Hey, I’m Paul, a Columbus resident and a marketer. Prior to moving to Columbus, I had a lot of questions about the area; where I should live, what neighborhoods make sense for my lifestyle etc., It took awhile for me to understand the lay of the land, but now I have a solid grasp of the neighborhoods and the area in general. My hope is this post takes those five years and boils it down so you can make the best decision about where you want to live.
If you’re completely new to the area, welcome! Columbus was recently ranked as the fastest-growing city in the country. There are a ton of fun things to do here, great places to eat, and most importantly, awesome people to meet. Here’s a few of the most hard-hitting questions you likely have about renting in Central Ohio.
What are the best neighborhoods in Columbus to rent for young professionals?
Young professionals who want to be close to the best nightlife, shopping, and dining enjoy living in downtown Columbus and Polaris.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Columbus to rent in?
Some of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio to rent in include Dublin, Hilliard, New Albany, and Gahanna. These are all considered very safe neighborhoods to rent in.
What are the best apartments in Columbus?
A few of the best apartments in Columbus, Ohio include River & Rich was voted as one of the best apartments in Columbus in 2023. Residences at Topiary Park was a JBR Design Award finalist for its high-end and luxury experience. Highpoint on Columbus Commons has 4.8/5 stars on Google with over 280 reviews.
What are the best apartments in Dublin, OH?
A few of my favorite apartments in Dublin, Ohio include The Kensington at Riggins Run, The Charles at Riggins Run, The Wendell, and Asherton of Dublin. Each of these apartment communities have amazing pools, spacious floor plans, and are proudly managed by Oakwood Management Company. You can view our entire portfolio of apartments in Dublin, Ohio here.
What are the best apartments in Hilliard, OH?
Some of my favorite apartments in Hilliard, Ohio include Landmark Lofts, Cabot Cove, and Gables West. These are all in the highly-desired Hilliard School District and have amenities you’ll love such as swimming pools, fitness centers and bike storage. You can find the entire list of apartments in Hilliard, Ohio here.
What are the best apartments in Grove City, OH?
Some of my favorite apartments in Grove City, Ohio include Beulah Place and The Strand at Beulah that feature incredible townhomes.
What are the best apartments in Polaris?
Some of the most popular apartments in Polaris include Pointe at Polaris, Zelle at Polaris, The Edge at Polaris, and The View at Polaris. Each of these apartment communities has a swimming pool as well as fitness centers and close proximity to employers like JP Morgan Chase and United Healthcare. You can explore more apartments in Polaris managed by Oakwood Management Company here.

What are the best apartments in downtown Columbus, OH?
Some of my favorite apartments in downtown Columbus, Ohio include Highpoint on Columbus Commons, Residences at Topiary Park, and River & Rich. You can explore Oakwood Management Company’s entire portfolio of apartments in downtown Columbus, Ohio here.
Which Columbus neighborhoods are family-friendly?
Columbus, Ohio is generally considered to be family-friendly. Some of the more family-friendly neighborhoods include Hilliard and Dublin, located in highly-sought after school districts. You can explore our entire list of 3-bedroom apartments or townhomes here for rent.
What apartments in Columbus are in the best school district?
Olentangy School District and Hilliard School District are two highly sought after school systems in Columbus, Ohio. A few of the most popular apartments in those school districts include Cheswick Village, Olentangy Reserve, Asherton of Dublin, and The Charles at Riggins Run. You can view the entire list of apartments in Columbus’ best school districts here.

What are some pet-friendly apartments in Columbus?
Oakwood Management Company offers nearly 60 pet-friendly apartments in Columbus, including Albany Glen, Landmark Lofts, Sonnenblick, Pointe at Polaris, and many more.
How does living in Downtown Columbus compare to living in suburbs like Dublin or Worthington?
Living in Downtown Columbus is opting in to the excitement of city-living as you are steps away from fine-dining, live sports and concerts, as well as fun bars and nightlight. Suburbs like Dublin and Worthington offer an oasis to enjoy a quieter lifestyle without sacrificing great dining options.
What are the most walkable apartments in Columbus?
River & Rich in the Franklinton neighborhood is steps away from restaurants, breweries, a coffee shop and entertainment. Highpoint on Columbus Commons is a highly-central location downtown right next to the Columbus Commons and tons of dining options. Landmark Lofts is a couple of baseball throws from tacos, doughnuts, and more.
Is Columbus a walkable city?
Certain neighborhoods in Columbus are walkable including Short North, Downtown Columbus, Italian Village, German Village, Grandview, Clintonville and Victorian Village.
What apartments in Columbus have parking included?
Oakwood Management Company offers more than 25 apartment communities with either covered parking or attached garages. Pricing for parking varies based on the individual property.
What is the average rent in Columbus?
The average rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,495 according to Zillow.
Are utilities expensive in Columbus?
Utilities are slightly more expensive in Columbus, Ohio compared to the rest of the country although the cost is slightly less than other Ohio cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati. The average total cost of utilities is $271.35/month.
Is Columbus a pet-friendly city?
Yes, Columbus, Ohio is a pet-friendly city. It was ranked as the 40th pet-friendly city in the country and amongst the lowest in veterinary care costs make it an ideal home for pet-owners and pets alike.
What are some tips for renting in Columbus?
- Tour more than one property.
- Ask about leasing specials.
- Read reviews beforehand.
- Consider the neighborhood that best fits your lifestyle. Areas like Polaris, Grove City, Dublin, and downtown Columbus each come with their pros and cons.
Is rent expensive in Columbus, Ohio?
Rent is relatively inexpensive in Columbus, Ohio. The median rent is 15-25% less expensive than the national average.

Is downtown Columbus a good place to live?
What does my salary need to be to get my own apartment in Columbus, Ohio?
What is the best property management company in Columbus, Ohio?
There’s a bit of bias here, but I would argue that it’s Oakwood Management Company. Our Google rating is 4.1 out of 5 with more than 540 reviews. We’ve won numerous awards ranging from Best C-Suite executive to Best Places to Work in Multifamily. We manage more than 11,000 units in Central Ohio and work everyday to sustain growth through deep community connection while providing expertise, compassion, and unparalleled quality and service. If you’re looking for a Columbus rental, click here. If you’re looking for a residential or commercial management company, click here.