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Happy in Hilliard: Why This Suburb is Surging - Oakwood Management Blog

Happy in Hilliard: Why This Suburb is Surging

  |     |   Living in Columbus

If you’re looking for small-town vibes without the long commute, Hilliard may be the perfect place for you. This suburb has been surging in popularity lately, with new housing developments cropping up throughout the area and popular retail and dining setting up shop there as well. While other Central Ohio suburbs are limited by their close neighbors, Hilliard is able to expand and take advantage of spacious undeveloped tracks of land still within its limits.

Ohio History. Hilliard has been an established part of Ohio for over 150 years. It was founded as Hilliard’s Station by John Reed Hilliard in 1852, sitting at a critical cross-section of railroad lines that allowed its farmers to export food easily by train. Eventually the “Station” was dropped, and though there no longer is a railway through the town, the original station was restored and incorporated into Weaver Park. Hilliard consistently grew through the decades, with particularly large population increases in the 1950s and the 1980s.

Vibrant Uptown. Oakwood community Landmark Lofts sits just around the corner from Old Hilliard, the popular uptown district with walkable gathering spots and numerous retail and dining options. One staple located in Old Hilliard, a resident favorite known for its eclectic décor and unique diner-meets-Cuban-fusion menu. Nearby you’ll find Packrat Comics, a delightful shop that welcomes longtime comic lovers and newbies alike can shop for colorful pages. For family events, pop over to Hilliard’s Station Park, which has a splash pad for little ones to cool off on summer days and an outdoor amphitheater. There’s so much to do in Old Hilliard, you’ll be sure to fill your free time with fun in this little part of town.

Plentiful Recreation. Since Hilliard isn’t as densely populated as other parts of Central Ohio, there’s plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy, including thirty parks and recreation centers. The Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park has something for everyone, from various sports fields for the competitive park goers to lovely trails overlooking ponds for the casual hiker. This park is also home to the Hilliard Family Aquatic Center, which has several pools and waterpark style entertainment to help you cool off on hot summer days. Residents can purchase a plot at one of two community gardens, where they can enjoy the hobby while socializing with other Hilliard neighbors.

Ideal Location. Hilliard sits to the west of Downtown Columbus, with no other major towns immediately farther west. Thus, Hilliard can expand comfortably without being boxed in by competing suburbs or already established communities. It offers an easy commute to downtown and quick access to Interstate 270. Additionally, the area features some of the most popular public schools in the Central Ohio area. Hilliard City Schools are rapidly expanding due to the increased demand to live within its limits, which, for many residents, has to do with its great schools. As of 2018, the district had over 16,000 students!

Upcoming Growth. As the city of Columbus continues to grow, many new inhabitants look to the suburbs for their first apartment or home in the area. Meanwhile, current Columbus residents may relocate to Hilliard for its ideal location or to explore all the West side of town has to offer. This desire for Hilliard living has been matched by new construction and redevelopment, including the creation of Hilliard Place, a neighborhood-style apartment community featuring large floorplans. Similarly, a major development was proposed between several of the major Hilliard schools, offering a New Urbanism style development with over 1,000 homes.

There’s a reason everyone’s talking about Hilliard – actually, several reasons! Next time you’re trying to plan what to do with your weekend, consider making a trip out to this growing suburb to see what all the buzz is about.

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