Greetings all,

 

I am graduating from a Cincinnati-area college in May and I'm looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment in Cincinnati. I have secured employment and will be making ~40k per year after graduation, so I should be able to realistically afford most Cinci rents.

 

At the moment, I live in Norwood, but I would like to live in a more centrally located, vibrant area, with many young people and an art/music scene.

 

I've narrowed down my search to three different locations: Clifton Gaslight, Prospect Hill, and OTR.

 

1) I love parts of OTR, but unfortunately I'm quite ignorant to the whole scope of the area. Where are good places to live in OTR that are safe, bikeable, and walkable?

 

2) The Clifton Gaslight is a very cool place as well, but a bit further away from downtown. What have been some experiences of the gaslight region?

 

3) Sorry again for my ignorance, but how is the Prospect Hill area?

 

Please, any assistance is completely welcome! I want to make the best possibe choice -- I really do like Cincinnati and I wish to continue enjoying what the city has to offer..

 

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Now playing: Franz Schubert - Schubert: Symphony #5 In B Flat, D 485 - 4. Allegro Vivace

via FoxyTunes

OTR- look into anything along Main Street, anything around Vine from Central to Liberty really.  The whole area south of Liberty is improving tremendously so IMO, you can't go wrong anywhere.  Around 12th and Vine there are a lot of great shops, restaurants, and theatres.  Main Street has the same going for it. 

 

Clifton gaslight - This is were I lived when I was in Cincy.  I worked downtown and took the 17/18/19 down.  It was an easy commute, very quick, often full though.  I biked to work sometimes too.  I LOVED living here.  It is very neighborhoody and has a great diverse feel.  Along Ludlow, you have pretty much anything you'd need on a daily basis.  It's great.  Love it. 

 

Prospect Hill - beautiful 'hood and Cincinnatus lives here now so he'll be able to tell you about it better.  There isn't a whole lot to walk to but it does have great views and is very accessible to OTR and downtown. 

 

If it were me, I'd go with OTR.  Can't beat the area and its proximity to downtown and uptown.  Plus, it would be exciting to be a part of all the positive developments going on there.  A lot of great energy! 

^Agreed

If you're looking in OTR check out Urban Sites. These really are some of the most amazing rehabs that I have ever seen.  http://www.urbansitesproperty.com/index.lasso?pgID=91&type=rental

^talk to Kris Sommers at Urban Sites, he won't steer you wrong.

Rent but eventually buy.  Live in OTR and get to understand the area by walking up vine to Findlay market and then take race or elm street back.  Investigate side streets.  After you get accustomed to it, start saving your pennies and look for good rehab opportunities in areas that have not already been renovated but are nearby.  Enjoy figuring out the complexities of linking up with financing and contractors, and visualizing the rehab opportunities.  After sinking in maybe $100K into your place, sit back and enjoy your unique piece of history and your cute little mortgage.

 

That's what I've finally figured out that I want to do, but I'm pushing 50.  If you do it now you'll be patting yourself on the back well before you get to my age.

 

Prospect hill is a great neighborhood by the way, I agree.  I lived there and am still surprised by how different it feels compared to OTR, just a few blocks away.  not better or worse but different.  It has to do with the detached residential housing and thus lack of first floor retail.  Very nice people live in that neighborhood.

not sure if i'm late to the game, but my coworker is selling her condo in Prospect Hill (she has already moved). 

http://sibcycline.com/viewlisting.asp?mls=1203801&b=CIN&p=RESI&s=COND&m=1&sender=SearchResults&a=156-Dorchester-Ave-5-Mt.-Auburn-OH-45219

 

Mortgage would be the same as rent.  Something to think about.