The Cincinnati area is a multi-faceted metro where booming economic activity happens side-by-side with laid back suburbs and family-friendly communities. The city itself is considered the fastest-growing economy in the United State’s Midwest, but if you prefer a more relaxed locale over big city living, you have plenty of options in Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods.
Let’s take a look first at the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati for both families and singles alike.
Mount Adams
This hilltop area may be an urban community, but people here agree that it’s a beautiful place to live. It’s often described as a European-like neighborhood with its walkable streets, elegant and spacious parks, and eclectic collection of shops. Adding to its pleasant vibe is that it’s far from congested, with a population of only 1,698 – most of whom are millennials and young professionals.
Hyde Park
Centered around Hyde Park Square, this community bustles with shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Despite its vibrant activity, Hyde Park maintains its suburban status, and is consistently ranked as one of the safest in Cincinnati. This, coupled with its above-average schools, make it an ideal place to raise a family. In fact, the community is noted for being an oasis for upper-middle class families.
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Mount Lookout
This suburb overlooks the beautiful Ohio River Valley and is hometo Cincinnati’s only astronomical observatory as well asyoung professionals and affluent families. Most of its residents actually own their homes. By day, residents and visitors alike appreciate the community’s scenic drives, jogger-friendly streets, beautiful parks, and quaint coffee shops. But by night, the neighborhood comes alive with bars and concert venues.
Oakley
As a central area in Cincinnati, Oakley is considered a crosstown artery with easy highway access. The suburb itself is a diverse collection of urban-style businesses and highly livable residences. It’s also one of the safer neighborhoods in Cincinnati, and it boasts above-average public schools, making it a great place for families.
Columbia-Tusculum
The oldest neighborhood in Cincinnati, Columbia-Tusculum is a picturesque community of colorful Victorian-era homes and scenic parks that overlook the Ohio River. Residents here love that they’re only a 15-minute drive from downtown, but can still enjoy the small-town feel of their neighborhood. It’s also one of the more well-to-do communities in the city, with a median household income of $71,364, much higher than the national average of $55, 322.
While those five neighborhoods are attractive places to live and visit in Cincinnati, the following are areas that have unpleasant reputations:
Over-the-Rhine
The beautiful historic buildings of OTR are unfortunately overshadowed by the community’s high crime rate. In 2010, this neighborhood was actually named the most dangerous in America. In more recent years, crime in OTR has dropped but it is still among the highest in Cincinnati. In addition, this community is considered one of the poorest in the city, with a median household income of only $14,517.
Avondale
Of the 12,466 residents of Avondale, more than 40 percent live below the poverty line, making it one of the 10 poorest Cincinnati neighborhoods. The community’s crimes have also been steadily rising, and in 2014 alone, they had 50 incidents of violent crimes. Sadly, these trends are combined with low educational attainment, with only 555 residents obtaining a bachelor’s degree, according to the 2010 census.
Villages at Roll Hill (formerly Fay Apartments)
For Ohioans, the name “Fay Apartments” brings to mind a blighted community. After a $36-million renovation and a name change, what is now “Villages at Roll Hill” looks forward to a better status while still providing affordable housing. However, it is still considered the poorest community in Cincinnati, with a median household income of only $7,328.
There are always two sides to every city, and each neighborhood can evolve over the years, for better or for worse. Wherever you are in Cincinnati, it’s always wise to act prudently and practice safety. In the event that you get hurt in an accident through no fault of your own, you can always call The Fitch Law Firm for reliable legal help.