Devola’s atmosphere has a distinct reputation in the region
Spacious green lawns and roomy homes are the ingredients that make Devola a draw for people in search of a peaceful place to live in Washington County. This section of southeast Ohio is mostly residential, a departure from the busier Marietta, the county’s largest city. Yet Marietta’s amenities are within a 10-mile drive. The combination of peace and access contributes to Devola’s notoriety in this area. “It’s definitely desirable,” says Tony Burdette, a local Realtor at Century 21 Full Service Realty with over 10 years of industry experience. “People ask for it by name.”
Mid-century homes in Devola have life left
Devola’s narrow neighborhood streets feature a mixture of ranch- and Colonial-style homes. The majority were built from 1950 to 1980, and owners have handled them with care over the years. “The houses are maintained well, the lawns are maintained well,” Burdette says. “It’s their little slice of heaven.” Homes average about 1,800 square feet, and come with space to breathe on lots stretching at least one-fifth of an acre. “There are parts of Devola that seem more rural than where you really are,” Burdette says. Most homes sell for $170,000 to $500,000, and Burdette says properties hold their value.
Marietta schools celebrate the arts
Kids living in Devola can enter the Marietta City School District, which has a C-plus grade on Niche. The C-rated Phillips Elementary includes kindergarten through second grade, and the C-plus-rated Marietta Elementary covers grades 3 through 6. Both schools host holiday concerts, a chance for students to showcase their musical ability. Marietta High also gets a C-plus, and has a wide-ranging music department with wind ensemble, symphonic band, treble chorus and bass chorus groups.
Riverside expanse is a destination for recreation
The East Muskingum Civic Association oversees a recreation complex just off the Muskingum River, with a variety of attractions. The space features a playground, athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, and a pool open during the summer. Burdette says locals also go for walks by the river, near the area's lock and damn system, which dates to the 1800s. The Devola Multi-Use Trail is another option for a walk, jog or bike ride, a roughly 2-mile path on the southern outskirts of this community.
Restaurants and more are close-by in Marietta
Residents can grab a quick bite at Dough Boyz Pizzeria, a small family-owned chain with not just pizza, but also chicken wings, quesadillas and ice cream. Or they can sample the selection at House of Wines, where there’s a waterside patio. “An outstanding winery and eatery, right on the river,” Burdette says. However, Marietta has a much broader selection of businesses, minutes away. Levee House Bistro is one of the popular spots in Marietta’s downtown, housed in a structure roughly 200 years old — the city’s oldest existing riverfront building. The bistro’s menu is full of seafood and pasta options. “It’s such a historic remnant,” Burdette says. “That’s still in service, and people really enjoy it. Fine dining. And once they hear the history of it, it’s just magical.” Shops downtown include Schafer Leather Store, open since 1867 and offering boots and other leather goods. Grocery options include Walmart and Kroger, and there’s also a Lowe’s in Marietta.
Route 60 is a portal to the wider area
Ohio state Route 60 is residents' main thoroughfare for trips into Marietta. The 199-bed Marietta Memorial Hospital is just off Route 60, 4 miles south of Devola, and includes an emergency room. “It’s one of the closest communities to Marietta Memorial Hospital,” Burdette says of Devola. “Doctors love it, nurses love it, hospital staff love it.” Interstate 77 runs just east of Devola and takes travelers 14 miles to the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, where they can catch direct flights to Charlotte.
Devola has multiple holiday traditions
Devola’s recreation complex, by the Muskingum, hosts multiple events each year. There’s an annual egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter and a Turkey Trot 5K run on Thanksgiving morning. Devola also has a community, costumed Halloween party at Masonic Park.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
