11 Things To Know BEFORE Moving To Cincinnati, OH | Living in Cincinnati

July 31st, 2023

11 Things To Know BEFORE Moving To Cincinnati, OH | Living in Cincinnati

Living in Cincinnati

Are you considering a move to Cincinnati, OH? Check out these essential things to know about living in Cincinnati. 

Located on the Ohio River, Cincinnati is a great city to call home and an excellent place to visit. Recognized as one of the best places to live in Ohio and the third-largest city in the state, it is no wonder that so many people are purchasing homes in Cincinnati

Best known as a great place to live if you are a young professional, have a family, or are retired, Cincinnati offers a unique food scene, various sports teams, and top-rated cultural activities. Cincinnati is also known as the "Beer Capital of the World" since it is home to over fifty breweries, making it a perfect destination for beer lovers. 

Moving to a new city is exciting but can be somewhat stressful. If you are considering moving to Cincinnati, this guide is for you. Please keep reading to learn more about what Cincinnati offers its residents and visitors. 

Here are the eleven things to know about Cincinnati, Ohio

History

This city has a unique story behind how it came to be. Cincinnati lies along the Ohio River in the southwestern part of Ohio and is the third largest after Columbus and Cleveland. 

In 1842, Cincinnati was one of the few American cities admired by the British author Charles Dickens. This city was successfully growing until the American Civil War. Cincinnati was important to the settlers because of the Underground Railroad. The economy flourished during and after the war because of its close connections with other areas.

The railroad constantly traded goods back and forth throughout this time, allowing the economy to thrive. The population continued to grow and peaked in 1950 with 504,000 residents. 

Cincinnati, OH Skyline with bridge over the Ohio River

Cost of Living

If you are looking for an affordable city in Ohio, Cincinnati is the perfect place. This city's overall cost of living is 4 percent lower than the national average. This percentage is calculated based on factors like the housing market, utilities, groceries, transportation, etc.

The overall housing market in Cincinnati is 19 percent lower than the national average. This is ideal for those searching for a town with affordable homes to buy or rent. However, particular areas of Cincinnati can be more expensive than other parts. Living near downtown will be more expensive than living on the outskirts.

Here are some other essential factors to consider when considering the cost of living in Cincinnati.

Cost of Living Item  Percentage 
Housing 19% lower than the national average 
Utilities 7% lower than the national average 
Groceries 1% higher than the national average 
Transportation  11% higher than the national average 

Source: Payscale

Here are some other important things to note about the cost of living in Cincinnati:

  • A loaf of bread is $3.91
  • A gallon of milk is $2.45
  • An average utility bill is $163.74
  • A gallon of gas is $3.77
  • An average doctor's visit is $126.53
  • An average dentist visit is $109.17

Real Estate Market

As of 2023, the real estate market in Ohio has been chaotic. The real estate market in Cincinnati is still a seller's market. This means home prices will be higher, and homes will sell faster than usual.

Home prices are seen to be still rising as we go through 2023. The median sold price of a home in Cincinnati is $224,200, around $145 per square foot. This is a 12% increase in just one month. 

However, more and more homes have been hitting the market for those looking to purchase. There has been a 20% increase in the number of homes for sale in Cincinnati.

Home Neighborhood Red Door Luxury Single-Family

Even though the market in this city is higher than a couple of months ago, most homes are selling under the asking price, which is excellent if you are a buyer. However, 76% of homes are being sold in under 30 days, so you would have to move quickly in the Cincinnati housing market.

Job Market

Cincinnati is known to have a healthy job market. One of the most significant stressors of relocating to a new area is finding a job. In this city, the job market is full of various job opportunities. Cincinnati has multiple Fortune 500 companies like Kroger and Proctor & Gamble.

If you are looking for a job in the following industries, this city is a great place to find employment.

  • Healthcare
  • Science
  • Business
  • Management

The average salary you will find throughout the city is around $53,650, slightly below the national average. On the other hand, Cincinnati's unemployment rate is at 7%, which is below the national average.

These are all great things to remember when you are relocating to Cincinnati.

Education

Finding a city with excellent education may be necessary for some people when relocating to a new city. Cincinnati is in Hamilton County and is part of the Cincinnati Public School District. There are around 65 public schools for grades Pre-K to 12th grade. This school district has significantly increased its overall district rank over the last few school years.

Cincinnati is also home to many public and private colleges and universities. Some of their most known 4-year universities are the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. They also have Cincinnati State Technical Community College, a local community college public 2-year school.

Restaurants

Cincinnati is known for its delicious food scene. Its pristine location near the Ohio River brings in some of the best chefs to cater to its residents and visitors. Here are a few of the local favorite dining options throughout Cincinnati.

  • Jeff Ruby's Precinct: A fine dining restaurant. This is an upscale steakhouse that has been a local favorite since 1981. Their menu consists of U.S.D.A. Prime steaks and a rare selection of Wagyu beef. It would be best to try their mac and cheese, which Food Network has named one of the best sides.
  • Sotto Cincinnati: This unique dining destination is perfect for those looking for an upscale restaurant with a rustic environment. This Italian restaurant has a menu of dishes made with love and dedication. A delicious must-try restaurant.
  • Mazunte Taqueria: You will find fresh, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine here. They have a variety of tacos and tostadas with your choice of meat. They also have menu options for a hot-pressed Mexican sandwich or pizza. 
  • Boomtown Biscuits and Whiskey: At this restaurant, you will find precisely what the name consists of, Biscuits and Whiskey. The menu includes delicious French Dip, Ribs, Meatloaf, and salads.
  • The Eagle: This is the perfect destination for Southern cuisine. They have delicious fresh fried chicken, mac and cheese, sandwiches, and local craft beers to go with it. Everything you find here is made in-house every day.

These are just some of the best restaurants in Cincinnati, but there are many more.

Nightlife

Since Cincinnati is known as the "Beer Capital of the World," plenty of breweries and bars exist throughout the city. Most of these destinations are located in the downtown area of Cincinnati. Here are a few of the local favorite nightlife scenes.

Nightlife Club Dance DJ Lights

  • Energy Nightclub: Dynamic nightclub with a dance floor, DJs, and VIP sections. The perfect spot to go dancing with your friends.
  • Main Event: This establishment is perfect for those looking for a bar to go to and enjoy time with their friends and good drinks.
  • The Hearth Room: This cocktail bar is a modern, sophisticated tavern offering delicious cocktails and bar food. Enjoy this bar with your friends and listen to jazz music. 
  • Rhinegeist Brewery
  • MadTree Brewing
  • Streetside Brewery

Weather

Since Cincinnati is located in Ohio, it is known to have predominantly colder weather. The winter and fall months tend to be extremely chilly, with tons of snow. It is also partly cloudy year round, so you won't see the sun much in these months. The coldest months in Cincinnati are between December and March.

On the other hand, Cincinnati's warm season is usually between May and September. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 86 degrees. The summers in this city are generally warm but very humid.

If you love the outdoors, there will be plenty of months that will have the perfect weather for those activities in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati, OH Snowy Neighborhood during the winter

Crime Rate

The crime rate in Cincinnati tends to be one of the highest rates in the country compared to other cities of its size. More crime happens in highly populated areas of the town, particularly closer to downtown Cincinnati.

You can find safer areas in the city on the outskirts. However, crime happens anywhere, no matter where you live. Knowing what areas are secure is essential if that is important to you when deciding where to relocate. 

Here are Cincinnati's annual crimes.

  Violent Property Total

Number of Crimes 

    (annually)

2,487 10,145 12,632

Source: NeighborhoodScout

Family Friendly Activities

There are tons of family-friendly activities throughout Cincinnati, and you want to take advantage of it. They have everything from public parks, museums, zoos, and more for you and your children to enjoy. Some are outdoors, and some are indoors, so you will have something fun to enjoy no matter the weather.

  • Children's Museum: A great interactive museum for kids of any age or size. 
  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: A perfect place to take your family on a beautiful day in Cincinnati to enjoy the animals and beautiful garden.
  • Kings Island: A fun amusement park located right in Cincinnati.
  • Smale Riverfront Park: This is a local favorite and home to many family activities. You will find tons of gardens, playgrounds, and a beautiful fountain. This is a perfect destination to take your family to get outside.
  • Highfield Discovery Garden: This is known to be one of the city's most magical, kid-friendly places. Here you will find extraordinary sculptures, gardens, and playgrounds that look like they came from a fairytale movie.

Zoo Elephants at the Cincinnati Zoo

Sports

If you are a huge sports fan, Cincinnati has it all. You can cheer on the local professional baseball, football, soccer, and more.

Their fans and families have highly supported the Cincinnati Bengals for many years. The Bengals have recently drafted their quarterback Joe Burrow and have since had great seasons and even made it to the Super Bowl in 2022. This team has been thriving over the last couple of years and will continue to be a great team.

The Cincinnati Reds is the Major League Baseball team located in the heart of Cincinnati. They have won a total of nine NL pennants and five World Series titles, the last one being in 1990. This team is known to be the start of American baseball. Dating back to 1869, the MLB started with the Cincinnati Red Stockings. 

FC Cincinnati is a professional soccer club that is loved by its fans all over the world. This team is one of the newer teams to come to Cincinnati. They are located at the TQL Stadium, which is located in Cincinnati's West End. 

Living in Cincinnati, Ohio - Our Last Words

Living in Cincinnati could be one of the best decisions. It is a city that has everything for everyone. They have an affordable cost of living, sought-after neighborhoods, a great job market, many educational options, beer, and tons of sports.

Cincinnati is a great place to live for those looking for a family-friendly environment but also have the option to enjoy Cincinnati late at night. The population is growing in this city, and the locals have amazing things to say about the area.

If you are moving to Ohio and are ready to call Cincinnati home, please contact us today to connect with a local real estate professional.

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Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald

Hi there! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I am a REALTOR®. My goal is to help you learn more about real estate through our Real Estate Blog! Hopefully, you enjoyed the above blog post and it found a way to provide help or value to you. When you're ready to buy or sell a home of your own let us know here. Please feel free to join the conversation by dropping us a comment below.

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