Small Town -- Big Lake -- Great People. Celina, Ohio sits on the westside of Grand Lake Saint Marys and received its moniker from the New York city of Salina after the founder noted the similarities of the two cities.
Celina holds the county seat of Mercer and is the largest city in the county with a population of just over 10,400 people
Small Town -- Big Lake -- Great People. Celina, Ohio sits on the westside of Grand Lake Saint Marys and received its moniker from the New York city of Salina after the founder noted the similarities of the two cities.
Celina holds the county seat of Mercer and is the largest city in the county with a population of just over 10,400 people. It is known as one of the 100 best small towns in the country and is nestled alongside Grand Lake Saint Marys. Celina has a centralized location with Toledo just under two hours to the north and Columbus just under two hours to the southeast.
Celina is a popular location, and finding a home for rent can take some time. You need to plan ahead as soon as possible in order to find housing available in the city. There are premier apartments that offer the best sites located by the lake that give you a front row picture of the town.
Prices vary depending on location within the city, but the closer you are to the lake, the higher the price of rent, especially for premier apartments. Most lakefront property is owned and a rental is usually available more for vacation use rather than a home for rent.
Due to the popularity of the city and the tight housing it is important to start looking for a place to rent at least three months in advance. The more time you have to plan to move to the area, the easier it is to move there.
If you happen to move in the winter your chances of finding an apartment for rent is better than during the warmer months. The outdoor environment of the lake makes the area similar to a seaside town and has a seasonal vacation market.
Celina is a small city with a quaint downtown that has a variety of looks resembling some of the most famous areas in the country. The courthouse looks like a New England lighthouse, the store fronts resemble Bourbon Street in New Orleans and some of the houses resemble Painted Ladies in San Francisco. The atmosphere of the lake area cuts the city into two distinct areas. The variation of the neighborhoods includes the downtown or lakefront area and the neighborhood of Chattanooga, which is farther out and more rural.
Chattanooga: This area is mainly rural and expands out in a neighborhood that is made up of homes and apartments for rent. Many of the rentals in the area are located inside of rental communities or houses. Chattanooga encompasses all of the rural area and most of Celina except for the lakefront area.
Lakefront / Downtown: The downtown area of Celina has its own area that houses the courthouse and local businesses. The lakefront area is made up of mainly homeowners and vacation rentals. Downtown Celina is buzzing with local shops that offer a options for shopping, eating and relaxing. You can grab a quick cup of Joe at Java Nation, pop in for a hair trim at Identity Hair Salon or find the perfect bouquet at the Venetian Gardens. Other local eateries include Big Bamboo's Dockside Grille that offers a Caribbean feel that overlooks the lake. There is live music with open dining that gives you a feel similar to any ocean front restaurant. Menu options include spirits, wines and beers along with a selection of seafood and steaks.
Celina has a quaint feeling of a waterfront town with plenty to keep your outside interests entertained. You can rent a space at the boat docks and spend your warm weather out on the lake.
July is a busy month of festivities in Celina. The city has the annual Freedom Days Picnic in honor of Fourth of July, and at the end of the month there is an annual Celina Lake Festival where you can experience the largest Amphicar exhibition and gathering in the world.
Celina is also home to the Mercer County Fairgrounds that hosts an annual county fair that offers a variety of food, rides, games, arts, livestock and a demolition derby.
For year-round living there is plenty of restaurants, many of which are local to the area and have a rich supply of seafood dishes. There are three elementary schools, which are unique because they break the elementary schools into sections for different grade levels. Then there is a separate middle and high school. The beautiful town has a charming appeal and enjoys a different atmosphere during each of the four seasons throughout the year.
