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Bexley is a small, close-knit city of roughly 14,000 residents situated just east of Columbus, Ohio, along East Main Street. An independent municipality within Franklin County, Bexley functions like a college town inside a well-kept suburb, anchored by Capital University's campus running through its central corridor. Tree-lined streets, a walkable commercial strip, and well-maintained parks give Bexley a distinct identity within the Columbus metro. The city is known for its locally owned restaurants and shops, strong community culture, and easy access to everything Columbus offers. Renters here tend to be Capital students, young professionals, and families drawn by the mix of urban access and suburban calm.
The stretch of East Main Street running through the heart of Bexley is the neighborhood's commercial and social center. It offers walkable access to local restaurants, independent shops, a pharmacy, and coffee spots within a few blocks. Apartments near this corridor are highly sought after by Capital students for their convenience, and rents reflect that demand. Living here means you can walk to campus, grab groceries, and meet up with classmates without ever needing a car.
The residential streets south of Main Street, particularly around Roosevelt Avenue, offer quieter living with larger lots and older craftsman-style homes. Many properties here are owner-occupied, but a steady supply of rental houses and duplexes comes to market each year. Rents in this pocket tend to be slightly more affordable than the Main Street corridor while remaining within a 15-minute walk of Capital. The streets are tree-lined and well-lit, making it a comfortable area to walk at night.
Eastmoor sits just west of Bexley proper and extends Capital students' rental options into a slightly more affordable zone. The neighborhood has a residential character with a mix of ranch homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings. Eastmoor is a short drive or 20-minute bike ride to campus, and it offers easy access to Broad Street for reaching other parts of Columbus. Students who prioritize space and lower rent over walkability to campus often end up here.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Bexley.
Bexley is served by the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), with several bus routes connecting the suburb to downtown Columbus and the broader metro area. The 8 Bexley and 11 Main Street routes run along Main Street and provide direct service into Columbus. Travel times to downtown Columbus by bus typically run 20 to 35 minutes depending on time of day. Students without cars who need to access Columbus State, Ohio State, or employment downtown rely primarily on these COTA routes.
Bexley is one of the most walkable small suburbs in the Columbus metro, with a compact commercial core along East Main Street that is easily navigated on foot. The neighborhood has a well-maintained sidewalk network and several designated bike lanes connecting to the larger Columbus trail system. The Alum Creek Trail passes near the eastern edge of Bexley and offers off-road cycling toward Gahanna and downtown Columbus. Students who live within a half mile of campus can comfortably walk or bike to Capital University for most of the academic year.
Parking in Bexley is generally straightforward, with most residential streets and apartment complexes offering free or low-cost parking. Street parking near the Main Street commercial corridor can be limited during evenings and weekend events, but residential areas typically have ample availability. Students living in houses or duplexes in Bexley and Eastmoor almost always have driveway or off-street parking included in rent. Columbus parking overall is far more manageable than in dense urban cities, and owning a car remains the most practical option for reaching destinations beyond Bexley.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
One-bedroom apartments in Bexley typically rent for $900 to $1,300 per month, with prices varying based on proximity to Capital University and the condition of the unit. Students sharing a two-bedroom house or duplex can often reduce individual costs to $700 to $900 per person. Rents in the adjacent Eastmoor neighborhood tend to run slightly lower for comparable space.
Browse student housing near each Bexley-area university.