Elegant buildings laced with beautiful green space curves along the riverfront, creating a spectacular cityscape. Columbus is an amazing city, located at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers. Due to its beauty, strong economy, and as home to Ohio State University, Columbus is creating quite a buzz – this city was ranked as one of the best places for business and careers by Forbes in 2013. It has also been noticed as an up-and-coming tech city, one of the best cities to relocate to, and a top city of the future.

As the capital of Ohio, Columbus is a government hub. Education, defense, aviation, banking, steel, technology, and health care are also part of the city’s diverse economy. It is home to the award-winning Columbus Zoo, beautiful parks, a strong indie arts scene, an energetic nightlife, sports events (Go, Buckeyes!), and plenty of theaters and museums. Here’s what you need to know about your new Columbus apartment.

Things to Do in Columbus:

As you look at apartments in Columbus, be sure to take note of your favorite places. Columbus offers a variety of attractions, museums, shops, and historic sites. Start by visiting the Columbus Zoo, considered one of the country’s best zoos. The zoo is home to more than 9,000 animals, including Colo, the oldest gorilla in human care in the world. Zookeeper and TV celebrity Jack Hanna was the director of the zoo from 1978-1993.

The zoo owns Zoombezi Bay, a water park. Jungle Jack’s Landing is an amusement park named for Jack Hanna. The amusement park offers 16 rides and attractions, while Zoombezi Bay offers a variety of water slides, the Roaring Rapids, a wave pool, water playgrounds, and an adult-only lazy river.

Founded in 1878 as the first art museum in Ohio, the beautiful Columbus Museum of Art is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum hosts a variety of art from American Early Modernism and European Modernism to Folk Art and Old Masters. The museum also hosts special exhibits and has a gift store and a café.

If you prefer living history museums, then be sure to check out Ohio Village. The village has 22 buildings, both reproductions and historic structures. The village contains a blacksmith shop, a harnessmaker’s shop, a bakery, a stable, a schoolhouse, a bank, a tavern, an inn, and the market house.

A Columbus must-do is catching a show at the beautiful Palace Theatre. This restored theater was built in 1926 by Thomas W. Lamb. Once famous for Vaudeville acts, the theater is now home to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Broadway Series, and the Jazz Arts Group.

The nearby Hoover Dam is surrounded by a large park and is Columbus’ major water source. The park is ideal for hiking, biking, fishing, and playing disc golf. Alum Creek State Park provides a 3,387-acre reservoir and more than 4,600 acres of woodlands. It is located just a few minutes from Columbus and has a dog park, a disc golf course, four boat ramps, picnic areas, hiking trails, and a swimming beach with shower house and concession stand.

If you prefer shopping, be sure to visit the historic North Market. This terrific market has been in operation since 1876 and is Columbus’ only true public market. The market features ethnic specialties, international foods, gifts, and more. On Saturdays, the market hosts the city’s oldest-operating farmers market in the outdoor plaza.

If college sports are your passion, then get ready to cheer on the Buckeyes! The OSU Buckeyes are part of the Big Ten Conference for most of its sports programs, including football. The Buckeyes football team is part of NCAA Division I, the Football Bowl Subdivision. You can cheer on the football team at Ohio Stadium, the basketball team at Jerome Schottenstein Center, the baseball team at Bill Davis Stdium, and the hockey team at OSU Ice Arena. Ohio State has produced many star athletes, including Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus, Archie Griffin, and Woody Hayes.

What to Consider When Moving to Columbus:

Long before it became a state in 1803, Columbus was an important frontier. The French Empire took control of the “Ohio Country” in the early 1700s, where it flourished in the fur trade. Due to this long history, you’ll find several historic landmarks and historic districts in Columbus. As you look for apartments in Columbus, be sure to explore some of these beautiful areas.

Olde Towne East is a historic neighborhood featuring the Victorian, Queen Anne, and Italianate styles of the 1830s.Old Oaks Historic District, east of Downtown, is the city’s first streetcar suburb in 1892. It is remarkably intact, featuring Queen Anne, Mission, and American Four-Square architecture. Not far from Old Oaks is another popular historic district, German Village. This neighborhood dates back to 1820 and is considered one of the best neighborhoods in the Midwest.

Columbus has a strong economy spread across a diverse economic base. State and local government, textiles manufacturers, and producers of consumer goods all flourish here. And as home to the top-ranking Ohio State University, many businesses are drawn to Columbus for the educated workforce and research opportunities.

Why Columbus Apartments Are Hot:

Columbus is award-winning for good reason! This terrific city offers a strong economy, beautiful neighborhoods, a variety of businesses, and a beautiful landscape. Columbus is considered one of the nation’s most literate cities, one of the best-educated, and one of the best big cities to live in. Ohio State University is a huge draw – this top university is considered a “Public Ivy” and is a land-, sea-, and space-grant university. Considered a “city of the future,” the time to start your future is now! Find your new apartment to rent in Columbus and start enjoying this terrific city.