Small but vibrant city with ample amenities
With a multitude of parks and golf courses, bustling events and stately historic homes near the Scioto River, Upper Arlington has rapidly distinguished itself as a vibrant city with suburban and commercial pockets within a few miles of downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University. “It’s a prime location because of its proximity to the University, and because of that, there are a lot of amenities,” says Kelly McCafferty, Realtor with e-Merge Real Estate, who has been selling in the area for about 8 years. “There’s plenty of shopping and restaurants, both chain and local, commuters have easy access to downtown Columbus and the schools are top notch. Today, the area we know as U.A. is much larger than the original city, mostly south of Lane Avenue. Over time, the city annexed additional neighborhoods, so it now has a much larger footprint.”
Mix of historic neighborhoods and modern condos
The city has a trove of historic, well-landscaped homes with generous setbacks. The Upper Arlington Historic District has been recognized for its high-quality 20th-century colonial, English Revival, cottage and Queen Anne styles, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Developers designed the topography and landscaping to coincide with the natural grooves and rolling hills throughout the area,” says McCafferty. “Many of the original homes are stone, or at least have some stonework to them, and much of that stone came from a local quarry in Grandview.” Prices for these homes range from $475,000 to $565,000 for a three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom property on less than a quarter acre. A four-bedroom home on a third to a full acre can reach $775,000. In subdivisions like River Ridge, 1950s ranch and split-level homes near a scenic river overlook sell for $400,000 to $555,000. The most expensive price points in Upper Arlington range from $1.5 to $4 million for new construction or expansive houses with views of Scioto Country Club. Along Upper Arlington’s busier thoroughfares, modern condos with fitness centers, pools and clubhouses offer two- to three-bedroom options for $725,000 to $970,000.
Highly rated Upper Arlington City Schools
Upper Arlington City Schools has five elementary schools across the area – Windermere, Greensview, Barrington Road and Tremont have all earned A ratings from Niche, while Wickliffe has an A-minus. The latter also opened a new school building to its students in 2020. Two middle schools serve sixth through eighth-grade students in Upper Arlington. Both Jones and Hastings Middle schools get an A rating from Niche. Upper Arlington High School, which also has an A from Niche, is a member of the International Baccalaureate program and offers global education opportunities through a partnership with Education First. In previous years, students have been able to take trips to France, Belgium, Japan and Costa Rica. “The city is a haven for people with children who want high-level academics, college preparation, and robust athletics,” says McCafferty. “Upper Arlington High School also has a unique draw for athletics because it has a crew team, and they participate in annual regattas. Water sports are a big deal here with the Scioto River nearby.”
More than 20 city parks and strong ties to the PGA Tour
Open green spaces and maintained parks are woven throughout the city. With 21 city parks totaling 186 acres, natural surroundings are always within reach. Thompson Park, which will be getting a new playground in 2024, features baseball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts and a mile-long paved walkway. Fishing and roller hockey are common pastimes at Sunny 95 Park, while locals who enjoy walking and biking often head to the more than half-mile-long path at Fancyburg Park. Both Fancyburg and Thompson parks have what are known as tree treks. The idea created by the city parks department allows locals to walk through heavily wooded areas and learn about the 50-plus tree species in the area. The city also has strong links to professional golf. Jack Nicklaus, regarded as one of the all-time greats, grew up in the city and graduated from Upper Arlington High School. Avid golfers can tee up at the nearby Scioto Country Club, which has hosted five Professional Golf Association tournaments.
Staple local restaurants mingle with chain stores
The Shops on Lane Avenue boast a mix of fine dining like Hudson 29 Kitchen + Drink with chain stores including LOFT, Athleta, and Whole Foods. “There are a ton of local restaurants in that area like SOW Plated, Moretti’s, which has been around for more than 40 years, and Tai’s Asian Bistro is all the rage right now,” says McCafferty. Locals can also stroll through the pedestrian-friendly Mallway area to browse through boutique shops like Leal and BOHINDI. The Kingsdale Shopping Center also houses a Market District Supermarket and an ALDI for grocery essentials.
Festival showcasing local artists
Upper Arlington hosts numerous events throughout the year to allow residents to connect. The annual Labor Day Festival attracts more than 25,000 people to Northam Park, where more than 200 artists can showcase their work. There’s also games and live music. The city’s Fourth of July Celebration at Northam Park includes a parade, food trucks and live music. The night is capped off with fireworks. Thompson Park gets a bit more crowded during the Summer Celebration when locals can enjoy arts and crafts, balloon artists, DJs perform, and food trucks like Pitabilities, Kona Ice, and Glow Cotton Candy roll into town. The Fall Festival at Fancyburg Park is another popular event among residents for its pumpkin patch, hayrides and jack-o-lantern carving stations. There’s also a corn maze, petting zoo and vendors serving caramel apples and apple cider.
Route 33 puts downtown Columbus within reach
Upper Arlington is primarily car-dependent, but its prime location, less than 3 miles from The Ohio State University’s campus and 5.5 miles from downtown Columbus, makes it easy for locals to commute to and from work. They can take U.S. Route 33 to the downtown business, culture and entertainment districts. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is also within 2 miles of the city, putting medical services within reach. To catch a flight at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, locals take Interstate 670 for roughly 11.5 miles. Public transit users can access COTA bus stops along Arlington Avenue, Nottingham Road and Northwest Boulevard.
Written By
Jessica Haddad
Photography Contributed By
Lyuda Dehlendorf
Video By
Crixell Matthews
