Relocating to Cincinnati soon, please help! (Mason, Blue Ash: house, school district, income)

[flyfishguy]

Moving to Cinci as soon as we sell our Atlanta home, gulp! We have two young kids (1 and 3), want to be within a 30 minute drive from downtown, family-oriented and safe community with good schools are most important to us. From the information we've gained from this site and others we'll be concentrating our house hunting in Anderson, Blue Ash, Mariemont, Madiera, Oakly and Wyoming. Is it realistic to expect that we can get anything decent in the 200k ball park (+/- a little)?

I would be grateful for any feedback or any other areas I should look at.

Thank you!
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[buckeyenative01]

Newtown is white trash central, but within the Forest Hills School District, which also serves Anderson Township.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

Newtown is white trash central, but within the Forest Hills School District, which also serves Anderson Township.

If the OP is willing to spend $200k, why Newtown? There are plenty of places in Anderson that are nicer (and further away from the flood plains) that will get you in that price range and in the Forest Hills SD.

[andrew2341]

Mason, West Chester, or Blue Ash is where I would go in that price range. I grew up in West Chester and the public schools are outstanding, and the same is true for Blue Ash and Mason. Truly top tier academically, and the towns themselves have a great family vibe. All three make excellent places to raise children.

In my experience, the only other local high school comparable in academic and social quality is Indian Hill, and that is out of your price range. I would stick to one of the above. The other places you mentioned are a significant step down in quality in all aspects of life. Significant.

[buckeyenative01]

There's Ivy Hills (if you can even get anything in that area for around 200k). It sounded like the OP wanted to go cheap but still be near a good school district. Mariemont, Madiera and Wyoming might be a little too expensive.

[unusualfire]

What does the OP mean?

[buckeyenative01]

OP = "original poster"

[CincyExpert]

For 200k you'll have the most options in Anderson Twp. However, it is not the most centrally located place in the tri-state area. Therefore you may want to look at Blue Ash or Madeira, where you'll have the next best amount of housing options and slightly better schools as well.

[flyfishguy]

Thanks for all the feedback. Schools and family-oriented trumps all. We could push it into the 220's, but would prefer not to stretch things, this move is taking us to one income so....

I'm looking forward to returning to the Midwest, been 13 years!

Thanks, Owen

[Sunnydee]

Owen, I live in Montgomery and have found it to be an excellent place to raise kids. Blue Ash is great as well. With the economy the way it is you just might be able to find something in your price range. Best wishes.