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Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in German Village. Photo by Experience Columbus; Levi Ely.

Neighborhoods are the heartbeat of this quickly growing city, with each neighborhood carrying its own unique identity and community. Whether it’s the communal care of Franklinton or the cultural heritage of German Village, the first step to a successful move is to choose the neighborhood that fits your unique needs.

– Chealsia Smedley

Clintonville

Named the best neighborhood to live in for three consecutive years by Columbus Underground readers, this hip part of town is just 10 miles north of downtown and nearby The Ohio State University and the Olentangy River. Known as a hipster hotspot, Clintonville is home to vegan-friendly food spots as well as vintage and antique shops, such as Eclectiques Antique Mall. Nature lovers can get their fix at Columbus Park of Roses, a beloved public garden with more than 12,000 roses. For those who like to traverse the less-beaten path, there are four ravines that intersect with Clintonville such as Walhalla Ravine. But beware, though Walhalla Road is a tree-lined dog walker’s dream by day, it’s rumored to be haunted by night.

Franklinton

This neighborhood, sometimes referred to as “The Bottoms” because of its low elevation near the Scioto River and history of floods, is a beacon for communal resilience and care. From Wild Goose Creative, a nonprofit that creates accessible arts experiences, to Franklinton Farms, a nonprofit network of urban farms, community gardens and educational programs providing access to fresh food, this community is all about resourcing its residents. Visit the tight-knit community by attending Franklinton Fridays on the second Friday of the month, where the performance venues and maker spaces on Rich Street open their doors to the public. Franklinton is also home to Gravity Park, a community space that includes coworking spaces, apartments and Land-Grant’s Wintergarden, where Land-Grant Brewing Company patrons can go curling and drive ice bumper cars in the colder months.

Ice bumper cars at Land-Grant’s Wintergarden

German Village

Settled by German immigrants in the mid 1800s, German Village is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus. Known for its charming, red-bricked buildings and long-standing eateries like Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, offering authentic German fare, German Village is an idyllic part of town and a popular spot for first-time visitors. Grab a coffee at Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, Columbus’ first micro roaster, before walking next door to The Book Loft of German Village, a sprawling 32-room local bookstore and community staple. End your evening by taking a stroll through Schiller Park, where Actors’ Theatre of Columbus offers free performances, Thursdays through Sundays at the open air amphitheater during the spring and summer.