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Whether you’re looking for a place to launch your career or you already landed the job, read on to learn more about why so many young professionals are moving to Columbus, Ohio—one of the fastest growing cities in the country, recently ranked in the Top 10 hottest housing markets!
Job Opportunities and Quick Commutes
With a handful of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Columbus, including Nationwide, American Electric Power, a brand new Intel facility on the horizon, and a wide range of hospital networks (The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth, Mount Carmel Health System, and more) there truly is no shortage of job opportunities in and around the Columbus area.
This is one of the top reasons why so many young professionals are moving to Columbus, Ohio and establishing their career here. Plus, not only is the job market booming, but getting to work is quicker here than in most major metros. Columbus was recently ranked the #1 best city for commuters in the country, with residents enjoying an average one-way travel time of just 21.8 minutes. This is significantly faster than the national average, meaning you can spend less time in your car and more time enjoying your life outside of the office.
Low Cost of Living
When comparing the cost of living in Columbus to other major U.S. cities, Columbus finds itself at 7% lower than the national average.
According to PayScale.com, Columbus’s housing expenses are also 7% lower than the national average and transportation is 8% lower than the national average.
Living in Columbus, Ohio means you may be able to stretch your budget a bit further than you’d be able to in another big city.
Co-Working Spaces Make It Easy to Meet People
Co-working spaces are ideal for networking and collaboration with likeminded people. If your new or future job in Columbus is fully remote or hybrid in nature, but you’d prefer to work in an environment away from your home, you should know that Columbus offers tons of coworking options:
- Versa Columbus - Grandview Heights
- COhatch - Multiple Locations
- Brick House Blue - Dublin & Plain City
- Thrive - Franklinton
- Elevate - Westerville
- And many more
A Thriving Sports Scene for Every Fan
Columbus offers an exciting sports culture that’s easy to plug into—whether you’re a lifelong fan or just looking for a fun way to spend a night out with friends. The city is home to multiple professional and collegiate teams, creating year‑round energy and plenty of opportunities to connect with other young professionals.
Catch an NHL game with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, cheer on Columbus Crew—one of Major League Soccer’s most successful franchises—or enjoy a laid‑back summer evening at Huntington Park watching the Columbus Clippers. Known for affordable tickets and popular promotions like Dollar Dog Nights, Clippers games are an easy, budget‑friendly way to enjoy baseball downtown.
Of course, no sports conversation in Columbus is complete without mentioning the electric atmosphere surrounding The Ohio State Buckeyes.
From downtown arenas to open‑air ballparks and neighborhood sports bars, Columbus makes it easy to turn a game into a social experience, which is one of the many reasons young professionals love calling this city home.
Parks at Every Corner
From small urban parks in the heart of a neighborhood to large nature preserves and hiking trails, Columbus prides itself on the number of parks it has—both within the city and surrounding it.
Columbus Navigator assembled a list of the best parks in Columbus that’s especially beneficial to those who are new to this city and want to get out and explore.
Opportunities to Volunteer and Give Back to the City
The obvious reward of volunteering is getting to make a difference in the lives of others. However, if you’re still getting established in a new city like Columbus, volunteering is a fantastic way to meet others and become part of a community.
If social volunteer and philanthropic opportunities are among your top priorities, you’ll be happy to know that there are so many ways to get plugged in with a volunteer community and give back to the city. Columbus Gives Back provides a handful of opportunities.
The Best Restaurants Around
Columbus is truly a food city, and the proof is in the pudding. Although the list of impeccable restaurants in the Columbus area could stretch onto more than 100 pages, Columbus Navigator shares 55 of Columbus’ best, such as Katalina’s, Dos Hermanos, and Harvest Pizzeria.
Trendy Neighborhoods to Explore
The kaleidoscope of vibrant neighborhoods sprawling the city makes Columbus incredibly appealing. Consider exploring the restaurants, shops, and bars in these top-ranked neighborhoods for young professionals.
Short North
Known as the hip, culture-rich, art and soul of Columbus, the Short North Arts District is where you’ll find some of the most popular bars, restaurants, and coffee shops in the city.
Bridge Park
Located in the heart of Dublin, Bridge Park is the premier "urban-suburban" destination for those seeking a walkable lifestyle outside of downtown.<source-footnote ng-version="0.0.0-PLACEHOLDER" _nghost-ng-c601572283=""></source-footnote> This vibrant district features a mix of upscale dining, rooftop bars, and local favorites like North Market Bridge Park, all connected to the charm of Historic Dublin by the iconic Dublin Link pedestrian bridge
Italian Village
Located between The Short North and University District, Italian Village is a trendy and upbeat neighborhood to explore. It’s also home to the second oldest park in the city, Schiller Park.
German Village
If you’ve ever heard of The Book Loft or Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, then you may have heard of German Village. Known for its charming brick houses and cobblestone streets, German Village is truly one-of-a-kind.
Grandview Heights
Just minutes from Downtown Columbus and growing in popularity over the past few years, Grandview Heights is home to trendy bars and restaurants that many young professionals desire to live close to.
Choosing to find a job in a new city is a major decision, and Columbus, Ohio is a great fit for any young professional starting a new chapter or career. Find out more about what makes Columbus a great place to live.
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