Moving to Cincy in a few weeks (Columbus, Cincinnati: apartments, rental)

[mitches21]

My husband just got a job in Cincy located at the downtown and we need to move in a couple of weeks. We don't know yet if we're going to buy a house right away or find a rental place. We have a 1 yr. old baby and we both want to live near downtown where we could walk and explore the city/downtown (since we're not familiar with it) yet live in a safe neighborhood. I understand that crimes can happen anywhere...but would appreciate information on where is the suitable place for us---a new family. Oh by the way, I'm also asian and my husband is white...I know it's very diversed in Cincy...but would appreciate too if there's info on neighborhoods near asian stores

Thanks in advance!

[kyjack]

hmmmm.... live close to downtown and walk to downtown? Not many options. Downtown is not where you want to be. Some of the worst neighborhoods are butted up to downtown. Areas/neighborhoods to stay away from: Over-the Rhine Avondale Walnut Hills Clifton Price Hill Mt.Aubrun Try looking into Mt. Adams!

[Pathwalker]

I agree with kyjack. Bottom line: Unless you want to pay an arm and a leg to live in Mt. Adams, you're not going to find a safe neighborhood within walking distance of downtown. However, it's not outside the realm of possibilities to find a place in Mt. Lookout or Columbia-Tusculum which is decently close to downtown via a straight shot along Columbia Parkway. You'd have an easy drive into downtown for exploring around.

Sorry, that's just the way it is around this town. Sure, there are pockets of apartments and condos downtown, and along the riverfront - but if you do that, make sure you stay SOUTH of 6th street.

[mitches21]

wow, if i didn't ask this question...we'll probably make a wrong decision. aside from Mt. Adams, we're open to live also in the suburbs that could be just a few minutes from downtown. our problem, we have no idea where to start...where to look. what are the suburbs that we should check out? we live in columbus and we've been in cincy a couple of times. I really love to just walk and sit by the river at Newport.

[Pathwalker]

Well, when you say "a few minutes from downtown", exactly HOW many minutes? First of all, the entire western section of the city is going to be off your list, that's for sure. Pretty much anything a few minutes north of downtown will be "iffy" at best. And the east side is very expensive.

Some places in Northern Kentucky might suit you well. For example, Fort Thomas would be a decently short drive to downtown, and especially Newport. I actually haven't been to Newport in years, so I don't know who much it has changed. Covington has pockets of decent neighborhoods here and there.

If you want my honest recommendation, here it is: Your best bets for finding a safe neighborhood that would be good for raising a family, and still be within a 10-15 minute drive of downtown, would be Oakley, Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout and Columbia-Tusculum. Of those 4 areas, Oakley would be the cheapest. Hyde Park is massively expensive, but VERY NICE and a GREAT place to raise a family. It also has a LOT of ambiance and a very hip, trendy feel to it. Mt. Lookout is less expensive than Hyde Park, but still has a great atmosphere, and nice homes. It's also very safe. Right next to Mt. Lookout is Columbia-Tusculum, which basically in the same price range.

If you have any other questions, or need more specific advice, let me know. However, I really don't know of any Asian markets in any of those areas. That doesn't mean there aren't any. I just don't know of them, that's all.

[homeschool513]

I agree with WCRobb. Hyde Park is great. Lots of old homes, sidewalks, walking to shops. But it is cheaper to live in Oakley which is right "next door" to Hyde Park. We lived there when we first moved here.

[Ohiogirl81]

If you're just renting to start out, there's no "wrong" decision, right? It's a good way to feel out the city and learn what neighborhoods you'll prefer for more permanent living.

If you want a safe, walkable neighborhood, I'd suggest Oakley, Mt. Lookout, parts of Westwood, or on the more pricey side, Clifton, Hyde Park or Mt. Adams. All are an easy drive to downtown. Some ideas across the river include Newport, Bellevue, Fort Thomas, or Southgate. Bellevue and Fort Thomas especially have a neat small-town feel to them.

Good luck!

[Hartwell Girl]

Hartwell--great neighborhood in Cincy. Northern most neighborhood in Cincinnati. Great old victorian homes with huge lots.

[wastina]

Hmmmm.... how to say this, but if you don't know downtown, I'm not sure you want to dive right in to downtown life. As much as Cincinnati is trying to regroup and pull it together, they've had problems, and downtown still looks rather emptied out in the evenings. If you want proximity, however, you might want to try Northern Kentucky. There are cute houses for good prices, restaurants and clubs, the Aquarium, parks.... and you can walk to downtown Cincinnati if you want.

As for Asian food, make sure to find Jungle Jim's in Fairfield. It's a huge and crazy grocery store with stuff from all over the world. It's worth the drive (and I have family who drive down from Columbus to go there on a monthly basis).

[jlrosen]

Okay, first of all lets get some things straight. I am going to assume you are not drug users or drug dealers. If that is the case you are pretty much safe from the vast majority of homicides that occur in the city.

Second it is important to consider population when making these determinations. For example the city of cincinnati has a population equivalent to the whole of Bulter County give or take a few thousand. The cincinnati neighborhood of westwood has a population of almost double norwood, the second largest city in hamilton county.

third, cincinnati keeps much better crime statistics than any other municpality in hamilton county. crime happens in other places, they just aren't up front about it.

fourth, whenever people talk about part I crimes, defined as the serious crimes like murder, rape, etc. they fail to acknowledge that the vast majority of these crimes aren't rape and murder and are most likely shoplifting. We will use downtown cincinnati as an example.

0.001% part 1 crimes are murders
0.005% part 1 crimes are rapes
9% are robberies
2% are assault
8% are burglary
73% are larceny which is really just shoplifting
0.05% are auto theft

the majority of crimes are against buisness not people. If you want to move downtown go right ahead, if you want to open a 7/11 buy security cameras