Holt-Alkire - Columbus, OH

The Holt-Alkire neighborhood has expanded over the years, covering what was once empty farmland. Most of the houses were constructed between 1970 and 1999, though some newew houses and buildings have been added since then, including Central Crossing High School and the large academic complex surrounding it. Some green space remains in the area, leaving room for possible future expansion.

Residents head to Grove City for cultural activities. The Little Theatre Off Broadway hosts live productions several times a year. The city sponsors numerous activities in the downtown area, including live music in the town square during the summer months and Arts in the Alley in September.

The Holt-Alkire neighborhood has no restaurants within its borders, so residents take a seven minute drive to the western end of Holt Road and along Georgesville Road for the usual selection of fast food and sit-down chain restaurants. Talita's Mexican Kitchen near downtown Grove City has been a fixture and local favorite for decades. The owner, Frank, serves dishes made from his mother's recipes. The eatery specializes in true Tex-Mex favorites, such as burritos, tacos and enchiladas. Stop by on Thursday evenings to enjoy live entertainment while you eat. Locals go to Tristano's Pizzeria on Columbus Street to hang out and eat homemade Chicago-style pizza. Tristano's not only has pizzas on the menu, but it is also the place to go for other homemade Italian favorites. Try one of the calzones, a plate of ricotta ravioli, or a Chicago-style roast beef sandwich. If you want to grab a beer at a bar with great prices and good ambiance, stop by Parkers Tavern on Broadway. For a different type of late night entertainment, locals go to the Hollywood Casino on Georgesville Road. The casino offers an array of gambling fun, including more than 2,200 slot machines and 36 poker tables. In addition to gambling, patrons can eat at any of the four venues at the casino. Final Cut Steak & Seafood serves up high-end steaks and seafood, and an upscale buffet foods await at Epic Buffet. Purchase a meal to go from Take 2 Grill, or enjoy casual food and drinks at the o.h. Lounge.

The streets within the housing developments in the Holt-Alkire neighborhood tend to be pedestrian-friendly and have plenty of sidewalks, but no sidewalks exist along the majority of roads surrounding the neighborhood. Holt, Alkire and Demorest have a heavy traffic flow, making it difficult to walk to nearby attractions. Sidewalks line the sides of Big Run South Road at the east edge of the neighborhood. The neighborhood has no bike lanes, so cyclers must use caution when riding on the road.

No COTA buses pass through the Holt-Alkire neighborhood, but the No. 3 bus makes a stop at the Georgesville Square shopping center, allowing residents to park their cars and catch a ride. The No. 3 bus connects with other buses around the Columbus area. Residents can also call a cab. The Uber car service, which can be accessed with a smart phone, provides another option for transportation.

Drivers have easy access to the 270 Outerbelt, which makes a loop around the greater Columbus metropolitan area. Public parking can be found in the lots around the school complex at the corner of Holt and Big Run South roads. Residents can park their cars on side streets in the neighborhood.

No community parks exist in the Holt-Alkire neighborhood, but residents live close to Big Run Park, one of Columbus's largest city parks. Locals go there to ride bikes, walk, play games and enjoy being outside in the almost 250 acres filled with woods, a nature preserve, wildlife areas, a shelter house, playgrounds and picnic facilities. Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on leashes at all times.

The Columbus Soap Box Derby Association holds their annual Soap Box Derby in June on Derby Hill in Big Run Park. The wooded setting and resurfaced track make it an ideal place for the sport.

The overall cost of living stands about 3 percent higher in the Holt-Alkire neighborhood than in Columbus. While costs for groceries and transportation remain about the same for each, housing costs are about 11 percent more in Holt-Alkire than in Columbus. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs about $650 per month.

A one-day COTA bus pass costs $4. You can purchase a one-month pass for $62. Gas prices generally run about 3 percent below the national average in Holt-Alkire. A pint of beer costs about $5.50 in local restaurants and pubs.

Residents go out of the neighborhood and west on Holt Road to Georgesville Square to shop for groceries at Kroger or to buy household items at Lowe's. Residents also go to Walmart on Georgesville Road for grocery and household items. Fresh produce and other locally made items can be purchased at the farmers market in downtown Grove City during the summer months.

Although Columbus houses plenty of boutiques, boutique shoppers need go no further than downtown Grove City for unique finds. Country Hearth Primitive sells an ever-changing selection of antiques from several vendors. You can look through shelves of lamps, knickknacks and much more.

Recycled and upcycled furniture and household décor can be found at the Unforgotten Piece. If they don't have what you want in stock, you can place a custom order.

Downtown Grove City houses two art galleries. Locals go to the Sommer House Gallery for custom framing, but the gallery also sells artwork - mostly paintings and sketches - by local artists. Dreaming Tree Galleries also sells local artwork, and the collections on display feature photographs and sculptures as well as drawings and paintings.