Just southeast of downtown Columbus, Southern Orchards has been booming in recent years. Renovated homes and walkable streets have drawn more young professionals as Nationwide Children’s Hospital continues to expand. Being just minutes from shopping and entertainment also draws plenty of new homeowners.
With its tidy grid of historic homes, Southern Orchards feels classic but refreshed, thanks to years of renovation that have brought new energy to the neighborhood. Realtor Michael Jones of Coldwell Banker Realty says the area "has experienced a resurgence" over the last decade, driven in part by the growth of Nationwide Children's Hospital just north in Livingston Park. The hospital added a new 12-story building in 2012, and a new patient tower is expected to wrap up construction in 2028. "Today is much different than 10 years ago," Jones said. "Southern Orchards is still in transition, but you'll find a lot of younger and middle-aged people who want to get into an affordable, walkable urban environment."
Streets are lined with turn-of-the-20th-century Victorian, Craftsman and American Foursquare-style homes, with prices generally ranging from about $100,000 to the mid-$400,000s depending on condition. Duplexes and other multi-family homes are also common, typically selling between the high $100,000s and low $400,000s. The median price for a single-family home lands in the mid-$200,000s, generally putting Southern Orchards above Deshler Park and Driving Park, in line with Karns Park and less expensive than Livingston Park, Schumacher Place or Merion Village. "We love it because it's close to downtown, but you're still getting an affordable price in a prime location," said Elaine Dollenmayer, vice president of the Southern Orchards Civic Association.
Southern Orchards is zoned for Columbus City Schools, one of the largest districts in Ohio. Livingston Elementary is in the neighborhood's boundaries, and South High School is less than a mile away, making them both options for students who’d rather walk. School choice in Columbus City Schools includes magnet and alternative schools that families apply to through a district-run lottery, and popular programs can fill up quickly. Out-of-district students can apply through open enrollment, though acceptance depends on available space rather than automatic approval.
In addition to being about 2 miles from the heart of Columbus, Southern Orchards offers fairly easy routes to several major job centers around the region. Easton and John Glenn Columbus International Airport are both about 10 miles away, and the tech corridor in New Albany is less than 20 miles. The Central Ohio Transit Authority has bus stops along Parsons and East Jenkins avenues, helping commuters get around without a car. With sidewalks throughout the neighborhood, the area is known for being very pedestrian-friendly. “The walkability is great," says Dollenmayer.
Kobacker Park and Martin Park are popular neighborhood hangouts, each offering playground equipment and basketball courts. Just north of Southern Orchards, Livingston Park spans about 8 acres with a mix of open fields, mature trees and walking trails. Nearby in German Village, Schiller Park adds even more options with baseball diamonds, a fully stocked fishing pond and the Schiller Community Center.
With a mix of boutiques, retailers and a Kroger grocery store, Parsons Avenue is a go-to spot for everyday shopping. You’ll also find several fast food spots and chain restaurants, along with a solid lineup of locally owned places that give the street its personality:
Tiffany Bafford
Cutler Real Estate
(234) 239-8825
107 Total Sales
1 in Southern Orchards
$650,000 Price
Theresa Barron
Take A Look Real Estate Broker
(380) 888-2291
83 Total Sales
3 in Southern Orchards
$182K - $410K Price Range
Matan Gutwaks
RE/MAX Main Street
(551) 210-4739
67 Total Sales
4 in Southern Orchards
$41K - $176K Price Range
Anthony Grant
Howard Hanna Real Estate Svcs
(833) 322-1714
19 Total Sales
1 in Southern Orchards
$142,080 Price
Patrick Murphy
Keller Williams Consultants
(380) 214-2685
180 Total Sales
1 in Southern Orchards
$545,000 Price
John Hellwege
Myers Real Estate
(380) 333-4941
45 Total Sales
1 in Southern Orchards
$355,000 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Southern Orchards | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Southern Orchards, Columbus sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Southern Orchards, Columbus over the last 12 months is $275,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,500 per month
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Historic homes and active neighborhood association define this Columbus community
