So you just found out that you are moving to Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky and you don’t know where to go to ask all the important questions on all our local neighborhoods such as:
- Where should we look for a home?
- What can expect from the school districts
- What other education options are there?
- Where do people like to live?
- Where will my family’s lifestyle needs be met?
Or maybe you already live in the area but are looking to move, and wondering what makes each neighborhood and area unique. Then this is the guide is for you!
Information on the different areas of town is locally sourced from people who actually live there.
(If we are missing your neighborhood and you feel like it deserves a shout-out as a great place to live, we would love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].)
Once you’re here, check out our guide to local schools!
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[email protected]
Northern Kentucky
Minutes to Downtown: 5
School District: Newport Independent
Alternative Schooling Options: Access to various private options in Cincinnati
Amenities: Affordable housing, close to the zoo, museums, and other family-friendly venues and events in Cincinnati, as well as the highway system
Lifestyle: Close to downtown Cincinnati
Minutes to Downtown: 10
School District: Fort Thomas Independent
Alternative Schooling Options: Access to various private options in Cincinnati
Amenities: Easy access to shopping and the highways. Excellent parks system, including the iconic Tower Park, plenty of local businesses, a family friendly YMCA and a great library.
Lifestyle: Close to downtown Cincinnati, but with a small town feel.
Minutes to Downtown: 10
School District: Covington Independent
Alternative Schooling Options: Access to various private options in Cincinnati
Amenities: Easy access to the highways, shopping, parks, arts and entertainment and downtown
Lifestyle: Very walkable and family-friendly
Minutes to downtown: 10-15
School District: Kenton County Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: Private & Catholic Schools Available
Amenities: Close to St. Elizabeth Hospital, and the Crestview Hills Town Center for shopping
Lifestyle: Family-friendly with lots of parks and quiet streets, and close to both downtown Cincinnati, but also to open country. A small-town feel with big town conveniences.
Minutes to Downtown: 20
School District: Villa Hills
Alternative Schooling Options: Villa Madonna Catholic School
Amenities: Great neighborhoods, close to downtown Cincinnati, and a great library system
Lifestyle: Close to Silverlake Waterpark
East Cincinnati
Minutes to Downtown: 20-25
School District: Forrest Hills Local
Alternative Schooling Options: Sands Montessori (a Cincinnati Public Schools option determined by lottery) and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Amenities: Beechmont Avenue is home to a Fresh Thyme, a Dewey’s Pizza, Aldi’s, and so much more. Easy drive to the Cincinnati Nature Center. So many amazing and different parks (Juilfs, Beech Acres, Woodland Mound and more), plus a splash pad. There is a wonderful library and local YMCA as well. There are many community events, such as Greater Anderson Days, a 4th of July Parade, youth sports teams and local park concerts, movies and more! It is a great place to raise a family.
Lifestyle: Anderson is a well established neighborhood where home prices are still reasonable for what you get and they maintain their value. Residents do not pay city income taxes. There are a lot of trees, parks and larger yards due to it being an older neighborhood. You are close to all the modern conveniences, but also feel like you are away from it all.
Minutes to Downtown: 20
School District: West Clermont Local
Alternative Schooling Options: Access to many private and independent options in Cincinnati
Amenities: Many local parks, and easy to get to the zoo, aquarium and museums, Coney Island, Cincinnati Nature Center, Johnson Park, and more
Lifestyle: Close to downtown and easy to get to so many fun family places. Home prices are more affordable as well.
Minutes to Downtown: 35
School District: West Clermont Local
Alternative Schooling Options: Homeschooling co-ops
Amenities: Near East Fork State Park, good library programs, lots of trees, and a new Kroger Marketplace grocery store.
Lifestyle: You get a lot more house for your money here than in Anderson, and just 10 minutes away! A new high school is being built, and the shopping is improving with some new restaurants being built.
Minutes to Downtown: 20
School District: Madeira Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: St. Gertrude’s, All Saints, and Moeller (all boys highschool) Catholic schools
Amenities: Close to Kenwood town center for shopping, as well as a Kroger grocery store, year round farmers markets, and several restaurants and shops
Lifestyle: Madeira is very family friendly and has a supportive neighborhood feel. It’s centrally located to downtown as well as places outside the loop like Mason, Loveland, and Milford
Minutes to Downtown: 30
School District: Milford Public Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Andrews and St. Marks (Lutheran), Mt. Notre Dame
Amenities: Shopping district in Old Milford, multiple parks (including multiple large soccer fields), excellent public school ratings, 15 min to Eastgate Mall
Lifestyle: Predominantly families and people who have lived in the area for a while
Minutes to Downtown: 20-25
School District: Cincinnati Public
Alternative Schooling Options: Montessori magnet school, and several Catholic options
Amenities: Close to Coney Island, Woodland Mound, Riverbend Music Center, Casino, Cincinnati Nature Center, and just a short drive to downtown for Red’s & Bengals games
Lifestyle: Mt. Washington is an urban suburb- has the amenities of both. It’s a small, close knit community that is wonderfully walkable. Parks, grocery, business district! Community council is very active and progressive.
Minutes to Downtown: 30
School District: West Clermont Local
Alternative Schooling Options: Accessible to many private and independent options in Cincinnati
Amenities: Close proximity to downtown and easy access to other business areas, lots of green space and parks, land purchases available, large lots in some neighborhoods, easy access to shopping in Anderson and in Eastgate, new and old housing options and family-friendly events. Also very close to the Cincinnati Nature Center and Coney Island.
Lifestyle: Residents love the close proximity to most of Greater Cincinnati, the suburban feel that also puts you close to peaceful rural settings, relative safety and the housing value for your dollar.
West Cincinnati
Minutes to Downtown: 10
School District: Oak Hills
Alternative Schooling Options: Our Lady of Victory and St. Dominic
Amenities: Central to downtown, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana as well
Lifestyle: Many people have grown up in Delhi and never want to leave!
Minutes to Downtown: 10
School District: Cincinnati Public
Alternative Schooling Options: Many very desirable magnet schools available
Amenities: Older, affordable houses with character
Lifestyle: Charming and diverse, with a vibrant lifestyle
Minutes to Downtown: 10-15
School District: Northwest Local
Alternative Schooling Options: St. James, St. Ignatius, and Our Lady of Grace Catholic schools
Amenities: Convenient travel to other areas of town due to proximity of highways. Great parks, incuding the Colerain Park system, Mt. Airy Forest, Green Township parks, and nearby Winton Woods and Miami Whitewater
Lifestyle: Colerain is very convenient to downtown and several highways (I-74, I-75, I-275, and Ronald Regan Hwy) to get wherever you need to go. It is a family oriented area, with lots of groups, sports, and other recreational opportunities for kids and adults. There’s a variety of housing options in lots of price ranges.
Minutes to Downtown: 30
School District: Southwest Local
Alternative Schooling Options: Accessible to many private and independent options in Cincinnati.
Amenities: Lots of farm land, but also accessible to shopping and restaurants near-by
Lifestyle: A close-knit, family-friendly community
Central Cincinnati
Minutes to Downtown: 10
School District: Cincinnati Public Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: Summit Country Day, St. Mary, St. Ursula Villa School (Grades PreK-8), and more
Amenities: Target, two Krogers, Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, Remke, as well as other stores including JoAnn’s and Michael’s are nearby. Oakley Park and Pool as well as Hyde Park East Commons are playgrounds within walking distance. Aglamesis, King Arthur’s Court, and Blue Manatee are right in Oakley Square, which has an old historic feel, and are family favorites.
Lifestyle: Oakley Square and Hyde Park Square are walking distance which offer restaurants, bars and shops. Oakley square has family friendly events year round.
Minutes to Downtown: 15
School District: Cincinnati Public Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: Clark Montessori, Summit Country Day School, and various Catholic and other private options including St. Mary’s, St. Cecelia’s, St. Ursula Villa School (Grades PreK-8), and Springer School (for children with disabilities)
Amenities: Hyde Park Square for Patty’s Old Fashioned Popcorn and Castle House for family-friendly outings, Ault Park (although technically located in Mt. Lookout), Kroger, and the Cincinnati Library (Hyde Park Branch), and Rookwood Commons with lots of shopping
Lifestyle: Located six miles from Downtown, Hyde Park is a neighborhood located within Cincinnati and was once named “America’s Best Neighborhoods” by Forbes’ Magazine. Known for its sidewalks teeming with runners, strollers and dog walkers, Hyde Park is a bustling community with stately historic homes and charming tree-lined streets. Check out the Hyde Park Square for its fountain, park benches, shopping, restaurants, including Graeter’s first chain shop, and the farmer’s market on Sundays.
Minutes to Downtown: 15-20
School District: Cincinnati Public Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: Woodford Paideia, TCP Academy, Nativity, and Kennedy Heights Montessori
Amenities: Close to Kings Island, short drive to Downtown, Newport on the Levy, up and coming Oakley shopping, and close to Kenwood Mall
Lifestyle: Seems so peaceful with such beautiful trees. It’s a great area to raise a family. It’s super easy to get to anything you need but far enough to feel comfortable, with quiet and wooded streets, low crime rates, and great schools.
Minutes to Downtown: 15
School District: Cincinnati Public
Alternative Schooling Options: Cardinal Pacelli School (Grades PreK-8) and St. Ursula Villa School (Grades PreK-8)
Amenities: Mt. Lookout Square is the heart of Mt. Lookout with shopping, nightlife and dining options, including Buona Terra, Zip’s and the Boardwalk Hobby Shop for family-friendly spots. Mt. Lookout Square, Cincinnati Observatory for stargazing, Mt. Lookout Swim and Tennis Club, and Ault Park (although technically claimed by Hyde Park) are also favorites
Lifestyle: Walkable streets, beautiful homes and access to Ault Park make Mt. Lookout a great neighborhood for families. Shares much of the same character as its neighbor, Hyde Park, just a little quieter.
Minutes to Downtown: 15
School District: Norwood City Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: Access to many private and independent schools in Cincinnati
Amenities: The Norwood Recreation Department for activities and classes, no-frills local watering holes, Xavier University, Kroger, Norwood Delite Creamy Whip during the summer, and the Lindner Nature Preserve
Lifestyle: Norwood is its own city featuring affordable homes and accessibility to Cincinnati, which makes it perfect for families. Norwood shares a neighborhood with Xavier University, with its newly developed University Station, and hosts Rookwood Commons for shopping and dining needs.
Minutes to Downtown: 10
School District: Cincinnati Public Schools
Alternative Schooling Options: Parker Woods Montessori, a CPS magnet school
Amenities: Walking friendly, home of Family Enrichment Center and Happen,Inc., historic homes, easy accessibility to public transportation and a short drive to downtown, sits at 75/74 interchange, adjacent to University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati State
Lifestyle: Northside is a urban walkable neighborhood which is home to many locally owned small businesses. It is known for its family centered activities which focuses on the arts. The unique architecture and diverse residents make it a lively community.
North Cincinnati
Outer Loop of Cincinnati
Minutes to Downtown: 35-30
School District: Mason City
Alternative Schooling Options: Many Catholic, Christian, and Jewish options available
Amenities: Convenient to I-71 and I-75, great parks, safe, amazing and diverse schools, lots of retail and restaurants, close to Kings Island amusement park, a wonderful community recreation center, community pool, many parks, shopping and grocery stores close by. Lots of variety in housing with both new builds and older homes. Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Lifestyle: Family-friendly, with lots of amenities and entertainment available, and homes keep their value well. True suburban living. Neighborhood feel and all the all the things you’ll ever need, but not too far from the downtown action. Close proximity to Dayton as well.
Minutes to Downtown: 25
School District: King’s Local
Alternative Schooling Options: Catholic, Christian, and Jewish available, as well as Montessori and other independent options
Amenities: Close to Kings Island and Beach water park; shopping and restaurants close by. Matured homes with well established trees, and walking trails throughout all Landen communities.
Lifestyle: Landen/Deerfield Township is definitely a suburban town, with lots of neighborhood communicaties. Have close by access to the interstates as well as shopping and restaurants makes this community vary accessible.
Minutes to Downtown: 35
School District: Lebanon
Alternative Schooling Options: Family Montessori of Lebanon, Lebanon Christian School, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, and homeschool co-ops
Amenities: 15 minutes from King’s Island amusement park, a mix of old and new homes, the option to live in the city but still have a decent yard, or live just out of town in a more rural setting, considered a Tree City USA, lots of family friendly community events, including being home to the famous LM&N Railroad, which hosts a Thomas the Engine event every year, the country’s largest YMCA, accessible and close to many local farms, thriving local businesses in the historic downtown, and also access to bigger name amenities like a local Kroger.
Lifestyle: This community boasts a small-town feel, while still being very accessible to the big city, and both I-75 & I-71. It has a thriving historic district that is being revitalized, and nearly monthly there are festivals and events for the whole family to enjoy year-round. It also has a growing arts presence.
Minutes to Downtown: 35
School District: Little Miami
Alternative Schooling Options:
Amenities: 3 miles from King’s Island amusement park. Less people compared to in the city. Countryside YMCA is 15 minutes away.
Lifestyle: Quiet place to live. Not a lot of sirens going off. Lots of greenery, trees and farms. Everyone is friendly.
Minutes to Downtown: 40
School District: Little Miami
Alternative Schooling Options:
Amenities: Close to King’s Island amusement park, and Countryside YMCA, the largest YMCA in the country, and many shops and restaurants.
Lifestyle: A growing community with lots of young families and suburban lifestyle, and low taxes.
Minutes to Downtown: 30
School District: Monroe
Alternative Schooling Options:
Amenities: It’s 5 minutes to the grocery and 12 to Target, and lots of shopping at the Monroe Outlets and Liberty Shopping Center.
Lifestyle: Monroe is an awesome balance of country and suburbs. There is lots of farmland and a good sense of community here, but also nice newer neighborhoods with walking trails and pocket parks.
Minutes to Downtown: 45
School District: Edgewood
Alternative Schooling Options:
Amenities: Close to Bridgewater Falls Shopping and restaurants, lots of farms and open green space. Tight knit family oriented community.
Lifestyle: Small town feel, friendly. Everyone knows each other and is supportive of the community.
Minutes to Downtown: 25
School District: Lakota
Alternative Schooling Options: Several Catholic, private, and Montessori options close by
Amenities: Easy access to both Cincinnati and Dayton. Lots to do close by (shopping, playgrounds, etc)
Lifestyle: Suburban lifestyle, with newer homes with large yards
Minutes to Downtown: 40
School District: Ross
Alternative Schooling Options: Accessible to many private and independent options in Cincinnati
Amenities: Centrally located. Farm land is abundant, several park options near, close to many shopping areas & near Miami University. Also close to YMCA recreation centers, and grocery shopping.
Lifestyle: The school district is great, neighborhoods are even better, and the area has a country-like feel even though it is fairly close to the city!
Minutes to Downtown: 35-40
School District: Lakota Public
Alternative Schooling Options:
Amenities: Close to the new Liberty Center with amazing restaurants, a splash pad, shopping and more! Close to the Liberty Campus of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Lifestyle: Family-friendly neighborhoods and lots of ongoing development focused on making this a great place to live.
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Excellent guide! As a current resident of Fort Thomas, KY, a few other amenities could be mentioned. We have an excellent parks system, including the iconic Tower Park, plenty of local bus stops, several local gym and yoga studios, including a family friendly YMCA and a great library. Thanks!