Nestled on the shores of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third-largest city in Ohio. It’s a warm and welcoming city with friendly Midwestern vibes. An affordable destination with a central location, Cincinnati boasts of a booming job market, beautifully landscaped streets, indoor and outdoor entertainment options, a happening restaurant scene, and vibrant arts and culture. If you’re moving to Cincinnati, here’s an informative guide telling you more about what this city has to offer. Our CubeSmart storage facilities have self-storage units of varied sizes to suit your custom storage needs during the move.
City Overview
Cincinnatians fondly call their city Cincy or the Queen City. There are other nicknames too: the Blue Chip City, the City of Seven Hills, and the Queen of the West. Cincinnati has a decent public transportation system and a streetcar network that serves mostly the downtown area. The best way to commute around the city is by car. Owning your own car allows you to run errands in a timely manner, especially around the neighborhoods and suburbs that are away from downtown Cincinnati.
If you love a walkable lifestyle that helps you add in more physical activity to your routine while getting to your destinations, you’ll enjoy the city for its walkability. As per a survey by Walk Score, Cincinnati is among the most walkable cities in the country. Within the city, some neighborhoods are more walkable than others. Downtown Cincinnati has a good walkability score, with neighborhoods such as Oakley, Hyde Park, and Madisonville also ranking high on the walkability index. In terms of bikeability, Cincinnati offers a fair network of biking lanes, making it a cyclist-friendly city.
Another practical reason to move to the Queen City is its lower cost of living compared to similar-sized cities in the U.S. In 2019, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Cincinnati as the 10th most affordable place to live. The cost of living here is 8% lower than the national average, and housing expenses are 24% lower than the national average. The cost of utilities is 5% less than the average, and when you factor in all this, you’ll realize that moving to Cincinnati is a smart financial decision because your earnings will count more.
For sports fans, this is one of the best places to be. The city is home to three professional sports teams representing the MLB, NFL, and MLS, giving you a team to cheer for in popular sports.
Real Estate Outlook
Cincinnati has relatively affordable real estate when compared to other large cities in the nation. While the cost of a house will vary depending on the neighborhood, choice of lot, custom options, materials, and more, the average price to build a home in the city ranges from $90 to $150 per square foot. This means, depending on the size of the house you choose, you there’s an option suited to your budget.
Renting isn’t too expensive either, with an 850 sq. ft. apartment costing around $1,000 per month. The choice of the apartment unit, amenities offered, its location, and more will also impact the monthly rent. Neighborhoods such as Sayler Park, Queensgate, and West End Cincinnati offer affordable choices.
Cincinnati Communities
Looking for a nice place to live in Cincinnati? There are plenty of neighborhood choices perfect for every lifestyle. Whether you’re a young single looking for bustling nightlife and an affordable lifestyle or have a young family with growing kids, there are many communities here that will cater to your needs.
Hyde Park
Located on the east side of town, Hyde Park is an upscale neighborhood that is very safe thanks to the lower crime rates. There are swanky restaurants, bars, and cafes in the area, giving you great options to hang out with friends and family. Hyde Park is also one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, so it’s easy to get around the area by bike or on foot.
East Walnut Hills
Located just minutes away from downtown Cincinnati, East Walnut Hills is ideal for young professionals who love a bustling urban feel. There are several upscale restaurants and breweries, giving you plenty of options when you want to grab a bite and chill out with friends on a relaxed evening. Though the neighborhood is close to downtown, it’s still very quiet and peaceful, giving you the best of both worlds.
Mount Adams
This neighborhood is well-known for its awe-inspiring location, which provides a stunning view of the downtown skyline and the majestic Ohio River. An elegant and charming community, Mount Adams is quiet and peaceful, surrounded by the greenery of the Eden Park. Ideal for retirees and young families, Mount Adams is a much-sought-after neighborhood in Cincinnati.
Things to Do
One of the perks of moving to Cincinnati is there’s plenty to check out around the city. For those wanting to explore the outdoors, head to the California Woods Nature Preserve, home to hundreds of acres of woods. It’s a great place to enjoy the beauty of Ohio’s landscape with several miles of hiking trails. Adventure Outpost is also an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise that you’ll love exploring. It has several exciting activities, including golf, horseback riding, fishing, and canoeing. The Midwest’s largest amusement park, King’s Island is just a 20-minute drive from the city. It’s a family-friendly attraction with thrilling rides and a water park. There are several parks within Cincinnati, offering plenty of green space without having to leave the city limits. Eden Park is an iconic city park, located close to the trendy neighborhood of Mount Adams. A beautiful green oasis, the park has picturesque lakes, a blooming magnolia garden, and several walking paths, making it a lovely place to spend a leisurely summer afternoon.
If you like to hit the links, the city offers a number of clubs to choose from. The Greater Cincinnati area has over 80 golf courses that give golf enthusiasts the perfect space to practice their swing. For art connoisseurs, there are over 25 art museums in the city that offer a myriad of exhibits and collections from all over the world. The Cincinnati Museum Center, Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati Art Museum, and others offer beautiful art collections, such as Native American art, South Asian heritage pieces, and more that are sure to leave you enthralled.
Looking for family-friendly attractions? Check out the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden that has several acres of animal exhibits in addition to interactive shows that help little ones get up-close with their favorite animals. The botanical garden hosts several flower festivals in spring, including the famous Tulip Mania, regarded as the Midwest’s most stunning display of colorful tulips.
Music lovers will revel in the many live concerts and music events held here throughout the year. Indoor arenas such as the U.S. Bank Arena host rock, pop, and country music concerts, while there are several smaller live shows happening in many outdoor and indoor venues throughout the city.
Reasons to Move There
One of the top reasons why millennials and young people are moving to Cincinnati is because of its strong economy. The city is home to nine Fortune 500 companies, such as The Kroger Company, Proctor & Gamble, and Macy’s. With so many jobs up for grabs, it’s natural that many people are looking to move to Cincinnati in search of better career opportunities. There are jobs in several sectors, including retail, consumer goods, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Top-notch education is another top reason for moving to this city, with several local schools making it to the top 100 high schools in the country. For higher education, there are many stellar universities and colleges that allow young students to carve out a bright future for themselves. The University of Cincinnati, Miami University, and Xavier University are among the top universities in Ohio.
While Cincinnati is best known for its delicious chili, there’s a thriving culinary landscape here. Several local eateries and restaurants serve a variety of different cuisines, catering to many taste buds. Local breweries offer unique beer flavors and refreshing craft beer, which is perfect for pairing with classic American foods such as pizza and burgers.
Make Cincinnati your new home, and experience the distinct Midwestern culture while enjoying an affordable lifestyle with several entertainment options.
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