Possibly moving to Columbus, OH

[Celebrim]

There is a good chance I will be moving to Columbus, OH in the next few months. I know next to nothing about the city.

I need to live in a neighborhood with fairly easy access to the OSU campus but which is not too expensive and still fairly safe. I have two small children. I probably won't immediately be buying a house. Any suggestions as to what neighborhoods I should be looking in? Anyone renting an apartment that absolutely loves where they are living?

Where are the good gaming stores in town? What's the gaming culture like? German board games? DBM? Warhammer? MtG? LARP? Or in a town like Columbus is it a little of everything?

What restaurants in town must a visitor absolutely must try? I'm not talking about the fancy places necessarily, but rather the hole's in the wall, the local institutions that have been going for generations that are part of the city culture?

 

[Mycanid]

I know there are a fair number of gamers in here from Ohio Celebrim ... I hope they post in the thread soon and help you out!

btw ... great work on the quarterstaff feats ... i am spreading the ideas you and others posted in the thread some time back around as much as I can.

 

[Finster]

I moved to Dallas from Columbus three years ago, so take this with a grain of salt...

Campus area housing SUCKS! Unless you're very into the drunken party scene and rampant crime (I'm looking at you Chittenden Ave). DO NOT look for housing in the Old Towne East area no matter how quaint or affordable. I lived there for a year and feared for my life and property every day.

North of the campus area is not too bad. I lived on Karl near the outer-belt. Never had any trouble. My fiancee lived in the Oak Village apartments and liked it. Later, we were fortunate enough to find a fairly affordable duplex in the German Village area, but it was a total fluke. The housing prices there are astronomical. Both of us are OSU grads and drove to school every day. The commute was nothing, and the neighborhood is fantastic, or as they say in German Village, "FaaaBulous".

Columbus has some pretty well thought out highways too, so feel free to look around the periphery of the city. The commute won't kill you.

As far as restaurants and culture goes...Check it out! Columbus has a pretty happening art scene. The short north gallery district (the area near the convention center) is awesome! They have gallery walks on a regular basis. Also, German Village is a great place to walk around and see some neat stuff. My favorite hang-out was the Cup-O-Joe/Book loft.

You must eat at Scmidt's, it is required. Also check out (in no particular order): Thurman Cafe (awesome burgers), the Mohawk (nice atmosphere), CapCity Diner (and other Cameron Mitchell endeavors), Columbus Fish Market (pricey but very good), Spain (European Spanish quisine), the Goody Boy Diner on High street (for an authentic diner experience), Planks Pizza on High street (just damn good pizza), and El Vaquero (surprisingly good Mexican).

You might also want to check out some of the area parks. Ohio is home to two world class amusement parks, King's Island and Cedar Point. King's Island is more of a theme park, and Cedar Point has lots of sweet rides. If nature is your thing try a day trip to the Hocking Hills with the kids. Oh and don't forget C.O.S.I., although last time I went it was expensive.

As far as gaming stores go, I think the Gaurd Tower is the largest, if not the only game shop in town. There is (was) Ravenstone up on Karl road, and a game store on High street behind the Laughing Ogre comic shop, but I can't remember its name (damn old age).

I'm going to stop now before I exceed some kind of post length limit. I hope this was informative.

 

[Korgull]

Try looking into Clintonville for living arrangements. It's just north of OSU. It's safe, quiet, and relatively inexpensive.

The Guardtower is your best bet for gaming. Ravenstone is...average.

Finster pretty much nailed the restaraunts. Especially Thurmans. Although I have to disagree on the freeway system. It can be a nightmare. Learn the backroads quickly.

 

[Finster]

Yeah, OK, I remember being frustrated with the highway conditions. It was mainly (not entirely, but mainly) due to the fact that there are only two seasons on Ohio's freeways: Winter and Orange Barrel. I still think they are pretty well thought out, but that could be me looking through Dallas colored glasses. The highways here are crazy, especially near downtown.

There is only one spot in Columbus that I would call poorly concieved, and that would be the 70-71-315 interchange. We called it "the meat grinder". Celebrim, you will only encounter that downtown. Everything else is just cloverleaf entrance ramps/exits.

 

[Aurora]

You must eat at Scmidt's, it is required.

I concur!

 

[Terraism]

You may try dropping Crothian a PM. I'm pretty sure he lives very near to where you're looking at, and we all know that he loves to talk. He may have some really solid information.

 

[freebfrost]

There is a good chance I will be moving to Columbus, OH in the next few months. I know next to nothing about the city.

By far the most important thing you need to know is that if a total stranger (or group of strangers) walks up to you and says "O" "H", you *must* respond "I" "O" or face ridicule or death!!!

I need to live in a neighborhood with fairly easy access to the OSU campus but which is not too expensive and still fairly safe. I have two small children. I probably won't immediately be buying a house. Any suggestions as to what neighborhoods I should be looking in? Anyone renting an apartment that absolutely loves where they are living?

I'd avoid the campus area and Short North. Look in the Grandview and Clintonville areas.

Where are the good gaming stores in town? What's the gaming culture like? German board games? DBM? Warhammer? MtG? LARP? Or in a town like Columbus is it a little of everything?

The Soldiery
Ravenstone Games
The Guardtower
Armoury Games

You can find any kind of game in town in my experience. We've got a bit of it all!

What restaurants in town must a visitor absolutely must try? I'm not talking about the fancy places necessarily, but rather the hole's in the wall, the local institutions that have been going for generations that are part of the city culture?

Here's a few to get you started (no chains included):

Burgers - Thurman's Cafe (you don't need any others in this category...)
Mexican - El Acapulco/Casa Fiesta/El Vaquero
Pizza - Rotolo's/Panzera's/Adriatico's/Sparano's/DiCarlo's
Fancy - Columbus Fish Market, Mitchell's Restaurant, Hyde Park, Refectory
Greek - Big Fat Greek Cuisina, Crazzy Greek, Yannis
Desserts - Suisse Shoppe bakery, Graeter's Ice Cream, Handel's Ice Cream
Italian - Florentine
American - J Alexanders, Cap City Diner
Vegan - Benevolence
Brewpubs - Barley's, Columbus Brewing Company
Deli - Katzingers
Chinese - Lucky House, Hunan Lion, Ming Flower
Japanese - House of Japan, Sushiko, Otani

The North Market (Short North near downtown) has a great selection of shops and restaurants to explore also.


Welcome to Columbus!

Go Bucks!

Go Jackets!

 

[daddystabz]

Hey man! I'm in Columbus, Ohio too and I'm from your online C&C group! I'm trying to get some players together for multiple games. Get ahold of me! There are a lot of gaming stores near Columbus. The Soldiery is on North High Street right off the OSU campus. There is also the Guardtower, Ravenstone, The Armoury, etc.

You can call me on my cell phone anytime at 804-8602. I'd love to discusss getting together for some gaming with you. Thanks!

-Jonathan