DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS APARTMENT GUIDE: PART 1
I’ve been touring downtown Columbus apartments so you don’t have to. Here’s my honest breakdown of a few — location, vibe, price, and everything in between
All apartments in this guide are 2-bedroom units.
River & Rich
Franklinton / Scioto River · ~$1,800/mo
Artsy · Dark & Moody
Steps from the Scioto River walking trails. Franklinton is an up-and-coming area packed with shops, art galleries, and events — a hub for young creatives in Columbus.
Watch out for
Black appliances throughout. Farthest commute to Ohio State of all four apartments.
Residences at Topiary Park
Downtown — near Main Library · ~$2,200/mo
Professional · Polished
The most square footage of the four, with double vanities in the primary bathroom and a full-size washer and dryer in a dedicated laundry room. The location is a major plus, right next to Topiary Park and the Columbus Main Library.
Another standout is the smaller community feel, with just 92 units total. Several residents have lived here for years, which can be a good sign since lower turnover often points to residents being happy with the property.
Watch out for
Low turnover also means limited availability. This would have made my shortlist, but there were no units available for my move-in date.
Highpoint on Columbus Commons
Downtown — High Street · ~$1,900/mo
Location Win
Overlooks Columbus Commons where major city events happen all year. Right on High Street — the closest commute to Ohio State of all four apartments.
Watch out for
No secured package delivery — packages left unsecured in hallways. Basic amenities. The building is starting to show its age.
Library Park
Downtown Columbus · ~$1,900/mo
Gym · High-End Finishes
Beautiful property with genuinely high-end finishes. The gym is incredible, and details like built-in closet shelving and touch LED bathroom mirrors make the apartments feel elevated in a way that’s rare at this price point. This initially made my shortlist.
Watch out for
The additional costs changed my opinion. There’s a required amenity fee to use the gym, and only Building 3 has pool access, so confirm what’s included with your specific unit before signing.
The bigger concern for me was discovering that the property uses NEP for utilities. There have been customer complaints about billing transparency and unexpectedly high utility bills. Once I factored in NEP and the additional property fees, this moved off my shortlist despite how much I liked the apartments themselves.
