Top 6 Things I Hate About Cincinnati (Ada: real estate, crime rates, live in)

[Hartwell Girl]

"You can feel how you want, but saying that someone is making up stuff just because they feel or experienced things differently is seeing the tree and missing the forest."-Hillside

You did make up stuff...trying to lump Carthage and a few other neighborhoods into the same catagory of crime as a few other neighborhoods (which I chose not to mention because I dont agree with you). Maybe you would like to say perhaps you got a little carried away? If not, stand my ground...your posts about this City as negative and that is the real problem with this City...people not allowing it to move forward.

[JCL01]

Originally Posted by Hartwell Girl

"You can feel how you want, but saying that someone is making up stuff just because they feel or experienced things differently is seeing the tree and missing the forest."-Hillside

You did make up stuff...trying to lump Carthage and a few other neighborhoods into the same catagory of crime as a few other neighborhoods (which I chose not to mention because I dont agree with you). Maybe you would like to say perhaps you got a little carried away?

This is the "forest for the trees" part...

Originally Posted by Hartwell Girl

If not, stand my ground...your posts about this City as negative and that is the real problem with this City...people not allowing it to move forward.

I don't understand how being "negative" - in the sense of pointing out that crime problem needs to be addressed - constitutes "not allowing [the city] to move forward." I would say the crime problem itself, followed closely behind by the inept leadership, is the primary impediment to the city moving forward.

To use the family analogy you used a while back...if your uncle is an alcoholic, you might not like other people taking about it, but you're not doing him any favors by pretending he doesn't have a problem at all.

Additionally, this is a site people come to for relocation advice and to learn both the good and the bad about other areas. I don't think it's fair to just be a hometown cheerleader and present only the good (and there is good about Cincy). The crime and the run down areas are issues in Cincinnati and it is something someone coming to the city from elsewhere will have to deal with in one form or another. It doesn't help the people that come to this site for information to falsely pretend that the crime issue it all in the imagination of a few people with chips on their shoulders, anymore than it helps the city to "move forward."

[Cincy-Rise]

"Crime Problem"?

Isn't crime a problem in itself? Whether you have 100 murders or 1 murder, it is still a problem.

*I think people are starting to take note of the trend that is happening in Cincinnati:

Crime is continuously declining in all categories in Cincinnati.

The unemployment rate has dropped below the national average.

The Cincinnati housing market has recently been rated the 6th (best) most stable in the US.

Minority groups are growing in population in Cincinnati.

Development is happening in all parts of the city. Especially with the Banks (which is breaking ground this Tues at 3:30 ... everyone should come for the festivities! ) ... probably the largest development project happening outside of Chicago.

Both, the city & Metro are growing in population (now the largest metro in OH).

The CBD and OTR are both seeing an enormous amount of development and are both seeing their populations grow.

The local economy is both stable and growing.

We're seeing a new tallest tower being built in downtown ... one of many projects -showing that companies are investing in and believe in the future of downtown.




... It's because of this list that I believe things are looking up for Cincinnati. In the study that I posted up-thread, Detroit's crime and population both were in direct relation to it's employment rate, which is directly effected by it's economy. In the model for Detroit, if you lure employers, you create jobs, which then people purchase homes, because of of their personal investment, they concern themselves with their neighborhoods, which in return crime drops. When crime drops, neighborhoods become gentrified - a mixing of the social classes.


A strong economy=a healthy city. I'll put my faith in this city because of recent trends, most importantly building a strong foundation on the things that matter most.


*NOTE: If there is anything in the list above that you disagree with or are looking for sources, please let me know!

[Cincy-Rise]

I want to add this though ... especially since we're on the topic of being fair to both sides ...


Based on studies, public transportation is key to economic growth as well. Having streetcars or lightrail is a huge benefit for building for the future! Unfortunately Cincy lacks big time in this area. It's not a deal breaker for a city (ex: Cincy & Cleve), but it's something we're going to have to accomplish. The county (the city voted for LRT in '02) is going to have to grasp this idea.

[hillside]

Originally Posted by Hartwell Girl

"You can feel how you want, but saying that someone is making up stuff just because they feel or experienced things differently is seeing the tree and missing the forest."-Hillside

You did make up stuff...trying to lump Carthage and a few other neighborhoods into the same catagory of crime as a few other neighborhoods (which I chose not to mention because I dont agree with you). Maybe you would like to say perhaps you got a little carried away? If not, stand my ground...your posts about this City as negative and that is the real problem with this City...people not allowing it to move forward.

i don't work for the city of cincinnati, hamilton county, the state of ohio or the united states government. i have nothing to do with the state of cincinnati. the folks running cincinnati have been crooks since incorporation and it's scandal after scandal in columbus. everybody's mad at washington, so where does that leave cincinnati - a long dwindling rust belt city? as the first city built by americans, we are the american experiment. as much as i like about the nati, it's proof that a city can try and try and never get back what it once had. and as far as discouraging others from cincinnati, it's like a woman - if she wants to make time for you, she will. if folks want to move here or visit, they will. all i know is that the institutional problems of the city should not be ignored just as the truly special architecture and unique ways of living should not either.

[Hartwell Girl]

You may have nothing to do with the state of Cincinnati but you sure as heck are doing IT any good on this forum. Try hard...think about something nice to say about this City..if you feel so passionate about it, so passionate that you feel the need to get on this forum and BASH it everyday...I am sure you can find something nice to say other than a comment about the architecture.

[Ohiogirl81]

Donning rose-colored glasses is a job for the chamber of commerce. If people want the feel-good picture of Cincinnati, that's where they should go. People coming here are looking for all facets of life in Cincinnati, based on the perceptions of people who live here, who have lived here, and even those who just have visited here once or twice in their lives. Every opinion is a valid one.

Having streetcars or lightrail is a huge benefit for building for the future!

Amen to that. With light rail especially, it's a NIMBY issue. But light rail trains are whisper quiet, and it's not like the train will run every 15 minutes. And the infrastructure is already there. It's stupid not to have light rail in Cincinnati.

[JCL01]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Donning rose-colored glasses is a job for the chamber of commerce. If people want the feel-good picture of Cincinnati, that's where they should go. People coming here are looking for all facets of life in Cincinnati, based on the perceptions of people who live here, who have lived here, and even those who just have visited here once or twice in their lives.

Absolutely. It's great if you have pride in your hometown. There are plenty of good things to point out about Cincinnati. But, this shouting down of anyone that doesn't get on board with the notion that Cincy is on the fast track to becoming the greatest city in the history of mankind is puerile.

If you have positive experiences, great...share them. But, it is really not necessary to "refute" every negative or mixed opinion expressed. People can look at the totality of the opinions and decide for themselves. More importantly, people can figure out where you're coming from and factor that in. In other words, if you're always 100% positive, then most people will discount what you say because every place has its downsides.

As for the crime issue - I agree that crime has declined in the city over the past couple years - and there are more positive developments downtown now than there have been in many years. But, crime still is not where it should be. The fact that it's not as bad as it was at its peak doesn't mean that the crime rate is now low. There's nothing wrong with discussing work that still needs to be done.

[captaincatfish]

First off, major props to Ohiogirl81 (love the fact that you chime in to the dialogue from all the way in Philly), JCL01 (you make good points and raise valid questions), Cincy-Rise (ditto on the former!), and Hillside (keep on reppin' Cincinnati, and shining the light of truth)...

And a question for HartwellGirl (as always, asked with the utmost respect)---why can't folks come here and feel free to give open, honest, and unvarnished opinions? Isn't that what forums like these are for? I've said this before, in this very forum/thread, and I'll say it again, albeit worded a bit differently---Cincinnati is NOT PLEASANTVILLE/MAYBERRY/STEPFORD!!

There are a LOT of positive things going on here, things that I like---things that Hillside has pointed out as well--in fact, he turned me on to a very wonderful site that has many beautiful pictures not only of Cincinnati, but of other Ohio cities as well (I wont post a link, but search under 'Urban Ohio' and you'll find it LOL)...I first encountered Hillsiide when I went to one of the General US forums, and he was holding forth, dispensing valuable knowledge about Cincy and the general area, so I think the man knows his stuff, and to me, that entitles him to his opinions, good, bad, or indifferent...I mean, I'm a 275-pound grown man, not afraid of very much, but there are places in this area that I won't go, alone or with friends, in broad daylight or in the dead of night---Hillside knows this, because he's seen these things at street level, and as a result, I kinda tend to trust his judgment...

To close, as others have stated before, it's okay to be positive about the place where you live, but don't try to shout down others who have a different view...all those folks are trying to accomplish is to have their views heard, and to give BOTH sides of the story...rational, thinking folks can then form their own opinions, yea or nay, as far as visiting or moving to the area...that's the way I was always taught that things work, and I still have faith in that facet of the 'system'

[hillside]

Originally Posted by Hartwell Girl

You may have nothing to do with the state of Cincinnati but you sure as heck are doing IT any good on this forum. Try hard...think about something nice to say about this City..if you feel so passionate about it, so passionate that you feel the need to get on this forum and BASH it everyday...I am sure you can find something nice to say other than a comment about the architecture.

say something realistic about the city. because i'm tired of this, here it goes. i love alabama's and richie's. i love grippo's and graeters. larosa's and chester's in hamilton make 2 of the best pizzas in america. we actually put sauce on our pizza in cincinnati . i love cruising through the city seeing parts i've never been. of course skyline, but can't forget about queen city hot metts. chili time is on point, too. i love the way the city is built and how the history is so visible. i love all the unique quirks of cin city, like the kentucky climate and the southern accent and oh the good ol "that's it end of story" matter of factness. i like our quiet aggressiveness, resiliency and show-me attitude. i love that the reds have an owner that wants to win in 2008 not 2009 or 2010 or never like uncle carl. i'm glad the bengals have marvin, because he strikes me as the type of guy that has too much pride and talent to flame out, kind of like homer bailey. i like the fact that our architecture is the envy of the midwest . now can you say something on the other hand?