I'm curious as to if Cincinnati is a good city to live in. I'm going to be 21 soon and was thinking about moving to the area.

Can anyone give me a brief run down of the good areas to live in, the job market, things to do at my age, and just a general idea of the area and if it's a good place to move to or not? Also, what are safe areas to live in, and what are the bad areas I should stay away from? Mainly, however, I want to know if it's a city worth moving to at my age, or if I should look elsewhere.

 

Is Cincinnati a good place to move to?

 

Absolutely, it's a great place to live!

 

But to help you out, we'd need a lot more details about you, and more specific questions.

 

- What kind of areas do you like?  Giving us analogous areas in a city you're familiar with would help.

 

- What kind of things do you like to do?  Museums/ballet/fine dining?  Bars/dancing/partying?  Parks/hiking/sports?

 

- What do you consider "safe"?  A city will have a higher crime rate than a desert...the question is where between those two your comfort level is.

 

- What field are you in?

 

- What kind of rent are you looking to pay?

 

- Will you have a car, or need transit, etc.?

 

 

I adore Cincinnati - I think it's a wonderfully beautiful city, and I just revel in the river views, the skyline views, the neighborhoods, the parks, just everything about it...but I know there are some folks who might feel differently...we just need more to go on from you!

 

1.) I'd like to live in any area that a young, single person would be able to meet people in and enjoy.

2.) I have big interets in computers, so perhaps a computer club would be nice, or some type of computer group.

3.) I consider any area safe that I won't be waking up to gunshots, or hear on the news someone was robbed/beat up every single day. In otherwords, somewhere I can live without fearing my life. Keep in mind I'm only 20, so I'm concerned for myself.

4.) I just graduated a two year school with my associates in the IT field. Any computer job would work - hoping for at least $13/hr

5.) Monthly rent would be about $550-$600 for an apartment.

6.) I have a car.

 

Basically I want to find a good area that a young person could live safely, and have the chance to meet new people and have a good life experience. I want to live in a safe area of Hamilton County, but a chance where things are closeby such as shopping, and plenty of things to do.

I see you as an Oakley, Clifton or Northside kind of guy.

I would definitely say Oakley or Clifton.  I have been around Oakley more lately, although I grew up in Clifton.  Oakley should have a decent amount of places in your price range, and if you get close to Oakley Square, there are a few bars and restaurants nearby.  There are plenty of young people in the neighborhoods in the area, and you will also be near Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout Square, which also have some bars and restaurants - since you will be 21 soon.  The job market is fairly strong, and Citi just began ramping up a few months ago for a 1,000 person IT operation in Blue Ash.  Not sure of the type of candidate they are looking for, but that might be a place to start.

 

Another plus of this area is that the neighborhoods are walkable, and you can do many day to day activities without having to drive far, if at all.  Lunken Airport is also close, where there is a 6 mile bike/running path and golf course.  The Cincinnati Sports League is a good way to meet people, and they often things like flag football at Lunken or volleyball down by Rivertown marina.  Not sure if you are interested in this, so I am just throwing it out there - I do not know of any IT groups off hand.

 

Oakley is also close to I-71, which would make for an easy drive to employment centers downtown, uptown (the UC area), and in Blue Ash to the north.  Any of these would be within a 15 minute drive.  There should be links to both Oakley and Clifton, and  I will see if anything is available.

Honestly, how you view Cincinnati is what you make of it.  I am a small town Southern who moved here a year and a half ago.  I was overwhelmed by the arts, entertainment, sports, dining options, etc!  I love having so much at my fingertips.  If you talk to people who have lived here their whole life, I really think some don't appreciate what this city has to offer.  For a good taste of Cincinnati, come downtown this weekend for Ocktoberfest.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  Check Craigslist for apartments, groups, activities, etc.  Good Luck!

Where did you grow up?  Where do you live now?

I'm 22 and I moved here one year ago from Atlanta, I came up here to visit a friend and was shocked at the options for (like others have said) dining, bars, etc etc. I'm not a HUGE shopper, but Kenwood and Rookwood and even downtown in some cases do the job for more upscale tastes and sidewalk shopping in Clifton is awesome and getting better. I'm a big drinker so I have been to a ton of pubs bars gay straight yadda yadda, and have met people every time. I feel like people are alot more down to earth here than places I have  been and have a friendly air about them, of course you'll meet dicks all over. I have no degree and have had NO trouble finding a job here, in fact my company "Medco" is hiring for MIS personnel right now. Ever since moving here I have heard about the awful crime, but I have never experienced anything  completely unsavory nor has anyone I know, you just have to have a little street smarts depending on where you are. I lived downtown for 6 months and LOVED it, but I moved to Westwood to save a little money. Clifton or Northside is probably my next step, which I would definately recommend to you, but I wouldn't rule out  Oakley or even Norwood. Norwood has VERY inexpensive apartments adjacent to Hyde Park that id kill for. There are also a lot of decent educational options  if you choose to further your education. And you have a good deal of recreational options like Kings Island, Coney Island,  Lakes, the river, pro sports, and perfect north slopes (its not utah, but its still fun as hell).  But I guess everything is really subjective (I dont wanna sound like the CVB), I love it though and I can see this as the place that I'm going to die, really for the price, the urban atmosphere and natural scenery as far as greenery, hills and parks are unmatchable except for in much more pricey locations.

Well, I moved here!!

I would recommend the Gaslight District (Clifton) for you...I'm not sure of rents around there, but it has a great eclectic mix of people, and very nice/walkable business strip (Ludlow), a GREAT coffee shop (Sitwells), grocery, theatre, bank(s)...essentially everything you need.  Plus you are a hop skip and a jump away from the University of Cincinnati...so there are lots of young people all around.  In the Gaslight most of those young people are year-round residents and don't pack up and leave for the summer.

 

Definitely check it out...beautiful neighborhood to live in.  Plus you are a VERY quick bus ride, short bike, somewhat long jog (you get the idea) from Downtown Cincinnati/Nky.  It is a centrally located area so you can get to Mt. Adams, Mt. Lookout, Oakley, Hyde Park, Corryville, Walnut Hills all very easily.  Oh and you would be spitting distance from Northside...which is one of the coolest neighborhoods in my opinion.

I just moved to the gaslight here in cincy and I LOVE it so far.  I walk to everything I need....grocery, bank, cvs, bars, skyline, deweys, graeters, servatti(pastries, etc), coffee shop, movie theatre, thai food, indian food, mexican, italian, mediterranean, etc.  I pay $400/month and that includes utilities and it is a little less than a 15 minute walk to campus(up a hill though)  Plus burnet woods is beautiful.  Definitely the place to be for me (grad student).  Love it and would love to have new neighbors  :-) 

I just moved to the gaslight here in cincy and I LOVE it so far.  I walk to everything I need....grocery, bank, cvs, bars, skyline, deweys, graeters, servatti(pastries, etc), coffee shop, movie theatre, thai food, indian food, mexican, italian, mediterranean, etc.  I pay $400/month and that includes utilities and it is a little less than a 15 minute walk to campus(up a hill though)  Plus burnet woods is beautiful.  Definitely the place to be for me (grad student).  Love it and would love to have new neighbors  :-) 

Dang, there's studios across from where I live in University Heights going for 405 a month MINUS utilities. You got a great deal as I'm sure Clifton is somewhat more "desirable".

Okay, so Cincinnati seems like it's pretty good life-wise. Is Louisville, KY just as good or a young person like me to move to as well?

 

You'll probably get a more fair assessment of Louisville's strengths on a Louisville board, though there are definitely folks on here familiar with both...but I would suggest finding folks who have chosen to live in Louisville and asking them that question...

 

...just don't trust a word they tell you about Cincinnati!

 

Okay, so Cincinnati seems like it's pretty good life-wise. Is Louisville, KY just as good or a young person like me to move to as well?

 

Louisville is a smaller city and therefore doesn't have all the amenities that Cincinnati has to offer (particularly in the Fine Arts area).  I have heard that their nightlife is quite nice and centralized.  Cincy is different because it is more neighborhood oriented rather than a central cluster.

 

Also...something you may not care about, but KY is notorious for having a TERRIBLE public school system.

to answer the question at hand...if you're from KY then yeah...otherwise no...JK  :wink:

Okay, so Cincinnati seems like it's pretty good life-wise. Is Louisville, KY just as good or a young person like me to move to as well?

Also...something you may not care about, but KY is notorious for having a TERRIBLE public school system.

 

Are you trying to incite a riot?! Don't get yourself tazed, bro!!!

Okay, so Cincinnati seems like it's pretty good life-wise. Is Louisville, KY just as good or a young person like me to move to as well?

 

 

louisville is a nice place, but I can't think of any category where it would be much better than cincy

louisville is a nice place, but I can't think of any category where it would be much better than cincy

 

Horses...and their accompanying activities.  Oh and countryness...but that obviously pales in comparison to level of countryness that Toledo boasts.

pales in comparison to level of countryness that Toledo boasts.

 

...especially when you consider the amount of greenery in C-Dawg's grow-house.

Right. Cincinnati is much more appealing to the eye to me that Louisville. All I want is to meet people and hang out with friends when I move. THATS ALL I CARE ABOUT!!  I can do it here, but I'm tired of this area. I'm ready to move to a appealing city and I just want to meet people. I'm scared I'll move and never meet anyone and be lonely my whole life . =/

I'm only 20 so I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to moving. All I know is I want to meet people, get a decent job ($13 /hr) and a girlfriend would be nice. Also, since I don't know the Cincinnati area well, are there programs or tourist groups I can sign up for so I can get taken around the city and someone show me good areas, bad areas, and places to meet people?

I would recommend joining social clubs or activity groups...it's an easy way to meet people with similar interests.  Plus if you like cities and want to be shown around town, people on here are usually more than happy to do so(cough...me...cough).

 

Also don't be afraid to go out and meet someone completely new while you are out and about...you'd be surprised at how friendly people are here.  You just have to get involved in things you like and you'll be more than pleased with what Cincy has to offer.

You could become a docent for the museums.  Also, and I know this is all Ohio, Covington, KY is a great place to live.  If you squint your eyes hard enough, the river disappears and both cities become one gleaming mecca...

Louisville is a lovely town.

"All I want is to meet people and hang out with friends when I move. THATS ALL I CARE ABOUT!!  I can do it here, but I'm tired of this area. I'm ready to move to a appealing city and I just want to meet people. I'm scared I'll move and never meet anyone and be lonely my whole life"

 

As someone a bit older than you, I feel obligated to tell you that you can move wherever you want, but moving alone won't change you into an outgoing happy-go-lucky person. It's not as if moving to a new city suddenly makes people flock to you just because you're the new guy in town. If you're not active in your efforts to expand your circle of friends now, why do you think you'll suddenly blossom into a social butterfly just because you change your zip code?

cincinnati sports leagues are a good place to meet people, as is drinking liberally, green drinks cincinnati, OTR brewery district.  Get involved is the way to go.

"All I want is to meet people and hang out with friends when I move. THATS ALL I CARE ABOUT!!  I can do it here, but I'm tired of this area. I'm ready to move to a appealing city and I just want to meet people. I'm scared I'll move and never meet anyone and be lonely my whole life"

 

As someone a bit older than you, I feel obligated to tell you that you can move wherever you want, but moving alone won't change you into an outgoing happy-go-lucky person. It's not as if moving to a new city suddenly makes people flock to you just because you're the new guy in town. If you're not active in your efforts to expand your circle of friends now, why do you think you'll suddenly blossom into a social butterfly just because you change your zip code?

 

You do know that he is considering a move into the heart of the great city-state of Cincinnati.  That kind of a move automatically puts you into the upper-tier of cool people.  duh

Thread was cleaned up.  If you have questions about the status of a building in OTR, create another thread for that topic.

 

Vortex99, I moved to the region in 2003 from St. Louis and have enjoyed my time here and can say without a doubt that Cincinnati was a big step up from St. Louis.  In all honesty I have two grips about Cincinnati.  First is that the winters can be a little gloomy.  I enjoy cold weather, I just prefer more sun although this summer has made up for the lack of sun this past winter since we have had almost nonstop sunny days over the past couple of months.  In reality that isn't as much of a Cincinnati problem as it is one of the entire Midwest to include Louisville.  From my understanding the cold fronts from Canada and the warm fronts from the south collide over Ohio and you get a lot of cloudy days during the winter months. My second grip is that the locals are a little cynical for my blood.  Growing up in New York, I am accustomed to city/state pride (some consider it arrogance and that that is fine with me)  Cincinnati is truly a great place to live and one of the best kept secrets in America but the locals can wear on you at times with there negativity.  You will more than likely find many transplants that rave about Cincinnati and some natives that can't wait to leave.  You will also find a third group of people that moved away and then came back because they discovered that the grass wasn't greener on the other side.  As a transplant that was in the military I have traveled over the world and can say that it is hard to beat the quality of life that Cincinnati offers for the "price".  You can live very well here and get the city fix that many of us need. 

 

As for the negativity, I believe it is from years of anti city rants from the local newspaper.  It has brainwashed the people here, luckily attitudes &  perception are on the upswing as other media forms are getting the word out on events, socials and activities that the region offers.