Glen Parker Ave in Northside (Cincinnati, Hamilton: apartment complexes, crime, buying a house)

[ndrobles]

Looking to buy a house on Glen Parker Ave in Northside. Noticed that there are various apartment complexes on this street. Any things I should know about this street/area? Should I look somewhere else in Northside?

More info:
I have live in Cincinnati for about a year now.....lived in Hyde Park and now in Mt. Auburn (off of Highland & McGreggor).


Thanks.

[flash3780]

I looked at buying a place in Northside recently. Seeing as you're looking at buying a house there, I'm sure that you know the area as well as anyone. However, a few areas that I thought had good potential were:
Brookside Ave - There was an 1895 second empire rowhouse here that is begging to be restored. I know my limits, though, and it's in pretty rough shape.
Haight Ave - Similar to Brookside; great street close to restaurants, etc.
Pullan Ave (in parts) - The area near Hamilton Ave seemed nice.
Westmoreland Ave - Nice street, larger yards, cool bungalows
Bruce Ave - Worth a drive, I remember a really nice Queen Anne style house
Argyle Pl. - Smaller yards than Westmoreland, but similar style houses (bungalows)

For the record, I liked Glen Parker Ave as well, especially being up on a hill. The only downside is there were a few of those brick box apartments. Nonetheless, it's within walking distance of quite a lot of stuff.

I'd stay away from the area around Mad Anthony St; it seemed as though there was less gentrification going on there. There's also a bit of crime in that part of the neighborhood that the city has been working hard to combat.

Northside seems like an up-and-coming community. There are a few things that are holding it down, though. There are a few old empty industrial buildings to the southeast of Northside that will certainly keep down nearby property values unless something is done with them, the largest of which on the corner of Spring Grove Ave and Fergus St (I think it would make a really cool shopping mall). Urban blight has unfortunately taken hold in this area and has only recently begun to be reversed. The hope is that the trend will continue (there is some great architecture in the area), but it's hard to say for certain. Crime is higher than in other places, and the school system leaves a lot to be desired (ex. Chase School has abysmal test scores).

On the bright side, urban renewal has been taking place. If it continues in the same manner, it could be like moving to San Fransisco before the housing boom. There are some great shops and restaurants in the area, and there is an extremely active community council working hard to make things happen here. All-and-all things seem to be looking up in the area.