UrbanHomesteading
Living more self-sustainably in the city connects us to something deeper and helps us build better communities. Here are dozens of ways to get started.
By Carrie Blackmore, Victoria Donahoe, and Rodney Wilson
Edited by John Fox
Permaculture Expert Ande “The Elf” Schewe Lives Off the Land
The Indiana homesteader shares his bounty and his knowledge.
Find Your Way into Foraging
Seeking out edible plants in the wild connects us with nature.
Let’s Break Down Composting
There are lots of options, from backyard DIY to drop-off sites.
Christopher Schwarz Handcrafts Heirloom Furniture
This local woodworker is practicing a sustainable craft.
When Jim Schenk Helped Launch a Price Hill Ecovillage
Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage has modeled community-oriented urban homesteading for 22 years.
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Five Tips for Creating a Climate-Resilient Backyard Deck
From heavier rainfall and snow to hotter summers, climate extremes are shaping how homeowners design outdoor spaces. Decks—often the centerpiece of backyard living—face constant...
The Power of Community Gardens
Here’s how you can put down roots in your neighborhood.
How to Test Your Soil
Set yourself up for a bountiful harvest, but make sure you’ve got good dirt first.
Caitlin McWethy: The Foraging Theater Artist
All of the outdoors is this actor, performer, and director's stage.
Local Laws for Homesteading
Here’s how to grow crops and raise chickens in urban jurisdictions.
Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard Connects With Indigenous Ancestors While She Nourishes the Earth
The Executive Director of Urban Native Collective knows you have to honor the land to get the most out of it.
On Becoming an Urban Pioneer
The term homesteading is closely tied to a way of life that seems diametrically opposed to modern urban existence, rooted in the Homestead Act...
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10 Ways to Create a Cool Under Deck Living Space
Don’t neglect that area under your deck. You can make the most of your outdoor space with a little help from Trex®.
Editor’s Letter: April 2026
Editor-in-Chief John Fox on tapping into the magazine team's knowledge and passion for self-sustainable living to put together a guide to urban homesteading.
More Home and Garden Stories
An Equestrian Escape in Indian Hill
This 1960’s home balances modern updates with rustic charm.
A Tale of Two Views in Hyde Park
This 1980s home has been updated from top to bottom and features numerous custom details.
A Twelve-Sided 1900s Home in Ludlow
The Latta House’s dodecagon shape combines one-of-a-kind curb appeal with modern updates for a home unlike any other.
A Ranch Hideaway in Indian Hill
A 1970s ranch with contemporary finishes sits on more than three acres in Indian Hill, and offers beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness.
A Bavarian Bar With Moxy
The Moxy Hotel's bar looks to German aesthetics for its designs.
A Natural Oasis in Hyde Park
This 100-year-old colonial offers original details, new renovations, an abundance of natural light, and a neighborhood favorite pollinator garden.
Peaceful Prestige in Indian Hill
This 1960’s home blends architectural interest with high-end features.
Mid-Century Modern Home for Easy Entertainment in Ft. Thomas
This home was designed by one of Cincinnati’s most notable modern architects and stopped passersby in their tracks.
A Salvaged Sanctuary in the West End
This unique church conversion stays true to its Gothic roots.
A Triple Crown Winner with Endless Outdoor Space in Miami Township
This 1990’s home features numerous updates on nine acres.
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Inside the Cincinnati St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway
Enter to win this $540,000 home on the west side of Cincinnati and help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fight childhood cancer.
New Renovation on Cincinnati’s Old Filmer’s Row
This renovated OTR space was once home to Universal’s film exchange.
A Columbia-Tusculum Condo With a Riverfront View
This nature-immersed getaway, just minutes from downtown, gives the best of both worlds.
Permaculture Expert Ande “The Elf” Schewe Lives Off the Land
The Indiana homesteader shares his bounty and his knowledge.
Find Your Way into Foraging
Seeking out edible plants in the wild connects us with nature.
Let’s Break Down Composting
There are lots of options, from backyard DIY to drop-off sites.
Going LEED Platinum in OTR
Address: 1826 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Listing Price: $1,950,000
If a musician sells more than 1 million copies of an album, the record is certified platinum. (Elvis Presley...
The Power of Community Gardens
Here’s how you can put down roots in your neighborhood.
How to Test Your Soil
Set yourself up for a bountiful harvest, but make sure you’ve got good dirt first.
Caitlin McWethy: The Foraging Theater Artist
All of the outdoors is this actor, performer, and director's stage.
A Century of Charm in a North Avondale Georgian Revival
This red brick beauty was once owned by a successful shoe manufacturer.
Local Laws for Homesteading
Here’s how to grow crops and raise chickens in urban jurisdictions.
On Becoming an Urban Pioneer
The term homesteading is closely tied to a way of life that seems diametrically opposed to modern urban existence, rooted in the Homestead Act...
Sponsored
10 Ways to Create a Cool Under Deck Living Space
Don’t neglect that area under your deck. You can make the most of your outdoor space with a little help from Trex®.
A Taste of Tuscany in Montgomery
This sprawling mansion features elaborate craftsmanship inside and out.
A Paper Trail of History in East Walnut Hills
This stunning Georgian Revival blends architectural excellence with turnkey convenience.
A Landmark Opportunity in Covington
For fifty years, the Madeira House was used as office space, but now, it’s ready to be renovated and reimagined.
Antique Meets Luxury in Over-the-Rhine Property
This rare house blends historic charm with modern amenities and proximity to a bustling neighborhood.
A Cozy Condo on the Water Designed by Amy Youngblood
How a local interior designer made a new unit at Ovation feel homey and lived-in.
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A Sprawling Farmhouse Estate Is on the Market in Batavia
From a dreamy kitchen pantry to a 1,200 square foot screened-in porch, this home has everything and more.
Live Your Horse Girl Fantasy in Indian Hill
This historic barn-turned-house features unique design elements and plenty of green space.
New Luxury Living in Liberty Township
Relay 129, Liberty's latest development, opens to residents for the new year.
A Million-Dollar Dwelling in Covington
A contemporary Covington ranch features thoughtful design, luxurious amenities, and spectacular skyline views.
An Authentic Queen Anne in Newport
This 1890 brick beauty is brimming with original features, but its rare tile collection is a cut above the rest.
A Moonshiner’s Mansion for the Modern Homeowner
This updated historic house was notorious during the Prohibition for its Tuscan architecture and hidden hooch.
Financial Programs Increasing Home Ownership Accessibility
There’s a plethora of grants, forgivable loans, and low-interest mortgages for people needing a leg up into homeownership.
A Surprise-Filled Mansion in Mason
This sprawling property features hidden doors and secret rooms.
Market Moves: The New Roommates
Shared living spaces aren’t just for kids starting out. Combining resources has no age limit.
One Woman’s Journey Through the Wilds of the Real Estate Market
The chasm between what I want and what I can afford has led to some precarious but ultimately exhilarating transactions.
A Confluence of History in a Covington Italianate
This elegant Italianate’s desirable address boasts fabulous views in all directions.
Market Moves: The New Downsizing
Trading suburban life for an urban rowhouse brings more freedom and new community.
Market Moves: The New Dream Home
A challenging lot from Cincinnati’s Land Bank proves just right for an architect and his family.
How Selling One Residence Led to Three New Ones
Ditching the empty nest led to more adventures for this homeowner.
Why It Feels So Hard to Buy a House and How You Can Make...
All over Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, home prices have soared in recent years, with the Cincinnati metropolitan area experiencing some of the largest price spikes in the country in 2022 and 2023.
Multi-Million-Dollar Waynesville Mansion Features Its Own Private Nightclub
This resort-style home pairs rustic style with jaw-dropping amenities.
A Resplendent Romanesque Mansion in Clifton
This James McLaughlin-designed gem has ties to Queen Victoria and the World’s Fair.
Live Like Royalty in This Indian Hill Estate
A 14,000-square-foot home is reminiscent of a fairy-tale castle.
Homearama Debuts at Oakley’s New Foundry Park
Seven luxurious homes pull out all the design stops in a new community near Oakley.
Million Dollar Living in the Triple Crown Community
Take a peek inside the five custom residences at Cincinnati Magazine’s Showcase of Homes.
A Roaring Twenties Estate in Green Township
If the walls could talk in this luxurious dwelling, they’d tell of flappers, speakeasies, and wild characters in Cincinnati’s history.
