East Walnut Hills: DeSales Corner (Cincinnati, Montgomery: 2014, leases, crime)

[isolace]

Hello All,

I am considering making a move from CUF over to DeSales Corner. Specifically, I am considering the DeSales Flats complex.

Would anyone be able to provide suggestions about the area? I have been over there several times to both walk and drive the neighborhood. It seems to be stable at this time--business are continuing to open up at DeSales Plaza and south Woodburn.

The area seems decent to a point. It certainly gets worse as you get closer to Montgomery.

I would welcome all opinions. The rent is significantly more so I would like to make the best decision possible. Searched around and found an old thread on a similar topic and thought fresh opinions would help.

Thank you.

[Wilson513]

I get over there pretty often. I think that Woodburn gets worse long before Montgomery Rd. There is no place to shop, no safe fuel stations, no place to walk. What was described as the worst corner in Cincinnati, Montgomery and Woodburn which you mentioned is the next significant intersection to the North. I'd skip it.

[RustBeltOptimist]

Cafe DeSales is one of the best little neighborhood coffee shops in the city. It's a great little community around there, I love Hi-Bred and Le Bon Vivant, and O'Byronville's right close by too, within an extended walking distance. Wilson's right that the lack of grocer could be a concern, as the WH Kroger on MacMillan is pretty terrible, you're better off shopping at Whole Foods or somewhere else around Hyde Park/Oakley.

I think this is going to be a neighborhood that will be an ongoing development for people who move there now, but it could be worth the wait, as it's already got a lot of charm to it and something to build from.

[isolace]

Thank you both for the information.

So, is the conclusion that it might be a decent place to move into, but not at this time?

[Ohiogirl81]

This little area has always intrigued me, and I love St. Francis DeSales Church.

[RustBeltOptimist]

Originally Posted by isolace

Thank you both for the information.

So, is the conclusion that it might be a decent place to move into, but not at this time?

It would depend on your situation. If you're looking for a totally walkable urban neighborhood, it's not ready, but if you have access to a car or don't mind taking the bus or riding a bike for groceries, it wouldn't be too bad right now.

There is a lot of investment and development money being spent on Walnut Hills right now, as much as any city neighborhood that's not OTR or Uptown, so I don't think it would be a long wait, even a year or two down the road and the neighborhood could be one of the more attractive in the city.

[isolace]

Thank you! This is very helpful.

I am okay without having a totally walkable neighborhood at this time. I do have access to a car but would also love to take the bus. Currently I am unfamiliar with the stops/routes in that area but I'm sure I can become familiar (usually I'm on #17 since I live in CUF).

I suppose there is also the small convenience store at DeSales Plaza if I needed something quick.

Just as Ohiogril81 mentioned, this area is intriguing, just want to make the right choice.

[goyguy]

East Walnut Hills has been sputtering along in its "rebirth" for quite some time. It's hindered by being in that transition zone - the mansions along Madison Rd with their lush lots (some with amazing river views), and Eden Park, to the east and south BUT the decaying high-crime zones of Walnut Hills and Evanston in the other directions. People like to single out a given shop or eating/drinking spot as worth a special visit; OTOH these places have a pattern of calling it quits after a while.
By the same token, there are some signs of new life along McMillan St and especially at Peebles Corner (McMillan & Gilbert.) It seems Americans can't get enough pizza - yet another yuppie pizzeria has recently opened in an old fire station, bearing the appropriate name Firehouse Pizza, and folks aren't exactly staying away. Supposedly the "ghetto Kroger" is being updated and improved. The risk-averse suburb-dwelling "Goyguy Sr's" have much love for the "artisanal" Jimenetti (sp?) Bakery on Gilbert near Victory Parkway. I'd characterize Walnut Hills "proper" as being caught up in a First Wave of gentrification, where intrepid entrepeneurs and bold "urban pioneers" are fixing up decrepit buildings and setting up shop and/or housekeeping. At least some people are betting that in time this area will be another Over-the-Rhine or Northside. But it bears noting that those parts of town (which have hogged the spotlight) persist in harboring a negative human element along with their hipster bars and spiffed-up houses. Let's not forget that any section of a city is in the city.
Although I've stated for the record here before that my belief is Evanston will grow in appeal, this is still a ways off. The "pioneer" types aren't exactly out in force - yet - although a few are putting down stakes in the part closest to Dana Ave (and therefore Xavier.) And that's at the other end of the community than that which straddles Woodburn.
As of Veterans Day 2014 I'd classify the DeSales Corner area as still "borderline" in more than one sense but less of a risk to live in than it was five, ten, or even two years ago. Seeing as how the OP is looking to go in as a renter, it would mainly come down to how s/he has liked - and dealt with - living in CUF with its amenities along with safety risks (though most of the criminal acts there are targeted at college students.) At worst, if things don't go well leases were made to be broken.

[Wilson513]

Originally Posted by isolace

Thank you! This is very helpful.

I am okay without having a totally walkable neighborhood at this time. I do have access to a car but would also love to take the bus. Currently I am unfamiliar with the stops/routes in that area but I'm sure I can become familiar (usually I'm on #17 since I live in CUF).

I suppose there is also the small convenience store at DeSales Plaza if I needed something quick.

Just as Ohiogril81 mentioned, this area is intriguing, just want to make the right choice.

That location at DeSales has excellent bus service. At least as excellent as one can have in a city with bad bus service.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

That location at DeSales has excellent bus service. At least as excellent as one can have in a city with bad bus service.

DeSales Corner is served by three Metro routes: the #11, #24, and #31--not too bad for a city allegedly lacking decent bus service.