Looking for first home in Cincinnati area (Springfield, Fairfield: real estate, apartments)
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I have sifted through the forums and found some good information, but figured I would make a new thread that would be more 'personal' help for me.
My wife and I just moved to Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago. Currently are in a 6 month lease at Remington Place apartments up in Forest Park. I work at UC so it's roughly a 30 minute drive to work if traffic isn't awful.
We are looking to purchase a house once our lease runs out. Would like to find a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch preferrably, but open to a 2 story. A newer looking home on the outside is preferred, but not a requirement by any means. Ideally looking for a fenced in yard for our dog and a nice/updated kitchen on the inside.
Our price range is going to be rather cheap with our max price being around $140,000 (would love to find something between $90-$120k). We have no kids and are not looking to have kids really ever, so school district isn't a huge deal outside of for re-sale value in the future.
The biggest thing to me is that I want to be in a safe neighborhood where we can take our dog for a walk in the evenings after work and not have to worry about anything. I would love to be a little closer to work than I currently am, but a 30 minute commute is ok. My wife has yet to find a job but is looking at jobs away from downtown as she does not like being in such an urban area.
From what I see of Forest Park, I do not mind the area outside of it being maybe a little further from work than I personally would prefer, but it's a tolerable drive, so something in that neck of the woods would be ok.
I'll answer this questionaire as well to hopefully get more feedback and provide those helping with enough info to actually be able to help.
. Have you searched this forum for answers to your questions before posting a new inquiry? Yes
. What specific topic have you not found answers to? Areas more to the north near 275 such as Forest Park.
. Where is you current location and environment? Forest Park, renting a 2 bedroom apartment
. Are you looking for similar in Cincinnati or a change? Looking for a 3 bed/2 bath starter type home.
. Where will your work location be? Work at UC (downtown)
. Maximum commute time desired? No more than 35 minutes to work.
. What is you budget for housing? Max price $140k
. Rent or buy? Buy
. Type (Apt., Condo, Single Family) Single Family Homes only
. Size (Approx. Sq. Ft., # Bedrooms & Baths) 1200+ sq ft, 3 bed/1 1/2 bath minimum
. Other specifics? Updated kitchen would be nice, fenced in yard as well
. Neighborhood environment? Safe neighborhood where we can walk our dog in the evening and feel safe
. Urban, young professional, nightlife. We are young professionals but don't go out much except to eat.
. Mid-urban, close in neighborhood or suburb, stable investment Is fine
. Suburban, low maintenance, quiet streets, soccer mom atmosphere Is fine as well
. Family oriented No kids, so not a necessity
. Lots of same age kids, activities No kids so not necessary
. Great schools No kids
. Older, distinctive architecture, individual character
. Modern, 15 yrs old or less, move-in ready Would prefer a more modern looking house that is move-in ready, but doesn't have to be a 'newly built' house.
. Diversity of income, race, housing? White Christian family, am perfectly fine living with different races around us, just don't want to feel like a minority.
. Yard - none, small, large (1/2 acre or more) Medium sized yard, does not need to be huge but not tiny either.
. Very safe, low crime area? Yes
. Can tolerate some degree of crime potential? How Much? Understand that crime will happen everywhere, but want to feel safe going on walks and not have to truly worry about our house or cars being broken into.
. Private neighborhood association, swimming & fitness facilities Not necessary
. Schools?
. Not applicable
. Community amenities? (Bolding what we would like) . Daily needs within walking distance, shopping, restaurants, parks, etc.
. Town/city community center for adults & kids
. Swimming, fitness center, running track, adult activities
. Nearby fitness centers & clubs . Lots of parks & youth athletic leagues . Jogging & biking trails
I would look at Deer Park, Fairfax, Madison Place, Pleasant Ridge (probably over budget) and Silverton. These are all locations within 30 min of UC that fit your criteria. They are all on the east side, and I am sure there are some west side neighborhoods as well.
Since schools are not on the top of your priority list, I would be looking at Oakley, since the UC commute is fine. If you can find a house there in your price range I would expect it to hold its value just due to the convenience to downtown. Where you are renting in Forest Park is also a consideration. There are many smaller ranch homes there which depending on their upkeep may fit your needs. Same goes for Fairfield just to the north of I-275, which would not extend the commute significantly. You have quite a large area to select from. What I would avoid are the higher priced areas always mentioned on this forum whenever schools are brought up, such as Mariemont, Blue Ash, Montgomery, Wyoming, etc. Property there is simply overpriced due to the allure of the schools.
After reading several related articles, I have to add Pleasant Ridge to my recommendation. And this happens to be connected to the school, the Pleasant Ridge Montessori, the only such neighborhood school in the entire CPS district. From what I read, it is a catalyst for a rejuvenation of the entire neighborhood. It is the local public school for nearby Amberley Village, an upscale neighborhood. You may want to investigate Pleasant Ridge, an easy ccommute to UC, before this current upsurge escalates the property values. Maybe you can benefit from getting in on the ground floor.
Since schools are not on the top of your priority list, I would be looking at Oakley, since the UC commute is fine. If you can find a house there in your price range I would expect it to hold its value just due to the convenience to downtown. .
Nope. OP said ranch, and I am hard pressed to think of any ranches anywhere in Oakley. Price point might also be hard to find in Oakley, unless you end up over on Cardiff, which is not the place to be.
Nope. OP said ranch, and I am hard pressed to think of any ranches anywhere in Oakley. Price point might also be hard to find in Oakley, unless you end up over on Cardiff, which is not the place to be.
Agreed, I don't think Oakley is a good fit. I all for suggesting the east side city neighborhoods but if someone wants a ranch that is not the place to be....
I would suggest Anderson Township. There are a ton of 1950's - 2000's style ranch and split level homes and the commute is generally only 20 minutes to downtown. I realize you'll be working at UC so maybe at 5 minutes to that...about a 25 minute commute.
There are a million chain restaurants out there and you should have no problem with safety.
Throw Finneytown (Springfield Township) and Reading into the mix - mid-century ranch houses galore in both, also plenty of split-levels. Ditto the reco's for Deer Park for the same reason. All have easy expressway access. Best yet, each fall easily within your price range.
I would suggest going to one of the realtor websites and searching the homes. You can customize the search for your specs ($, #bdrm, etc.). If you find something you like, you can ask for info about the neighborhoods.
Agreed, I don't think Oakley is a good fit. I all for suggesting the east side city neighborhoods but if someone wants a ranch that is not the place to be....
I would suggest Anderson Township. There are a ton of 1950's - 2000's style ranch and split level homes and the commute is generally only 20 minutes to downtown. I realize you'll be working at UC so maybe at 5 minutes to that...about a 25 minute commute.
There are a million chain restaurants out there and you should have no problem with safety.
Those are three examples of fine, ready to move in homes. You can get more house for that money if the OP is willing to do some decorating, painting and the like.
And you are pretty close to public transportation.
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