Local buyers keep asking me, “What does seven-figure money actually buy in Central Ohio today?” Quick tour: think newer builds in Dublin with serious outdoor living, classic brick in Upper Arlington near parks and cafés, club-amenity living in New Albany, and design-forward neighborhoods like Evans Farm—plus surprising estate lots in Powell, Westerville, Lewis Center, and Delaware. Here’s how the million-to-million-five band really plays out.

1. Dublin: Newer Builds, Big Kitchens, and “Weekend-Ready” Backyards

   Expect modern floor plans (10’ ceilings, scullery/pantry kitchens, oversized islands), first-floor suites, and covered outdoor rooms you’ll actually use. In neighborhoods around Jerome Village and Tartan West, the $1M–$1.5M range delivers high-end appliance packages, glam primary baths, and 3-car+ garages—without sacrificing commute times or Dublin’s top-tier schools.

2. Upper Arlington: Architectural Character + Walkability

   UA is where charm meets convenience. Your dollars buy brick traditionals, updated colonials, and smartly reworked mid-century homes near parks, Swim Club, Lane Avenue, and Kingsdale. Renovation quality is the swing factor: premium listings blend preserved millwork with new-age mechanicals, designer kitchens, and seamless additions that feel original—all inside a 5–10 minute daily radius.

3. New Albany: Country Club Chic, Quiet Streets, Polished Amenities

   In and around the club communities, you’re paying for cohesion—handsome streetscapes, trails, pocket parks, and that “everything just fits” feel. Expect refined trim carpentry, honest-to-goodness home offices, and sunrooms that earn their square footage. The value kicker: consistent curb appeal that sustains resale.

4. Westerville, Lewis Center & Evans Farm: Design-Forward, Community-Centric Living

   Evans Farm (in the Olentangy Schools area near Lewis Center) is Central Ohio’s poster child for front-porch living with modern interiors—tall windows, custom built-ins, and indoor-outdoor flow. In Westerville, look for wooded backdrops, cul-de-sacs, and upgraded ranch plans with finished lower levels. This is where $1M+ buys space, style, and everyday ease—without giving up access to uptown dining, Hoover trails, or quick hops to Polaris.

5. Powell & Delaware: Space, Privacy, and “Have-Everyone-Over” Layouts

   If your must-have list includes a legit home gym, media room, or sports-ready yard, Powell and Delaware deliver. Think acre-ish lots, 3–4 car garages, finished basements with 9’ ceilings, and outdoor kitchens you’ll actually cook on. Olentangy Schools, handy golf options, and a straight shot to Bridge Park or Downtown Delaware round it out.

Bottom line: at $1M–$1.5M in Columbus, you’re buying more than bed/bath counts—you’re buying lifestyle: walkability in Upper Arlington, club polish in New Albany, modern-new in Dublin, community vibe in Evans Farm/Lewis Center, wooded calm in Westerville, and room to breathe in Powell and Delaware. Want the right fit without overpaying? That’s where I come in—strategy on comps, build quality, inspection risk, and negotiation sequencing so you win the house and the numbers.

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