Casino Job/Relocation (Cincinnati, Mason, Blue Ash: apartments, renting, condominiums)

[AutumnH]

Hey!! *waves*

I've been lurking this thread for awhile. My husband and I are looking into relocating to Cincy because he is able to transfer his current job to the casino opening there soon. We've been wanting a change so we figured we'd give it a try.

A little info about us...

We are young adults 31-35 with two kids 4 & 11. He's a casino supervisor at Harrah's Casino, while I am an accountant/auditor for Mississippi Gaming Commission (regulate the casinos). We currently live in a suburb outside of Memphis, TN, which is Northern MS so now our commute to work is about 30 miles one way to work.

What we want...
If he accept the transfer the first thing we are looking for is a good school system! Next I would like to live in a newer area such as apartments/townhomes that are less than 10 years old (updated appliances, light fixtures, etc...), restaurants, nice shopping and so on. Don't plan on buying a home until I know I like the transition so renting in a range of $900-$1200.

I won't be working until I get settled there with the girls and get them adjusted to the area, but I would like to know what does the Accounting/Auditing field look like for me when I do want to start work. I currently hold a MBA in Accounting with about 5-7 years of experience.

Thanks!!!

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by AutumnH

Hey!! *waves*

I've been lurking this thread for awhile. My husband and I are looking into relocating to Cincy because he is able to transfer his current job to the casino opening there soon. We've been wanting a change so we figured we'd give it a try.

A little info about us...

We are young adults 31-35 with two kids 4 & 11. He's a casino supervisor at Harrah's Casino, while I am an accountant/auditor for Mississippi Gaming Commission (regulate the casinos). We currently live in a suburb outside of Memphis, TN, which is Northern MS so now our commute to work is about 30 miles one way to work.

What we want...
If he accept the transfer the first thing we are looking for is a good school system! Next I would like to live in a newer area such as apartments/townhomes that are less than 10 years old (updated appliances, light fixtures, etc...), restaurants, nice shopping and so on. Don't plan on buying a home until I know I like the transition so renting in a range of $900-$1200.

I won't be working until I get settled there with the girls and get them adjusted to the area, but I would like to know what does the Accounting/Auditing field look like for me when I do want to start work. I currently hold a MBA in Accounting with about 5-7 years of experience.

Thanks!!!

How long in minutes is a reasonable commute to work from your husband's standpoint?

[AutumnH]

No more than 45 mins

[flashes1]

I'd suggest looking for an apt. in Anderson or Blue Ash. I lived at Charleston at Blue Ash 9 years ago, and really liked it. I drive by it occaisionally now, and it still looks nice. Perfect location (2 mins. from I-71), fantastic schools (Sycamore Schools), 1 min. walk to the Blue Ash Amphitheater, and a 15 minute walk to downtown Montgomery.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by AutumnH

No more than 45 mins

There are very few locations in Greater Cincinnati where you cannot get to the casino in 45 minutes, and that includes where I live out in Mason.

When you set limits such as less than 10 years old, that is a big restriction. Even where I live in Mason, one of the fastest growing areas over the past 25 years, 10 years or newer brings down the plateau. I sometimes wonder why make the comment if you can't really back it up. Stating certain desires in updated interiors is more reasonable, rather than specific age limits. There are several units out where I live which are over 10 years old but I would be proud to own.

Those two kids 4 and 11 must be your biggest concentration. Over and over it is good schools. Will you be relocating before the end of the school year, I expect so? I suggest starting in the Blue Ash and Montgomery Area (Sycamore Schools) and looking for a reasonable apartment to fit your needs. Don't necessarily expect a garage at your family level. Easy commute for the husband to the casino. Settle into an area with a nice family environment and then begin to evaluate both the job at the casino and the whole spectrum of living in Cincinnati.

30 miles in Cincinnati literally puts you in Timbuktu and if you are near an expressway is still only about 45 minutes from downtown.

If you are committed to initially renting, which I believe is a good idea, then concentrate on a nice suburb with good schools and an inviting apartment in your price range. Ignore alll of the ifs, comes, and maybes concerning where exactly in the area to live. Settle in, let the hubby get comfortable in his job, get the girls settled down after the move, and then start looking for a job for yourself. With your experience I don't believe that to be too difficult. Due to the topography Cincinnati can be difficult to determine where you want to live long term. But Memphis cannot be all that much different, river town and all.

[Sarah Perry]

I end up recommending Blue Ash a lot, but like a couple other posters I think it would make for a good initial location for you. Sycamore school district is one of the best in the area, and you would stand a good chance of finding a home to buy in that district later. Blue Ash is its own city and has excellent recreational amenities, too. It's well within your suggested commute time from downtown.

[Zen_master]

Originally Posted by flashes1

I'd suggest looking for an apt. in Anderson or Blue Ash. I lived at Charleston at Blue Ash 9 years ago, and really liked it. I drive by it occaisionally now, and it still looks nice. Perfect location (2 mins. from I-71), fantastic schools (Sycamore Schools), 1 min. walk to the Blue Ash Amphitheater, and a 15 minute walk to downtown Montgomery.

A good friend of mine I've known since I was 3 and went to college with lived at Charleston in Blue Ash upon graduation. I remember it being a relatively young demographic. He was in a two bedroom with a roommate and next door was a two bedroom where the tennants were young ladies. You might imagine how that whole thing ended up... party city.

The location is great and the schools are in the top 5 of public districts in the city, but just be aware the price point isn't so high as to exclude a few recent grads/young professionals who may be partying it up on the weekends.

Another option maybe 5 minutes from Blue Ash would be Tollgate Condominiums in Montgomery. Never been inside one of these condos so can't comment about the ammenities but the area is great with easy access to nearly anything you could want from Kenwood Towncenter Mall, fine dining, grocery store, daycare, the gym, street cafes, Bethesda North hosptial, and the expressway, etc. This is also Sycamore School District.

TollgateCondominums.com - Montgomery's Best Kept Secret

[AutumnH]

Thank you guys so much!! So I'll be researching more on Blue Ash and the Sycamore School district since a good school district is very important...