Dublin residents love their City and, they aren’t shy about letting anyone know it. In a recent National Citizen Survey, 98 percent rated Dublin as an excellent or good place to live – higher than the national benchmark. In fact, their responses were so overwhelmingly positive that, compared to 500 U.S. communities surveyed, Dublin ranked first in the country in:
- Overall appearance
- Built environment
- Economic development
- Economic health
- Employment opportunities
- Health and wellness opportunities
- Land use, planning and zoning
This is the third time Dublin has participated in the survey, which is conducted in partnership with the National Research Center and the International City/County Management Association.
Big City Amenities, Small Town Feel
“Dublin is a truly remarkable community,” says Charissa Bowditch, project manager for the National Research Center. “Almost all of the community characteristics and services offered by the City of Dublin were given positive ratings from a majority of respondents. Year after year, Dublin’s results continue to be above average, and Dublin also continues to maintain levels of service that surpass the expectations of its residents.”
Aisling Babbitt is one of those residents. The director of marketing for Dublin-based Updox lives with her young family in Muirfield Village.
“We love the walkability and the paths in the community,” Babbitt says. “The parks and the pool system – it’s just fabulous for our kids. (Dublin) very much has a small-community feel.”
Living and working in Dublin has its advantages. Babbitt says she can take her sons, Colin, 6, and Sheamus, 4, to day care and still make the trek to her office – all within 10 miles.
Babbitt also has an affinity for Dublin’s Irish culture, including the annual Dublin Irish Festival. Her family is from Ireland, and she lived in Dublin, Ireland for a brief time as a small child. Dublin, Ohio, she says, “reminds me of home.”
Staying Ahead of the Curve
In past surveys, conducted in 2009 and 2012, Dublin again earned top ratings, but the 2014 surveys brought forth positive rankings in a few new categories, including the Bridge Street District.
The latest survey shows that residents’ familiarity with the City’s plans to develop the Bridge Street District has increased from 53 percent to 76 percent, and 70 percent of Dublin residents have favorable impressions of the District. Furthermore, two out of three residents agree that plans for Bridge Street are becoming a reality at an appropriate pace.
When asked what the top four benefits of the Bridge Street District are, residents cited:
- Expanding housing, business and shopping options
- Improved access to amenities
- A vibrant community gathering place
- Economic development opportunities
Babbitt says she is particularly excited about the Bridge Street District. Updox has committed to moving its office within the District, and Babbitt says the combination of the pedestrian bridge, the opportunities for concerts and other family events will bring great benefits to all of Dublin.
“I like how (the City) is trying to stay ahead of the curve,” says Carmen Murico, a resident of Hemingway Village.
He says he looks forward to the plans for restaurants, jobs and housing options in the Bridge Street District.
“Seniors can stay right down there, like it’s urban Dublin,” says Murico.
He says he does have some concerns about traffic, but overall, he expects Bridge Street will be a boon to the City.
“It will be really great when they put the walkway in,” Murico says, referring to plans for the pedestrian bridge across the Scioto River.
Safe and Economically Sound
In the National Citizen Survey, residents identified safety and economy as priorities for Dublin over the next two years, though they still ranked these two areas highly.
Babbitt says she believes Dublin is a very safe community. “Our neighbors just all very much look out for each other,” she says.
Murico, who moved his family to Dublin from Texas in 1994, says he has “always felt safe here.”
A Cleveland native, he says Dublin offered a chance to be closer to home.
“It’s been the best move ever,” he says.
Dublin also ranked high in the survey as a place to raise children. Dublin resident and Realtor Lyn Charobee can attest to that. She and her husband raised their sons here and attribute part of their success to the education they received from Dublin City Schools.
“It’s a wonderful place to raise a family,” she says.
It’s All About the People
A resident since 1978, Charobee says her clients often are attracted to Dublin by the schools and word of mouth.
“I get excited when people say they want Dublin, because I love the city and I love the people here,” she says.
Charobee finds herself working with many generations from the same family. The original buyer’s parents decide to buy in Dublin to be closer to their grandchildren, and when those grandchildren grow up, they buy their own homes.
“It’s a vibrant city with safe neighborhoods and community events. It’s a well-rounded city,” Charobee says.
While the responses to the National Citizen Survey from 780 randomly selected residents reflect the tangible aspects of living in Dublin, both Babbitt and Charobee cited some of the intangible benefits.
“My neighbors are kind of extra grandparents for my kids,” Babbitt says, which is particularly comforting to her since her own family is back in Ireland.
“I just think the people here are so friendly,” Charobee says.
Babbitt agrees.
“What keeps us here is the people,” Babbitt says.
Nancy Richison is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
