West Chester Area (Cincinnati, Hamilton, Warren: mortgage, real estate, foreclosures)

[blueandpink]

Hello! First we thought my husband is being transfered to Minneapolis. Now we find out it will be Cincinnati for sure.

He'll be working in West Chester. How are the schools? Housing? Crime? Taxes? We live in the Burbs of Philly and it cost an arm and a leg here to live here. So I'm hoping Ohio can be a bit more afforable. Anything good under $225k?

I've looked on-line trying to get info on West Chester . There isn't much. I did find a near by town, Hamilton, and it doesn't look good. I read something like 246 sex offenders live there. Could that be right?

Any info I would be appericate. Many thanks!!!!

[Linda Pratt]

West Chester is one of the nicest suburbs in Cincinnati! Property values are appreciating, schools are great, economy is booming! Hamilton is 10-20 minutes away and "east side" is bad, west side is better, but West Chester is far better! Mason is also a great area.

[blueandpink]

Linda:

Thanks! I'm hoping I'll get more for money there than here in Philly!

[Ohiogirl81]

You'll definitely get more for your money than in Philadelphia. It won't cost you an arm and a leg ... maybe just one hand. Don't get me started on the house I sold in Cincinnati for $95,000; the equivalent in the Philadelphia area was going to cost me about $250,000, which I couldn't afford. Nah, I'm not bitter ...

Anywho, West Chester is very, very suburban, filled up with cornfield subdivisions of four-bedroom colonials and McMansions, and big box shopping centers built around what were once small crossroads towns. It's one of the most populous townships in Ohio. If you live and work in West Chester, you won't pay any income tax -- Ohio townships are forbidden by law to enact income taxes. I don't know for sure if the school district (Lakota) has an income tax. But the government/schools can't raise taxes on you without a vote! What a concept, eh?

The school district is huge, but is generally considered to be very good: lakotaonline.com. The township site is westchesteroh.org

Good luck!

[blueandpink]

Ohio Girl: Thanks for the info. I will check out the school district on line. I agree $95K will get you jack-crap here in Philly. The taxes are out of control here. I can't wait to move! Many thanks again!

[AGVCINCY]

I work in West Chester and live in Hamilton, If you are not already here you will find big differences in the surrounding areas of what is offered as far as housing , schools , and entertainment. If you want that small town feel Lebanon is super and you need to have dinner at the Golden Lamb, charming older homes with a downtown consisting of antique shops restaurants and boutique shops. Mason is like this on a lesser scale. West Chester has a more suburban feel homes 200k and up can get you a decent 2000 sq ft 2 1/2 bath home.West Chester was ranked CNN / Money "Top 100 Places to Live" good schools and with alot of developement as far as businesses, parks and schools. . I am a member of the West Chester Chamber and they do go all out to welcome businesses and you have alot options as far as getting involved in the community or to just enjoy the quiet of a peaceful community.
It is a buyers market and I really do recommend checking out Mason, Blue Ash, Liberty, Past Hamilton is Ross which is what West Chester was like 10 years ago more farm land and more acreage with a home. I think once you drive around you may understand what I am talking about. Coming from Philly you may have heard that Cincinnati is suffering from a high amount of foreclosures because of higher than usual subprime mortgages, well not to get in lengthy discussion, but this works to your advantage better buys and lower prices . Good Luck feel free to ask me any questions

[AGVCINCY]

Enclosed are some links to help you out :
West Chester Township
West Chester Development (broken link)
BCEO - Township Information
City of Lebanon, Ohio, USA
Warren County Ohio - Municipalities and Townships


Good Luck

[blueandpink]

AGV:

THanks for the info. We're hoping to be visiting and looking for a place in 2 weeks. I will ask my real estate agent to get some listings in the towns you mentioned.
Many thanks!

[AGVCINCY]

Sorry to Push Lebanon so much but they are having something called Applefest in September , great way to experience small town America and they have train rides for the kids on an old train steam engine .

Hope your trip and visit go well