Crime in Cincinnati? (Reading, Ada, Golf Manor: condos, crime rate, house)

[NegativeSense]

Hi Everyone,

I may be moving from Chicagoland for work and one of the cities I might be placed near is Cincinnati. While I understand there is crime regardless of where I go, I've noticed that Cincinnati's crime rate is three times the national average, which concerns me. Is this mostly confined to different parts of the city or is it prevalent throughout?

Also, I read that Over the Rhine has been getting some renovations and is a good place to live for young professionals. I'm 23 and I'd like to live in a pretty safe neighborhood with a lot to do. I understand regardless I'm going to have to lock my car whenever, but I'd like to live somewhere that I feel safe walking around at night. Is this a good neighborhood, if not could you please suggest some nice places to live for someone my age.

Thanks!
Josh

[jlrosen]

Over the Rhine is a great place if you are a young single person. Stay below 13th street. Downtown is great as well. Mt. Adams Most people on this message board are afraid of their own shadows.

The reasons that Cincinnati has a higher crime rate than other places is because the city proper is only 332k in a metro area of 2.1 million. Places like Indianapolis have lower seeming crime rates because they have hundreds of thousands of suburban residents living within city limits, Cincinnati doesn't have that. Numbers are a shell game. If you don't do drugs, you will be fine.

[snowstormxu]

It really depends where in Over the Rhine you live as to the level of safety (east is much better than west). The neighborhood does seem to be improving and a lot of single people do seem to be buying there. I think the upward trend will continue.

However, be warned that Over the Rhine is VERY far from "a pretty safe neighborhood". There are still a lot of problems. DO NOT walk around by yourself, especially after dark. You will regret it. Large parts of Over the Rhine are still very gritty and very urban. Since you're from Chicago, I'm not sure what you're used to.

Really, what you should do is come to town and check out the area before making any commitments.

[The Don]

Originally Posted by jlrosen

Over the Rhine is a great place if you are a young single person. Stay below 13th street.

WHAT??? Over the Rhine is a TERRIBLE place for anyone. It is extrememly dangerous. Please don't tell someone from out of town to even go there let alone LIVE there!

Go to the blog post by snostormxu in the Buena Vista thread. There is a link to a very interesting site showing the number of crimes, arrests, etc by location. Check it out

[Briolat21]

Over the Rhine is very similar in feel to Chicago's south side. If you would feel comfortable living there, you would probably feel comfortable living in OTR

[parkfan]

I have been working in Over the Rhine for 20 years and agree that crime is still an issue, but unless you are buying or selling drugs, your risk of harm is minimal. Before we installed a security fence (12 years ago), there were frequent car break-ins, but no assaults. Josh from Chicago, I would say live south of 13th only for quicker access to restaurants and downtown amenities. They are developing condos in OTR at a good pace, but it will be a few years before there is a mass of people to support the many bars, boutiques and bistros which are desired to serve the urban professionals who are moving in.

[lrooff]

Originally Posted by parkfan

I have been working in Over the Rhine for 20 years and agree that crime is still an issue, but unless you are buying or selling drugs, your risk of harm is minimal.

Can you tell me anything about the crime rate and problems in the Golf Manor/Roselawn area? We're looking at moving there next year.

[movin' on up]

if you're a young professional - downtown is great - south of Central Parkway is a good general rule, the further south the better. also consider hyde park, oakley, mt. lookout, mt. adams, cifton (esp gaslight district), east walnut hills and eden park. stay away from otr for now - it's still 10 -20 years away, unfortunately.

[mandyloo]

My fiance and I just found an incredible home, perfect for what we're looking for in roselawn.

I did not feel threatened or as if i were in a dangerous place at all when we toured the home. The homes were clean, yards well kept, streets freshly paved and well maintained and a lot of pricey cars in driveways. All signs of a good safe place.

But when i looked up crime states from the past 3 years I am now reconsidering the house purchase. They average about 3 murders a year in what seems a small place. Plenty of burglary and larceny to go around too.

I'm wondering if this area is larger than i thought and perhaps there is a safe side and not so safe side of town? The home is huge and everything we're trying to find, so any help from people who live there would be very much appriciated.

i can be reached on this board or at palmtreemandy@yahoo.com

THANKS!!

[SonnyDaze]

I'd say Roselawn is in the safer half of neighborhoods in Cincinnati but compared to many of the suburbs, it's not the safest place to live. I guess the part that's closer to the city of Reading isn't as bad but as you get closer to Bond Hill it gets worse. All in all, I'd avoid Roselawn because you could probably get the same type of house in a much more stable community.