has a student-teacher ratio of 16-1. Schools in the district vary widely, with the bulk of schools in the district graded C- according to Niche. According to locals, resources in the Columbus City Schools District are somewhat stretched, and the quality of service could be improved in some areas.
However, there are many more school districts in the city and its suburbs. Most of the suburban school districts rank higher than Columbus City Schools and tend to be more desirable. Stand-out districts include Dublin, Grandview Heights, Worthington, Gahanna, Hilliard, and Bexley.
With a 95% graduation rate, Bexley High School is the top-ranking school in the area and ranks at 152 nationally.
2. Is Columbus a Good Place for Families?
Columbus is generally considered a great place to raise a family. Not only is the city home to some fantastic schools, but it also enjoys a low crime rate and has plenty of things to see and do for all the family. On top of that, the city’s tight-knit communities provide a superb environment for families and the houses for rent in Columbus ensure that those looking for more space and privacy can actually access the properties that offer these features.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a stand-out attraction for visitors to the city as well as locals, and it’s a great day out for all the family. Meanwhile, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is one of the top-rated science centers in the U.S. and provides a wonderful environment for kids to learn and be entertained.
3. What Is There to Do in Columbus?
Columbus offers countless things to see and do whether you want to explore it with your family or on your own, with attractions to suit every taste. Here are a few of the best things to do in Columbus.
1. Explore the City Parks
Boasting over 400 city parks and 20 nature preserves, covering a whopping 14,000 acres, and all crisscrossed by more than 230 miles of trails, Columbus is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The city straddles the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, resulting in many miles of beautiful waterfront views and countless opportunities to indulge in water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding.
The city parks dotted throughout Columbus also offer a wide array of facilities, such as dog parks, picnic areas, and bandstands.
And for those who really want to get close to nature while in the heart of the city, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is ideal. It consists of numerous themed gardens, with more than 400 species of plants from across the globe. Hosting workshops and events such as concerts, there’s always something going on.
2. COSI: Center of Science and Industry
With over 300 interactive exhibits, COSI is an exciting place to visit for kids and adults alike. It’s home to the largest planetarium in Ohio, as well as live shows and displays from the American Museum of Natural History (NYC), including the iconic Dinosaur Gallery exhibit. Entertaining and educational, it’s been voted the best science museum in the country more than five times.
3. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to a menagerie of more than 10,000 creatures large and small, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is another attraction that the whole family can enjoy. From tigers and giraffes to the weird and wonderful creatures of the deepest depths of the ocean, there are more than 600 species to discover.
4. How’s the Commute in Columbus?
With an average car commute time of 22 minutes, Columbus enjoys the quickest commute time in the U.S., according to recent studies. A mix of careful city planning and a lower population density compared to other large cities has seen Columbus take the top spot.
The commute isn’t just quick, it’s also cheap, with commuters in Columbus enjoying some of the lowest parking and fuel costs in the country.
Image credit: Agnieszka Gaul / Shutterstock.com
