Bexley's claim to fame lies in the surprising number of notable residents who have called this suburban city home. Some of the more prominent past and current residents of Bexley include How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor, children's author R. L. Stine, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries, and Tumblr lead developer Marco Arment.
Bexley is a small suburb of Columbus, Ohio. It exists as an enclave of the city -- that is, it is entirely surrounded by the city of Columbus, rather than being situated outside of the city. Although Bexley covers just 2.45 square miles of land, it is home to 13,057 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The suburb is primarily residential; however, a commercial section exists along Main Street.
Moving to Bexley
Occupant-owned real estate accounts for the majority of the housing units in Bexley. Still, it is possible to find apartments for rent, although you might be on a wait list for six months or longer. Typical apartments range from about 700 to 1,000 square feet in size; however, you can also find apartments and 3 bedroom houses for rent that are considerably larger. As with owned real estate, rental properties in Bexley are substantially more expensive than the national median and the average rental unit cost in the Columbus metropolitan area.
Although the suburb is contained within an urban area, you won't find any hi rise apartments in Bexley -- most apartment complexes are two or three stories. The few hi rise complexes available in Columbus are located northwest of the downtown area near Grandview Heights.
Living Unit Sizes
Bexley is divided into three areas, each of which has a distinctly different feel. Central Bexley, which is primarily located between Broad and Main Streets, is a mixture of business and residential structures. Owner-occupied homes in this area range between 2,000 and 4,500 square feet in size; however, there are also several apartment complexes.
North Bexley: The North side of Bexley, which is located north of Broad Street, is known for its impressive mansions. In Bullitt Park, you will find numerous houses that are 5,000 square feet or larger.
South Bexley: If you are looking for a smaller apartment or home for rent, South Bexley might be an appropriate choice. This area of the suburb contains several apartment complexes, as well as owner-occupied and rental homes ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 square feet in size.
Points of Interest
Drexel Theater on Main Street is a Bexley icon and is well known throughout the Columbus metropolitan area. This 1930s theater certainly isn't the biggest movie theater in Columbus; however, if you are into independent films, this quirky facility is the place to be. Currently, the Drexel Theater s managed by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.
Franklin Park Conservatory, located on the western edge of Bexley on Broad Street, is a sprawling botanical garden that will leave you shaking your head at your own landscaping skills. It features a Japanese Zen garden and acres of meticulously manicured flora and fauna. During the summer months, the conservatory hosts Blooms and Butterflies, an indoor exhibit where you can see more than 50 species of butterflies in a tropical setting. Amid the trees and flowers, you'll find an impressive collection of colorful, amorphous blown glass works by artist Dale Chihuly.
Rubino's Pizzeria is another iconic fixture of Bexley. While Columbus has more than its share of chain pizza shops, Rubino's takes an old-school approach to creating flavorful, hand-made pies. This restaurant, opened in the 1950s on Main Street, only accepts cash and checks for payment. If you prefer hand-tossed, thin-crust pizza loaded with fresh toppings, as many of the locals do, you'll be pleased to have this no-nonsense restaurant nearby.