Walnut Hills - Columbus, OH

Prior to the 1950s, only a small percentage of the Columbus metro area's population lived outside the city's core, which consists of downtown and the neighborhoods immediately encircling it. The city's reach started expanding soon thereafter, as the '50s and '60s saw both the completion of the Interstate highway system through central Ohio and a slue of large corporations building or relocating headquarters in Columbus.

As the local economy boomed on the heels of these twin developments, the metro population surged and the demand for more housing arose quickly. Construction crews broke ground all over the outskirts of Columbus, erecting neighborhoods such as Walnut Hills to house the city's thousands of new transplants.

Walnut Hills retains its suburban feel from yesteryear but resides a short distance from all the action in Columbus, including its arts scene and numerous museums.

Both chain establishments and local haunts make up the restaurant scene in and around Walnut Hills, especially along Brice Road and Livingston Avenue where area residents enjoy a diverse mix of dining options, including country soul, pizza and Chinese food.

According to most locals, the menu at Angelina's Villa, a casual pizza and Italian joint on Livingston Avenue, doesn't contain a bad selection. When pressed to choose a favorite, many point to the buffalo chicken pizza and the traditional Italian sub. Angelina's also serves as a favorite place to grab a snack between meals, as it offers pizza by the slice for carry out. Customers who dine in can frequently be seen sticking around after their meal to enjoy the restaurant's homemade brownie bites for dessert.

More than a simple Chinese buffet, Eastern Palace also serves the best sushi in town as well as live Maine lobsters and gourmet poultry dishes, such as almond chicken. Multiple flat-screen televisions enable sports fans to enjoy a fine meal without missing a second of their favorite team's game, and the ornate decor provides an authentic Asian feel. Service is also top-notch; don't be surprised if, after a few visits, you're on a first-name basis with most of the wait staff.

Many Ohioans still believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Tee Jaye's Country Place Restaurant ranks as the top place in Walnut Hills when you want to make the most of it. Arrive hungry, as the meat-lover's wrap, loaded with bacon, sausage, ham, eggs and cheese, calls for a serious appetite. If you prefer to sleep in, don't fret. Tee Jaye's stays open for lunch and dinner, serving popular entrees such as country sausage steak and Granny's pot roast.

Walnut Hills residents don't have to travel far for nightlife, as numerous local bars and lounges reside within the neighborhood's boundaries. The Thirsty Turtle, a local dive bar with a down-home feel, features an eclectic jukebox, friendly bartenders and Taco Tuesday nights. When a special occasion calls for a wilder night out, downtown Columbus and its abundance of bars and clubs sits less than a 15-minute drive or taxi ride away.

With its flat landscapes and low-traffic residential streets, Walnut Hills provides residents who enjoy getting around on foot with a safe area to do so. However, none of the streets in the area have bike lanes, and the major highways that surround the neighborhood and contain most of its shopping and dining options frequently have heavy traffic and are not pedestrian-friendly. Therefore, most Walnut Hills residents choose to drive when traveling to destinations outside their immediate communities.

Those who prefer to let someone else do the driving have several options. Numerous taxi companies serve the area, and while you can't hail a cab in Walnut Hills, you can call in advance for a pick up. The app-based ride-sharing service Uber also maintains a presence in Walnut Hills and all of Columbus.

Public transportation consists of a stop on the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus line, which for a low fare gives riders access to many points of interest in the Columbus metro area, including downtown.

The sprawling Blacklick Woods Metro Park sits just east of Walnut Hills and provides residents with free admission and parking, bountiful green space for picnicking and outdoor recreation, pet trails, and a top-notch nature center. It doesn't have exercise facilities, but it features multiple lengthy trails for walking, jogging and hiking.

Blacklick Woods also hosts fun activities for the whole family, including its Groundhog Day Moon Walk, where participants trek across a 1.5-mile trail and, along the way, attempt to locate their moon shadows.

The cost of living in Walnut Hills runs much lower than the average cost of living for the Columbus metro area. Residents pay $464 on average for a one-bedroom apartment, about $2.75 for a beer in a local pub and $2 for a bus ticket to downtown Columbus. Area gas prices hover about 13 percent lower than the national average.

Located only a few miles down Interstate 270, the Eastland Mall serves as the closest major shopping area to Walnut Hills. At this mall shoppers find several big box retailers, numerous high-end stores and a few discount shops. However, many residents choose to stay even closer to home and patronize the boutiques and specialty shops in the area.

Mine Body Sole Fashion Boutique sits on the other side of Interstate 70 from Walnut Hills and carries an eclectic mix of women's fashions designed by both national brands and local designers. The owner even consults with customers individually to help come up with the perfect ensemble.

The Heritage Square Antique Mall also resides in Walnut Hills and hosts numerous antique dealers selling a multitude of fine goods and collectors' items.

The Aldi on Gender Road just south of Walnut Hill serves residents for large grocery shopping trips. A Kroger also sits a couple miles north on Main Street. Many locals like to shop at the Super Mercado Los Portales, located at the edge of the neighborhood on Brice Road, for Latin cuisine and other international fare.