Columbus, OH

So you’re visiting the capitol of Ohio and you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into? I’ve got you.

Columbus is a mid-sized city sitting smack in the middle of the state on two rivers. It’s not as big as a Nashville or an Atlanta, but it has a similar obsession with suburban sprawl, new construction and road work. Major industries here include banking, insurance, and of course: retail, which is why I ended up there for a stint.

For getting around, a car or a Lyft would be recommended, though once you land some place, many parts downtown are very walkable. The city has invested quite a bit of money into making the city and waterfront a great place to live/explore. Be warned: The Ohio State University (eyeroll) is also located in Columbus, as well as the Crew (MLS) and Blue Jackets (NHL), so expect to encounter minor traffic on game days.

As for the “guide” below, I’m not particularly good at editing myself but I am picky. What follows is an index of basically anything that brought me joy from my move there in January 2020, to my blunt exit in the end of 2023.