Village at Worthington Columbus, OH

Founded in the same year as Ohio, Worthington Village came to be in 1803 and was named for Ohio governor Thomas Worthington.

At first, the pioneer village thrived slowly during the majority of the 19th century, but the 1893 development of the electric street car connected Worthington to Columbus. This direct transportation made it possible for Worthington to become the livable, convenient suburb it remains as today.

With a strong affinity for community and culture, Worthington houses several museums and hosts numerous events and fairs each year.

The historic Orange Johnson House and the Old Rectory, as well as the renowned American Whistle Corporation, all provide a strong sense of communal pride for Worthington's roots.

The annual Powell Festival, which takes place at Village Green park each summer, brings the community both young and old together and provides food and free activities while supporting local business.

Worthington gives numerous options for dining and entertainment. With restaurants ranging from casual delis to upscale gastropubs and cuisines from Italian and Thai to new-age American, Worthington guarantees an eatery to match your taste and budget. If you want to grab a bite after visiting the famous /" Doll Museum, head over to N. High Street for a few neighborhood favorites.

Dewey's Pizza, ranked highly for its quality service and hometown atmosphere, makes speciality pies, indulgent calzones and fresh salads, all made with fresh seasonal ingredients and innovative flavor combinations at affordable family prices. While you can always create your own, the crowd favorites remain The Green Lantern and the Southwest BBQ. Bring the family or bring a date, but definitely bring your appetite.

Hailed as "beautiful simple food with outstanding service," The Whitney House, which opened in December 2014, reigns as a must-eat. Set on the corner of N. High Street and E. New England Avenue, this cozy eatery serves as a fusion of contemporary comfort. From the chef who brought Columbus the famous Lindey's, The Whitney House not only gives guests dinner favorites, such as the flawless hanger steak and Amish brick chicken, but also a delectable weekend brunch and craft cocktails to keep you more than satisfied.

Though its bar scene is not as rowdy as that of the nearby University District, Worthington still provides numerous venues to satisfy an up-and-coming young professional crowd.

Wine lovers rejoice at House Wine. This hybrid bar/retail shop offers top quality wines and tasty craft beers housed in a chic neighborhood atmosphere. Most impressive? The must-see electronic wine-tasting machine.

Residents within Worthington have a variety of transportation options for getting around the local attractions. While much of the village provides walker-friendly paths, public lots and street parking proves readily available. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) also has several bus stops and lines to navigate within and out of Worthington.

Located 11 miles north of downtown, Worthington lacks readily available cabs, but Uber serves residents quickly and reliably. Drivers also have easy access to the Olentangy Freeway and the Route 23 Expressway for quick navigation to downtown Columbus.

With easy access to lanes, trails and parks, bikers feel right at home in Worthington. What began in 1967 as Ohio's premiere "rail-trail," the 18-mile Olentangy-Scioto bike trail passes through the German Village, Downtown Columbus and The Ohio State University campus before concluding in Worthington Hills Park.

The Village of Worthington houses more than 220 acres of both man-improved and natural outdoor spaces. Residents conveniently live within walking distance of numerous family and pet-friendly playgrounds and parks within the community.

The 16 city parks were each created to serve different community purposes and needs, such as natural wildlife preservation, recreation and athletics.

Godown Park opened in 2012 primarily as a dog park and includes specialty areas for both small and large dogs, as well dog water fountains and winding pathways.This 10-acre green space proves to be the perfect spot to run and play with your canine pal from dawn until dusk.

The community also has several Parks and Recreation facilities. The Community Center, located on E. Wilson Bridge Road, provides programs, camps, events as well as fitness and aquatic centers within its 72,000 square-foot facility. Youth, individual, family and senior rates remain available for membership, with discounts for residents within the Worthington community.

For its safety, convenient access and local flair, Worthington demands steeper rents than surrounding neighborhoods or downtown Columbus. The cost of living in Worthington is 12.6 percent higher than the Columbus average and 1.9 percent higher than the national average.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs $721, a rate 11.5 percent greater than the Columbus area average.

At nearly $35 on average, cabs prove to be the most costly form of transportation to the central city. However, prices of local food, beer and gas remain comparable to that of downtown Columbus. On a night out, expect to pay an average of $5 for a beer at any one of Worthington's local bars or pubs.

Love to shop? Lining Worthington's cobblestone sidewalks, N. High Street houses home decor boutiques, jewelers and florists, offering numerous options for a day spent shopping.

The Candle Lab brings a memorable, hands-on experience. With over 100 fragrances, this store provides visitors endless combinations to create custom natural soy candles, bath and body products.

The ever innovative Ride Home combines an artisanal tea and coffee shop with a repair and buy bike shop. Hailed as a "very cool little place for the coffee snob...and the cyclist," this locally owned speciality shop takes innovation and careful collaboration to another level.

For a greater variety of retail options, The Shops at Worthington Place combines national retailers with local businesses at this large, elegant outdoor shopping venue. This one-stop shop for dining, shopping and leisure has grown into a must-see attraction in Worthington.

Residents looking to grocery shop within the neighborhood can do so at the nearby grocer chain Kroger, also located at the Shops at Worthington Place. Just off Worthington mall, this traditional supermarket, deli and bakery supplies locals with groceries at affordable prices.

For a larger selection of locally grown products, residents visit The Worthington Farmers Market on N. High Street and find seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally produced jams, jellies, and cheeses, farm-raised meats, herbs, plants, and more. With over 70 vendors year round, The Worthington Farmers Market operates daily from May through October, then every Saturday from November through April.