Driving Park is an established Columbus neighborhood on the Near East Side, minutes from downtown. While its convenient location is a major draw for commuters, the community also attracts buyers for its character-rich, vintage homes at relatively low prices. Sidewalks, mature trees and a neighborhood park and rec center help round out the area’s low-key, residential vibe.
Early 20th-century styles here include single-story cottages, along with two-story American Foursquares, Cape Cods and Craftsman bungalows. Porches or stoops and basements are common. Some houses have been converted into duplexes. “A lot of people like an older home with quality construction,” says Columbus native Michael Jones, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “They’re drawn to the little, nuanced features, whether it’s leaded glass windows, built-in dining room hutches or original hardwood floors.”
According to Jones, renovation levels vary. “Adjacent neighborhoods have a lot of renovated homes, and more are coming in this area,” he says. “Ranging from updates like new windows and electrical systems to remodeled or expanded kitchens.” A small amount of new construction has also joined the neighborhood, designed to blend traditional forms with sleeker, contemporary features. These newer homes, along with fully renovated properties, tend to sit at the higher end of local listings.
Driving Park is home to a mix of renters and homeowners. Single-family homes in Driving Park have recently sold from under $100,000 into the mid-$300,000s, while multifamily sales ranged from the low $100,000s to the mid-$400,000s. Prices here generally fall in line with those due north in South of Main, as well as those farther south in Deshler Park, but they may skew lower than Berwick and Southern Orchards on its east and west sides.
Neighborhood markets with essentials are a short walk for residents living on blocks along Livingston Avenue. Choices for bigger errand runs, including big-box stores, are farther down Main Street or Livingston Avenue in East Columbus. Chain restaurants sit along the thoroughfares as well, but residents don't have to go far from home for good eats. Some nearby favorites are:
Driving Park is part of Columbus City Schools, with Fairwood Alternative Elementary School in the community and South High School only minutes away. The district assigns neighborhood schools, but also offers magnet and alternative programs, with acceptance typically lottery-based. Additional school choice options include open enrollment and out-of-district transfers, depending on available space and policy.
Driving Park is convenient for commutes to the heart of the city and surrounding suburbs, thanks to its location along Interstate 70. Livingston Avenue is lined with COTA bus stops, though many residents rely on cars to get around the metro. The neighborhood offers straightforward routes to several major job hubs, such as:
On the east end of Driving Park, next to the neighborhood’s ballfields and green space, Driving Park Community Center offers a variety of youth and adult programs, from creative arts classes to pickleball lessons. The pool is open seasonally, and a paved trail outside the center connects to nearby Fairwood Park.
Jennifer Kessel-White
KW Classic Properties Realty
(380) 333-6311
178 Total Sales
1 in Driving Park
$289,900 Price
Jason Hottle
MODERN OHIO REALTY
(380) 210-3962
109 Total Sales
1 in Driving Park
$110,000 Price
Mark Corbin
NextHome Experience
(380) 205-9926
76 Total Sales
1 in Driving Park
$124,025 Price
David Tweet
MODERN OHIO REALTY
(380) 666-3386
35 Total Sales
2 in Driving Park
$260K - $385K Price Range
Rich Russo
Rich Russo Realty & Co.
(380) 210-4114
298 Total Sales
6 in Driving Park
$175K - $950K Price Range
Missy Lewie
Mainstream Realty Pros
(380) 210-5470
77 Total Sales
1 in Driving Park
$300,000 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Driving Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 5 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Driving Park, Columbus sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Driving Park, Columbus over the last 12 months is $224,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$880 - $1,350 per month
$1,200 per month
$1,350 per month
$1,450 per month
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Sprawling greenhouses and botanical gardens in Near East Side, Columbus
Historic homes and active neighborhood association define this Columbus community
