As a former grad student on a budget who's now a pseudo professional on a budget, the cost of living was obviously a determining factor in selecting Washington Place. After living in the Short North for three years and moving to WP four years ago, my only regret was not knowing about this place beforehand. While there are many fine things to be said about the Short North (living, working and socializing in a vibrant area; closer proximity to grocery shopping; Goodale Park, etc.), all of those things literally come at a premium. And although I'm paying slightly more here than I did there, I also am not: 1) paying to heat two different apartments in which I could see my breath even after paying a monthly $200 gas bill; 2) arguing with property owners about how very important it is to have electricity after a power outage (and a paper due); 3)schlepping down three flights of stairs only to discover that the lone washing machine is in use; and 4)enjoying the 4a.m. afterglow of partygoers beneath my bedroom window.

To recap, my well-spent $500 insures that 1)my entire apartment is heated (I'm anemic and gas is included); 2)repairs of any sort are dealt with as soon as possible (from squeeky doors to leaky faucets); 3) I can wash (and dry) one month's worth of laundry in one of six new washing machines and dryers, and 4) the only sounds of revelry heard are usually coming from my own stereo.


If you're wondering about crime or safety, it's a mixed bag. I've had people ask me about both and I've explained that yes, my car window was broken twice, and yes, there are homeless people staking their turf in the park. I also remind them that according to the police department's online breakdown of precinct and type of crime (i.e. burglery, rape, murder, destruction of property, etc.), the downtown area is literally safer than German Village and the Short North. And as for the homeless men, not once in all of my many insomniac late night/early morning strolls in the park or through the neighborhood have I been accosted or threatened. Treat them with the same sort of respect you would any other human being--they may not have an address, but just saying hello works wonders.

I'd also like to mention that depending upon your perceptions of city or downtown living, Washington Place will either be just what you'd expect or not at all what you expected. With the onslaught of new development that's taken place downtown in the past two years, the lure of lofts and condos might be alluring, but again for a small fee. As someone who anticipates every arrival of Dwell, LivingEtc., and Met Home, I too drift into fantasies of open floor plans, hardwood floors and 12 foot ceilings, but I also realize that Columbus is landlocked (and hence short on abandoned warehouses), relatively new (new arrivals didn't know about the Scioto), and not exactly SoHo (those darn art students keep leaving the city).

I realize that I'm rambling, but i'm really trying to go beyond the basics. If you like free things, the Columbus Library is a goldmine--free books, CDs, DVDs, and Internet access. If you like recreational and/or physical activities, the Scioto Trail is a totally underappreciated resource, and Bicentennial Park during Festival Latino is not to be missed. The Cultural Arts Center offers extremely affordable classes to create something original for your home. The Topiary Park immediately
across the street is great for people- waching, soccer playing, having lunch, free summer concerts, and all-around general daydreaming. Video Central, only a few minutes by car (or a nice 15-minute walk) is THE spot for martial arts, foreign and cult titles. Grant Hospital's cafe is a surprising respite for Saturday and/or Sunday hangovers. If you enjoy architecture, Town Street (which becomes Bryden at Parsons) has everything from $500k mansions to quirky hidden gardens.

And all of this right outside your door.

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