Forest Park East - Columbus, OH

The area known as Forest Park was originally gifted to James Hamilton by President John Adams during the Revolutionary War as payment for military services. Subsequently, the area was sold and developed into farmland, a state in which it remained until the 1960s, when the Metzger Brothers Company marked Forest Park for community development.

In 1965, Forest Park East became the first self-sufficient residential neighborhood in Columbus, supporting its own shopping centers, restaurants and parks. Today, the 1.4 square-mile neighborhood contains nearly 3,000 homes, five schools, a branch of the Columbus Public Library, churches and parks. All together, nearly 7,500 residents call Forest Park East home.

Forest Park East supports numerous dining and entertainment options. When looking to grab a bite to eat, you find yourself in one of the most diverse culinary strips in Columbus in Forest Park East. Compared to other nearby neighborhoods, Forest Park East houses a wide variety of cuisines that meet any occasion or budget. Borgata, a casual but high-quality neighborhood favorite, serves New York style pizza, house-made sauce, pasta and meatballs. Borgata also features an open kitchen, allowing guests to watch their pizza's creation from dough to plate. Whether you want to carry out or dine in, this family owned Italian eatery attracts residents on a quest for the best pizza in Columbus. Off the north side of 161 between Maple Canyon and Spring Run Drive sits a little yellow trailer with big taco flavor. Taco Nazo offers genuine Mexican style tacos with generous portions at affordable prices. Known for its excellent service and authentic flavors, Taco Nazo makes tacos hailed as "vastly superior to restaurant tacos." Along with Italian and Mexican, residents indulge in culinary diversity by taking advantage of the local Indonesian, Indian, Vietnamese and even West African cuisine eateries along E. Dublin Granville Road. For a night filled with live music, great food and strong drinks, visit Vern's on 161. With excellent service, great happy hour specials and legendary chicken wings, Vern's on 161 provides everything locals need for a night out on the town.

With easy access to I-70, the majority of residents in Forest Park East commute by car and reach downtown Columbus in less than 20 minutes. The neighborhood's central location also allows for cyclists to travel along the many bike-friendly roads in the neighborhood. Cyclists can even safely navigate their way into the city.

The Central Ohio Transportation Authority runs numerous routes with stops in Forest Park East for those looking to use public transportation. If you have a smartphone, the Uber application eases transportation burdens by providing a reliable cars and drivers at the click of a button.

Sidewalks line the residential areas of the neighborhood, allowing residents to navigate Forest Park East by foot. Also, most of the neighborhood's bars and restaurants cluster together, which makes walking a feasible option.

Residents of Columbus appreciate time outdoors, and Forest Park East caters to that desire with various local parks and recreation centers. Just west at Woodward Park, you can enjoy nearly 50 acres of green space, athletic fields, picnic shelters, playgrounds and walking trails. Bring the whole family for a day of kid and pet-friendly fun outdoors.

For indoor recreation, visit Forest Park East's local YMCA on Sandalwood Place to get fit while supporting your community. With facilities for fitness, aquatics and recreation, the North YMCA supports keeping the whole family active.

Compared to surrounding neighborhoods, Forest Park East provides comfort, safety and convenience at a reasonable cost of living. The cost of living in Forest Park East runs around 1.8 percent higher than the Columbus average, but it sits at 7.9 percent less than the national average.

Life can be classified as middle class, with the majority of the neighborhood consisting of single-family homes. A majority of residents in Forest Park East occupy rental property, and on average, the monthly rent falls below the Columbus average. A one-bedroom apartment runs for around $471.39 per month.

Gases prices in Columbus generally rank lower than the national average, and Forest Park East consistently maintains a lower price. A gallon of gas in Forest Park East costs 8 percent less than the Columbus price. A local COTA bus ride costs $2.00, but the services has discounts for students, seniors and children under 12. When going out, a beer at a local pub costs around $5.00 on average.

Whether you prefer shopping at unique local shops or at large malls for name-brand stores, Forest Park East has you covered.

The neighborhood houses a diverse population, including those of Somalian descent. Residents can easily turn a shopping day into a cultural experience at Morse Center Shopping Center, a Somali shopping mall on Morse Road. The Global Mall here offers Somali outfits, perfumes and jewelry as well as a food court with traditional Somali snacks and beverages.

When looking for something a bit more traditional, head 10 minutes south of Forest Park East to Columbus's shopping mecca, Easton Town Center. Since its construction in 1999, this ever-expanding shopping complex provides nearly 250 indoor and outdoor retailers to over 21 million visitors per year. Shoppers choose from mall staples such as American Eagle Outfitters, Bath and Body Works, LuluLemon and Victoria's Secret or from Easton's anchor stores, Nordstrom and Macy's. Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Henri Bendel furnish visitors with the glamour of high-end retail. Those looking to shop local can also experience a selection of Midwestern-based and international shopping boutiques. With plenty of scenic fountains, a movie theater and numerous restaurants, residents can easily spend an entire day at Easton.

When the time for grocery shopping comes, you can also begin at Easton Town Center. Then, swing by Trader Joe's on Townsfair Way for fresh and wholesome products at reasonable prices. Giant Eagle on E. Dublin Granville also has the convenience of one-stop-shopping at affordable prices. Given the cultural diversity in Forest Park East, residents can also visit one of the many international markets along Morse Road to find more exotic fare.