Columbus, OH

The capital of Ohio and state's most populous and largest city, Columbus is home to Ohio State University, making the city not only a hub for education, but also for healthcare -- the excellent Ohio State University College of Medicine is one of the country's best medical schools.

OSU's 1,700-acre campus dominates a large chunk of Columbus's north side, and its more than 50,000 students add immeasurably to the local economy. Columbus also benefits from the university from a cultural standpoint, especially through the Wexner Center for the Arts, specializing in contemporary art.

Columbus placed eighth on Money magazine's 2006 list of best large cities to live in.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Columbus's diverse economy is recognized as one of the ten best in the country. Government at all levels is the city's number one employer, while five insurance companies are based in Columbus, including Nationwide Insurance and State Auto Insurance.

Huntington Bancshares and Commerce National Bank are also headquartered in Columbus, and countless other banks maintain offices in the city. In addition, chain restaurants are something of a Columbus signature, with several headquartered there, including Bob Evans Restaurants and White Castle.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Columbus neighborhoods have seen a surge of redevelopment in the last couple of decades. Some neighborhoods are now vital urban centers; others continue to fight decay and crime:

• Arena District: Centered around the relatively new Nationwide Arena, the Arena District is one of Columbus's newest neighborhoods. The mixed-used planned neighborhood was developed in New Urbanism style and features pedestrian-friendly streets filled with residences, shops, restaurants, and offices.
• Clintonville: Situated in the north-central part of the city, Clintonville is an area loaded with character with small and large single-family homes and small apartment buildings. The often-wooded area features five glacial ravines.
• Downtown: Centered around the intersection of Broad and High streets, this is the section with most of Columbus's skyscrapers, as well as the city's central business district.
• Franklinton: Just west of downtown, this neighborhood was settled in 1797 -- 15 years before Columbus itself. Despite its historic importance, the area suffers from urban blight, but there have been recent struggles to redevelop it.
• German Village: This historic district south of downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its brick-paved streets are filled with houses from the 1800s and 1900s. German Village is considered by many to be the city's most desirable neighborhood.
• Olde Towne East: Just east of downtown, this largely African-American (but increasingly diverse) neighborhood features more than a thousand homes. Some buildings date to the 1830s, with architectural styles including Italianate, Queen Anne, and Victorian. The neighborhood had fallen on some hard times; however, a group of committed citizens have seen some success in their efforts to change that.
• Short North: One of Columbus's funkiest, most artsy neighborhoods, the Short North extends on High Street from just north of town to just south of Ohio State. The area is packed with art galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars and is popular with young professionals.
• Victorian Village: Located north and near west of downtown, Victorian Village's tree-lined streets are mostly filled with historic homes built in the early 1900s. The area is popular with young professionals and also has a large gay population.

FAMILY FUN

Columbus Zoo: Nationally famous due to its gorilla breeding programs and zookeeper Jack Hanna's appearances on late-night talk shows, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 6,000 animals.

COSI (Center of Science and Industry): This large interactive science museum features more than 300 hands-on exhibits.

EVENTS

Columbus is a city that loves a good festival. Here are a few of the most popular annual events:

• Columbus Arts Festival: The city's riverfront sets the scene for this festival, which features live music and food as well as more than 250 nationally acclaimed artists showcasing their wares.
• Comfest: Goodale Park is home to the Community Festival, or Comfest, which tags itself as the "Party with a Purpose." The countercultural music and arts festival benefits a different cause each year and is planned and operated solely by volunteers.
• Jazz and Rib Fest: A central Ohio summer staple, the Jazz and Rib Fest features jazz artists and rib vendors from around the country.
• JuneteenthOhio Festival: One of the largest African-American festivals in the country, JuneteenthOhio celebrates the day the last black slaves were notified they were free. Music, dance, food, and the arts help set the scene for celebration.
• Ohio State Fair: Columbus's state fairgrounds host this fair, one of the biggest in the country. The celebration of all things Ohio has been around for more than 150 years.

SPORTS TEAMS

Columbus and the Ohio State Buckeyes are inextricably linked. Columbus fans are rabid about their OSU football. There are, however, other sports team options:

• The Blue Jackets: This National Hockey League team joined the Columbus scene in 2000.
• The Columbus Clippers: This Triple-A minor-league team feeds into the Cleveland Indians.
• The Columbus Crew: The city's Major League Soccer team plays at Columbus Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium built in the United States.
• The Columbus Destroyers: The Arena Football League team plays at Nationwide Arena.