Company in Covington, relocating to the Cinci-NKY area-- Suggestions for Apt/Condo Rental or Buying? (Lexington: extended stay)

[cwonder]

Hey all,

Read a ton of posts, everyone's got so much to say, want to put my situation out there see what you guys think the optimal place to live might be!

Wife and I are pretty adventurous, with some yuppie tendencies. We live in Asia right now, but I just took a job in Covington and am looking forward to exploring the region. We both grew up in CA suburbs, and I am expecting less hippie stuff (trader joes, etc) but everywhere's got its charms/identity

I'm open to living on which ever side of the river makes the most sense. Most colleagues commute from Clifton, Mason, etc-- but I don't need to consider school districts, so I think I'm in a diff category of needs. Also, some folks suggested living on the KY side, but I'm not sure about either side. I'm using padmapper.com and rent.com to educate myself, but I want to go to the experts here!

About the situation:

- Took a position with a company located in Covington, KY.
- Have an infant, no need for schools
- Will have two cars for wife and myself

Looking for:

- 3 bedroom townhouse (many friends/fam visiting + shipping container full of stuff)
- ~25min from work
- Max 30min driving to Costco, and Asian Market (Cincinnati Asian Market?)
- Hopefully Gym/Clubhouse on grounds
- Around 800-1200 rent (can push it more if needed)
- Clean, crime-free
- Hopefully washer/dryer in unit

OR to buy with a similar (or stretch) mortgage payment and (hopefully) sell in two-three years. When we may move again.

I'm wait-listed at Reserve @Ft Mitchell, but I'm told the probability is low of getting in. I'm also in contact with:

Vinings@Ft Mitchell
Mitchel's Park Apt
Running Creek
Aspen Pines

But nobody's able to commit until 60 days out...

I've posted a similar post in the Cinci board, got some helpful feedback but was hoping for even more insight into the area.

Any suggestions on good apartment/condo rental complexes? Or suggestions about the area in general?

Really appreciate the advice!

Best,
Carl

[Crazee Cat Lady]

Welcome to Kentucky!
I am not sure about the apartments in your area, because I live in Lexington, but Cincinnati does have Costo, Asian Markets and even Trader Joe's! You will be pretty centrally located, so you will be able to make day trips to quite a few places if you have the time and inclination. Be sure to plan visits to
Natural Bridge, The Red River Gorge, Cumberland Falls, Shaker Village and the Bluegrass region ~if you enjoy outdoor, natural scenery you should fall in love. Plus Ohio offers a lot of great places to visit also....and you won't be that far from West Virginia, Virginia or Indiana either!
Best of Luck to you and your family.

[cathlabnurse]

I would get in contact with a local real estate agent. If you don't feel comfortable looking for places to live online there are Value Place Inns in Northern KY, maybe Cinci, and definitely Sharonville OH (I've used that one). They're not the best places in the world, just little extended stays so only one room but they have full size fridge, microwave and I think a stovetop with two burners. Not sure on that, it's been a while but I do remember boiling water for spaghetti so there had to be at least a stove but maybe not an oven. I would try to stay on the KY side of the river if that's where you will be working because commute traffic SUCKS around Cinci.
Anyway, back to the point, if you can tolerate living in one room for a few weeks it should be easy to find a place once you get there. Sorry for rambling, sleepy time meds kicking in