Young family moving to Cinci - Where should we buy a house? (Montgomery: to live, restaurants)

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by lindalee2

What about Newtown? What is the reputation of that area and it's schools?

Newtown as far as I know does not have all that much going for it. It's a sort of "on the edge of the urban area" type of environment. There's kind of a small town there, but has no retail you'd really want to walk to, and I'd guess most of the housing stock is well below your price range.

Based on your descriptions of what you want and what you're used to, most of the places already mentioned on the thread would be a MUCH better fit. I'd look first at Wyoming, then Blue Ash, then Montgomery. Glendale would also be a good place for you to investigate.

[october1]

Newtown itself does not have much to offer, though it's mostly in Forest Hills School District, which is a good district. But you can probably find something you like in Mariemont, which is nearby. It has a European feel to me, with a nice town, shops, walking, etc and is very close to Kenwood for major shopping. The schools there are some of the best around.

[SWOH]

Originally Posted by motorman

For our newcomers... Please realize that it's the massive Kenwood Town Center, 12-miles NE of the downtown, that's the true measuring stick of suburban shopping in Cincinnati. (You'll either love it or hate it!)

That is true. And honestly, the new Liberty Center probably won't measure up to it.

Cincinnati has a much more centralized shopping structure than most cities. Many have multiple malls of medium strength and prestige, Cincinnati basically has Kenwood which holds a lot of prestige and other malls which are relatively unhealthy. Except Florence Mall might be the only one dodging that bullet, probably because it is very far away from Kenwood in an entirely different state.

[progmac]

I think Montgomery will check all your boxes

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by lindalee2

He will be working for GE Aviation in Wyoming. Wyoming does look like a nice area....

If he will be working in Wyoming, that should be the first housing choice. Very short commute, the walkable downtown, although small, you desire, top rated schools. As has been mentioned, Glendale to the north has some very nice older homes from the days when it was a premier upscale residential neighborhood. It still retains a degree of pleasant walkability, but there is not much in terms of shopping. The biggest downside to Glendale is the school district can't hold a candle to Wyoming.

If there is just nothing available in Wyoming to your liking, I would look next towards Blue Ash, Montgomery, and Symmes Township. All of these are in the very desirable Sycamore school district for those kiddies, and are very close to Kenwood Towne Center, which BTW also has a Nordstrom. The commute to Wyoming would be very reasonable, the fastest route being the Ronald Reagan Highway (still called Cross County by the locals) west to I-75 and then slightly north to Wyoming. You can get there faster by figuring out the route to Wayne Ave and then north bypassing I-75 entirely.

My next choice would be look north up I-75 from Wyoming to such as Wetherington Golf & County Club nwest of the intersection of I-75 and Tylersville Rd, Four Bridges Country Club east of I-75 and off Tylersville Rd and Butler-Warren Rd, and Heritage Club in Mason also off Butler-Warren Rd. The first two are Lakota schools and Heritage Club Mason City schools, both top ranked districts. The commute to Wyoming would be about 20 minutes. All will be only a stones throw from the new Liberty Center once it is completed. Liberty Center's developer is Steiner who did Easton in Columbus. It will not initially have a Nordstrom. But to get your Nordstom fix, Kenwood Towne Center is just not that far away.

You might have some concerns that the country clubs are too shuck up, but my information is Wyoming is the champ for that.

Have frustrating fun deciding on a location to live in the Cincinnati area.

I am sure I will be bashed for not recommending more urban areas such as Oakley, Hyde Park, etc. With the two young kiddies who will soon be in school, I just don't see a reason to recommend areas with such a hassle for schools. Wouldn't it be nice to know when the time comes you will just sign them up and off they go, no hassle? Wyoming has great schools. Also note Wyoming is an independent city with an independent school district. Why do you think it is consistently recommended as a place to live in Cincinnati, convenient to downtown?

My second recommendation is also based around schools, specifically the Sycamore district. It is fortunate to be old enough the student population has not exploded. The fact the student population is not huge has advantages, the ability to compete in sports teams and such. But the basics boil down to the fact the residents have supported the schools for decades and made them one of the prime reasons for living there.

My third recommendation is all about schools. Yes Lakota and Mason schools are both very large. But large is only a problem when the quality of performance diminishes. I have not detected that with either one of these districts. Having been carved out of farm country by developers only concerned about their immediate profit, yes, we have little to none walkable neighborhoods, we are a car oriented society. But well beyond that, we are a family oriented society. That to me is the overwhelming factor. Those who doubt just come here and talk to the residents - ask them why they live here? I believe they will tell you this is the Greatest Bang for Your Buck in Cincinnati.

[CincyIU29]

I would say Butler county is decidedly out for any couple that are liberal or a little hipster. It is arguably the most heavily conservative county in the entire state of Ohio.

While Wyoming is a good choice, I think Hyde Park fits the bill here. Great housing stock, a great town center that has a farmers market every sunday as well as upscale shopping that may surpass even Kenwood (D&H, Alligator Purse, Kahakis etc.), very walkable, good public (Hyde Park School, Kilgour, Walnut Hills High School (Best High School in the entire state)) and private (Summit Country Day, St. Mary's) schools, 10 minutes from Kenwood, 10 minutes from downtown. If your husband is of European background I can guarantee he would like Hyde Park better than West Chester or Mason, probably even Wyoming. Good variety of political views too, a very cultured area.

[Ohio123]

I'm certainly a fan of Hyde Park and live there myself but I don't think I can recommend it in this case. If your husband is working in Wyoming and you have a $500K budget than Wyoming would probably be the best fit. Driving 20+ minutes (assuming no traffic) from Hyde Park everyday would be annoying when his commute could easily be 5-10 minutes from Wyoming.

If he worked downtown or on the east side I would definitely recommend Hyde Park based on all the things CincyIU29 mentioned above...its a great area.

[kjbrill]

OP ...
I said I would be criticized for not recommending a more urban location. But I will stick by my recommendations based on just one thing - those kiddies and what you will want for them as they enter the school years.

At your price point, you should be able to get a fine home in any of the areas. Wyoming is definitely #1 on the list, following my own self-proclaimed aspect of live where you work!

I was over halfway through my working career before I had the opportunity to do this. I had moved to the suburban boondocks years before and endured the commute down I-71 from Mason to Norwood. Then my company decided the Norwood facility was broken down, irrepairable, and the property it sat on valuable. So they decided to sell it and build a new state of the art facility out in Mason in an industrial park. I learned part of the decision was based on a study they made of where their employees would desire to live. The new facility ended up less than 2 miles from my house, well under 5 minutes. I could arise at 7:30 AM, shower, shave, dress, and be at the office before 8:00 AM. Once I experienced this I decided this is the way to live. It can be difficult to achive. I just advise keep looking for it, as the impact on lifestyle is immeasurable.

OK, back to your situation. Look at my second recommendation, those suburbs in the Sycamore school district. Once again, emphsis on those kiddies. If you find something there, fine and well. But view the purchase in regard to how fast can we resell this place. Because from Day 1, you want to keep looking at places in Wyoming. The first place you identify as a place you desire to live, buy it. You just have to be in position to sell whatever you have and move there. Again, live where you work, you will never regret it.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by CincyIU29

...While Wyoming is a good choice, I think Hyde Park fits the bill here. Great housing stock, a great town center that has a farmers market every sunday as well as upscale shopping that may surpass even Kenwood (D&H, Alligator Purse, Kahakis etc.), very walkable, good public (Hyde Park School, Kilgour, Walnut Hills High School (Best High School in the entire state)) and private (Summit Country Day, St. Mary's) schools, 10 minutes from Kenwood, 10 minutes from downtown. If your husband is of European background I can guarantee he would like Hyde Park better than West Chester or Mason, probably even Wyoming. Good variety of political views too, a very cultured area.

Originally Posted by Ohio123

I'm certainly a fan of Hyde Park and live there myself but I don't think I can recommend it in this case. If your husband is working in Wyoming and you have a $500K budget than Wyoming would probably be the best fit. Driving 20+ minutes (assuming no traffic) from Hyde Park everyday would be annoying when his commute could easily be 5-10 minutes from Wyoming.

If he worked downtown or on the east side I would definitely recommend Hyde Park based on all the things CincyIU29 mentioned above...its a great area.

(for the OP...) Two reasonable posts...

As mentioned first, Hyde Park (including adjoining Mt. Lookout and East Walnut Hills) arguably comprise Cincinnati-proper's three top-tier neighborhoods. Money is and money does in these three elite, cultured environs, but, then again...why not?

Yet, as mentioned second, if hubby will be employed at GE@Evendale, Wyoming/Glendale or Blue Ash/ Mason will not disappoint--and Wyoming (unlike its Cincinnati counterpart, Hyde Park) may be regarded as GE's "backyard." (You decide...)

[kjbrill]

OP ...
I will keep beating down the doors, live where you work if possible. Undoubtedly the most rewarding years of my life. If I needed to have someone come in for a house repair, could just cut out, go home, meet and agree on a procedure, and back to work. Total time, 20 to 25 minutes. I usually only told my secretary I was going home for awhile, would be back shortly. I quickly realized how valuable this was in my life. I convinced my brother who worked for the same company but lived in Blue Ash to purchase a new home less than 1/2 mile from mine in Mason.

We are now both retired and thankful we live in a desirable area. Neither one of us is attracted to the snow bird life in Florida. We both were born and raised in Ohio. But beyond that we like the attitude of the people in Ohio. The majority are willing to take responsibility for their own lives.

I would do everything in my power, including renting something on a short term basis, to insure I could find a domicile in Wyoming to my liking. That is how strong I recognize my ability to do that had an impact on my life. Again, Live where you work, you will not regret it.