Moving to Columbus? Start Here.

Maybe it's a new job at Honda, a transfer to New Albany, or you just want to be closer to family. Either way, you're trying to pick a neighborhood in a city you may have only seen on a map.

I've helped buyers relocate to Central Ohio for more than a decade, many of them buying before they ever lived here. This page covers where the jobs are, how the suburbs compare, and how buying from out of town actually works.

Where the jobs are

Your work location is a good place to start when choosing an area. Plenty of people work downtown, around Ohio State, elsewhere in the region or from home, and each of those leads to a different shortlist. Two employment corridors are worth understanding, though: Route 33 toward Marysville and Route 161 toward New Albany.

Northwest, along Route 33. Honda has built cars in Marysville since the 1980s. In November 2026 it announced a $3 billion plant planned between its Marysville and East Liberty plants, with more than 2,000 new jobs and production expected in 2029, pending final government approvals. Amazon Web Services is investing $1 billion in a Marysville data center campus expected to begin operations by 2027.

Northeast, along Route 161. The New Albany business park is home to major tech and life science employers. Amgen is expanding there and expects to add 350 jobs, with construction expected to finish in 2027. Intel's chip plant in Licking County is still under construction, with its first fab now scheduled for 2030 to 2031.

Working somewhere else, or from home? My Central Ohio Neighborhoods guide compares the suburbs side by side.

Employer details last reviewed November 2026.

Northwest: the Route 33 corridor

Route 33 runs from Dublin out to Marysville, and plenty of people live along it and drive to Honda or the newer campuses near Marysville. This is my home turf. I live and work in Dublin.

  • Dublin. Established neighborhoods, Bridge Park and the historic district, and a wide range of homes from condos to estates. Prices vary a lot by part of town, and not every Dublin address is in Dublin City Schools, so check the district for each home. See my Dublin neighborhood guide.

  • Jerome Village. A large planned community just northwest of Dublin, in Jerome Township, Union County, with active new construction from several builders. It has a Plain City mailing address. Much of Jerome Village is in Dublin City Schools, while some homes are in Fairbanks Local Schools. Verify the district for each property. See my new construction finder.

  • Hilliard. South of Dublin, with older established neighborhoods, newer subdivisions and an easy drive to I-270. See my Hilliard neighborhood guide.

  • Plain City. A small-town downtown with newer subdivisions growing around it, west of Dublin.

  • Marysville. Closest to Honda and the new data center campus. More room and newer homes, about 30 miles from downtown Columbus.

US 33 connects Dublin with Honda's operations northwest of Marysville. Check the drive from the specific home to your actual worksite at your shift time before choosing an area.

Northeast: New Albany and nearby

The New Albany business park sits off Route 161, with Intel's site just east in Licking County. People who work out here live in a handful of nearby suburbs.

  • New Albany. A planned community known for its Georgian-style architecture, white fences and a walkable village center. Higher price points, especially near the country club.

  • Johnstown. A small town east of New Albany that's growing quickly, with new subdivisions going up close to the Intel site.

  • Westerville. An established suburb north of the area with an uptown district, older neighborhoods and newer construction on its edges.

  • Gahanna. Close to the airport and I-270, with a mix of established neighborhoods and easy access to both downtown and New Albany.

Intel's timeline has moved several times, so I wouldn't plan a purchase around it. The employers already open in New Albany are the bigger story today.

Choosing an area

Once you know which side of town you'll work on, a few practical things usually decide the rest:

  1. The commute. Map it at the time you'd actually drive. I-270, Route 33 and Route 161 all back up at rush hour.

  2. The school district. In Central Ohio, the city name on an address doesn't always match the school district. A Dublin mailing address can be in Hilliard or Columbus schools. Check every home's district before you fall for it. Ohio's school report cards are at reportcard.education.ohio.gov.

  3. Budget and home style. Some areas are mostly established neighborhoods, others are mostly new construction. My market report covers current regional market conditions.

  4. Taxes. Property taxes vary by district and can change your monthly payment more than people expect. Some school districts also charge a separate income tax, so check the specific address with Ohio's school district finder when comparing areas. I'll pull the property tax numbers for any home you're serious about.

For a side-by-side look, start with my Central Ohio Neighborhoods guide, then dig into the city guides for Dublin, Hilliard and Powell.

Buying from out of town

You don't have to live here to buy here. Plenty of my buyers have bought before they moved, some after one trip and some without a trip at all.

Here's how it usually goes:

  1. Start with a call. We talk about where you'll be working, your budget, timing and must-haves, and I set up a search that sends you new listings as they hit the market.

  2. Review and sign a buyer agreement. Before we tour homes together, including by live video, we'll go over the services I provide, the agreement's length and how compensation works. The terms are negotiable, and you can sign electronically.

  3. Get pre-approved early. Sellers here expect it, and it tells you your real budget before you fall for something.

  4. Tour on video or in person. I can walk homes live on FaceTime or video and point out things photos don't show, like road noise, the view out back or visible wear. A video walkthrough isn't an inspection, though. Many buyers do a first round by video, then fly in for a weekend to see the finalists.

  5. Offer, inspection and appraisal. These can all happen while you're out of state. A licensed home inspector does the inspection, and I'll attend and send you photos and notes. Once the report is in, I'll walk through it with you.

  6. Confirm closing arrangements early. Depending on your loan and title company, you may be able to sign through remote online notarization or a mail-away closing. We'll confirm the options before you make travel plans.

  7. Final walkthrough and keys. We'll schedule the final walkthrough, by video if you can't be here, and set up possession and key handoff around your move date.

One major risk for out-of-town buyers is buying the wrong location. A house can look perfect online and sit next to a busy road or a noisy stretch of highway. That's something I can see in person and you can't from a listing.

If your employer is helping with the move

Relocation packages vary a lot. Before you start shopping, it's worth getting answers to these:

  • Is it a lump sum or a managed package? A lump sum is yours to spend as you see fit. A managed package pays certain costs directly and often comes with rules.

  • Does it cover selling your current home? Some packages include help with selling, a guaranteed buyout, or closing costs on the sale.

  • Does it cover temporary housing? Useful if your start date comes before your closing date.

  • Are there rules about which agent or lender you use? Some relocation companies have preferred lists or require you to register with them first. Ask before you sign anything with anyone, me included, so you don't lose a benefit.

  • What are the deadlines? Many benefits expire if you don't buy within a set window.

Send me your package summary and I'll help you plan around it.

FAQ

Can I buy a home in Columbus without visiting first?
Yes. Many buyers tour by live video and see the finalists in person later. Some never visit before closing. It depends on your comfort level.

How far is Dublin from Honda?
US 33 connects Dublin with Honda's operations northwest of Marysville. Honda has more than one worksite, so check the drive from the specific home to your actual worksite at your shift time.

Should I wait for Intel before buying near New Albany?
I wouldn't plan around it. Intel's first fab is now scheduled for 2030 to 2031, and the date has moved before. Buy for the job you have and the area you like.

Can I close on a house before I move?
Often, yes. Ohio allows remote online notarization, and many title companies offer mail-away closings. Whether your purchase can close remotely depends on both your lender and the title company, so we'll confirm the options early.

Do you help with new construction too?
Yes. If you're looking at a builder, read what to do before your first model visit before you tour.

Start here

Tell me where you'll be working and when you need to move, and I'll set up a search for the areas that make sense. Call or text me at 614-602-1090.