Review of Columbus, Ohio


No good weather or good outdoors
Star Rating - 3/18/2020
I"ve lived in Columbus for 5 years. I moved here to work at Ohio State University (OSU) after obtaining my doctorate in my early 30s. Prior to that I lived in Tucson, AZ, Raleigh, NC, and San Diego, CA. The one good thing it has going for it is that the metro and state parks are free (well, included in our taxes). The other is that drivers are polite and not crazy. HOWEVER, I really dislike this place otherwise. If you like the outdoors, this is not a place for you. Columbus (and OH in general) is flat, and the winters are too long and too cold to enjoy being outside. When it snows, the major streets and highways are plowed, but not the "side" streets where most people live. The city tax is 2.5%, which is ridiculously high if you don't have children and/or are retired. I'm one who likes to bike to work - NOT A BIKE-FRIENDLY PLACE AT ALL. I have been almost hit by cars many times, and yelled at by drivers even more times because there aren't proper bike lanes. I've emailed the city to get in touch with them about this issue and have not heard back (there was no phone number to call). The city is all about the "Buckeyes" (OSU's football) - it consumes the culture here. So if you don't like football fanatism, you'll be annoyed by this.
Cristina | Columbus, OH
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3 Replies


Hi, Would you chose Columbus or Tuscan/Phoenix Arizona over? If so why or why not? Thanks! I’m trying to move to one of these states soon and I currently live in San Diego.
Ash | San Diego, CA | Report Abuse

im semi retired and have lived in st louis my whole life and i am looking for a place like colorado or ohio , michigan etc... to pend a month or two every summer to get away from all this stifling heat and humidity in missouri , any suggestions keeping in mind like scenery ,cost , things to do etc...
david | Concord, MO | Report Abuse

same here, I moved to Columbus few years ago from WA state. even though I'm out of town usually for work but when I come back to Columbus, it changes my mood, completely. I have lived in WA State, Portland, OR, ND and MN. Pacific Northwest is my favorite place to live but cost of living is so expensive there unlike OHIO. But if you have a decent job, WA State is way better than OHIO. No state income tax in WA. in OHIO, I pay both City and State income tax plus the pay rates are way lower.
perfectionsit | Columbus, OH | Report Abuse
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