Living in Columbus
Housing
The Ohio State University offers multiple options for graduate student housing. For on campus housing, graduate students have the option of living in one of two buildings. The first of these is Jones Tower. Located on Curl Drive, the building is close to both the Fisher Campus as well as High Street. The other on campus housing for graduate students is Neil Avenue. The great part of this facility is the first floor restaurant, Marketplace on Neil, known for being one of the most popular places to eat on campus.
The university also provides a place for students who are married or have a family. Buckeye Village is located off campus but the university bus system has a route starting at 7:00 AM for students traveling to campus.
Students are also able to live off campus and commute. For more information, follow the link to visit the off campus website sponsored by the university.
Brand new for the fall of 2007, Fisher will be offering Graduate housing on West Campus on the corner of Kenny Road and Lane Avenue. More information about Fisher Commons can be found by following this link to the MBA webpage.
About Columbus
This fast-growing city embraces families and singles, the young and the old, traditional and alternative lifestyles - and everything in between. In fact, nearly half the population falls within the 18-44 age group, making Columbus a youthful melting pot with a wide array of cultural and social offerings.
Columbus was ranked in top ten "Best Place to Live" by Money Magazine in 2006. It's got big-city benefits without big-city problems, like choking congestion, traffic snarls, and skyrocketing living costs. "Quality of Life" ranks at the top of residents' love for Columbus, and the beauty of it is that here in Columbus, that can mean whatever you want it to. It’s truly something different for everyone.
You will be pleasantly surprised when you experience, first-hand, all that Columbus has to offer. From comfortable neighborhoods to an advanced technology scene to hip enclaves with trendy housing, restaurants, shopping and clubs, Columbus will impress you at every turn.
Booming Technology
According to Popular Science magazine, Columbus is one turned-on, plugged-in city. In fact, the publication recently named us seventh among its "Top 10 Tech Cities" in the United States, citing our information-technology employment picture; road-monitoring systems; and scores of hotel, mall, coffee-shop and airport "hot spots" that provide wireless Internet access to consumers.
The ranking comes as no surprise to those familiar with the dynamic research and technology organizations based in Columbus. Among the most noteworthy are Battelle, a global science and technology enterprise that develops technology and conducts $2.9 billion in research and development annually; OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), which powers almost 54,000 libraries in nearly 100 countries; and of course, The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the nation. Columbus was also cited for the size of our IT workforce - 50,000, twice the national average - and the robotic surgery capabilities of area hospitals. And, more than 70% of Columbus households are online.
Diverse Neighborhoods
One of the most striking features of the city is its eclectic collection of neighborhoods. Whether you lean toward hip or homey, you will find an area to suit your tastes and lifestyle. Columbus boasts a number of suburban communities, complete with comfortable homes, good schools and lots of parks and recreational activities. The city itself comprises a number of interesting and diverse neighborhoods, each with its own distinct personality. The most popular of these areas are not far from the Fisher campus.
German Village
rnWhether in snowflakes or rays of sunshine, there is no better place for a leisurely weekend stroll or night on the town than German Village, the granddaddy of picturesque neighborhoods in Columbus. Both quaint and sophisticated, German Village was founded in the mid-1800's by German immigrants and officially designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Today the Village boasts not only beautiful, historic homes and cobblestone streets but also a variety of inviting shops and restaurants, bakeries and sidewalk cafes. Twinkling lights and colorful window boxes help give German Village the aura of a Bavarian wonderland, and landmark Schiller Park is a great place to play for residents and visitors alike.
Arena, Brewery District & Short North
rnA short distance from the Village - not far from downtown Columbus and Ohio State - are several other neighborhoods - again, each with its own exciting and distinct vibe. There is the Brewery District, with upscale condos and lofts, great restaurants and a very hip club scene. The Short North is bursting with restaurants, great shopping and chic galleries and graciously welcomes the rest of Columbus in at its monthly Gallery Hop where owners open up their shops to the art-loving public every first Saturday of the month. Add to that the Arena District, along with Victorian, Italian and Renaissance Villages, and you begin to get a sense of the enticing blend of unique styles, perspectives, and flavors that is Columbus. Best of all, all of these neighborhoods are just minutes from Ohio State, so exploring them is not only fun but easy, too.
Culinary Experience
Columbus may be located in the heart of the Midwest, but its restaurant offerings are anything but middle of the road. True, if you want traditional fare, iit is here, but your choices extend way beyond the basics to restaurants specializing in virtually every form of gastronomic ethnicity. Depending on your preference and budget, you will also find a variety of restaurants, from the exotic to the everyday, gourmet to mundane. Warmer months bring a plethora of outdoor dining experiences for Columbus residents to take advantage of, whether in upscale restaurants or sidewalk cafes.
Exploring and trying restaurants is a favorite pastime of Columbus residents, and new ones are opening all the time. Experienced chefs from the world over have landed in Columbus and have made the city's dining experience an exciting and memorable one.
Arts, Entertainment And Culture
Perhaps in no other area is Columbus' growing stature as a vibrant, diverse city in evidence as in its arts, entertainment and cultural scene. Nightlife abounds, and many of the most exciting clubs and music venues are located in close proximity to the Fisher campus. If you are in the mood for dancing, relaxing or comedy, there is always something happening on the local scene. Major artists, from the Stones and David Bowie to U2 and Green Day, routinely perform sell-out shows in Columbus.
The city boasts some of the finest venues around, including the Schottenstein Center on campus and Nationwide Arena, as well as the outdoor Germain Amphitheater and the more intimate Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (formerly PromoWest). Columbus has a thriving theater community, too, and provides audiences alternatives for every taste and preference. Broadway touring companies regularly delight Columbus audiences, while the excellent Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCO), stages productions from established and emerging playwrights alike.
The more avant garde Red Herring Theatre Ensemble has a dedicated following, and there are also a number of other talented theater groups that call Columbus home. Ballet Met, the city's professional dance troupe, the Columbus Sympony, an ongoing schedule of visiting artists and groups, and many others add depth and breadth to the city's dynamic performance arts offerings.
Artists and art galleries, many of which are ensconced in the Short North, are first-rate. In fact, many have migrated here from other cities, including New York or Los Angeles. One of the crowning jewels of the Columbus arts world is located at 15th Avenue & High Street, at the southeast entrance to the University. The world-class Wexner Center for the Arts houses an astonishing array of vibrant programs that include the best of contemporary visual, performing and film arts from around the world.
Even the center's signature architectural elements have come to define the Wexner Center, bringing some of the most accomplished and compelling art of our time to Columbus. Still other forms of entertainment — on par with that of the most dynamic U.S. cities - can be found in Columbus. In downtown Columbus, sitting proudly on the banks of the Scioto River, is the award-winning Center of Science and Industry (COSI). And, to the north, at the opposite side of the city, is the nationally recognized Columbus Zoo, a fun and educational stop for all ages. Add to this any number of other choices, from parks to shopping all over the city to a multitude of ethnic and seasonal festivals, and you see that leisure pursuits in Columbus are virtually limitless.
Sports
Whether you are a spectator or participant, Columbus offers great alternatives in sports, as well. You can join in organized play on any number of intramural teams at Ohio State and through various groups throughout the city. Ohio State's beloved Buckeyes provide plenty of excitement in men's and women's collegiate sports, including football, basketball, hockeye and softball. Columbusites also proudly support the Blue Jackets, the city's professional hockey team; the Crew, professional soccer; and the Clippers, minor league baseball. Driving little more than 100 miles to the north and south, respectively, you can enjoy the Browns and Indians in Cleveland; and the Reds and Bengals in Cincinnati.
Never Far...
Despite all there is to do in Columbus, it is still good to know how quickly and easily you can get to other cities from Columbus. Chicago is only an hour's flight away, and you can be in New York, Boston or Washington, DC in under two hours. Whether you are taking a day trip or a week's vacation, getting there from Columbus is a snap.
