The Local Expert's Guide To Top Columbus, OH Neighborhoods for College and University Student Renters

Columbus, OH, artfully blends a laid-back Midwest personality with the excitement of urban living and the spirited atmosphere of student life. As a college town, it brings a steady flow of new ideas and energy, balanced by its role as the state capital. The city offers a mix of neighborhoods, each with its own original vibe. The Short North features brick lofts and colorful murals, while Grandview and Clintonville provide quieter, less urbanized settings. Whether you prefer a lively downtown ambiance or a more relaxed community setting, Columbus has something to suit your needs and lifestyle.

Hi there, I'm Kim, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for everything Columbus. If you want the inside scoop about what to expect while living in C-bus, keep reading to learn more about the city's vibes, affordability, and options for Columbus, OH, student housing. One noteworthy item to be aware of is the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), which provides public transportation in Columbus. It's heavily used and mostly reliable—but not always. If you must be somewhere at a specific time, consider biking or walking there if it isn't too far.

Colleges and Universities in Columbus, OH

All the Columbs area colleges and universities listed on ApartmentHomeLiving.com are within 25 miles of Columbus. THE Ohio State University is a public university attended by an average of 60,000 students annually. Private universities and colleges in Columbus include Capital University, Otterbein, Franklin University, and the Columbus College of Art and Design. Columbus State Community College offers various two-year associate degrees and certifications.

If you are attending Columbus State Community College--Columbus Campus, five neighborhoods with ample student housing options are within seven miles of CSCC: Victorian Village, Short North, Italian Village, University District, and Clintonville.

Columbus, Ohio Top Neighborhoods

University District

Ohio State University's main campus, including iconic landmarks like the Ohio Stadium ("The Shoe") and the Schottenstein Center, is located in the heart of this district. High Street runs through the University District, constantly buzzing with traffic, students coming and going from coffee shops, and bike bells ringing through the noise. Storefronts shift occasionally—last semester’s bookstore now serves tea, and a once-empty lot advertises a high-rise. Veering off the main drag, you'll find side streets lined with shade trees home to sparrows, squirrels, and city-savvy raccoons.

Student housing is a mix of apartments with rooftop views and private study lounges and older homes with "For Rent" signs in their windows. The closer you get to the OSU campus, the tighter the squeeze—smaller rooms and steeper rents that offer the convenience of being within a stone's throw of the campus. Some students pay a higher price for the expediency of having a five-minute walk to class instead of relying on COTA to get them to class on time.

Victorian Village

West of High Street, the noise of campus traffic gives way to the quieter streets, brick sidewalks, and oversized vintage homes of Victorian Village. Goodale Park spreads out at the heart of the neighborhood, its pond sometimes mirroring the city skyline on a sunny day. Mornings in Goodale Park bring joggers, bicyclers, and dog walkers. You might even get a delicious whiff of fresh bread baking from nearby cafes if you're an early riser in Victorian Village.

Students can find rooms for rent in old mansions renovated into apartments. I've been to one of these apartments, and their high ceilings make you feel like you're stepping back half a century! You can also rent smaller brick walk-up apartments where the floors may slant slightly, and your windows will rattle when it's gusty outside. Rent runs a bit high in Victorian Village, but the trade-off is space and quiet—no blaring sirens, no crowded sidewalks, and no exhaust odors. A short walk leads to campus, the Short North, bookstores, and coffee shops.

Short North

Walk under the steel arches on High Street, and you’ll know exactly where you are--the Short North. Named for its location just north of downtown but not quite reaching the University District, The Short North area reminds me of a hyperactive toddler--it can't sit still. Over 300 businesses pack these streets, mostly family-owned restaurants, indie boutiques, coffee shops, and rooftop bars crowded and energetic well past midnight.

Being a food lover, I try to take the Columbus Food Adventures tour whenever possible, eating my way from one must-try spot to the next. The Short North is also a paradise for art lovers. Murals splash across brick walls, sculptures stand watch on sidewalks, and a sense of boundless creativity infuses the entire district. The Gallery Hop event, held on the first Saturday of the month, transforms the neighborhood into an enormous open-air art exhibit.

You'll find new apartment buildings in Short North looming over rowhouses overlooking the street below. Late-night diners, live music, and art shows are always just around a corner somewhere. Some students prefer living in tiny lofts above coffee shops, trading space for cheaper rents. Others rent apartments on side streets where walk-ups distance you from the rowdy Short North neighborhood.

Uptown District

The Uptown District is in downtown Columbus, about four miles south of OSU via State Route 315. If you are searching for student housing, be forewarned that renting an apartment in the Uptown District is pricey, with many newer high-rise condos and apartment buildings offering spectacular skyline views of Columbus. However, you can also find charming brick townhouses on side streets advertising more affordable apartments for rent.

Although the Uptown District is a densely populated urban area, most residents can walk to one of its numerous parks and green spaces. Bicentennial Park, located on the banks of the Scioto River, provides a pleasant escape from city life on warm, sunny days.

Sharon Heights

Located six miles north of OSU and 10 miles from Columbus, Sharon Heights provides a peaceful counterpoint to the urban energy of downtown Columbus. During the day, students walk or bike on the streets of Sharon Heights, probably enjoying a little solitude before hitting the nighttime club scene in the University District or The Short North.

Student housing in this area has a character of its own. Many larger homes have been subdivided into rentals that offer more space than typical student housing. Apartments in Sharon Heights are generally less costly than those in the immediate campus area, so it is a welcome alternative for students wishing to access university life without budgeting for higher rents associated with the central campus area. Sharon Heights is ideal for students who want a quiet place to study and the convenience of being close to the action.

Devon Triangle

Tucked into the Short North area is Devon Triangle, a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with an interesting mix of contemporary and historic buildings. It's got plenty of offices, retail stores, restaurants, and student housing options. You won't have to leave this district if you want quick access to a fitness center, dog park, and green spaces. Getting around Devon Triangle is easy—you can drive, bike, or use COTA.

The Devon Triangle offers plentiful shopping and dining opportunities. Specialty stores, national chains, independent bookstores, and coffee shops are scattered throughout the neighborhood. If you decide to rent an apartment there, you'll no doubt eat more than once at its most popular restaurant, the Rossi Kitchen & Bar. Make sure you don't forget to call ahead and book a reservation. This place is always packed!

Near East Side

Take a walk through the Near East Side, and you’ll see grand Victorian houses standing next to newer brick buildings and local businesses, the unique result of a decades-long renovation process. I've been told that some mom-and-pop shops squeezed between modern shops have been there for generations. This distinctive neighborhood also has community gardens where neighbors cultivate various vegetables and herbs together. Non-profits are active in the Near East Side, working to improve the area's quality of life.

Students like calling the Near East Side their home because of lower rent prices and its proximity to downtown Columbus and OSU. A quick drive, a bus ride, or even a bike commute gets you to work, a concert, or a weekend festival without the hassle of driving yourself. Old buildings are still being restored instead of replaced, attracting artists, entrepreneurs, and young professionals who have graduated with business majors from OSU.

North Linden

Head down Cleveland Avenue, and you’ll find a mosaic of corner stores, carry-outs, and family-operated restaurants, enhancing North Linden's close-knit community atmosphere. Loops Restaurant serves some of the best Chicago-style subs in the city, while Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen will satisfy a craving for spicy jerk chicken. If you know where to look, the soul food eateries will keep you coming back for more delicious fried perch and macaroni and cheese.

You'll find affordable student housing options in the North Linden neighborhood for sure. Also, Ohio State University is just a quick, 10-minute drive from North Linden and downtown Columbus.

West Campus

West Campus strikes me as a world of its own, sitting just past the commotion of the OSU campus, where the university’s reach starts diminishing but never quite lets go. The massive Carmack parking lots stretch endlessly over West Campus, always packed with cars and a steady stream of cars circling the lots, looking for a place to park. If you're a student at OSU, you know the drill--take the West Campus shuttle to the drop-off near the Oval so you don't have to walk.

Move beyond the Carmack parking lots, and you'll see that West Campus shifts into something else—research buildings that don’t look all that impressive. However, these buildings house cutting-edge projects, government-funded labs, and experiments no one talks about unless you're a dedicated grad student. Then there’s the “other” West Campus, which technically includes all those offbeat apartments and townhomes where students who didn’t win the campus housing lottery end up living. This particular area is where authentic budget living happens. I've been told that rent is cheap, and the campus cops don’t bother coming this far unless they have to.

Choosing Where to Rent Your Next Apartment in Columbus, OH

Columbus offers a variety of student housing options, each with advantages and trade-offs. Some neighborhoods provide easy access to campus and a lively social scene, while others offer more affordable rent and a less boisterous environment. Housing conditions vary, with newer developments providing modern amenities and older properties sometimes needing a little maintenance. When choosing the right neighborhood in Columbus to rent an apartment, align your options with your budget, lifestyle preferences, and how close you want to be to a college or university. Happy apartment hunting!