Awesome, you've accepted the offer and will be taking the next step of your career in Cincinnati!
Now it's time to choose what part of the city you want to live in. Cincinnati is made up of fifty-two (52!) unique neighborhoods which stretch from Sayler Park on the West Side to Mt. Washington on the East Side. And then you've got the dozens of villages and townships that make up the quiet suburbs, like Indian Hill and Delhi.
For now let's talk about central Cincinnati, where you'll be able to live close to work and nightlife. In particular, there are five central neighborhoods with vibrant culture and easy access to everywhere in the city. Let's break them down:
Central Business District: This is the "Downtown" where you'll find the city's skyscrapers, stadiums, government buildings and premier cultural institutions. Not many people live here, but the new Banks development has created a strip of nightlife and apartments between the Reds' and Bengals' stadiums.
Pros: close to work and well connected; Cons: expensive and underpopulated
Mt. Adams: One of the seven hills of Cincinnati, Mt. Adams was once the hottest neighborhood in the city. It offers skyline views and cozy bars and restaurants within walking distance. Unfortunately, it's relatively difficult to access major highways and most houses are quite small with limited parking.
Pros: historic and secluded; Cons: very expensive and cramped
Pendleton: A tiny triangle bordered by Over-the-Rhine, Mt. Auburn, and the CBD, Pendleton is a charming neighborhood characterized by renovated tenement buildings. Once a dangerous neighborhood, it underwent significant gentrification over the last decade.
Pros: quiet and well-located; Cons: crowded and little variety in housing
Over-the-Rhine: The elephant in the room. Known as OtR, this neighborhood has seen a tremendous revival over the last 15 years. In the early 2000s, Liberty Street (which bisects OtR) was considered to be the most dangerous street in the country. Now the neighborhood boasts dozens of small shops, restaurants, bars, and artist studios making it the Brooklyn of Cincinnati (Hipsters Welcome!). But the crown jewel is Music Hall, with its imposing Venetian Gothic architecture and beautifully restored interior.
Pros: historic, central, and vibrant; Cons: extremely expensive and crowded
Mt. Auburn: The first suburb of Cincinnati, Mt. Auburn sits on its eponymous hill with stunning views over the downtown area. It attracted Gilded Age businessmen with its wide streets, clean air, and excellent location. Ornate Italianate and Romanesque Revival have been expertly restored and can be found on almost every street. It even has the only National Historic Site in the city, President Taft's boyhood home. In Mount Auburn you'll find a quiet residential atmosphere with an abundance of beautiful parks. It's centrally located with easy access to I-71, I-75, OtR, and Downtown.
Pros: spacious, affordable, and well-connected; Cons: fewer bars and restaurants
We know that choosing your new neighborhood is important and we want to be here to guide you through the process. Give us a call at (513) 402-2212 to talk with one of our relocation experts and to get your application fee waived ($50 value)!