Blue Ash/ Montgomery (Cincinnati, Butler, Sycamore: homes, neighborhoods, purchase)

[QCP]

Hello, I am considering a move to the Cincy area within the next couple of years and need some info on these two areas. I am actually from the region (Butler County-and there is NO way I'd move back there) but moved away right after college. I still visit several times a year, but spend most of my time in Butler County or the city proper, so I am somewhat unfamiliar with what these two communities are like and what they have to offer (other than great ribs of course).

I guess I'll start by saying what I am looking for and you can tell me if I have found a match or not. I want access to the city, without being in it. I want a strong sense of community that is based around support for their schools. I want a community that is built around pride (well maintained homes, clean yards and nice career oriented people). I want things to do within the community (local festivals, local shops and local restaurants/bars where you will see at least some familiar faces). I want to be able to purchase a nice house, but not the best in the neighborhood for 400K.

Just curious, did anything I request desribe either of the Blue Ash or Montgomery communities? I have done as much research as I could possibly find on the web, and they seem to be a pretty close match. Thanks in advance for any input you can give me.

[Linda Pratt]

Yep. I would say either Blue Ash or Montgomery would fit the bill.

[QCP]

Great! Thank you.

[cincylifer]

I would echo the above sentiments, and I have children in the Sycamore Schools, and the community/parental support is phenomenal!

[QCP]

Thanks - that really excites me. I also just saw that Montgomery was named Ciny's best suburb (in a group that included Mt. Lookout, Hyde Park, etc). I can't wait to check it out next time I visit SW Ohio.

[unusualfire]

Best suburb? Isn't that the city where the cops cheated on their tests.

[QCP]

Originally Posted by unusualfire

Best suburb? Isn't that the city where the cops cheated on their tests.

I did see that, but feel as though that kind of stuff could happen anywhere? Seems pretty minor to me. Something like that would not deter me from relocating there. As for best suburb, I didn't pick it - I read it on Cincinnati.com. I was just relaying the information.

[Gerri Ann]

Montgomery is a great city - I live there and know it very well. Everything you describe is in Montgomery. A strong historic downtown area - and even though progressive, I refer to it as "Mayberry" because it seems like everyone knows each other. Bastille Day is a great community festival as is July 4th parade and Festival in the Park. For fall, there is the Harvest Moon Festival and of course, Holiday in the Village. There is the Montgomery Citizen's Leadership Academy to let residents get even more involved. The city website is great with all this info- www.montgomeryohio.org. Lots of opportunity for citizen input and engagement - as much or as little as you want. And the stuff with the police department was blown way out of proportion.

[Joe 4520832257]

Gotta love the year-old thread bump.

But yeah, I think Montgomery is very nice for a suburb. When we moved here, Montgomery was on our short list of neighborhoods. We eliminated it from consideration because we wanted to be much closer to the city, but if we ever feel compelled to move to the 'burbs, that's definitely the first place we'll look (if we can still afford it!!)

[AeroGuyDC]

Others have said, but I'll say it again: Yep...you should find exactly what you're looking for in those two areas. Now, the big questions is...how many pennies do you have saved up?