Still looking to narrow down neighborhoods....Madeira vs. Blue Ash vs. ? (Cincinnati: for sale, house)

[Totogel]

Looking for 30 minute commute to downtown
Looking for good schools for 3 & 1 year old
Want good access to shopping within 20 minutes in any direction
Looking for good amenities, recreation, gyms/active lifestyle
Want great young community with kids
Feel like Blue Ash could be good fit....

perspective on traffic to down-town?

heard recently great things about Madeira. Any feedback, thoughts? Same about Mariemont, but feel to a bit further away to make comfortable drive to Kenwood or Deerfield (ruled out Anderson/Newtown for same reason). Like the fact that Blue Ash can run to Deer field, Kenwood, & rookwood with short period of time.

downside of Blue ASh....not many homes for sale....so looking for other recommendations on similar type communities without needing to travel further up I-71 if i don't have to considering traffic fears.

thanks for perspective.

[t45209]

Personally, I see little difference between Blue Ash and Madeira based on the criteria you have cited. Montgomery...same thing.

You could go even further north and still be within a 30 minute commute to downtown. Traffic on I-71 is a cakewalk any day of the week compared to what you would experience on I-75. However, I have lived closer to the city for many years while working in the Blue Ash area, and I love the fact that my commute is the opposite of everyone else's. So, as traffic is stacked up trying to get out of downtown from Dana to the Kenwood cut, I'm flying by at 60 mph heading south, waving as I go.

Mariemont is farther from Kenwood or Deerfield, but you don't state why you desire to go up there. Mariemont is probably about the same distance, if not a little closer to downtown, and the same distance from Rookwood, if not a little closer. On balance, you will probably pay more for less house in Mariemont than Blue Ash, but Mariemont has far better "curb appeal" than Blue Ash.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Totogel

heard recently great things about Madeira. Any feedback, thoughts? Same about Mariemont, but feel to a bit further away to make comfortable drive to Kenwood or Deerfield (ruled out Anderson/Newtown for same reason).

Madeira is no further from Kenwood than Mariemont. It's a nice little town with a variety of housing choices and a good school district, and is 20 minutes away from anywhere you'd need to be.

[t45209]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Madeira is no further from Kenwood than Mariemont. It's a nice little town with a variety of housing choices and a good school district, and is 20 minutes away from anywhere you'd need to be.

Oh, Mariemont is definitely further from Kenwood, but not so much that anyone should really care.

[kjbrill]

I have some concerns about Madeira. I grew up there and lived there until my mid thirties. My parents lived there until into their nineties. What concerns me is much of the older portions of town are very modest 6-room cape cods built on 50'by150' lots. They were not the best construction when built, and some are not aging too gracefully.

During its development years Madeira consistently kept commercial business out of the city. So it is definitely a bedroom only community. They have managed to maintain good schools, but the cost is totally on the homeowner. I have concerns the aging small housing stock and high taxes will become a burden the current homeowners cannot afford.

In comparison, Blue Ash basically rebuilt their entire downtown, has a great Community Center, and offers many amenities to their residents, all due to the tax revenue from the large industrial park and office complex along Reed Hartman HIghway.

Madeira has a problem keeping trash collection rates in line and Blue Ash offers free summer concerts. Tell me who is in the best position.

Believe me, I loved Madeira when I grew up there, but I would not entertain moving back there.

[Totogel]

Thanks to all for perspective. Helpful for my pro/con list. Time to get out to check out these areas & test out commute times.

[wrightflyer]

Stay as far south as possible to shorten your commute.

Sorry, but I just spent half of my 1 3/4 hour commute inside the I-275 loop on I-71. I left at 5pm from the Macy's Garage. Mind you, I commute to Beavercreek, a Dayton suburb, but it took me 45 minutes to reach the Pheiffer Rd exit for Blue Ash. That does not count the side streets. Just a heads up.

For reference, without traffic, my commute is usually an hour +/- a few minutes.

[kjbrill]

Blue Ash may be as far north as you want to go. It is a fine community with good schools and about everything else you will desire. The average commute from downtown Cincinnati should be just under 30 minutes. If homes in Blue Ash are a problem then look at Symmes Township just to the north. But be careful you stay in the Sycamore school district. You should only add 5-10 minutes to the average commute.