Thinking about planting roots in Central Ohio? I help families zoom in on the right suburb—fast. Here’s how I break it down for clients comparing Columbus, Powell, Dublin, Westerville, Worthington, Lewis Center, and Delaware in 2026.

1) Schools: start with the district, not the ZIP

Dublin City Schools, Olentangy (think Powell/Lewis Center), Worthington, Westerville, and Delaware City Schools each offer different campus footprints, programming, and extracurricular depth. Before you fall for a kitchen, I map the exact school boundaries for your target streets and show how they align with your commute and lifestyle so you’re not “buying the wrong side of the line.”

2) Commute & connectivity: minutes matter

Powell and Lewis Center hug Polaris Pkwy and SR-315 for easy hops to OSU and Downtown. Dublin leverages US-33 and the 270 loop; Westerville ties into 161/270; Worthington gives quick access to 23/315; Delaware offers a straighter shot up 23 with growing job centers. I’ll pressure-test your weekday flow (morning drop-off + evening pickup) against real routes, not wishful thinking.

3) Home style & lot vibe: choose your daily life

Dublin and Worthington shine for mature trees and established streets; Westerville mixes classic neighborhoods with newer pockets; Powell/Lewis Center skew newer with larger open-plan builds; Delaware blends historic charm near Downtown with master-planned communities north and west. We’ll sort “must-haves” (first-floor owner’s suite, fenced yard, cul-de-sac, finished lower level) from “nice-to-haves” to keep the search efficient.

4) Amenities that actually get used

Bridge Park in Dublin, Uptown Westerville, Old Worthington, Polaris (Lewis Center), and Downtown Delaware all deliver walkable dining, coffee, parks, and events. Trails? Westerville and Dublin are robust; Powell links into the Olentangy and local park system. I’ll overlay your weekend routine—sports fields, swim clubs, dog parks—so you’re ten minutes from the things you’ll hit three times a week.

5) New construction vs. established: know the trade-offs

Want fresh, turnkey, and energy-efficient? Powell/Lewis Center (Olentangy) and Delaware have strong new-build options, including lifestyle communities like Evans Farm. Prefer instant character and canopy streets? Target Worthington and core Westerville/Dublin. I’ll show you the true monthly picture (taxes, HOA, utilities) and the upgrade paths that maximize resale.

Bottom line: the “best suburb” is the one that fits your school plan, commute, and weekend life—not a listicle. I’ll get you there with precision.

Thinking about Columbus, Powell, Dublin, Westerville, Worthington, Lewis Center, or Delaware? Let’s dial in your top three neighborhoods and tour.

[Contact Patrick Murphy, REALTOR® — Columbus, Powell & Dublin Expert]