Delaware

With miles of open, undeveloped green space and some farm animals as neighbors, Troy Township, just north of the city of Delaware, about 40 miles north of Columbus, is an area that’s gaining increased appeal. “Old and young find rural areas attractive for different reasons,” says Janelle Blue, a Realtor with knowledge of the Delaware area who’s been selling homes for nearly 10 years. “Older folks like it for the slower pace, and younger families like it for the affordability and the access to a better school district.” Route 23 is a central north-south corridor running through the township, but the goal is to preserve the rural aspect of the area. On the eastern side of Route 23, Delaware Lake spills into the northern part of the Olentangy River, meaning some homes feature waterfront property, whether the lake or river. The majority will have between 2 and 10 acres of land with Cape Cod, ranch-style and split-level architecture styles. Southern portions of the township closer to the city of Delaware could have pockets of more contemporary homes that are closer together but still on large parcels of land. The price ranges from $300,000 to $600,000, with the price per square foot just above $200. “Another attractive piece for younger people is that often they’re priced out of the homes closer to the city, and the property taxes here are lower,” Blue says. The typical home in Troy Township will have three to four bedrooms, a three-car garage, at least a partial basement and between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet of living space. Students in the southern half of the township closer to the city of Delaware could attend schools in the Delaware City School District, with a B overall grade on Niche. David Smith Elementary School also gets a B and has a 19-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Students at the B-minus John Dempsey Middle School can be introduced to foreign language classes and extra-curricular activities like band or chorus. Rutherford B. Hayes High School has a B rating on Niche and has a graduation rate of 94%. Buckeye Valley East Elementary Buckeye Valley Middle and High Schools are all part of the Buckeye Valley Local School District. The middle and high schools get B overall Niche grades, while Buckeye Valley East Elementary has a B-minus. Buckeye Valley High School is in Troy Township, and the four-year graduation rate is 92%. The parks in Delaware County, including Troy Township, are unique because their focus is preservation, whether it be wildlife or history. Gallant Farm Preservation Park is a Depression-era farm with period furnishings, an 1890s barn and costumed interpreters completing the day's chores. Special events during the year include an antique tractor show and special winter activities. Across Buttermilk Hill Road is Gallant Woods, also part of the county’s Preservation system. Owls are typical in the woods, and bodies of water in the park attract shorebirds, like sandpipers. It’s a short drive south to the city of Delaware, where Opa Grill & Tavern is located. With the word Opa, a common celebratory term in Greece, it’s no wonder this restaurant features Greek staples like gyros and lamb. Still, they also have burgers, pasta and vegetarian options. Kroger and ALDI are two grocery stores on the northern end of Delaware. Delaware County Transit offers rides to people in the county to destinations within Delaware County from 6 am to 6 pm. Rides can be scheduled in advance by calling or scheduling the pickup online. The Delaware County Transit Board operates the service. It’s a 45-minute trip to downtown Columbus and 40 minutes to John Glenn Columbus International Airport.