Neighborhoods

Central

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:03:00 GMT

Central Cincinnati is ever evolving, with new developments such as mixed-use center The Banks and the impressive Great American Tower. While the area features the modern conveniences and trendy restaurants and shops of an urban center, it continues to maintain its tight-knit, Midwest appeal. The area expands beyond downtown to the neighborhoods that surround the city center, including stylized niches such as Northside, Hyde Park, and the hilltop community of Mt. Adams, and more traditional communities such as Norwood, Deer Park, and Oakley. With a mix of new attractions and longstanding traditions, the Central region keeps its residents continually exploring the area they call home.

Where to Live

Downtown (ALP $363,033, downtowncincinnati.com) has recently experienced an upswing in new residents who want to take advantage of the conveniences of metropolitan living. Residents have long loved the established neighborhoods of Lytle Park, Piatt Park and the wonderfully renovated buildings of St. Xavier Park, but ongoing housing projects such as Current at The Banks in the Riverfront area and the up-and-coming Gateway Quarter in Over-the-Rhine offer exciting opportunities at a variety of price points.

Just north of downtown is the aptly named Uptown (uptowncincinnati.com), an economically and culturally diverse area which encompasses the neighborhoods of Clifton (ALP $248,430), Avondale (ALP $132,127), Corryville (ALP $187,390), University Heights (ALP $192,993), and Mt. Auburn (ALP $135,374). Several of Cincinnati’s largest employers are located in the Uptown area, including the world-renowned Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University of Cincinnati. Nearby, the historical community of East Walnut Hills (ALP $260,026, eastwalnuthills.com) features beautiful mansions on large manicured lots.

Mt. Adams (ALP $609,093, mtadams today.com) is known for its steep inclines and stunning views of downtown and the Ohio River. The neighborhood draws visitors to its popular bars, trendy restaurants and annual events, but the high cost of real estate makes Mt. Adams living best suited for renters or established professionals. Mt. Adams is home to Bow Tie Café, a restaurant created by Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones.

Young couples and families have taken over the eclectic neighborhood of Northside (ALP $87,781, northside.net), an area known for a cultural scene that keeps its restaurants, bars, and shops bustling. Favorite spots are Shake It Records and The Comet. The area features many affordable housing options for prospective residents.

To the north and east of downtown, the communities of Oakley (ALP $270,757, oakleynow.com), Norwood (ALP $117,220, norwood-ohio.com), Pleasant Ridge (ALP $139,940, pleasantridge.org), and Deer Park (ALP $171,817, deerparkohio.org) are close to major highways and feature affordable family homes, while the more exclusive neighborhoods of Amberley Village (ALP $281,325, amberleyvillage.org) and Hyde Park (ALP $347,466) are known for their deluxe family estates.

Average listing prices are as of March 23, 2011. Prices change regularly.

Photograph courtesy of Music Hall, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Second Sunday on Main, Cincinnati Parks Board. Building photographs by Ryan Kurtz.

East

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:20:00 GMT

The east end is home to some of Greater Cincinnati’s most popular warm-weather hangouts. Favorite spots include Riverbend Music Center, an outdoor concert venue featuring shows from big-name bands and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Coney Island, an old-fashioned amusement park with the world’s largest recirculating swimming pool; River Downs, which features high-stakes thoroughbred horseracing; and the Starlite Drive-In, where double features begin at twilight every night of the summer. No matter what the season, eastsiders take pride in the area’s beautiful suburban homes, quality school districts, and wide array of family-friendly activities and attractions.

Where to Live

Anderson Township (ALP $284,740, andersontownship.org) is an up-and-coming community that is popular with young families. Just 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, Anderson attracts new residents with convenient shopping centers, large homes, and a close proximity to many major employers. Both a bit older, the nearby towns of Mount Washington (ALP $171,824, mwcc.org) and Amelia (ALP $159,900, ameliavillage.com) feature apartments and single-family homes at more modest price points.

A handful of established neighborhoods are accessible along Cincinnati’s eastern stretch of Route 50. Closest to downtown, the hillside community of Mt. Lookout (ALP $378,468, mtlookout.org) has become increasingly attractive for renting young professionals, thanks to a number of hip neighborhood bars and restaurants, including Nectar, The Stand, Dancing Wasabi, and Mt. Lookout Tavern, that stay open late into the night. On the quieter side of things, neighboring Columbia Tusculum (ALP $315,363, columbiatusculum.org) is Cincinnati’s oldest community, and features charming and beautifully restored Victorian row houses. The houses along Sachem Avenue are like a little slice of San Francisco, right here in the Queen City.

Also near Route 50, the sister communities of Fairfax (ALP $170,540, fairfaxohio.org) and Madisonville (ALP $89,390, historicmadisonville.com) both offer vintage bungalows and fixer-uppers that make great starter homes. The nearby Village of Mariemont (ALP $316,250, mariemont.org) is known for its adorable town square with the Mariemont Theatre. Mariemont is a quaint neighborhood with picture-perfect family homes. Farther east, the cities of Terrace Park (ALP $591,714, terracepark.com) and Milford (ALP $185,319, milfordohio.org) both continue to draw in new residents with their tight-knit communities and historical charm.

Along the northeast stretch of the 275 loop, the exclusive neighborhoods of Indian Hill (ALP $781,498, ci.indian-hill.oh.us), Montgomery (ALP $366,869, montgomeryohio.org), Madeira (ALP $275,244, madeiracity.com) and Blue Ash (ALP $328,834, www.blueash.com) boast acres of mature wooded areas and stunning homes on large lots. At a more accessible price point, the riverside city of Loveland (ALP $275,562, lovelandoh.com) is ideal for residents who enjoy outdoor activities like jogging and biking, as the Little Miami Scenic Trail runs right through the heart of the town.

Of course, eastern Cincinnati isn’t all suburban. Many small, rural communities are situated on the outskirts of the region, including Batavia (ALP $185,602, bataviavillage.org), Owensville (ALP $99,999, villageofowensville.org), Bethel (ALP $154,018, www.bethel-oh.gov), and New Richmond (ALP $241,254, newrichmond.org) in Clermont County (clermontcountyohio.gov), Leesburg (ALP $139,971, leesburgohio.org) and Hillsboro (ALP $114,860, hillsboroohio.net) in Highland County (highlandcountyohio.com), Wilmington (ALP $141,260, ci.wilmington.oh.us) and Blanchester (ALP $134,629, blanchester.com) in Clinton County (co.clinton.oh.us), and Georgetown (ALP $137,018, georgetownohio.us), Sardinia (ALP $126,362, sardiniavillage.com), and Mt. Orab (ALP $116,200, mtoraboh.us) in Brown County (browncountyohio.gov).

Average listing prices are as of March 23, 2011. Prices change regularly.
Coney Island photograph by Jonathan Willis, Loveland Castle photograph by Ryan Kurtz

West

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:33:00 GMT

There’s no region quite like the western region of the Queen City. Part small town, part inner city, the communities that make up Cincinnati’s west side vehemently deny, and yet proudly epitomize, the countless clichés used to describe their beloved corner of the tri-state. While this large region continues to hold on tight to its hometown fervor, it has also been steadily growing over the years, adding more west siders proud to represent the region they call home. This side of town is home to Price Hill Chili, a Cincinnati landmark, and Elder High School, where the iconic stadium, The Pit, was ranked by USA Today as one of the “10 Great Places to Watch a High School Football Game.”

Where to Live

Located on the outskirts of downtown, historic Price Hill (ALP $75,321) had been in decline during the last few decades but is slowly coming back to life with the help of some determined residents. Green construction and beautification projects—as well as the community’s striking views of the Cincinnati skyline—are attracting all sorts of new residents and businesses, with the promise of a brighter future for the unique and culturally diverse neighborhood.

Neighborhood unity is a guiding principle in Delhi Township (ALP $244,014, delhi.oh.us), the home of the College of Mount St. Joseph. Situated along the Ohio River, the nearby towns of Addyston (ALP $53,740, addystonohio.org) and Cleves (ALP $239,860, cleves.org) are working-class communities that feel worlds away from downtown.

The heart of the west side, the area commonly referred to as Western Hills (ALP $134,794) encompasses the neighboring communities of Bridgetown, Covedale, Green Township (greentwp.org), Oak Hills, and Westwood (westwoodcivic.org), the largest neighborhood in Cincinnati. Chain restaurants and retail shopping centers are modernizing the area for the sake of convenience, but activities like fish fries and high school football games help maintain a strong sense of tradition in the large community.

Home of the hugely popular WestFest street festival, Cheviot (ALP $88,606, cheviot.org) is a gathering place for west-siders from all across the region. The town’s small stretch of Harrison Avenue houses a number of old-fashioned local businesses and bars, which continue to thrive thanks to the help of the supportive community.

To the north lie the neighborhoods of White Oak (ALP $96,653), Dent (ALP $195,045), Monfort Heights (ALP $142,865), North College Hill (ALP $96,635, northcollegehill.org), and Finneytown (ALP $104,246), a small community with a number of private Catholic schools. Nearby, suburban Colerain Township (ALP $115,296, coleraintwp.org) is the largest township in Ohio, both in population and square miles, and features a variety of both older houses and large new homes.

East of the Ohio-Indiana border, the growing city of Harrison (ALP $189,022, harrisonoh.org) features pretty homes as well as a historic downtown area with cobblestone streets, gas streetlamps, and quaint shops and restaurants. Harrison residents also enjoy many parks, including the gigantic Miami Whitewater Forest.

On the other side of the state line, the counties in Southeast Indiana are peppered with rural towns as well as newer suburbs. Dearborn County (dearborncounty.org) is one such area. It is home to Perfect North Slopes, a skiing, snowboarding, and tubing destination. Set up residence in the small town of Bright (ALP $218,853, brightin.org), the casino town of Lawrenceburg (ALP $218,853, lawrenceburg-in.com), or the pretty city of Aurora (ALP $188,680, aurora.in.us).

Ohio County is making a name for itself with tourist-friendly attractions, including Grand Victoria Casino & Resort, located in the river town of Rising Sun (ALP $148,368). Touristy Franklin County (franklincounty.in.gov) features photogenic towns such as Brookville (ALP $156,230), Metamora (ALP $104,317), and Oldenburg (ALP $284,125). These towns are well-suited for homeowners who appreciate natural beauty and country charm. The historic town of Metamora is a must-see for history buffs, with horse-drawn carriage rides and canal trips.

Average listing prices are as of March 23, 2011. Prices change regularly.
Field photograph by Ryan Kurtz, house by Nathan Kirkman

North

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:43:00 GMT

With scores of employment opportunities and upscale suburban neighborhoods sprouting up all the time, this region couldn’t cater more to young families. Expansion is happening quickly in these parts, but northern Cincinnati has long been home to many of the region’s most kid-friendly attractions, including Kings Island amusement park, EnterTRAINment Junction, and the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad. Those who love scoring great finds can get their fix at the area’s many retail destinations, from Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe to home décor giant IKEA. An outdoor gem in the northern area is the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum in Hamilton.

Where to Live

Despite tough competition from neighboring counties, northern Hamilton County continues to attract residents with its established communities, lush greenery, and big-name corporate employers. Known as the Mill Creek Valley, the area encompasses the neighborhoods of Sharonville (ALP $188,683, ci.sharonville.oh.us), Wyoming (ALP $396,434, wyoming.oh.us), Woodlawn (ALP $196,349, beautifulwoodlawn.us), Carthage (ALP $64,530, carthageohio.com), and Forest Park (ALP $105,985, forestpark.org). Also in the Valley, Glendale (ALP $334,906, glendaleohio.org) is known for its quirky black squirrels—both the live versions (the critters were brought from Michigan by a local businessman in the 1940s and are now thriving in the area), as well as the dozens of celebratory statues scattered throughout the town.

To the northeast, Warren County (co.warren.oh.us) residents enjoy good schools and ease of living. Mason (ALP $321,439, imaginemason.org) is one of the fastest-growing communities in Ohio, with loads of upscale homes and shopping centers that cater to working parents. The city’s Lindner Family Tennis Center hosts the Western & Southern Open, a major tennis event. The most developed township in Warren County, Deerfield Township (ALP $321,261, deerfieldtwp.com) is known for its busy strip malls and large neighborhoods. Nearby Maineville (ALP $247,306, mainevilleoh.com) is close to all the action but offers family living at a much slower pace.

Lebanon (ALP $225,063, ci.lebanon.oh.us) is one of the many gems of the northeast region. The historic downtown area attracts residents and visitors with quaint antique shops, cute ice cream parlors, and home-style restaurants. The Golden Lamb, Ohio’s oldest establishment, has hosted a number of historical figures, including 12 U.S. Presidents, and is still serving excellent cuisine to guests from all over the region.

Along I-75, neighboring West Chester (ALP $233,934, westchesteroh.org) and Liberty Township (ALP $265,130, liberty-township.com) are two thriving Butler County (butlercountyohio.org) communities. With 60,000 residents and more than 3,000 businesses, West Chester was recently ranked as one of the top 100 “Best Places to Live” by CNN/Money Magazine. Also located in Butler County, the economically diverse city of Fairfield (ALP $192,338, fairfield-city.org) offers residents an abundance of neighborhood shopping centers, as well as homes, apartments, and condos at nearly every price point.

While still largely rural, the outskirts of Butler County are becoming suburbanized as well. Expanding areas include Ross Township (ALP $165,799, rosstwp.org) and the nearby city of Oxford (ALP $210,601, cityofoxford.org), the home of Miami University.

Far out in the countryside, residents can escape the hustle and bustle of suburbia and enjoy the scenery in quiet communities such as Waynesville (ALP $237,214, waynesvilleohio.com) or Harveysburg (ALP $62,606), the town that hosts the annual Ohio Renaissance Festival. To the west, the more diverse communities of Monroe (ALP $158,202, monroeohio.org), Hamilton (ALP $158,717, hamilton-city.org), and Middletown (ALP $105,484, www.cityofmiddletown.org) are practically equidistant from Cincinnati and Dayton and feature homes at many different price points.

Average listing prices are as of March 23, 2011. Prices change regularly.
Photographs courtesy of Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kings Island

South

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:53:00 GMT

A stone’s throw from Cincinnati with a personality all its own, Northern Kentucky is an attractive area for commuting business professionals. The eclectic neighborhoods of the region offer prospective residents real estate options at virtually every price point, as well as restaurants, shops, and attractions galore. Some of the highlights include the Newport Aquarium, where visitors can pet sharks, see two rare shark rays, or marvel at the largest jellyfish exhibit in the Midwest; the Newport Gangster Tour, which explores Newport’s connection to some of the most well-known crime figures in our country’s history; and the shops in historic Mainstrasse Village in Covington.

Where to Live

The towns directly across the river from downtown have attracted lots of business and construction projects over the last few decades. The communities of Covington (ALP $185,912, covingtonky.com), Newport (ALP $298,642, newportky.gov), Bellevue (ALP $168,021, bellevueky.org), and Dayton (ALP $134,024, daytonky.com) are pedestrian friendly and culturally and economically diverse. Houses in the area are diverse as well: Styles range from Craftsman bungalows to historic mansions and one-bedroom apartments to luxurious high-rise condos. Popular destinations in the area include Newport on the Levee, Southgate House, and the Hofbräuhaus Newport, the only authentic German beer hall outside of Munich. Covington is home to the Madison Theater and the Covington Wedding District.

Nearby, the upscale community of Fort Thomas (ALP $297,464, ftthomas.org) features large homes with well-manicured lawns, as well as great schools and historical ties to the American Civil War. Fort Wright (ALP $159,180, fortwright.com), Villa Hills (ALP $353,875, villahillsky.org), and Highland Heights (ALP $150,451, hhky.com) are also attractive neighborhoods that residents are proud to call home. Highland Heights is the location of Northern Kentucky University, one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing universities.

Commuters and frequent fliers inhabit the suburban towns located near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Like most suburban communities, Crestview Hills (ALP $214,209, crestviewhills.com), Erlanger (ALP $137,786, friendshipcity.com), Florence (ALP $169,408, florence-ky.gov), and Fort Mitchell (ALP $290,909, fortmitchell.com) are close to major highways and have a variety of apartments, condos, and single-family homes, as well as scores of restaurants and shopping centers. What sets these communities apart, however, is their commitment to community and southern hospitality. Erlanger even refers to itself as “the Friendship City.”

The true spirit of the Bluegrass State is reflected in its rural communities. Home shoppers content with a slower-paced lifestyle should check out the Northern Kentucky towns of Falmouth (ALP $159,639, kyhometown.com/falmouth) in Pendleton County (pendletoncounty.ky.gov) or Williamstown (ALP $201,792, wtownky.org) in sprawling Grant County (grantcounty.ky.gov). These country towns are set amongst a landscape of grazing horses and rolling hills—the perfect escape from city life. The city of Warsaw (ALP $220,680, cityofwarsawky.org) in Gallatin County (gallatincounty.ky.gov) is another idyllic town: The county seat is known for its old-world charm and picturesque views of the Ohio River.

Average listing prices are as of March 23, 2011. Prices change regularly.
Photographs courtesy of Kentucky Speedway and Turfway Park. House photographs by Nathan Kirkman