moving to Cincy soon: HP, Oakley, Mt. Lookout, others? (Cincinnati: homes, movie theater)

[coffeefan14]

Yes indeed, certainly hope our experiences can help others!

[coffeefan14]

Update: Our search has come to a successful close! We found a 2BR/1BA apt in Mariemont, recently updated, garage parking, willing to accept our dog, and close to both the square and several nice parks, all under $1K. No private W/D, but we can deal. My test runs to Xavier have been right around 13-15 min, though I haven't done it during the height of rush hour (an unlikely event for me in any case).

Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. We're already feeling at home! Now I just have to start searching the forums for everything else we'll need to find... coffee, cycling, fresh/farmer's markets, etc...

[Chemistry_Guy]

Originally Posted by coffeefan14

Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. We're already feeling at home! Now I just have to start searching the forums for everything else we'll need to find... coffee, cycling, fresh/farmer's markets, etc...

Mariemont is a neat little village. The commute will take a little longer during rush hour, but it is definitely manageable. Here are a few things I think you should know about:

1) The South 80 is a hidden gem in Mariemont. It is located along the little Miami on the southern edge of Mariemont, right next to Fairfax, and it is a wonderful place for hiking with dogs. It is remote enough that you can let your dogs off leash, and the trails are maintained exceptionally well so you can even use them for jogging. A few years ago it was a big secret, but now the secret is out, so you can expect a little more traffic than before on nice days, but it still feels remote.

2) If you are into cycling but worried about cars, you hit the jackpot. Mariemont is located right along one of the longest bike trails in Ohio. You can ride all of the way up to the Yellow Springs/Dayton area while only having to contend with traffic for a very short distance.

3) I believe there is a great farmer's market in neighboring Newtown. It has been a few years since I have been there, but when I lived in the neighboring Madison Place in graduate school I went there all the time.

4)There is another great place for dogs in the Kroger Hills State reserve in Terrace park, which is a mile or two east on route 50. There is a long but narrow island in the Little Miami river that can be accessed by jumping across rocks. My friends and I used to let our dogs off leash on the island and fish on the secluded side. The river is very shallow at this point, and the dogs love wading in the 6-18 inch gravel beach.

5) There is a little restaurant called the Dilly Cafe next to Starbucks on Wooster Pike right across from the square. If you are into wine or craft beer, they have quite a selection. They have a wine/beer guy that does tasting events and who is a very knowledgeable. He looks like a heavy metal Santa Claus and he is quite a character.

[SoFresh99]

Originally Posted by coffeefan14

Update: Our search has come to a successful close! We found a 2BR/1BA apt in Mariemont, recently updated, garage parking, willing to accept our dog, and close to both the square and several nice parks, all under $1K. No private W/D, but we can deal. My test runs to Xavier have been right around 13-15 min, though I haven't done it during the height of rush hour (an unlikely event for me in any case).

Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. We're already feeling at home! Now I just have to start searching the forums for everything else we'll need to find... coffee, cycling, fresh/farmer's markets, etc...

Mariemont farmers market starts early June, 4-7 pm Wednesdays in the Elementary school parking lot. Welcome.

[coffeefan14]

Thanks, SoFresh99! We'll be there

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by coffeefan14

Now I just have to start searching the forums for everything else we'll need to find... coffee, cycling, fresh/farmer's markets, etc...

There's a nifty little restaurant called Demetrio's on Plainville Road that has good chili, breakfast all day, and other diner-type foods. Don't be fooled by all the grey hairs in there - the food is decent.

I think the farm market in Newtown Chemistry Guy is talking about is the Newtown Farm Market on Roundbottom Road - just a short hop from Mariemont. Fresh produce, a nice deli, fresh baked goods, live garden plants and garden supplies, and in the fall all the pumpkins you'll ever need.

Dogwood Park, at the corner of Wooster and Pleasant Street, looks like a playground on the surface, but has a short nature trail that's quite nice. In general, the entire neighborhood is nice for walking the dog.

Lots of little shops on Wooster in Fairfax, but they come and go and I moved away almost 10 years ago. Skyline Chili is still there - that much I know.

[coffeefan14]

This is all awesome info, Chemistry_Guy and Ohiogirl81. Now I'm even more eager for the move!

[motorman]

^ Congrats, coffeefan14, on choosing Mariemont--one of the metro's most unique and safe neighborhoods. And, although earlier, I touted several advantages of Norwood (for example, its close proximity to both XU and Rookwood/Hyde Park/Oakley, etc.), I didn't regard any of the distinct amenities that Mariemont would be able to offer your family. Gladly enough, several other posters did just that!

[coffeefan14]

Thanks, motorman. It's true that proximity to work and other places you mention is one thing we gave up, but on balance the Mariemont area offered most of what we want.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by coffeefan14

Update: Our search has come to a successful close! We found a 2BR/1BA apt in Mariemont, recently updated, garage parking, willing to accept our dog, and close to both the square and several nice parks, all under $1K. No private W/D, but we can deal. My test runs to Xavier have been right around 13-15 min, though I haven't done it during the height of rush hour (an unlikely event for me in any case).

Thanks again to everyone who weighed in. We're already feeling at home! Now I just have to start searching the forums for everything else we'll need to find... coffee, cycling, fresh/farmer's markets, etc...

Congratulations on a successful conclusion. You stated no kids, but any in the future? If so, start planning from the beginning where your next move will be. Can you afford to stay in Mariemont if you need more space? As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.