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
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
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.
The Unsung Heroes of the Zoo’s Botanical Gardens
How Steve Foltz and the botanical team keep the grounds green and lush.
Overlook the Valley in a Linwood Villa
This Tuscan-style, custom-built abode offers sweeping views and immaculate interiors.
A Green Township Home for the Modern Family
A standout house from 1938 was designed with the future in mind.
A Secluded Sanctuary in East Walnut Hills
This townhome combines architectural interest with a touch of ecclesiastical energy.
A Fully Furnished Barbie Condo In OTR
An eclectic and stylish condo for sale in the heart of Over-the-Rhine.
A Carefully Preserved, Modern Home in Clifton
This Stanley Prowler-designed showstopper brings a rare taste of International Style to the Gaslight District.
Luxury Meets Outdoor Extravagance in Villa Hills
This Toebben-built mansion features spectacular design details both inside and out.
A Modern Painted Lady in Columbia-Tusculum
This classic Victorian-style home has unexpected bold hues and modern appeal.
Storage for More Than 400 Bottles of Wine in an OTR Remodel
The fresh upgrades to this home bring luxury improvements to every floor.
Architectural Extravagance in East Walnut Hills
An elegant Colonial Revival boasts an interior with ties to European castles and historic mansions.
Lytle Park Hotel’s Newly-Renovated Taft Suite is Fit for a President
Discover how a new downtown hotel uses art in an approachable way.
Library Living at the Mercantile Apartments
The Mercantile Apartments allow you to move in next to Cincinnati’s iconic members-only club for bibliophiles.
The Further Adventures of Cincinnati’s Curious Real Estate Investors and Scoundrels
Even more questionable land transfers, under-the-table deals, and innovative developments.
A Majestic Queen Anne in Clifton
This James McLaughlin-designed gem is brimming with jaw-dropping features.
Presenting a Dozen of the More Curious Real Estate Incidents in Cincinnati History
The city's long history of land grabs, property disputes, and strange developments.
A Lakeside “Labor of Love” in Dry Ridge
An Amish-built “barndominium” offers all the perks of a lakeside lodge.
A Former Theater Now a Single-Family Home in Latonia
The site of the old Delbee Theater was transformed into an open-concept home.
