need info on Cincinnati

[jcm]

Does anyone live there? My husband moved for a job and the kids and I are soon to follow. It's quite a bit bigger than where we are now. My first concern is finding the right school district. My daughter has some problems and that's a priority. Sycamore Schools have been suggested (Blue Ash). Any kind of info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[beckymd]

My parents live there. They live in Montgomery Hills (near Kings Island) which has the Kings school district. It is a nice area.

For when you are there: Snooty Fox is a chain of consignment stores...must go there! Also love the ice cream at United Dairy Farmers (yes, they are gas stations, but they have GREAT ice cream).

 

[Joannafit]

I worked in Blue Ash. It is a beautiful, safe area, and sycamore is great. I send my child to a prive school, but if i did not, we would move into the district. West chester and mason are booming, and the schools are good, but PACKED!!!!..and that is an understatement. feel free to email me. [email protected]

 

[netsnotes]

Annette Bethel

Hi JCM, we are thinking about moving up there as well. Most people move from North to South, but I figure I can suck it up for a year. As long as I can have satellite to watch Clemson football and USC as well (since I do live in a house divided).
Can you give me info on private schools. Dave wants the kids to attend a Catholic school, but they have already had one year in an Episcopal school, which I prefer. Thanks, Annette

 

[four_boy_mom]

We moved to Cincinnati 10 years ago from the suburbs of Chicago.

I wanted to buy a house in Blue Ash but for the same price as a 25 year old house at about 2,000 sq. ft. I got a brand new house with a big back yard, a neighborhood pool and 3,000 sq. ft. in Anderson Township.

The Forest Hills School District (Anderson Township) spends a little less per student than Sycamore schools but had the same or better scores on achievement tests.

In general I like living where I do, however it seems that we are forever driving to the Blue Ash/Sycamore area for sporting events my kids participate in.

I still think about moving into the Blue Ash area (it's more like the suburbs of Chicago minus the traffic), but DH absolutely will not because we would have to downsize into an older home for the same price of our larger newer home.

I have found Cincinatti to be a nice and friendly city. It kind of borders the South but it is still the midwest. And the hills are really pretty(especially in spring and fall).Since I'm a flatlander the hills were a huge adjustment.

The winters are mild. I wish we would get more snow to enjoy the awesome sleding hills. But driving the hills with even a fow inches of snow is really bad.

It sounds like you will be moving ASAP. Would you consider renting a house for a year to get a feel for the area? Don't know if that is a good idea or bad(two moves--YUK). Just a thought.

There are plenty of websites where you can find school and demographic info. which would help. Real estate agent showed us these.

HTH and good luck with the move. Quite an adjustment but we like it here and you probably will too.

 

[four_boy_mom]

I have to laugh. Been here 10 years and I still spelled Cincinnati wrong in my post.What a dork.

 

[jcm]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and opinions! And for the shopping info - I'll get that out the next time I go down. This is a big, overwelming change for me and some insight has helped.