Easton - Columbus, OH

In the late 1990s, the Georgetown Company and Steiner and Associates began working on a vast real estate project that would become Easton Town Center. The simple concept expanded the design of large indoor malls into an outdoor lifestyle center that functioned as a small community. Easton’s South District opened in 1999, the Fashion District followed in 2001, and the Easton Gateway development expansion, which houses stores the sell household necessities and groceries, opened in 2013. Easton Commons, the residential portion of the community, sits adjacent to Easton Town Center providing guests with easy access to everything Easton Town Center offers.

Easton lacks museums, but the community does a have small arts scene — art galleries and the annual Easton Art Affair and it hosts events throughout the year, including the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, which features musical groups, horse-drawn sleigh rides and an appearance from Santa.

Easton residents have a host of fine-dining establishments, midrange chain restaurants, such as BD’s Mongolian Grille and Brio Tuscan Grille, and a few fast-food options just steps away from home. The quality of the food served in the few local eateries housed in Easton Town Center makes up for the fact that the tiny man-made town lacks homey, laid-back diners and one-of-a-kind, family-owned restaurants.

Locals love the fact that Flipside Burger keeps Kentucky Bourbon Ale, a Columbus-area favorite, on draft, but it’s the scrumptious food that keeps them returning. Known for turning traditional burgers into magnificent culinary masterpieces, the restaurant’s menu features options concocted specifically for its more adventurous guests, such as Shawn’s Burger, which comes topped with bacon, aged provolone and a fried egg, and the Chili Pepper Burger, which features pickled jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, crispy onion rings and smoked chili ketchup. If you like to keep things simple, try the One Red Door Rodeo Burger. This local favorite comes with a side of date applewood bacon aioli, and it’s topped with crispy shallots and melted brie. Whichever burger you choose, order it with a side of truffle fries. You won’t regret it.

Located next to Jos A. Banks in the north district of the Easton Town Center, Cafe Istanbul serves authentic Turkish cuisine. Served with a side of rice and sauteed vegetables, the flavorful Adana Chicken Kabob remains a local favorite. Other delectable dishes include the shrimp casserole and vegetable stew. Also, if you love food with a smoky flavor, order the baba ganoush.

For amazing seafood, visit Mitchell’s Ocean Club, located on the second level of Station Building near Buckeye Corner. The upscale restaurant features an extensive wine list and cocktail menu, exquisite food and an intimate atmosphere that perfect for date night. Served on top of whipped potatoes, slathered in a rich, light champagne truffle sauce, the restaurant’s famed Chilean Sea Bass proves a popular choice among guests, as does the Teriyaki Salmon, which comes topped with soy butter sauce with a side of shiitake sticky rice.

Easton has a limited nightlife scene that consists of a handful of pubs and a comedy club. A few local favorites include World of Beer, Bar Louie and Easton Sports Club. Head downtown when you want to check out Columbus’s dance clubs and music venues.

Residents have everything they need on a daily basis within walking distance so they don’t need to drive unless they venture outside of the community. The neighborhood itself is extremely pedestrian and bike friendly. Easton Town Center features several bike racks, as well as a bike rental program that provides bikes to those who want to ride around the center and residents who need to bike to destinations outside of the community.

Public buses make it easy for residents to navigate throughout other areas of Columbus, and the Easton Trolley shuttles guests throughout Easton Town Center. However, the trolley operates on a limited schedule and hibernates from January until March. Hailing a cab isn’t an option, but numerous taxi companies and Uber pick up guests for scheduled rides.

While residents don’t need to drive within the neighborhood, driving remains the easiest way to navigate the rest of Columbus. Morse Road runs through the northern portion of Easton and provides direct access to Interstate 270 Outerbelt, which connects to I-71 to take you into Downtown Columbus. Residents have plenty of parking options. Some apartment homes have attached garages, others have access to the parking garage for a small monthly fee. It’s free to park in any of the surface lots and parking garages in Easton Town Center.

Easton doesn’t have public parks, dog parks or playgrounds, but it’s still extremely kid and dog friendly. Easton Town Center hosts family-oriented events throughout the year, including Movies by Moonlight, a petting zoo featuring animals from the Columbus Zoo and Trunk or Treat. It also hosts an annual Halloween pet parade. In the summer, fitness buffs can take advantage of Fitness Yoga on the Square and the annual Mom & Me Daisy Dash, and Easton Commons has a 24-hour fitness center and swimming pool for residents to use.

Easton has a mixed cost of living. The neighborhood’s housing costs sit higher than other Columbus neighborhoods, but the cost of dining, entertainment and everyday necessities is on par with the rest of Columbus. Expect to pay between $770 and $1200 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and between $4 and $9 for a pint of beer. Typically, gas prices sit around 3 percent lower than the nation’s average.

Easton Town Center serves as the community's shopping Mecca. It features a vast array of department stores, clothing stores, discount stores and upscale shopping venues, including Tiffany & Co and Burberry.

The community also houses a few boutiques and specialty shops. Francesca’s Collections, located in Easton Station, sells women’s clothes and accessories. Celebrate Local, on Townsfair Way, features a wide variety of products from Central Ohio, including an extensive wine selection and jewelry designed by local artists. Visit The Buckeye Corner on Easton Town Center to find a huge selection of Buckeye gear.

Easton residents buy their groceries from Costco, Sam’s Club or Whole Foods, all of which are located in Easton Town Center. Every Thursday, from early June until late August, the Easton Farmer’s Market sells fresh produce.