Any Columbus folks got Gold IRA custodian recommendations? Feeling a bit lost!

• •Okay, so I'm just starting on my whole Gold IRA journey and honestly, it's a lot to take in!
• •I finally decided to bite the bullet and diversify a bit, especially with all the craziness these days.
• •I've only got about $20k in there right now, just moved it over from an old 403b, which felt like a victory in itself.

Okay, so I'm just starting on my whole Gold IRA journey and honestly, it's a lot to take in! I finally decided to bite the bullet and diversify a bit, especially with all the craziness these days. I've only got about $20k in there right now, just moved it over from an old 403b, which felt like a victory in itself. My wife thinks I'm going a little overboard, but hey, you gotta plan for retirement, right?

I'm a teacher here in Columbus, and between work and frankly, just trying to figure out what I'm doing, I really need a custodian that's, like, actually helpful. I've been doing some research, reading reviews, and my head is spinning. There are so many companies out there, all claiming to be the best. I've seen some names pop up a lot, like Equity Trust, but then I also see some nightmare stories about fees or horrible customer service. I'm really trying to avoid any nasty surprises down the road, especially since this is my first real dive into precious metals.

So, for anyone else in the Gold IRA game, especially if you're in Ohio or even better, Columbus – who are you using? Have you had good experiences with any particular custodians? What kind of fees should I be looking out for, and are there any red flags I should absolutely avoid? I'm specifically looking at silver coins for now, that's what felt like the most accessible entry point for me. Any advice for a newbie would be totally appreciated!