Why does Hamilton have such a bad rep with locals? (Cincinnati: high crime, homes)

[BelieveInCleve]

I have been to Hamilton a couple times when I went down to Cincinnati. I didnt see anything close to a ghetto in Hamilton, or even a bad looking area. If you go to the Northern part of the state, Lorain, Youngstown, and even Elyria have a lot worse looking areas than Hamilton and there about the same size. East Hamilton didnt look bad at all to me, and Hamilton is also about 90% white.

[hamiltonfan]

^At 88% white city-wide, Hamilton is one of the least diverse cities in Ohio. Similar sized cities are generally in the 70-80% range, so it is sad that Hamilton doesn't have as much diversity.

There are parts of the east side of town that are in terrible shape. These areas are seeing city efforts for revitalization and can easily be avoided in daily life.

[JRE]

I just read about nine Hanover Township residents that have been diagnosed with brain cancer. All attended Ross High School. Does anyone have information about this cancer cluster and the years the residents were diagnosed? The high school looks pretty new. Was it previously located at another location? I appreciate any information you can provide.
JRE

[hamiltonfan]

Hanover Twp isn't in Ross schools, so that is interesting. (Hanover is Talawanda and Hamilton)

A new Ross High School was recently built and the old building became the Jr. High.

[Maximmmm]

I am a Hamilton native. I cannot stand the place. There is a saying there... Love it or leave it. I left it the day I graduated and will only go back to visit my family that is left there.
East Hamilton is disgusting. Low class white trash. Stay away from the"hill" the Knob and the 5 points areas. All on the east side. Lindenwald is not that much better. Yes, West Hamilton is the place to live IF you are going to move there. Ross has a high cancer rate because of the Fernald plant and the toxic waste associated with it.
Shopping is a joke, unless you think Walmart is wonderful. Traffic is a nightmare. It takes forever to get where you need. The beurocracy is as inbred as the dogs that run the streets. The schools there are terrible. Especially the High school. There are a few private schools in the area. I have nothing really nice to say about the area. I have lived in 3 other cities and I would not move to Hamilton if you gave me a free house.

[The Don]

Originally Posted by Briolat21

Hmm.. I was told that Hamilton (like Middletown) had steel, years ago (like 20+) I would think. But that it closed, and as it did, so went the fortunes of the town.

Hamilton had a big Fisher Body Plant that closed about the same time the one in Norwood closed -- late 70's? Maybe that is what they were remembering.

As for the reputation of Hamilton? For years, I guess it was looked upon as a somewhat rural version of Norwood - gritty, blue collar, hard working but somwhat remote from Cincinnati.

Now what is happening, is as the metropolitan area migrates away from the central city, Hamilton is becomming more suburban and changing its nature.

[franke01]

Originally Posted by The Don

Hamilton had a big Fisher Body Plant that closed about the same time the one in Norwood closed -- late 70's? Maybe that is what they were remembering.

As for the reputation of Hamilton? For years, I guess it was looked upon as a somewhat rural version of Norwood - gritty, blue collar, hard working but somwhat remote from Cincinnati.

Now what is happening, is as the metropolitan area migrates away from the central city, Hamilton is becomming more suburban and changing its nature.

Hamilton also had Herring,Hall,Marvin and Mosler Safe Company, Black's and numerous other machine shops, and at least one Locomotive repair facility. But that goes back a ways.

[pcj]

I just moved to the Hamilton area 3 years ago. I find it to be a quaint little town, much like that of where I grew up. However, there have been several occasions in which my car has been vanalized or broken into, acts of theft, and rude behavior toward me and my family by residents of Hamilton.

I can partially understand why theft would occur as many people can no longer afford the basic necessities of living as a result of inflation and the ever increasing prices of fuel for their vehicles. However, this does not excuse the vandalism and rude and disrespectful behavior toward one another that I have witnessed on many occasions.

In addition, my children attend local schools and have informed me that the majority of students in their schools are drug abusers. I am not entirely sure that this is a true statement; however, I do know that drug abuse is a common problem in most every school in the nation.

Nevertheless, I am from an area where people are polite and kind to one another and am not accustomed to the violent acts that I have witnessed thus far in the Hamilton area. I do hope that conditions improve as I like this small town and have obtained many friends that I would rather not abandon.

However, it seems that Hamilton officials are attempting to improve the environment; therefore, I wish to remain in Hamilton to witness the outcome of the improvements to see if these changes actually make a difference in the community.

[nicolepsy]

city officials have been trying to change hamilton for YEARS but it never seems to happen. so dont count on it.

Originally Posted by pcj

I just moved to the Hamilton area 3 years ago. I find it to be a quaint little town, much like that of where I grew up. However, there have been several occasions in which my car has been vanalized or broken into, acts of theft, and rude behavior toward me and my family by residents of Hamilton.

I can partially understand why theft would occur as many people can no longer afford the basic necessities of living as a result of inflation and the ever increasing prices of fuel for their vehicles. However, this does not excuse the vandalism and rude and disrespectful behavior toward one another that I have witnessed on many occasions.

In addition, my children attend local schools and have informed me that the majority of students in their schools are drug abusers. I am not entirely sure that this is a true statement; however, I do know that drug abuse is a common problem in most every school in the nation.

Nevertheless, I am from an area where people are polite and kind to one another and am not accustomed to the violent acts that I have witnessed thus far in the Hamilton area. I do hope that conditions improve as I like this small town and have obtained many friends that I would rather not abandon.

However, it seems that Hamilton officials are attempting to improve the environment; therefore, I wish to remain in Hamilton to witness the outcome of the improvements to see if these changes actually make a difference in the community.

[phoneman]

ah, Hamil-tucky, Mexico City on the Miami.