Recently, as a Senior Real Estate Specialist, I noticed an article about age-friendly cities, and wondered how our city stacked up. Turns out, Columbus IS an age-friendly city!
So what should you look for in a city that is friendly, accessible, and accommodating to retirees and Seniors?
Here’s a quick list:
- Citywide age initiatives with business partnerships
- Pedestrian safety
- Good public transportation
- Accessible and welcoming libraries
- A variety of cultural opportunities
- Housing
- Socialization opportunities
While Columbus doesn’t have a citywide aging initiative, it has been working hard on becoming universally accessible. From adding sidewalks, crosswalks, and improving pedestrian safety, to our extensive CoTA bus system, Columbus is a city that is friendlier and safer for non-drivers every day.
Award winning libraries, museums, live theatrical and musical performances, Columbus is alive with arts and culture. Like the Columbus Museum of Art (free on Sundays and discounted Senior tickets), many of these institutions offer no or low-cost admission for seniors on special days or times. We also have 26 colleges and universities that welcome non-traditional learners and often offer programming attractive to older students.
Interested in learning or stretching yourself outside of traditional school? The Columbus Metropolitan Library partners with other local library systems in the suburbs to offer many programs and classes just for adults. From Computer literacy to book clubs, to tasting opportunities for wine, honey, cheeses, and more, our libraries offer something for everyone. Central Ohio also has many Senior Centers, such as Worthington’s Griswold Center, that are wonderful places to take a class, socialize, or learn about services that are available in our communities.
Many Central Ohio retailers honor the Golden Buckeye card, giving Senior discounts on all kinds of purchases. Indoor and outdoor retail areas such as North Market, Easton Town Center, and Polaris Fashion Place offer benches and seating areas, and are friendly and inclusive for all ages.
Rich in age-friendly housing options, Columbus has over 50 assisted living facilities, and offers a wide variety of Senior apartment or condo communities as well. Other services, programs, and opportunities are a phone call or mouse-click away, as the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging can tell you.
When looking for a great place to retire, or the perfect place for aging parents to enjoy their golden years, Columbus is an age-friendly city worth exploring!
