goyguy and the cap'n have it down, and i haven't read back-to-back posts of that fairness, reality, and quality about cincinnati probably
ever on here. goyguy, your recollection of n.reading in roselawn/bond hill is stunning. the part about the cell phone joint was dead on; it took me to a flashback of coming back in 2006 and seeing that by abrams car lot. it's a lot of that it seems in the city...old thriftway on vine in hartwell, the fruit store next door, etc.
johnorg,
cincinnati hasn't really changed, and being a native, you probably didn't expect it to

, but some of the long-stalled and corrupted projects are coming to fruition, so some are mistaking it for actual change, when it's really just the city running out of ways to hold itself back any longer. if you haven't heard just yet, the banks, a downtown development betwixt the stadiums is in the very early construction stages of setting the foundation on the flood plain, downtown streetcars are on line for 2011, the expansion of downtown that was supposed to begin with fifth third's fountain square west building in '90 is coming in the form of the great american bldg. at queen city square on 3rd and sycamore. it'll be the city's tallest, so that, combined with an improving urgency for real transit and downtown entertainment, is going to send a message that cincy is for real, so that's good. cincinnati may be dirty and run-down (un-boston), but imho the architecture and mystique of the city is as good as anywhere, so for the dollar cinti is a good choice. crime has went down a bit in the last year or so, but like i said, cincinnati isn't really changing. it's not like the schools are teaching anybody, and the economy is self-explanatory in
cincinnati, ohio, so i expect it to go back up within 18 months but if you have been affording boston, i'm sure you don't have to live in the ghetto if you don't wan't to. i love boston, and wish the 'nati could be more like it as far as transportation and entertainment, among others, but in a few years cincinnati may have a lot more to offer. we'll be like philly. still blighted, corrupt and dangerous, but with things to do to get your mind off of it all.