Living in Westerville, Ohio

Westerville is one of the larger and most beloved suburbs north of Columbus. Its huge selling feature is the wide geographic area, so locals get large lots in newer subdivisions near Polaris and Alum Creek, and a historic town center that gives the community a social and cultural gathering space. Because of its sheer size, Westerville attracts a broad range of residents. Still, it’s especially popular with young families who want strong schools surrounded by parks, and a traditional suburban feel with easy access to a fun city center.

Westerville feels more residential and spread out than Worthington, and less polished than Dublin. For many movers, that balance is exactly the appeal.

Life in Westerville looks different depending on where you live, but most days follow a familiar rhythm. In the morning, people grab coffee in Uptown, drop kids at school, or head toward Polaris, Downtown Columbus, or OSU for work. Parents walk dogs(there are lots of them) through their neighborhoods or squeeze in a loop on the Alum Creek Trail before the day gets busy

On Saturdays, Uptown picks up steam. There’s more foot traffic, and locals will grab a coffee at Java Central and walk and browse the boutique shops or hang out and chat. Most of the local shops are on State Street, the main commercial strip. This is also where the primary annual events, festivals, and arts and crafts fairs take place.

Outside of Uptown, most evenings in Westerville are spent close to home. Parents pick kids up from practices at school fields or city parks, then head back to their neighborhoods for dinner. After that, people walk dogs or just walk, taking short loops through their subdivisions. Many locals spend weekends at Hoover Reservoir, walking trails near Alum Creek, or driving a few minutes to Polaris for shopping and movies. Westerville has excellent restaurant choices, but most people head to Short North or Dublin or Columbus when they want a later night.

Check out the Westerville calendar of events to get a closer view of what locals do for fun.

Westerville benefits from proximity to several major employment corridors:
- Polaris corporate and retail district
- Downtown Columbus
- Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center
- Easton and Northeast Columbus business parks
Many locals work in healthcare, education, insurance, logistics, and professional services. Westerville also attracts remote and hybrid workers and COhatch is a popular coworking space for locals. While there are some employers within city limits, most residents commute to nearby job centers rather than working directly in the city.