About Norwood (Mason, Finneytown, Reading: real estate, apartments, new house)

[DrZero]

Wondered if you guy could dump some information/ideas about Norwood on me. I've read the forum enough to get an impression that a lot of people don't think highly of it, but that certain parts, particularly the pocket near Oakley, are pretty decent and may have potential to be up-and-coming as people get priced out of Oakley proper.
We need a decent elementary school. I've seen and heard mixed reviews of the schools. I know they don't have the best scores, but they're said to be improving, and I personally do not always take scores to be the best indicator of whether a student will have a positive experience in school. I want good education but I don't necessarily want the snob culture I think exists in systems like Mason, Lakota, and to an extent Sycamore.
Because of the kids, true city living would be difficult, but we aren't gung-ho on suburban life, so Norwood seems like a potential compromise. (And it has lower taxes.)
What do you think? And are there any pockets/streets you would recommend for/against?

[Ohiogirl81]

There are plenty of decent areas of Norwood: Glenside, Quatman, Fenwick are some streets between Carthage Avenue and Montgomery Road where the houses are smaller but well taken care of. If I recall correctly, there's an elementary school in that neighborhood. Some friends live there and it's perfectly safe. The area around Indian Mound Avenue is gorgeous.

[CincyExpert]

Originally Posted by DrZero

I want good education but I don't necessarily want the snob culture I think exists in systems like Mason, Lakota, and to an extent Sycamore.
Because of the kids, true city living would be difficult, but we aren't gung-ho on suburban life, so Norwood seems like a potential compromise.

Norwood could be a very comfortable and convenient place to live, but I'm afraid you may find the school district a little too blue-collar to your liking. I would suggest looking at some of the other school districts of the inner-ring suburbs such as Oak Hills, Northwest, Finneytown, Winton Woods, Princeton, Deer Park and Reading.

[HuskerDu]

We just bought a house in Norwood and really like the area we chose. If you get off of I-71 at the Smith Edwards exit (#6), turn onto Williams at the Shell station and drive back into that neighborhood, any street you turn down back there has it's share of houses that need work... but there are plenty of really nice houses in the $130k to $170k range that would cost $200k to $250k if located in Oakley. As I've mentioned in other threads, this area of Norwood is a very short walk to Rookwood Commons/Pavillion or a longer hike to Hyde Park SQ and about a mile walk to Oakley SQ in the other direction. We have only been living in the new house for a couple of months so we are just now starting to explore deeper into Norwood. I am really looking forward to going to Quatman Cafe and another place we heard about called The Speckled Bird. We don't have kids so we really haven't a clue about the schools.

Question for anyone here who knows about the eminent domain issue...

I have been trying to get updates on what is happening with the area next to Rookwood that is sitting stagnant and fenced off with that old boarded up house in the middle of the weeds. I am familiar with the original Norwood V. Horney case, but am having a difficult time finding updated developments. Does anyone have any news on this?

[Ohiogirl81]

HuskerDu, last I heard was that the Burtons sold their property on Edmonson Road, and that Mr. Horney's property is the only one remaining. That was a few months ago, I believe.

Driving past there just makes me sad. That was a solid, vibrant neighborhood. It's absolutely disgusting what happened to it ... but that's fodder for another thread.

[Crew Chief]

Ohiogirl81, I've read a little about Norwood's Eminent Domain conflict; is any of the property involved currently the site of the Meijer, Target, and all those other big box retailers and chain restaurants just S of the Lateral? Just curious because I frequently deliver there. FWIW, I'd love to see that old factory that is immediately South of the Target and Meijer redeveloped into retail or apartments. Or both...

[Humlermw]

Norwood is a quirky sort of area with a definite rundown feeling in parts. Although much nicer in others. Seems like a nice community to me.

[mimi in cinci]

I owned a house in Norwood for years. As a single woman with no kids it was great because it was cheap & safe. I have friends have who moved out of Norwood a few years ago because they were so unhappy with the education programs.

You might want to check the following links to see what programs are provided the test scores & graduation rates.

Norwood schools - Norwood public schools - Norwood school ratings - Best Norwood schools

Welcome to Norwood City Schools

[Norwood Native]

As someone who was born and raised in Norwood, I know a little. The Elementary Schools are good. Stay away from Allison Though. The Northern side of Norwood is nice. Like Glenside, Fenwick, Cypress, Laura Lane, Irving Place, Sheridan, Indian Mound areas. If your looking at the High School. DONT. Send your kid to a better School!

[Joe 4520832257]

I generally agree with all the above comments about Norwood. Some nice areas, some rough areas, very blue collar.

If I had to guess, Norwood is going to become a "hot" neighborhood once residential real estate rebounds. The location is just too good. Granted, you are surrounded by either mediocre neighborhoods or freeways on all sides, but it's really convenient to Rookwood, Hyde Park, and Oakley.

There are already a handful of young professionals buying up houses in Norwood, and I'd expect that trend to continue - at least for the parts close to Rookwood.