Vassor Village - Columbus, OH

In the days when two large glass manufacturers had business booming and jobs were plentiful, this south side neighborhood answered to the name of the Columbus Glass District. With economic downturns over a period of years, thousands of jobs disappeared, homes were lost and abandoned, and residents moved elsewhere. However, thanks to an active civic association and house-proud residents, Vassor Village's recovery remains an ongoing project with revived interest in community contributions. The neighborhood restored its recreation center, installed a pool in Lincoln Park, turned public housing into townhomes, preserved brick streets and installed security cameras in public areas such as sidewalks, alleys and streets. The neighborhood holds an annual art show, hosts an 11-garden tour and sponsors a residential haunted house. No museums reside in the neighborhood; however, downtown Columbus sports several, including the Central Ohio Fire Museum and the historic Kelton House Museum, a documented Underground Railroad site.

Restaurants range from a hippie-inspired pizza pad to a historic diner and a 24-hour down-home place to hang your hat.

An 1840s corner store still stands in farm country off Route 674, where a sign at the entrance to the Historic Marcy Store & Diner proclaims "Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends." The eclectic food includes traditional diner food with sides such as mush, grits, cornbread and hush puppies. The pizza arrives at the table straight from a stone oven and if that's not to your fancy, try the catfish or shrimp basket, spaghetti or chicken parm. The rear of the restaurant shelters the original country store and provides a small selection of essential groceries in addition to soda, beer, a handful of Ohio wines and handmade waffle cones ready to take home for the next ice cream social.

If you're looking for a place to hang and watch the Browns play, the Dawghouse Pizza & Bar fits the ticket with six large flat-screen TVs, affordable beers, great cheese steaks and pizza. A rather divey exterior belies a large, clean interior with loads of seating, pleasant help and friendly company to join you in cheering your team. For a change of pace, head over to the Midnight Hookah where a terrific staff and hands-on lounge owners extend a warm welcome to their moody, relaxed tobacco meeting place that features a variety of flavors, non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks and smoothies.

A 13-minute trip to Columbus affords you dazzling entertainment opportunities from the symphony, ballet and touring Broadway shows at Southern Theater. Catch marquee acts at the Woodlands Tavern, where visiting artists entertain you with comedy, blue grass and alternative rock performances.

Two bus stops serve this small neighborhood. Located in the I-270 outer belt traffic loop, traveling to and from Vassor Village is easy thanks to access to major thoroughfares, either by public transportation or vehicle. Numerous taxi companies and Uber serve as alternative options. No public parking exists in the neighborhood. Vassor Village is very walkable with a flat terrain and city sidewalks. Dedicated biking lanes exist on many streets.

Lincoln Park covers more than 16 acres in the neighborhood and provides basketball courts, picnic areas, a playground, a swimming pool and a dedicated parking lot. Leashed dogs can also enjoy the park. The area houses the Barack Community Recreation Center with indoor amenities that include a basketball court, a craft room, a fitness and weight area, a gymnasium, an indoor track and a volleyball court. The activity programs cover beginning cooking classes, tumbling, painting and ceramics, boxing and board games. The recreation center also conducts a program aimed at the neighborhood's youth from ages 14 to 21 designed to help them build life skills, understand character development, find employment or apply for post-secondary education.

The cost of living in Vassor Village is significantly lower than the city average. The cost of a one-way ride to the city center in Columbus runs less than $2, and 7- and 31-day passes for regular riders reduce the monthly cost. The median cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood averages $693, $3 buys you a beer at the local bar and gas prices hover about 1 percent lower than the national average.

For groceries, Parsons Market is located in the neighborhood, while Kroger sits just outside the neighborhood, near the corner of East Moler Street and Parsons Avenue. The Great Southern Shopping Center features anchors such as Big Lots, T J Maxx, and JoAnn Fabrics, in addition to Office Max and restaurants such as Texas Roadhouse and Rumfish.

For brand name merchandise sold at deep discounts from manufacturers such as Rubbermaid, Anchor Hocking, Mattel and Igloo, and surplus Army gear, Ollie's Bargain Outlet has it all. This fun outlets features close-out deals, overstock inventory and salvaged products at 70 percent off. Check out the "Kiss It Goodbye" section for an additional 80 percent off.

The Smith Farm Market has a tempting combination of fresh produce from April through October and operates a very popular year-round bakery with 26 different pies, cookies, cakes, brownies, rolls and bread. Produce, including super sweet corn, cantaloupe, meaty tomatoes, refreshing watermelon, run-down-your-chin juicy Georgia peaches, and apples for munching, pies and ciders grows on-site at the farm throughout the summer.