Dexter Falls - Columbus, OH

While the first homes were constructed in the Dexter Falls neighborhood in the 1970s, the neighborhood began to flourish a decade later as the booming Columbus economy spurred population growth in the region and pushed up demand for suburban housing.

In the ensuing years, Dexter Falls established itself as one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city for the thousands of young Ohio State University graduates who elect to stay in Columbus after college. The neighborhood demographics reflects this, showing that the most populous age group of residents is 25-to-34 years. As a result of so many young professionals descending on Dexter Falls, over a half-dozen upscale apartment complexes were constructed since 1995.

Dexter Falls doesn't feature museums or an arts scene, but its location makes the art museums of downtown Columbus and the numerous annual cultural events at Ohio State University an easy drive.

The area surrounding the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, just north of Dexter Falls, houses numerous dining establishments consisting of both chain restaurants and local haunts. Diverse and abundant fare characterizes the selection, which includes steak houses as well as Japanese, Chinese, and Italian restaurants.

Elegant decor and cozy, intimate booths are the first things diners notice when they set foot in the Windchimes, a popular Chinese restaurant less than a 1/2-mile north of Dexter Falls. The next thing that stands out is the quality of the food. Though you wouldn't know from looking at the prices, the fare competes with well-known upscale Chinese chains. Menu items recommended by locals include the Cantonese chicken and sizzling house stir-fry. Because The Windchimes opens seven days per week until 10:00 p.m. or later, its legions of fans rarely have trouble finding time for a delectable meal.

Next door to The Windchimes sits one of the most popular local pizza establishments in all of Columbus, Enrico's Pizza and Restaurant. Locals drive from all over the metro area for Enrico's hand-tossed pies surmounted by fresh layers of cheese and homemade toppings like sausage and meatloaf. Owned by a family of long-time locals who came to central Ohio from Italy in 1968, they strive to maintain a mom-and-pop atmosphere at Enrico's. Plus, they cook up pies the same way Grandma did back home.

Several local bars and lounges sit in close proximity to Dexter Falls, providing residents with numerous potential destinations when desiring a night out. Dub Pub serves $1 bottled beers until 9:00 p.m. and features disc jockeys spinning tunes from the '80s, '90s, and beyond. Yogi's Bar and Grill offers the largest beer selection in the area and serves cuisine rated by customers as several echelons higher than traditional bar fare. For more extensive nightlife, go to downtown Columbus, where you'll find dozens of bars and clubs along North High Street near Ohio State University.

Dexter Falls doesn't have bike lanes on its streets, and most residents prefer to drive rather than walk to their destinations. Abundant free parking in the area combined with easy access to the Outerbelt and other major highways contribute to the convenience of transportation via automobile.

While you can't hail a cab in Dexter Falls, you can call one of the area's numerous taxi companies for a pick up. Uber, the popular ride-sharing service, also maintains a presence in Dexter Falls.

Columbus's public bus system, COTA, features two stops on the edge of Dexter Falls along Hayden Run Road.

Dexter Falls Park sits in the center of the neighborhood and provides residents with a place to spend time with family and enjoy the outdoors. It doesn't have exercise facilities, but it features a 1/4-mile walking track, playground equipment for the kids, basketball courts, and a large grassy expanse where pets can run free and chase Frisbees or tennis balls. Free parking and admission make Dexter Falls Park an affordable spot to spend a weekend afternoon.

While the park has no annual events, many local groups use it to host picnics, cookouts, and other special events.

The cost of living in Dexter Falls runs slightly higher than the average cost of living for the Columbus metro area. Residents pay an average of $830 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. A beer costs $3.25 at a local pub, while residents pay $2 to get to downtown Columbus on a COTA bus. Gas prices in the area hover 11 percent lower than the national average.

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing is one mile north of Dexter Falls and serves as the neighborhood's primary destination for large shopping trips. Its tenant lineup includes numerous big box retailers, several discount shops, and a few high-end stores. The area also features several independently owned boutiques and specialty shops.

Jewelry By Renee carries a huge selection of necklaces, bracelets, birthstones, and other accessories crafted on-site by a local jeweler. This hometown boutique puts out new merchandise every week, and the owner can frequently be found in the shop helping customers locate the perfect stones.

Within a one-mile drive, residents can find two Walmarts and an Aldi for large grocery shopping trips. Many who love organic foods prefer to shop at Giant Eagle, also located a short distance from the neighborhood. A 10-minute drive up the Outerbelt gets you to Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, which doubles as a high-end grocery store that sells organic foods, fresh meats, and produce.