Live Better for Less in Up-and-Coming Cincinnati

If you’ve been pondering taking on the midwestern lifestyle while still enjoying the lively and hip ABC’s of the city, then take a one-way trip to Cincinnati. Within the past few years, this city has climbed the charts and made its way onto everyone’s radar; both millennials and families are flocking to this bustling city, and with good reason. While the city’s population suffered a bit in the early 2000’s, it is making its way back up each year. In 2018, 12,249 millennials moved to the Queen City and families are equally attracted to Cincinnati considering its strong job market, good school system, and low cost of living.

Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine district, now has a streetcar that allows quick and easy access from neighboring towns to downtown, while offering a fun and unique mode of transportation. If you’re looking to stay active Red Bike, the cities shared bicycle system similar to Citi Bike, has over 50 stations in the metro area. The district’s thriving art and bar scene has also expanded rapidly with a handful of new performing arts venues, community driven events, breweries, and restaurants. If you’re a fan of beautiful parks, impressive bridges, and scenic views of the river, your Cincinnati vacation will quickly involve a lot of home browsing and job searching.

 It’s rather clear by now that where millennials flock to sets the momentum for that area’s future.  As a SmartAsset report states, “Where millennials decide to move has enormous impact on local markets, from the cost of a mortgage to whether or not you will be able to find a good avocado toast in your neighborhood.” Pew Research Center supports this information as well, when estimating there are around 71 million millennials in the States and they’re expected to surpass the number of baby boomers in 2019. With the huge influx of millennials in Cincinnati, it’s clear that the growth of the city is staying at a steady pace. Tomasz Stepinski, a professor of space exploration and geography at the University of Cincinnati, explains that he mostly sees urban growth in the area. Over the next 35 years, the city is going to see a 10% growth. In other words, there will be about 200,000 new people in the area.

With population growth comes an abundance of conveniences and that is proven in Cincinnati, as U.S. News says, “Although Cincinnati is often perceived as a sleepy Midwestern metro area, residents benefit from a wealth of amenities, including museums, professional sports teams and a wide selection of restaurants.” The list of venues, galleries, and restaurants in the Queen City is extensive, and new businesses are popping up overnight. Between The Contemporary Arts Center, 1c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, and 5th Street Gallery, you’ll have a day packed full of inspiring art. The influx of immigrants during the late 19th century encouraged the city to become culturally diverse which manifested quickly into the city’s food scene. So once hunger strikes, indulge in one of the many restaurants the city has to offer such as Japanese Gastropub and sushi bar, Kaze, lively Italian-European restaurant The Mercer, and classic Cincinnatian restaurant, Revolution Rotisserie. Last but not least, line up for the coveted Graeter’s Ice Cream as a night-cap.

The Cincinnati Region is a national hub for employment in careers ranging from hospitality to biohealth and is certainly on the rise. With nearly 10 Fortune 500 companies based out of the city, it’s almost hard not to find a job. Not to mention Cincinnati’s startup growth rate is among the fastest in the Midwest. If you have a million dollar idea you’ve been holding onto, this city may be the perfect place to make moves, especially with the low cost of living to support you as you flourish. With a medium home price of $130,000 alongside a very low average commute time of 24.5 minutes, you’re bound to keep your finances up as well as your happiness. The Cincinnati Region’s real estate market is 40% lower than the national average, so what’s stopping you from buying a home in this up and coming city? As The Cincinnati Experience says, “Live better for less in the Cincinnati Region.”

We’ve established the growing millennial population in the city, but families are settling down in the region as well, which in part has to do with the excellent school system. The city’s school district ranks among the nation’s top 10. Indian Hill Exempted Village School District in particular ranks as the number one school district in the region and is known for weaving creativity and learning with facilities that are continually improving. Whether you have a crowded dinner table of children or are thinking of starting a family, Cincinnati is a leading place for your kids to receive an education. With a small student to teacher ratio, thriving sports programs, a variety of extracurriculars, and high enrollment growth, there is something for every student.

Whether you’re a midwesterner at heart or thinking of slowing life down in the middle of the country, Cincinnati is the perfect balance between city and country. Say goodbye to your overpriced mortgage, your long commute time and say hello to your new home in Ohio. Have your belly ready to indulge in delicacies such as goetta, a pan-fried patty similar to sausage, catch a Cincinnati Reds game, and simply relish in the carefree lifestyle this midwestern up and coming city has to offer.