Loveland, OH 148 Apartments for Rent

There's a lot to love in Loveland! Okay, so it may not be the fancy summer playground of Ohio's rich and famous anymore like it once was, but Loveland is still a charming little place to call home. Loveland was known as the "Little Switzerland of the Miami Valley" in the first years after it was founded in the early 1800s.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Loveland is home to 12,081 people. Yet this small town manages to straddle the borders of three counties: Hamilton, Clermont and Warren. It's a mostly residential city, sometimes called a "bedroom community," (but hey, it has kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms too!) It also has plenty of restaurants and shopping. Loveland is a part of the greater Cincinnati area, with the northern edge of the metropolis about 15 miles to the southwest. Downtown Cincy is a 23-mile drive away, or about 30 minutes down I-71. Walking will take you about six and half hours. We're not sure how long it will take to paddle a canoe, but please let us know.

Renting in Loveland

Loveland still has many homes from the '50s, but has seen a surge in new apartment complexes and housing communities in recent years. With only five square miles of area and a lot of people wanting to move here, you might need a few weeks to look around for the ideal place to rent. If possible, move to Loveland in spring or autumn, or even in the steamy days of summer, but try to avoid having to drag your couch through a February blizzard.

Like most places these days, you should be prepared to show apartment managers your proof of income, rental references, credit history and your childhood measles vaccination scar (Just kidding on that last one, we think).

Choosing a Neighborhood in Loveland

The Loveland Castle, or Chateau Laroche, just to the north of the city doesn't seem to be for sale or rent, with its towering gray stone walls and medieval parapets rising above the trees. So with that out of the way, where else can you look for home rentals in Loveland? Here are the the major neighborhoods in town:

Historic Downtown Loveland: This area has been revitalized since the mid-90s, with new, trendy cafes and shops emerging alongside down-home, old-fashioned fun. There are rental apartments that let residents enjoy a bit of urban lifestyle. There's even a classic Main Street running through the center of the neighborhood, as well as the Loveland Shopping Center, old red brick buildings, the city library, bar and grills, art galleries and ice cream parlors.

South Heights: This neighborhood in Loveland is close to downtown, but -- you guessed it, a bit to the south -- making it even closer to Cincinnati. The streets begin to stretch out in this area, with many homes from the '70s and '80s, as well as those in newer communities, having big, grassy yards. The rental apts in this area often are found in one of many sprawling complexes. South Heights also goes right up to the Little Miami River, and the major boulevard that runs near the water, Loveland Madeira Road, offers banks, restaurants, shopping and of course bowling, for those athletes among us.

East Loveland: For those of you who prefer to watch birds instead of your neighbors, this is the part of town for you. The East Loveland Nature Preserve has nature trails through green woods and O'Bannon Creek, which flows off of the Little Miami River. If you like to be outside but don't care so much for birds and squirrels, East Loveland also boasts McCoy Park, which is equipped with picnic tables, baseball fields and a playground. East Loveland, which sits just across the river from downtown, is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the city, with businesses sprouting up, from consulting firms to hardware stores.

Loving Life in Loveland

After you find an apartment to rent, don't stay home and be a couch potato. Any place in town is close to the center. And being set right on the river, Downtown Loveland is a great place to work off that steak and ice cream by hopping on your bicycle or unicycle and cruising down the Loveland Bike Trail, the local segment of the 68.5-mile long, paved Little Miami Scenic Trail. There are also local gyms to train in, pottery classes to attend, art studios that will help you decorate your new home with style and brick oven-fired pizzas to reward yourself for your cross-training and hiking. For cultural satisfaction, the Loveland Stage Company community theater offers plays, musicals, variety shows and dance lessons.