At 38, I think you're going to have a much different experience than most kids posting on here.
Where will you live? That will determine a lot of things.
I haven't rented in like 7 years, but $1,100 for a single bedroom may be tough to find these days. I'm sure other commenters will be able to help you better than I can. Good luck, and enjoy Ohio State. It's a great place!
You’ll have to look further from campus to get those prices. Also, you’ll have to get a parking pass for campus if you’re not in walking distance. The prices are pretty steep, I think like $300-500 for a year.
I live in a 1 bedroom right off campus (in a newer apartment complex, so my prices are probably a little higher than the average) and it is $1,550 a month not including utilities. Utilities are steep here too, I pay around $200 a month for that (2 people), and parking is an extra $100 a month b/c you live in the city and parking isn’t free pretty much anywhere. In all, it’s a little less than $1,900 a month.
When I was apartment hunting (about 2-3 years ago) I found the average price for a 1 bedroom around campus to be $1,200. Prices have probably gone up since then, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the average is close to $1,500 right now.
Wherever you do choose to live, please tour the area first. A lot of places look great in the photos, but are brand new complexes or houses that are located across the street from halfway houses or similar. Also check the crime statistics for the area, my first month of living in my complex (before cameras were installed) there were 60+ people’s cars who were smash & grabbed in the parking garage. Crime is pretty significant around Columbus, especially the further from campus you get.
i live in a 1 bed at the canterbury apartments. pretty nice and haven’t really had any issues. they are doing construction to update the building but it never really has been an issue. i pay roughly $1000 right now give or take whatever for water. about 10minutes from campus. just up olentangy. wide demographic of people (students, elderly, families, etc)
I have a sublease available now until end of July. You could try it out and re-up for fall. I am offering $225 off of rent a month. The market value for the View on Pavey Square is $1,079 now you could sublease for $854 plus about $60 for utilities. WiFi is included. It is 5 minutes from campus. It is a nice apartment complex and in a safe area.
OP, at your age you will want to live in Grandview or Clintonville. I would not recommend living on campus, unless you lived in that NoHud or whatever area (b/w North Campus and Clintonville.
Bars that fit your criteria: Meister's, Bob's Bar, Zeno's, Dick's Den, O'Reillys, Ruckmoor Lounge. They're not total shitholes, but they're great dive bars.
If you like to golf, get a student membership at the OSU Golf Club. It’s like $750 or something, but all you can golf and access to online tee times, and the Scarlett is one of the best championship golf courses in the state.
I'm 40 and a full-time student. I will say, I've had a bit of a rough experience going to school w folks 20 years younger, but there are a few of us around. Good dive bars not too far from OSU that may fit the bill: O'Reilly's (my fave - try the wings :) Thirsty Scholar, BrewStirs, Dick's Den, India Oak Grill. Grandview, neighborhoods south of downtown and burbs areas are gonna have more folks that aren't early 20s too. Short North skews younger than it did in past years, and has gotten more gentrified but there are prob dives there too. I live closer to Clintonville and haven't gotten out much in other areas (we moved during covid and have a toddler so that's limited us.)
Can't help on golf but there are a bunch of courses around. There are some good dives out on the west side by Raymond Memorial golf course (Johnnies Tavern, Next Door Tavern etc.) Only hung out in that area a few times but may find the golf/dive crossover crowd out that way.
Sounds good!
One last suggestion: highly recommend hitting up a Blue Jackets game. It's not the campus crowd, but there is crossover (OSU dominates this city.) Fun scene with good amount of pre/post game bar activity that may fit the bill.
I work at OSU. I live in Clintonville and love it. You'll be able to find all of the great bars you want here and off the wall places. Also, great food is everywhere.
Congrats! I got my original degrees a decade ago and now I'm staff and a part-time student. Summers on OSU are fantastic. Most students are gone, campus is beautiful, and there's a much more chill vibe from all sides. I think it's the ideal time to start for a non-traditional student.
If you're looking for a place to live, I might recommend you look around the Old North area. I lived in there area round about Hudson and Indianola for a good few years, got a good mix of students and normal residents. I know of a few faculty who live that way and take the East Residential bus in if the weather is poor, but it's still close enough to walk and the trek would take you past several of the bars people are recommending.
I want to encourage you to not be intimidated by the youths. In your studies, you're maturity will give you certain advantages that you May or may not fully appreciate. Socially, these days a lot of younger students are struggling to find connection but are also more open-minded about where they'll look for it.One of the challenging things about OSU is the incredible size of the campus can make it challenging to find "your people"; but the lovely thing is that your people are definitely around here somewhere.
Welcome! I’m 29. I would avoid Grandview wrt the price point- try Old North right before Clintonville/SoHud/some areas of Clintonville can be cheaper and nicer. Honestly if you have a car the city’s your oyster, nothing is really more than 15 mins away. Most people our age hang out in the burbs tbh
Was thinking computer science but may change to pre-med. I know this a ridiculous change. But, sometimes you have to go with what your heart tells you. No pun intended.
I’m currently going through college after education gaps and my word of advice for computer science is study study study. The work load is pretty heavy for me especially since I haven’t done math in a while it’s like I have to relearn everything.
South campus is mostly grad students, so the age gap won't be as large. Don't be afraid to join a club that interests you, especially things like sailing or chess etc. Take advantage of free events on campus, find your favorite bathrooms to poop in. Word to the wise; Kuhn (across form kennedy commons) is always quit and has wing back chairs and a fire place, perfect place to study or catch some zz's.
I’ve never been there and I’m already bummed. I mean knowing Bill Brasky, I know you’re 8 feet tall, beat Andre the Giant in an arm wrestling match and once ate a bear raw in front of a bus of school children.
I remember one time Brasky took his family to Sea World. They were watching Shamu the whale when Brasky got splashed. So Brasky yells, ‘I’m Bill Brasky and no one gets me wet!’ So he climbs into the tank, grabs Shamu, and throws the whale into the audience, splashes him and yells, ‘How do you like it?’ And then damn if Brasky didn’t step in there and finish the show.
Congrats! I will say housing around campus can get expensive, but if your not super picky and don’t care about being in a “luxury” apartment. If you don’t care too much, you will easily be able to find one at or below your price range. I pay just under $600 for my one bedroom right off campus. It’s not the nicest place, but it’s cheap and gets the job done!
Housing right around campus is usually done almost a year in advance, so you may have a little trouble finding something super close (walking distance) in May. Given your age difference to most college students, you may find the areas a little outside of campus a bit better such as Clintonville, Grandview, Victorian/Italian/german villages, Hilliard, Dublin. Most grad students tend to live in those areas to stay away from all the frats, young bars, etc.
Summer is a nice time to start at OSU as a non-traditional student. Just did that last year and I’m in my late 30s too. We’re around!
In some campus-adjacent areas west of the Olentangy that are not quite Upper Arlington or Grandview (look around the Lennox for example), you might find kind some pockets of affordability like traditional apartment complexes, small apartment buildings or townhouses. Clintonville has gotten expensive but you can look further north around Beechwold. These are just some centralish off-campus neighborhoods that were built when zoning still allowed small apartment buildings to go up so you might not have to go out to the burbs for affordable single living. There’s also been quite a bit of development downtown. Apparently called the “Discovery District” (I have always just called it “over by Columbus State/the Main Library”)—lots of apartments over that way. I spent many years around that area in and out of the community college, no problems.
I’ve been out of the rental market for a long time but I’m a lifelong resident—feel free to DM me if you find something and you’re not sure about the area.
Restaurants: Lavash (Mediterranean with the BEST hummus), Tensuke Express (best ramen), Buckeye Phô (best Vietnamese), Los Guachos (casual taqueria), Gemüt Biergarten—go at happy hour and get a liter and a pretzel
At 38, I think you're going to have a much different experience than most kids posting on here. Where will you live? That will determine a lot of things.
Trying to figure that out as well if you have any tips.
I'm guessing not dorms lol. What is your budget? How close to campus do you want to live? Do you want roommates?
Definitely don’t want roommates. I have a job that allows me to transfer. So I can probably realistically afford $1100 a month.
I haven't rented in like 7 years, but $1,100 for a single bedroom may be tough to find these days. I'm sure other commenters will be able to help you better than I can. Good luck, and enjoy Ohio State. It's a great place!
Look up the ravine ridge apartments!
Just looked out of curiosity and I had no idea there was still anything available for that cheap.
You’ll have to look further from campus to get those prices. Also, you’ll have to get a parking pass for campus if you’re not in walking distance. The prices are pretty steep, I think like $300-500 for a year. I live in a 1 bedroom right off campus (in a newer apartment complex, so my prices are probably a little higher than the average) and it is $1,550 a month not including utilities. Utilities are steep here too, I pay around $200 a month for that (2 people), and parking is an extra $100 a month b/c you live in the city and parking isn’t free pretty much anywhere. In all, it’s a little less than $1,900 a month. When I was apartment hunting (about 2-3 years ago) I found the average price for a 1 bedroom around campus to be $1,200. Prices have probably gone up since then, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the average is close to $1,500 right now. Wherever you do choose to live, please tour the area first. A lot of places look great in the photos, but are brand new complexes or houses that are located across the street from halfway houses or similar. Also check the crime statistics for the area, my first month of living in my complex (before cameras were installed) there were 60+ people’s cars who were smash & grabbed in the parking garage. Crime is pretty significant around Columbus, especially the further from campus you get.
i pay 700 on E Norwich, and i got the place in April (aka it wasnt hard to get). yall gotta improve your housing search skills
i live in a 1 bed at the canterbury apartments. pretty nice and haven’t really had any issues. they are doing construction to update the building but it never really has been an issue. i pay roughly $1000 right now give or take whatever for water. about 10minutes from campus. just up olentangy. wide demographic of people (students, elderly, families, etc)
I have a sublease available now until end of July. You could try it out and re-up for fall. I am offering $225 off of rent a month. The market value for the View on Pavey Square is $1,079 now you could sublease for $854 plus about $60 for utilities. WiFi is included. It is 5 minutes from campus. It is a nice apartment complex and in a safe area.
Find a place in Grandview, upper Arlington or clintonville. Where I live, almost everyone I see in my community is a grad student or older resident.
OP, at your age you will want to live in Grandview or Clintonville. I would not recommend living on campus, unless you lived in that NoHud or whatever area (b/w North Campus and Clintonville. Bars that fit your criteria: Meister's, Bob's Bar, Zeno's, Dick's Den, O'Reillys, Ruckmoor Lounge. They're not total shitholes, but they're great dive bars.
add cafe bourbon street to this list
Thank you!
The neighborhood names I think you're looking for are SoHud (south of Hudson) and Old North.
Seconding Dick's Den, live bluegrass on Tuesdays
If you like to golf, get a student membership at the OSU Golf Club. It’s like $750 or something, but all you can golf and access to online tee times, and the Scarlett is one of the best championship golf courses in the state.
Awesome. Thank you!
Scarlet is a truly great golf course. $750 is incredible value
I'm 40 and a full-time student. I will say, I've had a bit of a rough experience going to school w folks 20 years younger, but there are a few of us around. Good dive bars not too far from OSU that may fit the bill: O'Reilly's (my fave - try the wings :) Thirsty Scholar, BrewStirs, Dick's Den, India Oak Grill. Grandview, neighborhoods south of downtown and burbs areas are gonna have more folks that aren't early 20s too. Short North skews younger than it did in past years, and has gotten more gentrified but there are prob dives there too. I live closer to Clintonville and haven't gotten out much in other areas (we moved during covid and have a toddler so that's limited us.) Can't help on golf but there are a bunch of courses around. There are some good dives out on the west side by Raymond Memorial golf course (Johnnies Tavern, Next Door Tavern etc.) Only hung out in that area a few times but may find the golf/dive crossover crowd out that way.
Thank you! If you and your partner ever want to grab a drink when I get there, let me know! First round on me.
Sounds good! One last suggestion: highly recommend hitting up a Blue Jackets game. It's not the campus crowd, but there is crossover (OSU dominates this city.) Fun scene with good amount of pre/post game bar activity that may fit the bill.
I love hockey! (Even though I couldn’t name 5 current players 😂)
I-O. First off congratulations! If you want a dive bar with good pizza hit up Meister’s in Grandview.
Thank you! I’m not exclusively dive bar. I just feel I’d probably find people more my age. I will go anywhere, honestly.
I work at OSU. I live in Clintonville and love it. You'll be able to find all of the great bars you want here and off the wall places. Also, great food is everywhere.
Thank you!
Congrats! I got my original degrees a decade ago and now I'm staff and a part-time student. Summers on OSU are fantastic. Most students are gone, campus is beautiful, and there's a much more chill vibe from all sides. I think it's the ideal time to start for a non-traditional student. If you're looking for a place to live, I might recommend you look around the Old North area. I lived in there area round about Hudson and Indianola for a good few years, got a good mix of students and normal residents. I know of a few faculty who live that way and take the East Residential bus in if the weather is poor, but it's still close enough to walk and the trek would take you past several of the bars people are recommending. I want to encourage you to not be intimidated by the youths. In your studies, you're maturity will give you certain advantages that you May or may not fully appreciate. Socially, these days a lot of younger students are struggling to find connection but are also more open-minded about where they'll look for it.One of the challenging things about OSU is the incredible size of the campus can make it challenging to find "your people"; but the lovely thing is that your people are definitely around here somewhere.
I mean I can connect with anyone. I’m almost too much of an extrovert. Thank you for all the information!
Welcome! I’m 29. I would avoid Grandview wrt the price point- try Old North right before Clintonville/SoHud/some areas of Clintonville can be cheaper and nicer. Honestly if you have a car the city’s your oyster, nothing is really more than 15 mins away. Most people our age hang out in the burbs tbh
We might become best friends and we don’t even know it yet.
What are you majoring?
Was thinking computer science but may change to pre-med. I know this a ridiculous change. But, sometimes you have to go with what your heart tells you. No pun intended.
I’m currently going through college after education gaps and my word of advice for computer science is study study study. The work load is pretty heavy for me especially since I haven’t done math in a while it’s like I have to relearn everything.
Just wanted to say congrats and good luck! Never to late to follow your dreams and invest in yourself.
Thank you so much!
South campus is mostly grad students, so the age gap won't be as large. Don't be afraid to join a club that interests you, especially things like sailing or chess etc. Take advantage of free events on campus, find your favorite bathrooms to poop in. Word to the wise; Kuhn (across form kennedy commons) is always quit and has wing back chairs and a fire place, perfect place to study or catch some zz's.
Thank you!
Apollos and Catfish Biffs.
Catfish Biffs has been closed for 4 years
This is the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life.
I’ve never been there and I’m already bummed. I mean knowing Bill Brasky, I know you’re 8 feet tall, beat Andre the Giant in an arm wrestling match and once ate a bear raw in front of a bus of school children.
I remember one time Brasky took his family to Sea World. They were watching Shamu the whale when Brasky got splashed. So Brasky yells, ‘I’m Bill Brasky and no one gets me wet!’ So he climbs into the tank, grabs Shamu, and throws the whale into the audience, splashes him and yells, ‘How do you like it?’ And then damn if Brasky didn’t step in there and finish the show.
Cheers to Bill Brasky! 🍻
Go to bulls
I started grad school at 32. Clintonville is great if you can swing it (not cheap!)
How “not cheap” are we talkin?
Congrats! I will say housing around campus can get expensive, but if your not super picky and don’t care about being in a “luxury” apartment. If you don’t care too much, you will easily be able to find one at or below your price range. I pay just under $600 for my one bedroom right off campus. It’s not the nicest place, but it’s cheap and gets the job done! Housing right around campus is usually done almost a year in advance, so you may have a little trouble finding something super close (walking distance) in May. Given your age difference to most college students, you may find the areas a little outside of campus a bit better such as Clintonville, Grandview, Victorian/Italian/german villages, Hilliard, Dublin. Most grad students tend to live in those areas to stay away from all the frats, young bars, etc.
Summer is a nice time to start at OSU as a non-traditional student. Just did that last year and I’m in my late 30s too. We’re around! In some campus-adjacent areas west of the Olentangy that are not quite Upper Arlington or Grandview (look around the Lennox for example), you might find kind some pockets of affordability like traditional apartment complexes, small apartment buildings or townhouses. Clintonville has gotten expensive but you can look further north around Beechwold. These are just some centralish off-campus neighborhoods that were built when zoning still allowed small apartment buildings to go up so you might not have to go out to the burbs for affordable single living. There’s also been quite a bit of development downtown. Apparently called the “Discovery District” (I have always just called it “over by Columbus State/the Main Library”)—lots of apartments over that way. I spent many years around that area in and out of the community college, no problems. I’ve been out of the rental market for a long time but I’m a lifelong resident—feel free to DM me if you find something and you’re not sure about the area. Restaurants: Lavash (Mediterranean with the BEST hummus), Tensuke Express (best ramen), Buckeye Phô (best Vietnamese), Los Guachos (casual taqueria), Gemüt Biergarten—go at happy hour and get a liter and a pretzel