Best way to get a feel for the different neighborhoods? (Cincinnati: real estate, new house)

[blue60]

Hi- I have been lurking on this forum for over a year and have found your insights quite helpful. My husband and I with our two school aged children may be relocated from the Northeast to Cincinnati next year. I plan on making some trips before then to check out the various communities. Based on my research, I have zeroed in on Montgomery and Blue Ash, but also would like to check out Mason.

Besides getting the right realtor and logging onto the various websites what's the best way to get a feel for the actual community and people? Are there certain roads, landmarks, etc that you would recommend driving down or walking around? I have read most of the opinions on this site about those areas, but want to check them out for myself. Thanks for your help!

[lakefront]

Make sure the realtor takes you to drop in on the school that your children would be actually attending in each of these areas. In some schools (though it varies) the principal will stop by and meet you personally, and if you arrange it in advance your children could shadow a student there for a half day or day. School culture is quite a powerful thing in the 'burbs.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by blue60

Hi- My husband and I with our two school aged children may be relocated from the Northeast to Cincinnati next year. I plan on making some trips before then to check out the various communities. Based on my research, I have zeroed in on Montgomery and Blue Ash, but also would like to check out Mason.

If you are going to move half way across the country, you need to come to Cincinnati and actually check it out. While the internet is a great resource, it is no substitute for actually seeing the lay of the land and meeting people in the various area.

Spend a few days checking out the schools, talking to people in the neighborhoods and you will generally be more able decide if it is the plcae to be.

[jlrosen]

there is no substitute for walking around a place. Take a one mile walk from the house you want to live in; see if there is anything within walking distance. A house is a 30 year investment. Last year gas prices went to four dollars. In 2001, gas was around a dollar a gallon. 30 years from now, gas could be $10 a gallon or we could all be riding around in electric cars for pennies a mile.

there is no way of knowing but it is good to be able to walk and run errands if you need to.

[blue60]

Thanks for the info so far. I will be coming out there in a couple of months for a long weekend. I am looking for some key streets to drive down or walk around in the communities I listed in my earlier post. Is there a particular local restaurant, store, or ice cream shop, etc. How about a walking trail or a greenway that may wind through a few of the neighborhoods? I am not looking to purchase a house for about a year. First I want to get to know the area and communities. Thanks!

[cincyohguy]

Originally Posted by blue60

Thanks for the info so far. I will be coming out there in a couple of months for a long weekend. I am looking for some key streets to drive down or walk around in the communities I listed in my earlier post. Is there a particular local restaurant, store, or ice cream shop, etc. How about a walking trail or a greenway that may wind through a few of the neighborhoods? I am not looking to purchase a house for about a year. First I want to get to know the area and communities. Thanks!

Are Mason, Montgomery, and Blue Ash the only three communities you are considering? In Montgomery, definitely check out Montgomery Inn and the nice shopping district that surrounds it. Montgomery Rd is the main road through Montgomery. Also, Silver Spring House Restaurant/bar is very popular and is on Kemper Rd. Aglamesi's Ice Cream and The Original Pancake House are also very good and a few miles north on Montgomery Rd. In Mason, I would drive Mason-Montgomery Rd, Tylersville Rd, and Socialville Foster Rd. Downtown Mason is on Reading Rd. In Blue Ash, drive Pfeiffer Rd., Hunt Rd, Reed Hartman Hwy,and Cooper Rd. There are too many roads to list but these are some of the main ones that pass by shopping,restaurants,etc.If you will be looking for neighborhoods, they are all over the place. If you had a specific budget, I could point you to some more specific areas. In general, the communities are all pretty affluent, middle to upper class. The area around Hamilton-Mason Rd and Bethany Rd is in the northern portion of Mason and is very upscale. Blue Ash and Montgomery are more established communities but still have a lot of new construction and are very nice areas. Mason is the newest and fastest growing area with mostly new houses. Mason and Sycamore schools are both excellent rated, and have been recognized nationally.

[blue60]

Cincyohguy- Thanks for the great info. That is exactly what I am looking for. Price range would be around $400,000. Based on my research, I am going to start with those areas. I am about a year out from a move. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated!

[Briolat21]

the main "big box" shopping area for Mason is Fields-Ertl and Mason Montgomery Roads (intersection of Field's Ertl and I-71) - that's where you'll find most of your franchise shopping.

I can't comment on Blue Ash or Montgomery except to say that Montgomery's downtown is really charming - but I don't know the street that it is, as I only moved here 2 years ago and am still learning my own way around!

Good luck with the visit - the suburbs you've identified are all quite nice.. You should have a lot to look at.

[cincyohguy]

Originally Posted by blue60

Cincyohguy- Thanks for the great info. That is exactly what I am looking for. Price range would be around $400,000. Based on my research, I am going to start with those areas. I am about a year out from a move. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated!

There are neighborhoods in that price range pretty much every where you look and $400,000 will buy a very nice home in Cincinnati. Sibcycline.com is the best website to search for real estate in these areas. You can search by district, community, price range, etc and all MLS listings come up. Good luck with your search!

[camelot05]

All 3 areas are nice. I personally would prefer Mason and Montgomery over Blue Ash, but it probably depends on where work is. If you work downtown, the commute from Mason can be tiring so Montgomery might be better. Mason is a beautiful area though