Gahanna

Tucked away in rolling greenery between Easton Town Center and the suburb of New Albany, Cherry Bottom is an ideal location in the northeast Columbus suburbs flush with nearby shopping destinations. It’s also home to a nationally recognized taqueria that’s been serving up authentic Mexican fare in the neighborhood for nearly a decade. Realtor Lee Ritchie of Re/Max Partners said Cherry Bottom is becoming “very attractive” for home buyers. “There are a lot of people who’ve been priced out of the New Albany market, but who still want to live in the area,” Ritchie said. “It’s close to Easton and an easy commute to downtown Columbus. You can really be anywhere in the city in 30 minutes.” With quiet streets, landscaped lawns and flags flying above front porches, most of the homes in Cherry Bottom were built in the 1980s. It features a mix of one- and two-story houses with attached garages and large, fenced-in backyards that typically sell for between $250,000 and $400,000. Apartments and town houses are also available at The Residence at Christopher Wren, a small apartment community with on-site amenities. A big part of the appeal for Cherry Bottom residents is the neighborhood’s central location. It’s only minutes from Easton Town Center, ranked the No. 1 Retail Center Experience in America by Chain Store Age magazine. The town center is home to more than 200 shops, a Trader Joes, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. It's also only a short drive to New Albany, a fast-growing suburb and the future home of Intel’s new semiconductor manufacturing campus known as “Ohio One.” The $20 billion development is expected to generate thousands of jobs and drive a significant amount of growth in the area. Cherry Bottom is home to the award-winning Los Guachos Taqueria, known for its famous al pastor that’s roasted on a pineapple-topped spit and sheared like shawarma. This is rated as one of the best restaurants in Columbus on Tripadvisor, and in 2015, Food Network listed Los Guachos’ tacos the third best in the country. The Columbus Dispatch wrote in 2017 that the taqueria “offers the best deals on Mexican food in central Ohio,” with “taco truck-style fare at inexpensive taco truck-style prices.” Stoneridge Plaza, a shopping center with a 16-screen movie theater, a Kroger grocery store and a litany of casual dining options, lies west of Cherry Bottom. There, residents can enjoy Indian flavors at Namaste Indo-Nepali, a local eatery specializing in Nepalese cuisine. Comfort food can be found at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, a Louisiana-based fast-food joint primarily found in the Midwest, the South and the West Coast. Students in the neighborhood attend Jefferson Elementary School, Gahanna Middle School East and Lincoln High School. Lincoln High is ranked in the top 100 high schools in Ohio by U.S. News and World Report. The high school teaches over 2,300 students and earns an A-minus on Niche. Jefferson Elementary and Gahanna Middle also earn A-minus. The neighborhood is just north of Columbus Academy, an independent K-12 college-preparatory school with a 231-acre campus that serves around 1,000 students. Cherry Bottom Park is a 40-acre woodland on the banks of Big Walnut Creek, just a few minutes north of the neighborhood. The park is known as a local birding hotspot. Blendon Woods Metro Park, a 653-acre forest sanctuary with towering tree canopies, interconnected trails and a “play path” designed specifically for kids, is less than 2 miles away. Inniswood Metro Gardens, an extravagant, 123-acre botanical garden, is 6 miles north of the subdivision. Cherry Bottom is close to Interstate 270, locally known as the Jack Nicklaus Freeway. From there, it’s only about 12 miles from downtown Columbus and Ohio State University, and 5 miles from the John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

With creekside views, country clubs and a plethora of walkable subdivisions, Gahanna-Havens Corners is a mixed bag, where the outskirts of Columbus suburbs meet the forests and farmland of central Ohio. “There are a lot of quaint suburban pockets close to Granville Street, which has a nice mix of local restaurants and riverside trails,” says Thomas Hamrick, a lifelong resident of Columbus and Realtor with Keller Williams Consultants. “While there is peace and quiet in most of that area, the western end is where people will deal with more noise since it’s closer to the Columbus airport.” Gahanna-Havens Corners encompasses parts of the city of Gahanna and Jefferson Township, east of the city, which makes for a broad spectrum of architecture. The area features sprawling subdivisions with unique features and amenities alongside several shopping and entertainment hotspots. More established developments like Chesterfield Estates and Hunters Ridge offer midcentury ranch homes developed between 1950 and 1970, priced between $380,000 and $430,000. Hunters Ridge also offers convenience, with several schools and the Hunter’s Ridge Shopping Center within walking distance. Newer developments include Jefferson Meadows, Fox Chase and Fieldstone, which boast upscale, modern homes. Fieldstone is full of natural beauty, with a ravine, pond and nature reserve areas. The houses there sell for $400,000 to $600,000. Jefferson Meadows is a true golf community, with views of the rolling hills of the fairways from the ranch homes, custom builds and new traditional houses perched on spacious lots. Price points here range from $385,000 to nearly $1 million. Further east toward Jefferson Township, buyers will primarily find ranch homes, selling for $375,000 to $445,000, with spacious acreage and a backdrop of farm and woodlands. Creekside Gahanna is a walkable downtown district at the edge of Big Walnut Creek and Creekside Park, which features public plazas, restaurants and an outdoor stage that hosts Creekside Live – a summer concert series with live music and drinks. Also known as Olde Gahanna, the area was redeveloped more than 10 years ago with a design inspired by the San Antonio River Walk. When locals aren’t making the trip to Ohio Stadium to watch the Buckeyes, many head to Nostalgia Brewing to catch the football games on TV. The open-air brewpub has 20 beers on tap and casual pub fare. For a rustic vibe and outdoor patio overlooking Big Walnut Creek, head to Barrel & Boar Gahanna. Several small strip malls provide access to groceries. Both Hunter’s Ridge and East Pointe shopping centers include Kroger. Hunter’s Ridge also has a Planet Fitness, while East Pointe encompasses several fast-casual restaurants, including Milano’s Italian and Peking House. A wealth of peaceful outdoor scenery is within reach in virtually every corner of Gahanna-Havens Corners. Take out the canoe at Friendship Park, a green space with athletic fields, a playground and a walking path on the banks of Big Walnut Creek. While Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve spans 50 acres, it’s a bit of a hidden gem, with hiking trails surrounded by woodlands and colorful wildflowers. It’s also a popular spot for birdwatching. Avid golfers can tee it up at the Jefferson Country Club. Along with an 18-hole course with dense forests and hilly terrain, the club has clay tennis courts and a swimming pool. Students living here are zoned for the Gahanna-Jefferson Public School District. They may attend Blacklick Elementary or Jefferson Elementary, with A-minus ratings from Niche. Gahanna East Middle and Gahanna South Middle are also attended by many students here. Both middle schools and Lincoln High School also have A-minus ratings from Niche. The high school is currently undergoing construction, and a new campus is set to open in 2025. Gahanna-Havens Corners’ western end is edged by the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, which will make for more noise but provides convenient access for those looking to get out of town. From the Hunters Ridge subdivision within the area, the airport is within 4.5 miles, and out toward Jefferson Township, the trip is closer to 10 miles. Depending on where locals live, driving along Interstate 670 for roughly 10 to 15 miles will allow them to reach downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University. Central Ohio Transit Authority, or COTA, has several bus stops closer to Gahanna’s city center along North Hamilton Road, Granville Street, Agler Road and Stygler Road.

An established suburban environment where people settle down Rathburn Woods is a calm suburb about 11 miles northeast of Downtown Columbus and less than 7 miles east of John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The neighborhood is well-removed from the city’s hustle and bustle, but it is within a 3-mile drive of restaurants and grocery shopping. In the evenings, folks can stroll the quiet sidewalks and chat with their neighbors. Most backyards are large enough to host cookouts and throw around the football. Rathburn Woods borders a nature preserve where visitors can birdwatch and hike through meadows and wetlands. Less than a mile away, the public high school is highly rated, which is partially why most homebuyers come to Rathburn Woods to settle down long-term. “It’s a neighborhood where there’s not much turnover,” says Realtor Richard Shearrow, who sells houses in the neighborhood with RealtyOhio. “Some people have lived there for 20 or 25 years.” Bordering the Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve has trails that passes through buttonbush swamps and beech-maple stands. Wildflowers also grow there. Jefferson Country Club is 2-½ miles east. The private club has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, bocce courts, a fitness center, a bar and grille and an aquatic center. About 2-½ miles southwest, the 18-hole Airport Golf Course is open to the public. Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals and contemporary styles The size of the homes is one of the reasons that people stay in Rathburn Woods. “You’re going to get good square footage for your money if you’re looking for value,” Shearrow says. “The homes that are fixed up well will be in the $500,000 range.” Single-story contemporary-style houses from the 1990s sell for as low as $390,000, and two-story contemporary-style houses sell for as high as $560,000. Colonial Revival-style houses from the 1980s sell for between $440,000 and $540,000, and Tudor Revival-style houses from the 1990s sell for between $390,000 and $540,000. “In addition to the generous space, there are finished basements in most of the homes there,” Shearrow says. “Some homes have been updated since their original construction in the late 80s or early 90s, but there’s an opportunity for equity growth if you find one in its original state.” There is a small cluster of two-to-three-bedroom condos on the south end of the neighborhood. They were developed in the 1990s and sell for between $250,000 and $320,000. A highly rated public high school Lincoln Elementary School has a C-minus Niche rating. Gahanna Middle School South and Gahanna-Lincoln High School have A-minus Niche ratings. The elementary and high schools are a mile west of Rathburn Woods. The middle school is half a mile to the neighborhood’s west. Gahanna-Lincoln High School has a 92% graduation rate. According to the U.S. News & World Report, the Advanced Placement participation rate at the high school is 41%. Access to Interstate 270 and John Glenn Columbus International Airport Rathburn Woods is 1-½ miles east of Interstate 270, a major thoroughfare connecting Columbus’ suburbs. John Glenn Columbus International Airport is 6-½ miles west via Interstate 270. “The airport is not a huge nuisance, but it’s close. You definitely know it’s there,” says Realtor Shaun Simpson, who sells houses in the neighborhood with Cutler Commercial Real Estate. Downtown Columbus is 11 miles southwest via interstates 270 and 670. The neighborhood’s streets are lined with sidewalks. Since shopping and dining are so out of the way, the sidewalks are only used for strolls and dog walking. A smattering of dining establishments Restaurants are scattered sporadically within 3 miles of Rathburn Woods. Edison Brewing Company is 2-½ miles to the neighborhood’s south. It serves its own European-style craft beers in its garden and taproom. A mile west of Rathburn Woods, Hickory House serves surf and turf with mixed drinks and draft beer. Also a mile west, Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern serves classic American fare like burgers and meatloaf. For groceries, a Kroger is 2 miles west. Buckeyes football games and downtown entertainment Downtown Columbus is packed with entertainment options. The Columbus Museum of Art shows the work of artists like Picasso, Monet and Rousseau. Nationwide Arena hosts musical acts like the Black Keys and Jhené Aiko. Ohio Stadium is 14-½ miles west via Interstate 670. The Ohio State Buckeyes play against other Big Ten Conference teams at the 102,780-person arena.

The residential enclave of Woodside Green is home to an array of single-family subdivisions situated close to its namesake park. Sandwiched between Easton Town Center and Gahanna’s Creekside District, residents hardly travel far to reach premier shopping destinations and daily provisions. With Interstate 270 just west, Downtown Columbus is a brief 10-mile commute south, making Woodside Green an ideal landing place for former city-dwellers looking to stay close to the hub’s resounding hum. As an entirely residential neighborhood, Woodside Green holds various planned subdivisions woven throughout the east and west corridors of North Stygler Road. Single-family homes often feature Tudor and Colonial architectural influence, at times boasting modest front porches and ample garage space. Largely constructed in the 1980s and 90s, these contemporary properties range in price from $300,000 to $450,000. Homebuyers will find residential streets lined with young trees and verdant lawns branching off Woodmark Run. Closer to Woodside Green Park, old-growth trees shade the sidewalks, accentuating the quiet, comfortable atmosphere. Located 2 miles from the Creekside District of Gahanna, Woodside Green’s residents are hardly far from an array of restaurants, breweries and historic scenery. Nostalgia Brewing is a go-to for craft beer and a Buckeyes game, while Signatures Mill Stone Tavern, known affectionately as “Signatures,” is a long-standing institution serving classic pub fare while hosting local musicians. Less than 3 miles up the road, Easton Town Center is the most popular premier shopping destination outside Downtown Columbus. The center’s more than 200 shops and restaurants accompany stops for daily amenities, including Trader Joe’s, Costco Wholesale and Target. Gahanna’s Creekside District hosts a variety of events throughout the year, namely the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival held annually in June. The three-day celebration highlights local eateries and, of course, musicians from the Columbus metropolitan area. In addition, the Gahanna Farmer’s Market is held each Wednesday from May to September, featuring local vendors and artisans. “Creekside was kind of redone and it’s more of a historic downtown little area now,” says Thomas Hamrick, Columbus Realtor and lifetime local. “Café Creekside is there, Barrel and Bore, a bunch of good little restaurants to try out.” Folks willing to travel farther can enjoy the perks of the neighboring city, including Columbus’ Arena District to catch a Blue Jackets hockey game or check out the global food stalls at North Market. Local students are zoned for the Gahanna-Jefferson Public School District, beginning at Chapelfield Elementary School. Sharing a campus with Middle School West, Chapelfield receives an A-minus on Niche and recently installed a security vestibule for additional safety measures. Next door, Middle School West receives a B-plus on Niche, awarded the Ohio Momentum Award in 2018 and 2019 by the state board of education for exceeding expectations in student growth. Students wrap up at Lincoln High School, receiving an A-minus on Niche for high-quality teachers and academics. Woodside Green is anchored by its namesake park, a lush, 32-acre greenspace with a canoe launch, playground and athletic fields. Residents are welcome to bring their lures and rods to the catch-and-release fishing pond nearby. But the park is also bordered by Big Walnut Creek, named for the black walnut trees that once grew in old-growth forests nearby. From there, folks can access the scenic Big Walnut Trail, a nearly 5-mile pedestrian path that winds along the river’s edge. Additionally, folks can take the trail north to Academy Park, featuring various recreational amenities and an alternative view of the creek. Interstate 270 runs parallel to Woodside Green, allowing a convenient commute to both John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Downtown Columbus, 5 and 10 miles south, respectively. North Stygler Road heads south toward Gahanna and north to Morse Road, allowing access to state Route 3, Westerville Road, where residents can reach both Minerva Park and Uptown Westerville. While the neighborhood remains car-dependent, the city’s COTA bus system provides rush hour stops along I-270, with standard stops dotting Stelzer and Morse Road.