Some people are bound and determined to keep their home bases from expanding. They don’t want to deal with increased traffic, long checkout lines, or caution cones indicating infrastructure upgrades.
As for me? I get excited when I meet people who are new to Columbus. We can handle the traffic (car and foot), and as a long-time resident and realtor, I know that new construction can mean only one thing: We’re thriving.
Seriously, there are so many reasons to pack your bags and move to my favorite city. We have all the amenities of a much bigger area while maintaining a small-town vibe. Whether you’re into art, music, sports, or something else, we’re ready for you.
Columbus is in the beating heart of Ohio, just two hours from Cleveland and Cincy (and apparently, we have a thing for names that begin with the letter C). We also have one of the largest east/west highways running straight through downtown. (That means we keep traffic moving!) If you prefer to travel by plane, we’ve got you there, too; John Glen International Airport is just a few minutes outside the city. There’s no getting around it—Columbus is a very convenient place to call home.
If you have kids, you’ll love this: We have one of the best zoos in America. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (yes, both!) sits on 580 acres and features over 7,000 animals and 800 species. And if you prefer to see animals roaming freely, you have to check out The Wilds. It’s just outside of Columbus, in Cumberland, and sits on 9,000 (!!) acres. Be sure to catch a tour on one of the guided buses. It’s an unforgettable experience with nature.
For my arts people, you’re going to love our local musicians. They perform at clubs like Notes, Little Rock Bar, Brothers Drake Meadery, Ace of Cups, and the Big Room Bar. We’re also home to the Ohio Theatre, which opened way back in 1928. This Spanish Baroque-style venue hosts the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, BalletMet, the Broadway Series, and other performances and events. If fine art is more your speed, you can find beautiful works by Renoir, Cassatt, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, and others at the world-class Columbus Museum of Art.
Of course, you can’t have a well-rounded city without good food. Columbus brought you Wendy’s, Donato’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings (You’re welcome!), so we know a thing or two about this particular category. Central Ohio has many local farmers markets, compliments of our many local farmers. And there are so many amazing small businesses that define our city’s food. Some of my favorites are Hot Chicken Takeover, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Mickey’s Late Night Slice, and Buckeye Donuts (UGH, now I want donuts).
Okay, sports fans—your turn. If golf is your game, you’ll be pleased to know that Columbus has many different courses, including Valhalla (site of the 2014 PGA Championship). And you better start stocking up on Buckeyes gear because we take college football very seriously. (GO BUCKS!!!) We also have the Columbus Crew for soccer fans, the Columbus Clippers for baseball fans, and the Columbus Blue Jackets for ice hockey fans. No matter the season, downtown is bustling with excitement. It’s one of my favorite things about living here.
But if crowds aren’t really your thing, I hear you. How about a nice walk in the park? Franklin County has so many fantastic outdoor spaces—nearly 400, to be precise. Most of them are dog-friendly, so bring your furry family members! And pro tip: Be here for the 4th of July. One of our newest parks, the Scioto Mile, hosts our annual Red, White, and Boom! event, and it’s always a great time.
And the #1 reason I think you should move to Columbus? The people. Period.
I’m an Ohio native, and as a teen, all I wanted to do was leave. I traveled to many different states and various foreign countries, and yet, I ended up in Columbus. After all the running and seeking and striving, I realized that there’s no place I’d rather be than here. When locals ask, “How are you?” they actually want to know the answer. There’s a sense of community here that you just don’t feel in most places.
So, pack your bags, your boxes, your pets, and your plants. Come on over to The Biggest Small Town in America. We can’t wait to meet you.