Berwick - Columbus, OH

Construction of homes in Berwick started in 1927. Building continued slowly over the next two decades, and the 1950s saw a housing boom. The Berwick Civic Association works with the city of Columbus to preserve the neighborhood's quality of life. This neighborhood continues to attract new residents because of its diverse mix of cultures, affordable housing and overall location in relation to the rest of the metropolitan area.

Many residents attend concerts and shows at nearby Capital University on College Avenue. Capital University also hosts the Schumacher Gallery, a collection of more than 2500 diverse works of arts, charging no admission to visitors.

The Asian Festival takes place at nearby Franklin Park during each Memorial Day weekend. The festival celebrates the cultural diversity with food, dancing and exhibits that reflect Asian life and culture.

Diners have few choices when it comes to eating out in Berwick as the neighborhood is mostly residential in nature. However, a couple of restaurants near the area may tempt your palate.

TAT Ristorante di Famiglia on the corner of College and Livingston Avenues proudly touts its claim to fame as the oldest Italian restaurant in the city since it opened in 1929. Papa Pete and Mama Philomena, who emigrated from Italy, started the restaurant which features a wide range of Italian favorites, such as fresh veal piccata with lemon butter, chicken cacciatore and steak Sicilian, many of which are prepared from old family recipes.

Bangkok Grocery & Restaurant on Refugee Road just south of Berwick houses both a grocery store and a small restaurant. The restaurant serves up authentic Thai food. Dig into a large platter of pad Thai, with your choice of seven meats, or try the house specialty gai pad khing, a spicy dish made with stir-fried chicken, ginger, mushrooms, and both green and white onions. Dishes can be prepared as mild or as spicy as you like.

Take a short trip west to downtown Columbus to find nighttime activities to suit everyone. Three downtown theatres – the Ohio Theater, The Palace, and the Southern Theater – all host live shows throughout the year featuring musicians, dance troupes and off-Broadway productions. Bars up and down High Street provide drinks and entertainment into the wee hours of the night.

Residents can walk safely through parts of the neighborhood where sidewalks line the streets. However, many of the streets do not have sidewalks, and the neighborhood has no bike lanes, so use caution when riding a bike. Several public metered parking lots are available.

Motorists have easy access to all parts of the Columbus metropolitan access via Route 33, known as College Avenue on the west side of the neighborhood. Route 33 connects with Interstate 70, which runs east and west.

COTA serves the entire metropolitan area with buses that run daily through the neighborhood, with park-and-ride services available for commuters.

Need a ride? You can hail a cab, but you can also take advantage of the Uber car service to get you where you want to go around the area and the city. The Car2Go service offers yet another alternative for getting around the city. Members of the service can rent cars on an hourly basis in one location, returning them in another designated area.

Berwick Park on Wessex Court covers over four acres on a quiet neighborhood street. The open field provides residents with a quiet place to relax, throw a Frisbee, or engage in a game of football.

Nearby Franklin Park on East Broad Street occupies 100 acres of mowed fields and beautifully-landscaped gardens. With paved paths, the park is an ideal place for a quiet stroll or an afternoon jog. Take the kids for a picnic, and bring the dog, too, but make sure he’s on a leash.

The Franklin Park Conservatory sits in the middle of the park. This glass-covered building houses gardens and plant collections, with pieces of vibrant glass artwork created by Dale Chihuly scattered throughout, lending color and sparkle to the landscapes. Admission to the park grounds is free, but there is a charge to visit the Conservatory.

The overall cost of living in Berwick stands at about three percent lower than in Columbus as a whole. Housing in particular costs about 10 percent less in Berwick, with the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment running at about $660 per month.

A one-day bus pass costs $4.00, and you can purchase a one-month pass for $62.00. Gas prices tend to run about 10 percent lower than the national average. Expect to pay about $5.00 for a pint of beer in the local restaurants.

Few stores of any size can be found in Berwick proper, but shoppers can find several one-of-a-kind boutiques in neighboring Bexley. Search for a unique piece of jewelry or a handbag at Etc Boutique or find everything you need for biking at Roll: Bicycle Company.

The city of Bexley also hosts the Bexley Farmer's Market year-round on East Main Street. In addition to a great selection of in-season produce, shoppers can stock up on fresh baked goods, honey and homemade soaps.

Residents of Berwick shop for groceries at the Kroger store on East Main Street. Get your prescription filled while you shop, then fill your gas tank before you leave the lot.