Indianola Terrace - Columbus, OH

A small neighborhood once on the outskirts of Columbus, Indianola Terrace was built from the ever-expanding urban sprawl. German and Irish immigrants initially settled in the late 1800s and early 1900s, bringing with them a distinct and eclectic form of Victorian architecture. The demographic of the residents shifted to students as the University grew. Yet families and young professionals have also moved to Indianola Terrace seeking a compromise between reasonable rent price and the convenient commute downtown. The area features a wide variety of cultural events and attractions. COSI, Columbus, Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry, displays a wonderful set of high-tech and family-friendly exhibits. Just a few blocks away, the Wexner Center for the Arts exhibits classical and contemporary art. Check out the local artistic talent. Dozens of other art galleries lie throughout the city.

So close to University campus, Indianola is guaranteed to have an active nightlife. At many of the local bars and clubs, spirited cheering floats from pub to pub on a football game night, and fans completely envelop nearby streets with Ohio State University jerseys colored red and white.

If you’re at all a fan, Brothers Drake Meadery & Bar on 5th Avenue provides a great atmosphere and serves many a pint on a Saturday night. If you’re not into the University scene and feel a bit old to be hanging out with youngsters, check out Dick’s Den, a semi-quiet bar with pool tables and jazz music. Tons of other bars and pubs lie within walking distance.

Check out what Indianola Terrace has to offer in terms of food. Hounddog’s Three Degree Pizza on North High Street serves some of the greatest pizza ever and stays open till late at night. Ray Ray’s Hog Pit on North High street serves arguably the best barbecue in town. You can stop by Buckeye Donuts to satiate your hankering for sweets 24/7. With a full belly, relax at the nearby scenic University parks with the occasional duck-filled pond. These lie within walking distance. Set up for a picnic and enjoy the beautiful day. If you’d like to see some music, check out a performance at the Ohio Theatre, which features great acoustics. When coming through Columbus, nationally renowned musicians usually play here.

Plenty of bars, restaurants and cultural events loom within walking distance of Indianola Terrace. Residents typically drive a car for longer distances. Community members can find parking along the curb, although some houses have a private driveway. A few minutes east of the neighborhood, I-71 provides fast transport to Columbus and other thoroughfares. Try to avoid I-71 during rush hour. A reliable bus system takes passengers into the city and other neighborhoods. Two dollars covers a one-way bus trip, whereas weekly passes cost $25 and monthly passes cost $65. A local train or subway has yet to be built. You can sometimes hail a taxi in this neighborhood, though calling ahead of time would give more assurance. Uber also operates in Columbus and remains widely available. No biking lanes exist in the neighborhood, but the sidewalks provide for safe walking, and a trip through the university campus allows plenty of room for biking.

Several parks are just a few blocks from Indianola Terrace. Take a leisurely walk or jog through the well-kept campus greens. Play Frisbee disc with your friends casually, or join in with an organized intramural sport. Plenty of gyms stand nearby, especially for winter season. Some parks feature frequent festivals. Schiller Park, downtown, hosts Shakespeare in the Park, an inexpensive series of plays put on by the Actor’s Theatre of Columbus. The parks of Columbus host philharmonic concerts, parties and festivals of all kinds, which happen all throughout the calendar year. These include jazz festivals, Greek heritage festivals, food festivals and more. Columbus hosts a new festival just about every weekend, so get involved Bring a few burgers out to the grill on a warm summer day. Families and children get along with park goers just fine, and often welcome newcomers.

Costs overall are manageable in Indianola Terrace. The cost of gas is about $2.50 per gallon, roughly 9 percent below the national average. The median rent runs roughly $650 for a one bedroom apartment. A pint of beer at a local pub goes as low as $2 at a dive bar and two or three times more than that at trendier locations. It only costs $2 to get a trip on the bus, and gas is relatively cheap. On the whole, Indianola Terrace is significantly cheaper than some other neighborhoods in Columbus, yet has access to the city’s cosmopolitan lifestyle, a factor which attracts many residents.

Plenty of local convenience stores lie on the corners of Indianola Terrace. Larger grocery stores within walking distance serve the community as well. The immediate neighborhood features few options for shopping, but clothing stores stand aplenty in an area called the Short North just 10 minutes away of walking. The area features a farmers market with great selections. Check out new Short North fashions at Tigertree, Homage and What the Rock clothing stores while you stock up on Buckeye memorabilia. For more selection, drive out about 30 minutes to the giant Easton Town Center, a large shopping mall with anchor stores like Nordstrom and Macy's and stores that include Coach, Burberry, Ann Taylor, and Michael Kors. Drive downtown to find even more luxury stores.