East Broad - Columbus, OH

Central Ohio's first residents, prehistoric mound builders, called the neighborhood home long before European settlers or even modern Native American tribes. Many of the mounds these ancient ancestors built still stand in the area. After the Revolutionary War, settlers in Ohio established Columbus as the state capital, and the area began to grow as European settlers began to build communities and industries in central Ohio. As the area became more populous over the following decades, outer suburbs like East Broad began to draw urban dwellers looking to escape from the sounds and smells of the city.

South of East Broad, the Reynoldsburg-Truro Historical Society preserves and shares the history of East Broad and other eastern Columbus suburbs. At the museum, you can browse artifacts, photographs and historical documents from the neighborhood's early roots. The historical society also hosts educational programs and events, including an annual Memorial Day ceremony.

While East Broad does not provide many restaurant options aside from traditional chain and fast food joints, neighboring communities do add some local flavor to the mix. Just a few minutes away in Reynoldsburg, residents can find a variety of independently-owned restaurants with an option for every taste and mood.

If you're craving fresh-rolled sushi, don't miss a trip to Sakana Sushi Asian Fusion. Try a crunchy spicy salmon roll or Yasai roll. The restaurant serves more than sushi; locals also rave about the wok bowls and salmon hibachi.

Head to the Peking House when you have a craving for Chinese food. You can eat in or take your dinner home, and you can always expect friendly service from the owners. Chicken broccoli, vegetable spring rolls, and General Tso's chicken are always served up fresh and hot at an affordable price.

Sports bars and casual pubs dominate the night life in East Broad. The Duggie Sports Bar pours out drink specials and has plenty of wide-screen TVs to enjoy the next big game. Don't miss karaoke on Wednesday nights. Donerick's Pub House provides another nightlife option with happy-hour drink specials every night of the week.

In East Broad, most residents travel by car. The primarily residential neighborhood limits travel on foot - most shopping areas are too widespread to access on a short walk. The convenience of public parking makes car travel an affordable option for East Broad locals. Commuters also find it easy to access major highways leading to downtown Columbus.

If you're seeking an alternative to car travel, cycling proves a viable option. While most roads do not include dedicated bike lanes, the area has a low enough volume of traffic for bikers to easily share the road with other vehicles. Additionally, Columbus' public metro system, SORTA, provides a variety of routes that travel through East Broad.

For a quick and convenient ride home, don't expect to hail a taxi. Many cab services will offer on-demand rides if you call ahead. Uber serves most of the western part of East Broad, but not the entire neighborhood.

For free outdoor recreation, look no further than Civic Park on the southwest corner of East Broad. The park provides recreation facilities for residents of all ages, welcoming both children and dogs. Bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun. Kids love the playground and basketball courts. Walk your dog or ride a bike along the one-mile paved path encircling the park. During the spring and summer, enjoy soccer, baseball, and softball games while chowing down on hot dogs from the park's concession stand.

For the serious basketball enthusiast, Pro Bound Sports Club can't be missed. This athletic club claims to be the number-one basketball training facility in Ohio. The club features specialized training camps and personal trainers to help youth basketball players reach their full potential. It also hosts youth and adult basketball leagues, travel teams and elite tournaments.

The cost of living in East Broad remains similar to other areas of Columbus, though housing prices hover about 10 percent below other neighborhoods in the city. Renters in East Broad pay an average rate of $615 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Affordable housing rates attract many newcomers to the neighborhood.

Residents find entertainment and dining costs generally comparable to other parts of the city. You can expect to pay between $4 and $6 for a pint of beer at local bars. When it comes to transportation, costs also compare to city averages. The price of gas remains level with city- and nationwide costs. A ticket on the COTA metro bus costs between $2 and $2.75, depending on the route.

East Broad and its surrounding neighborhoods feature a variety of high-end boutiques and high-value stores. For groceries, East Broad locals find plenty of affordable, fresh options at Meijer, Giant Eagle, Kroger, and Aldi. Summit Ridge Farm Market in Reynoldsburg provides a local alternative, supplying shoppers with locally produced fruits, vegetables, honey, jam, and eggs.

For residents with a bit of a green thumb, Strader's Garden Center has everything you want. Strader's features mowers and other yard equipment, along with fresh plants and starters for your flowerbed or garden. Browse a large selection of bird seed, or pick out some fruit tree saplings to plant in your back yard.