Why not move to N Kentucky? (Cleveland, Cincinnati: insurance, buy, live in)

[Misfit Toy]

We know someone who lived in Ohio for many years and then moved to Fort Thomas. She's happy there. Yes, as others have indicated, the schools there are highly rated, the neighborhoods are nice, it's close to downtown, etc. If I was going to live in NKY, Fort Thomas would be one of my top choices of a place to live there.

As for downsides, it can be difficult for non-natives to fit in, though I don't think it's as big of a problem as it is in other parts of the metro area (i.e., nowhere near as bad as the the west side of Cincy). Fort Thomas may not be for you if you require a newer house - if they're around, they're scarce. Someday, they will actually start working on the Brent Spence Bridge, which means getting across I-471 into Ohio will be that much more of a problem in rush hour.

But overall, yes, you should give Fort Thomas a close look if it meets most of your criteria.

[Chicago2Cinci]

Thank you so much for all your responses!

[TeacherinTN]

Rethink the school system comparisons. Fort Thomas might be a 10 for Kentucky standards but if you look at their test scores it is about the same as a school rated a 6 in Ohio. Schools are rated on how they compare to their state average. With that said, getting a 75% score on a state test in Kentucky is way above the average. I just looked at the test scores and Norwood schools out performed Ft. Thonas in achievement. But academic performance is not everything I suppose.

[Sarah Perry]

Originally Posted by TeacherinTN

Rethink the school system comparisons. Fort Thomas might be a 10 for Kentucky standards but if you look at their test scores it is about the same as a school rated a 6 in Ohio. Schools are rated on how they compare to their state average. With that said, getting a 75% score on a state test in Kentucky is way above the average. I just looked at the test scores and Norwood schools out performed Ft. Thonas in achievement. But academic performance is not everything I suppose.

I'm no expert on schools or the various rating systems, but apparently the Norwood school system is a bit of an anamoly--in a good way, that is. Probably an option well worth looking atfor folks who don't have much in the way of financial resources for either housing or education for their kids. Also probably way better than a school in a comparable area within the Cincinnati Public district. That said, Ft Thomas itself is a MUCH more affluent neighborhood with MUCH higher property values.

Not arguing with you, just commenting.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Before you make a decision, make sure that you understand the Ohio taxes. In many areas, you pay a LOCAL INCOME TAX to the city that you live and LOCAL INCOME TAX to the city you work in. There may be some tax credits between the cities but you get the drift. This is something that you DON'T find in Illinois.

When I relocated from the Cleveland suburbs to the Chicago suburbs, taxes were a major consideration.

That's NOT an issue in most Ohio municipalities. Most Ohio municipalities credit you for taxes deducted by the city where you work. Most townships do not have an income tax though that is changing thanks to Joint Economic Development Districts.

Working in Ohio and living in Kentucky will force you to file additional tax returns also.

I like simplicity. I would choose Ohio.

Also: Schools all use the same textbooks and teachers all go to the same colleges. School district rankings are mostly a function of demographics. If you have a poor set of students, generally the district is ranked low, and thats why they are probably poor in the first place (low intelligence, poor study habits, social capital). This isn't the Indy 500 - a school district doesnt have to be ranked "highest". Mariemont, Indian Hill, etc. are among the best there is.

[PerryMason614]

All the UK flags get very annoying. It's like you're in a different country.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by Chicago2Cinci

Thank you @cincydave8 and @jlawrence01 - this is all very good info! I've heard about this municipal income tax for working and living in Ohio - it's all very complicated to figure out. Looks like Kentucky is just 6% income tax if you make over $75k? Not sure how up to date that information is?

...and what is the car tax in Kentucky!? Never heard of that before!!

...and living in Ft Thomas? You get a property tax and a school tax?

Why can't it just be simple!

Municipal income tax for people who are employees is about the easiest form to fill out in the world. If you're self employed or own rental property, it is slightly more complicated but it isn't brain surgery.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by Chicago2Cinci

Thanks to everyone who replied! We really appreciate all the input.

Stupid question, if we live in NKY do we have to pay taxes to Ohio for working in downtown Cincy? Or does that only apply to Ohio residents?

We also heard there is a 6% automobile tax when registering your car in Kentucky for the first time. Like if we have a $20,000 car, we have to pay $1200 to register our car!?! That's crazy!!

Yes. You pay Ohio taxes on what you earn in Ohio and then you get a credit for Ohio taxes on your Ky tax return. Since I believe Ohio state income taxes are lower, i believe you will write a second check to Ky.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by Chicago2Cinci

Good afternoon, everyone!

I am just a naive Chicagoan looking for guidance. My wife and I have been searching for homes in Hyde Park/Mt Lookout/Mariemont for the past couple months. We're ready to pull the trigger and my boss tells me that we should look at Ft Thomas, KY.

After some very basic research, I see that the schools are VERY highly rated (higher than Mariemont nationally), the property taxes are MUCH cheaper, and it's about the same distance to downtown.

Why would everyone not live there? What am I missing?

Thanks for your input!!!

The further south you go in Ohio the more conservative it gets. Dayton/Cincinnati is an entirely different climate from Akron/Cleveland, for example. So it is a cultural matter; people are probably expecting more of the same from Kentucky (although that may not exactly be the case there). As others have mentioned, in a lot of cases you have to pay tax to both municipalities, particularly if they are in different states. I ran into that living in West Virginia and working in Virginia. Virginia took their taxes out of my paycheck; I still owe West Virginia. If I were to live in West Virginia, well let's say I would have a few issues that the average resident does not have, until that debt is settled.

[PerryMason614]

Originally Posted by goofy328

The further south you go in Ohio the more conservative it gets. Dayton/Cincinnati is an entirely different climate from Akron/Cleveland, for example. So it is a cultural matter; people are probably expecting more of the same from Kentucky (although that may not exactly be the case there). As others have mentioned, in a lot of cases you have to pay tax to both municipalities, particularly if they are in different states. I ran into that living in West Virginia and working in Virginia. Virginia took their taxes out of my paycheck; I still owe West Virginia. If I were to live in West Virginia, well let's say I would have a few issues that the average resident does not have, until that debt is settled.

Cincy is rock-ribbed conservative, unless you live in certain parts within the city limits. Parts of it are also redneck and there is a definite racist undercurrent there. Mix Germans with Rednecks and what do you think you get? It doesn't bother me, it just is what it is.

Dayton, however, is a different animal. Dayton is Democrat and the surrounding farm counties are Republican. But where it gets interesting is with all the military people. At the end of the day, they are government employees and government employees are a different breed. I don't think they are as reliably conservative as people think.

Just so you know the state, Columbus is center-left - Bill Clinton Democrat - nothing too crazy. It was George Bush slightly to the center-right until the war (and migration to surrounding counties) and that's when Franklin County flipped to Democrat. Again, lots of government employees. Metro Columbus (including surrounding counties) is slightly center-right overall. It is truly the election crossroads - not reliable for either party.

The foothills of Appalachia begin about 20 miles outside of Columbus so that explains the southeastern part of the state.

Akron/Cleveland, Youngstown and Toledo are like any old industrial ethnic Democrat area. Cronyist, corrupt, unions. Think Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Chicago (minus the swanky downtown), Detroit, St. Louis, Milwaukee, etc.

The rest of the state is Republican except for Athens County (Ohio University/Journalism School).