Moving to Maineville area (Cincinnati, Hamilton: middle-class, houses, neighborhoods)

[RW963]

I'm looking to move to the Maineville area with my teen sons from western NY. Can you tell me about the schools, neighborhoods, churches?

[musincy]

Maineville is a very family-oriented area... lots of subdivisions and single family homes. Many of the homes were built between the 1980s-present. The two school districts that cover Maineville are Kings and Little Miami. I believe Kings still has the better reputation/test scores, but you should look into both... neither is bad. There are quite a few churches in the area... many non-denominational, but plenty of Catholic and other denominations as well. I can be more specific if you have other questions.

[goyguy]

Maineville is in the "outer ring" of Cincinnati suburbs, northeast of downtown. (I believe it's in the Lebanon school district - someone correct me if I'm wrong.) Until 10-20 years ago, it was a small town along US 22 mostly surrounded by woods and farmland. Now much of the territory is subdivisions. Nearby communities include Lebanon, South Lebanon, Morrow, Kings Mill, Landen, Deerfield Township, Mason, and Loveland. Each of those towns have grown a great deal in recent times too, which means that along with some "established" neighborhoods dating back to any time from the 1960's to the mid-1800's you'll find many newer "communities." Housing styles vary across a wide range, from small older dwellings to Victorians, former and present farmhouses, and recent McMansions.

Demographically, the area is overwhelmingly White, Christian, and upper-middle-class. Since mention was made of "churches," I can let you know that in addition to Catholic parishes each of the mainline Protestant denominations has at least one house of worship in the vicinity. There are also some "non-denominational Christian" megachurches. Schools are good no matter which town you relocate within, but the Sycamore district (comprising Montgomery and Blue Ash, along I-275 and I-71 southwest of Maineville) is arguably the most "college prep" and "achievement oriented" of the bunch. Greater Cincinnati's premier girls' parochial high school, Ursuline Academy, is in Montgomery, as is the academically solid and athletically renowned Archbishop Moeller for boys. There are also some private and sectarian institutions thereabouts.

Shopping opportunities are abundant, with everything from supersized grocery stores to what are now called "lifestyle centers" in ample supply. The Kings Auto Mall is a conglomeration of vehicle dealers along Fields-Ertel Rd, now the largest of its kind in southwestern Ohio. Paramount's Kings Island, and various resort and recreational facilities which have sprung up around it, are big draws for pleasure seekers and are also major seasonal employers. (Great for teens needing a summer job.) For healthier and quieter outdoor exercise, there's a popular bike trail along the Little Miami "National Scenic" River, and you can fish and canoe in the river.

Ask away if there's anything more you'd like to know. Happy home hunting!

[RW963]

Thanks for responding. I mentioned churches because we are actually looking to start a non-denominational church that is relevant, contemporary, and welcoming! There are so many people who have never been to church, have been turned off by some churches, or think they could never set foot in a church and want more. We are looking to reach families that are falling apart, and people that are struggling and searching and show them hope through the Bible and Jesus.

We are just "regular" people, family oriented and can't wait to meet new people!! Does Little Miami School have a more "rural" feel than Kings? We are coming from a more rural area and although districts like Mason are top rated, I think my guys would be lost!

[Briolat21]

Are just moving to lebanon ourselves - and so I can't comment on schools or churches in the area - however just wanted to say that we looked around that whole area (Morrow/Mainville - down into Loveland) and the whole area is really beautiful with the rolling hills and the little Miami and very friendly people. Hope you love it and welcome!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by musincy

Maineville is a very family-oriented area... lots of subdivisions and single family homes. Many of the homes were built between the 1980s-present. The two school districts that cover Maineville are Kings and Little Miami. I believe Kings still has the better reputation/test scores, but you should look into both... neither is bad. There are quite a few churches in the area... many non-denominational, but plenty of Catholic and other denominations as well. I can be more specific if you have other questions.

Hi, I have family in Ohio and was checking out Maineville on the net. I came across a website about the "ghosts" in this town. Is this true to your knowledge? There were all kinds of sightings listed, creepy (lol). Just wondered if you or anyone you know have seen these sightings? Thanks and have a great day.

[katlaverde]

We just moved here from California about 2 years ago. We're not far from Maineville and our kids are in the King's school district. I have friends that live in Maineville and their kids were in the Little Miami schools. I have zero first-hand experience but some of the feedback I've gotten when we moved here, including my friends mentioned above, is that Little Miami has a very distinct econmic divide among the students; the "haves" and "have nots" and not much in between. Apparently, this has caused a lot of problems. In fact, my friends had their kids in the schools for 4 years and finally pulled them out and put them in private school because of it.

I've also heard a lot of money is being put into that school district, though, and that they are working very hard on changing that perception.

Maineville is one of my favorite areas. Had I known 2 years ago what I know now, we probably would have picked that area.

Good luck!

[goyguy]

You brought up a good point, katla, that had escaped me. The class issue exists all along the Little Miami Valley and farther into Clermont and Warren Counties. It's the same thing that goes on in many city neighborhoods that become "hot," and in fact the exact scenario is playing out especially strongly in Cincinnati's East End. There as in Maineville, Morrow, etc, the incumbent community of working-class and poor people is suddenly being offered top dollar for their land and watching houses get torn down or remodeled as subdivisions replace woods and farms. The new arrivals tool around in their SUV's and associate only with each other, while their kids ridicule the offspring of the longtime families. My sis and BIL in Loveland have four sons, so are "fixtures" at the area Y, and they have plenty of anecdotes to back that up. When one of their boys decided he wanted to have a birthday party at the Cincinnati Museum Center, some of the friends on the guest list were from Maineville. A dad we "old folks" were chatting with told of having no idea that the Museum Center existed. He was a ballcap-wearing "average Joe" who I knew instinctively had to be "old school Maineville." I grew up in Wyoming, so definitely know of classism and its ugliness, and hoped that this good guy wouldn't have it visited upon his child. I've heard from the BIL and sis, though, that other Maineville parents have complimented them on their "kind, well-raised" sons who aren't "mean like so many of the Maineville and Loveland kids are." West Chester (Lakota school district), Mason, and other areas grapple with the same problem.

I don't mean to hate on Maineville too much, but one more thing to add is that when a Jewish family moved to my sister's street in Loveland they said it was to get out of "a town where no one was like us and where nothing about our children's heritage, even Hanukkah and Passover, was taught in the schools." Being an "optimist in spite of everything," I'd like to believe that those communities are going through growing pains and will emerge the better for it in due time. But due time doesn't matter when your kids are already in high school, lol.

Monroe (in Hamilton County), Lebanon (Warren County), and Amelia, Newtown, Glen Este, or Bethel (Clermont County) are in the same vicinity and might be preferable.

[Heather-4]

It seems that some folks on this site have a good bit of negative information about Maineville. We have lived here almost 4 years and have found it to be a great place to raise our children. The neighborhoods are full of kids and everyone that we meet is friendly.

As far as the "class wars"- I am not aware of any problems. I have children from elementary to high school and not one has ever mentioned a problem between in this regard.

I love that we live on the edge of the county, but an easy drive into the city.

Heather

[Igor1977]

Originally Posted by goyguy

You brought up a good point, katla, that had escaped me. The class issue exists all along the Little Miami Valley and farther into Clermont and Warren Counties. It's the same thing that goes on in many city neighborhoods that become "hot," and in fact the exact scenario is playing out especially strongly in Cincinnati's East End. There as in Maineville, Morrow, etc, the incumbent community of working-class and poor people is suddenly being offered top dollar for their land and watching houses get torn down or remodeled as subdivisions replace woods and farms. The new arrivals tool around in their SUV's and associate only with each other, while their kids ridicule the offspring of the longtime families. My sis and BIL in Loveland have four sons, so are "fixtures" at the area Y, and they have plenty of anecdotes to back that up. When one of their boys decided he wanted to have a birthday party at the Cincinnati Museum Center, some of the friends on the guest list were from Maineville. A dad we "old folks" were chatting with told of having no idea that the Museum Center existed. He was a ballcap-wearing "average Joe" who I knew instinctively had to be "old school Maineville." I grew up in Wyoming, so definitely know of classism and its ugliness, and hoped that this good guy wouldn't have it visited upon his child. I've heard from the BIL and sis, though, that other Maineville parents have complimented them on their "kind, well-raised" sons who aren't "mean like so many of the Maineville and Loveland kids are." West Chester (Lakota school district), Mason, and other areas grapple with the same problem.

I don't mean to hate on Maineville too much, but one more thing to add is that when a Jewish family moved to my sister's street in Loveland they said it was to get out of "a town where no one was like us and where nothing about our children's heritage, even Hanukkah and Passover, was taught in the schools." Being an "optimist in spite of everything," I'd like to believe that those communities are going through growing pains and will emerge the better for it in due time. But due time doesn't matter when your kids are already in high school, lol.

Monroe (in Hamilton County), Lebanon (Warren County), and Amelia, Newtown, Glen Este, or Bethel (Clermont County) are in the same vicinity and might be preferable.

So a place needs to be more country, and that will allow it to be more accepting of Jewish folks?

Sure, that will/can happen...