relocating: hyde park/oakley v. downtown (Cincinnati, Findlay: apartment, to rent, lofts)

[kimierin]

Hi everyone--

I am moving Cincinnati in a little less than 2 weeks for work, and was hoping to get some advice. I'm looking to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in a lively, pedestrian-friendly area. I'm a 20-something single with a Master's degree coming from New York. My office will be in Evendale but I don't mind having a slightly longer drive to work if it means living in a neighborhood I enjoy.

My Cincinnati acquaintances have overwhelmingly recommended Hyde Park, but from what I've seen online I prefer the aesthetics of downtown lofts. How dynamic is downtown? Does it close up shop early? Is it safe late at night (funny, I've never thought about safety in Manhattan but this does seem to come up a lot in the Cinci forum, so I thought I should ask)? Does Hyde Park have better amenities and restaurants? Where is nightlife concentrated?

Also, I am a fairly active person and would be looking for a gym and a tennis club. Any recommendations on those fronts?

Thanks so much!
Kim

[wilson1010]

In downtown, they not only close everything, the roll up the sidewalk and turn on the motion sensors. You could go to a show at the Aronoff once a year, or go ice skating on Fountain Square. Other than that, its drunk homeless wastrels and cops after dark. If you look for aesthetics in DT, good luck. Its post modern crapola unless you go to OTR, which, I must tell you, you really don't want to do just now. The nightlife in OTR has died and some day it will be a nice residential area for singles, but not just now. DT is hideously converted department stores and high rise cubicle spaces. Un-livable spaces IMO.

Hyde Park is the right choice for you. The bars are hopping and there are plenty of people and things to do. Mt. Lookout Square is slightly edgier with more likelihood of live music and serious partiers. But its really all one neighborhood. Best parks in the City are in easy access. Your friends told you right. You have to look a little for aesthetics in architecture, but you can find them in both HP and Mt.L.

[Hartwell Girl]

If you'd like some REAL facts about downtown living, I'd seek the advice from those who live there, not just work there. Downtown Residents Council, Cincinnati, Ohio Good luck on your search!

[wilson1010]

Hahaha:

Here are the two articles in the downtown residents' Council:

Help Stop Panhandling. Cincinnati has a very detailed law controlling panhandling. See how it protects you.
Help Us Stop Graffiti! Call it in! If you see graffiti on a building, sidewalk, rack, etc. please help us get rid of it ASAP.† The longer graffiti stays up, the greater the invitation for more.† Please contact DCI Ambassador Director Ron Mabry when you see graffiti.† Ron will dispatch a team to photograph it, report it to the police and remove it. Ron's number is 513-383-5075.

Of course, you could look at Hartwell if you like changing your motor oil in the street and collecting hubcaps.

[Hartwell Girl]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Hahaha:

Here are the two articles in the downtown residents' Council:

Help Stop Panhandling. Cincinnati has a very detailed law controlling panhandling. See how it protects you.
Help Us Stop Graffiti! Call it in! If you see graffiti on a building, sidewalk, rack, etc. please help us get rid of it ASAP.† The longer graffiti stays up, the greater the invitation for more.† Please contact DCI Ambassador Director Ron Mabry when you see graffiti.† Ron will dispatch a team to photograph it, report it to the police and remove it. Ron's number is 513-383-5075.

Of course, you could look at Hartwell if you like changing your motor oil in the street and collecting hubcaps.

Stop attacking Hartwell because you dont like me.

[wilson1010]

I like you fine. I just need to train you not to take gratuitous shots at me, which you have a bad habit of doing. Go back and read your post. You repeatedly start with me and then think that you are the victim.

I used to have a photo of Karen Carpenter taped to my computer to remind me that there are otherwise intelligent, well meaning people out in the world who do not have a clue about who they actually are. I suppose that you actually think that you are a nice person that just gets picked on for no reason. The truth is otherwise.

[Hartwell Girl]

Well I dont care for you, and I sure as heck dont need to be trained by you or anyone else. You act like a know it all here and for that reason, YES, I do try to send messages where people can gather information from people who actually LIVE in the neighborhoods people are curious about.

One thing you should know about me Wilson, I am a very nice lady, but I dont tolerate nonsense and you have pushed way too many buttons with me. If you would have just made that statement above to me in person, You probably would have gotten slapped in the face.
I apologize to everyone else for this daily spat---I promise only to the rest of you that I will try to avoid it in the future---its not the reason I log on here.
And Kimierin, I wish you the best in your hunt for the answers you requested. I would contact someone at the link I posted, I am sure they would love to help answer any questions you have from their own personal experiences.

[mimi in cinci]

While Downtown Cincinnati really wants to be a residential neighborhood, it isn't just yet. There's no real grocery -don't get me wrong, I love
Findlay Market- but the hours are impractical. Shopping is really pretty sad - a few fun boutiques. It lacks a cohesiveness that coming from Manhattan will be immediately obvious. Over the Rhine is beautiful but not many ammenities.

I don't think I'd want to compromise for the lack of the amenities that you mentioned. Hyde Park is a little snooty but overall has what you're looking for: walk-ability,restaurants & bars ,safety , shopping easy access to the highway for your commute.

As for a gym & tennis club - Cincinnati Sports Club on Redbank Rd. is wonderful - I believe they have winter membership share with Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Club during the winter. Good luck!

[Barca_fan]

Originally Posted by mimi in cinci

While Downtown Cincinnati really wants to be a residential neighborhood, it isn't just yet. There's no real grocery -don't get me wrong, I love
Findlay Market- but the hours are impractical. Shopping is really pretty sad - a few fun boutiques. It lacks a cohesiveness that coming from Manhattan will be immediately obvious. Over the Rhine is beautiful but not many ammenities.

I don't think I'd want to compromise for the lack of the amenities that you mentioned. Hyde Park is a little snooty but overall has what you're looking for: walk-ability,restaurants & bars ,safety , shopping easy access to the highway for your commute.

As for a gym & tennis club - Cincinnati Sports Club on Redbank Rd. is wonderful - I believe they have winter membership share with Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Club during the winter. Good luck!

I agree with the above post. Downtown Cincinnati has great architecture but it lacks some of the amenities you can find in Hyde Park.

[maestro]

I lived in Hyde Park/Mt. Lookout/Oakley area and loved it. Lots to do, lots of people in the 22-35 age group. Good bars.

I'm told downtown is on the up-and-up but I'd still go with HP/Oakley over downtown right now. Plus, if you work in Evendale there's no reason to do that drive to/from downtown (and pay for monthly parking).