Cincinnati, OH Apartment Renter's Guide

Cincinnati is one of the most exciting cities in the Midwest. It’s full of history, amazing architecture, popular pro sports teams and plenty of authentic cuisine. Its unique location on the north banks of the Ohio River means it’s also just a stone’s throw from Kentucky; worth noting if you enjoy tossing stones at states. Another great perk to Cincinnati is the cost of living, which is significantly below the national average. But read on and you’ll be ready for an astute apartment search and maybe a big bowl of famous Cincinnati chili, too.

Cincinnati is Ohio’s third largest city, with a population around 300,000, which is down from 500,000 in 1960. Over the last half of the 20th century there was a steady stream of middle to upper middle-class residents leaving the urban core for the outlying suburbs. There are roughly 100,000 rental units within the city limits, with the vacancy rate usually hovering around 10%, so finding a place here shouldn’t be much tougher than finding something red at a Reds game.

Good news! Cincinnati’s average rental costs are very reasonable, with 1-bedroom units ranging from $650-$700 a month. Expect to pay $850-$900 for a 2-BR, and $1300 a month should get you a single family, 2-BR home. The inexpensive cost of living means more money left over for Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, the biggest, beeriest, brautwurstiest celebration of its kind in the country!

In 2009, WCPO reported that Cincinnati had the highest home vacancy rate in the country, and while there’s been notable progress on the city’s economic front since then, there are still a lot of empty houses. Keep this in mind as you search for a place, because while you may think you can only afford an apartment, Cincinnati is one city where renting a house (or an upstairs unit) might make even more sense. Plus, when you rent a house, you don’t have to worry about neighbors complaining about all the boisterous polka music. Wait, you don’t already listen to polka? That’ll probably change after your first Oktoberfest here.

There are 52 distinct neighborhoods here, and as we’ve mentioned, Cincinnati has really seen a lot of families move out of the urban core and into the outlying areas. I-275 circles the city, and outside that circle is where many are choosing to live. The neighborhoods cost more and add to your commute time. Here’s a look at some of the notable neighborhoods in Cincinnati:

Central: Pricey, but pretty, Mt. Adams is loaded with shops, restaurants, parks, and a beautiful view of the city. There aren’t many vacancies here, but if you can afford it, jump on it. Over-The-Rhine is loaded with culture, history, and amazing architecture. North Avondale has earned a reputation as a diverse hidden gem located directly in the center of the city. It’s also home to Xavier University (sorry we’re not referring to the X-Men one, as awesome as that would be). Clifton is where you’ll find the University of Cincinnati, along with plenty of walkable streets and bus stops.

East: Hyde Park - one of the best neighborhoods in America according to a 2010 Forbes.com survey – is clean, eclectic, trendy and educated. Rents will be higher here. With its ample space for recreation at Ault Park and quick access to the Downtown, the adjacent Mt. Lookout neighborhood is another area popular with young professionals.

Northeast: Oakley is a middle-class section that’s a step down from Hyde Park. Pleasant Ridge is a large diverse, affordable neighborhood that’s home to about 30,000 people. Just outside Cincinnati’s northeastern city limits is Indian Hill, one of the more desireable suburbs in the entire state.

North: College Hill is a popular residential neighborhood that features a mix of various incomes. This is probably your best bet in the north section of the city. Hartwell has about 6,000 middle-class residents.

West: With more than 35,000 residents, Westwood is the city’s largest neighborhood. It’s also full of apartments; so don’t worry about not getting a spot. Westwood is a mostly middle-income area with a mix of cultures and urban and suburban styling. Once a wealthy area, Price Hill (split up into the lower, east and west sections) is now mainly inhabited by working class families. Rents here are inexpensive, so your dollar will be a bit more flexible.

There are some issues facing anyone renting in Cincinnati. You’ve got the glowing praise about its new development and value (Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine ranked Cincinnati 10th on its 2011 Best Value Cities list). Here a few other tips for living well in Cincinnati:

Bring the wheels : Cincinnati’s public transportation system consists of spotty bus service and a few cabs, so this is definitely a city that demands a car. Some neighborhoods are excellent for walking. Parts of Hyde Park and Oakley have a great walkability. And unfortunately, while the Bengals play here, you can’t actually ride one. Only opposing teams can do that. Zing!

Sample the surprises: It’s certainly possible that one could live outside the city limits, commute to work downtown, and repeat the process for years without enjoying the elements that make this an iconic city: the German cuisine, the relatively ancient architecture, the riverfront, the hills, the valleys, and the views. If you do settle outside the city, makes sure you don’t miss out on what’s great about Cincinnati!

Now that you have a basic rundown on what to expect, we’re confident that you’ll be more than able to find yourself an awesome place to rest those soon-to-be sausage-laden bones. Don those Bengal stripes and strap on that red hat, your new Cincinnati home is waiting!