a Geographic dilemma around ...west chester OH? (Cincinnati, Dayton: rental, how much)

[dangitdangit]

I have a geographic dilemma, that I would appreciate some advice on. Pretty please.
BRIEF BACKGROUND
My S.O. and I live in Covington & Dayton respectively.
We are talking about the next step, moving in together, but we don't want to uproot one or both of our careers just yet. (recession + nuptuals are premature)

THE TWO GEOGRAPHIC POINTS
My place of employment is nearly to the indiana line, in Eaton. His is a handful of minutes away.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for a (relatively) manageable commute somewhere in the middle of Eaton and Covington ( no easy thing). I want to stick near main(-ish) roads because I want to be safe for a winter commute. He is concerned about going too far north because of rush hour traffic (although if he would just leave at 7 like I do...!).

We're weighing the WEST CHESTER area, formerly we'd thought about FAIRFIELD by 275, but ...! augh! that's so far! On top of the geography itself, I want a SAFE area. I hear... uh, questionable things about HAMILTON. I grew up in a crappy neighborhood, where we got broke into pretty often. I'm not eager to do that again.

Any advice about the safety of these areas, habitability, better areas, any advice would be so appreciated, I really need some help here.

[rrtechno]

There are some fine areas in Hamilton. Our two sons have lived there for 8 and 10 years and have not had any problems. In fact we are checking out some places there now with the thought of moving down to join them. Just be careful and check things out, which is true no matter where you move.

[aquila]

Hang tight...Survivor is coming on shortly, and I can't miss my show. But I'll be on later to give you the lowdown about Butler county.

[aquila]

Well, the first and foremost question is: are you wanting to rent, or buy? And if you're wanting to buy, how much are you wanting to spend and what are you looking for in a home? How close do you want to be to shopping, banking, schools, parks, yada yada yada...?

Hamilton isn't a bad area. Just have to watch what neighborhood you get into...but that's true for most urban areas. The west side would be the better choice, but even over there you have to be careful in some places. (Better to stay southwest of Millikin Avenue and west of N. Washington Blvd., or north of Rhea Avenue and east of Main St.) The downside there is that your S.O. is still going to have a headache for a commute if going to Covington everyday.

The only other areas that I can think of, which would be relatively easy for both of you to make a commute to your respective jobs, would be Trenton or Monroe. From those areas, it would be a straight shot west on SR 73, and then north on US 127 to Eaton. For your S.O., it would be straight down I-75.

West Chester is a great area, but I think you'd find it to be a bit more of a hassle when trying to go to Eaton every day. Trying to weave yourself over to US 127 in Hamilton would probably grate on your nerves very quickly.

My honest recommendation would be for you to look at Monroe.

[CincyAndy]

Monroe is nice, with newer homes and some older homesteads. West Chester has better schools, but much higher taxes. But, "shooting straight down 75" is no easy task during rush hour. I worked off Paddock Rd. and lived in West Chester. Lets just say that the areas surround 75 south of 275 need to be explored in order to make it past the log jam that is I-75 south in the morning and I-75 north in the afternoon.

[aquila]

Originally Posted by CincyAndy

Monroe is nice, with newer homes and some older homesteads. West Chester has better schools, but much higher taxes. But, "shooting straight down 75" is no easy task during rush hour. I worked off Paddock Rd. and lived in West Chester. Lets just say that the areas surround 75 south of 275 need to be explored in order to make it past the log jam that is I-75 south in the morning and I-75 north in the afternoon.

As much as what you say might be true, the unfortunate truth is that "shooting straight down I-75" is really the only viable option, regardless of whether it's a rush-hour nightmare or not. The only possible alternative would be to cut over to I-71 which, let's face it, isn't much better...and it's out of the way, adding more miles to the trip. Taking side roads is a headache as well, because of the traffic lights and narrow roads so typical of Cincinnati. The OP is in a bit of a bind if he/she really wants to be midway between Covington and Eaton.

[Hartwell Girl]

How about Hartwell...(I bet all the regulars were wondering when I might chime in on my stomping grounds lol). Hartwell is the City of Cincinnati. Whether you are buying or renting, the housing stock is quite affordable. Hartwell is located directly off interstate 75 (the Galbraith Road exit) and also Cross County/Ronald Regan highway runs through our southern most border which will take you to 275 into Indiana. Its a great little neighborhood which has been going through an upswing for the past couple years with older homes, a rental community (Williamsburg Apts), a neighborhood school, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, local auto shops, hardware store, restuarants etc. I consider it a great place to invest in as the community continues to work towards Recreation improvements, new school renovations and a business district planning group to bring not only a fresh new look for the business district but attract more businesses to the area. I love the neighborhood and my great neighbors who love to look for any excuse to get together and enjoy eachothers company. I used to say it was Cincinnati's best kept secret but with me on this forum chatting it up so much, might not be such a secret anymore lol. Good luck on your search!

[aquila]

Originally Posted by Hartwell Girl

How about Hartwell...(I bet all the regulars were wondering when I might chime in on my stomping grounds lol). Hartwell is the City of Cincinnati. Whether you are buying or renting, the housing stock is quite affordable. Hartwell is located directly off interstate 75 (the Galbraith Road exit) and also Cross County/Ronald Regan highway runs through our southern most border which will take you to 275 into Indiana. Its a great little neighborhood which has been going through an upswing for the past couple years with older homes, a rental community (Williamsburg Apts), a neighborhood school, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, local auto shops, hardware store, restuarants etc. I consider it a great place to invest in as the community continues to work towards Recreation improvements, new school renovations and a business district planning group to bring not only a fresh new look for the business district but attract more businesses to the area. I love the neighborhood and my great neighbors who love to look for any excuse to get together and enjoy eachothers company. I used to say it was Cincinnati's best kept secret but with me on this forum chatting it up so much, might not be such a secret anymore lol. Good luck on your search!

WHOA! No offense, but I really have to check you on this one. The OP's job is in EATON....not Indiana...and the other person's job is in Covington. Eaton is all the way up near I-70 in Preble County, and he/she is wanting to find a place between there and Covington which doesn't present a massive headache of a commute for either one of them. I hardly consider Hartwell to be an equal and balanced distance between the two. Eaton is a 45 mile drive from there, compared to only a 10 mile drive to Covington. I highly doubt that would serve their needs well. Please....let's remember what the OP is seeking, not where we'd like them to be because it happens to be our own neighborhood.

[Hartwell Girl]

I read Indiana...not Eaton. Simple mistake, I'm not a geography major....It had nothing to do with steering them towards my neighborhood for any other reason than I read Indiana. How about approaching it in a more polite way next time.

[aquila]

Originally Posted by Hartwell Girl

I read Indiana...not Eaton. Simple mistake, I'm not a geography major....It had nothing to do with steering them towards my neighborhood for any other reason than I read Indiana. How about approaching it in a more polite way next time.

I was being polite...just reacting in a surprised manner, that's all. You didn't hear the inflection in my "voice". I told you I meant no offense. I may have had a bit of a knee-jerk reaction because all too often in the forums we see people trying to steer others to what THEY want for the OP, instead of actually addressing what the OP wants. I wasn't sure if you misread the OP so that's why I clarified what they were looking for and where Eaton was located. Just the other day I read a smart-alec comment from someone who said the northern suburbs were "soul crushing". Forgive me for being a bit self-defensive.