Forest Park offers midcentury homes in Hamilton County
In the decade following World War II, Cincinnati's metro area grew exponentially. Midcentury neighborhoods anchored by parks, golf courses and small shopping centers attracted families to the outskirts of the city, and corporations like Procter & Gamble and Kroger employed thousands and still do. Forest Park began as a master-planned community during the 1950s suburban boom and reached city status in the late '60s. Today, around 20,000 people make it one of Hamilton County's most populous cities, second only to Cincinnati. Except for a few shops and restaurants, Forest Park is still primarily residential — a web of cul-de-sacs and winding streets shaded by trees. Kisha Scruggs, who has over a decade of experience with Huff Realty, says homebuyers choose Forest Park for its "proximity [to Cincinnati] and family-oriented feel."
Procter & Gamble is one of the Cincinnati metro area's largest employers. Healthcare institutions like Cincinnati Children's bring thousands of jobs to the community.
Newly built homes line this Forest Park street.
Trees line this residential street in Forest Park.
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Updated midcentury homes and rental opportunities
Ranch-style houses and Cape Cods built during the 1950s and '60s make up the majority of homes in Forest Park and neighborhoods like Pleasant Run and Pleasant Run Farms . Bi-level homes and New Traditionals built during the '70s and '80s are also available. Given the city's origins as a master-planned community, lot sizes are relatively uniform. They average under a quarter acre, and it's common for single-family homes to have attached, multi-car garages. "A lot of people are renovating the older homes," explains Heather McColaugh, a Realtor with BF Realty, addressing the changes she's noticed in recent years. Median sale prices hover around $235,000, below the national median. "Houses in Cincinnati under $300,000 draw people in," she says. There are also several apartment complexes, including Kensington Park, Northwest Woods and Winton House, for residents ages 55-plus.
This is one of the newer, contemporary homes in Forest Park.
Ranch style homes are common in Forest Park.
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Annual events in Central Park and Winton Woods are 5 minutes away
Public parks are within walking distance for some Forest Park residents. There's Kemper Meadow Park, where youth soccer teams practice after school, and Central Park, known for its fitness court, playground and open field space. It also hosts regular community events; there's live music on Tuesday nights throughout the summer, part of a series called Party in the Park, as well as a jazz festival in August and outdoor movie nights after sunset. In October, home chefs participate in the chili cook-off at the Harvest Festival.
Winton Woods is just 5 minutes away, offering a network of hiking trails, playgrounds and seasonal splash pads. Golfers can invest in memberships at the 9-hole Meadow Links & Golf Academy or book tee times at The Mill Course, which is open to the public. The Winton Woods Riding Center offers private lessons, and there's a petting zoo and holiday light displays at Parky's Farm, also on the grounds.
Parky's Farm near Forest Park features animals and kid-friendly activities.
There are many animal statues in Winton Woods near Forest Park.
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Two school districts educate Forest Park’s students
Depending on their address, students can enroll either at Winton Woods City Schools or the Northwest Local School District, which earn a C-plus and a B-minus from Niche, respectively. Most attend Winton Woods City Schools. Both districts benefit from their proximity to higher education institutions like the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati State, where there are College Credit Plus opportunities. Adults can participate in educational programming at the Forest Park Public Library, where there are book clubs and art classes for Spanish and English speakers.
For grades 1 through 6, Forest Park students can attend Winton Woods South Campus.
Forest Park kindergarten students can attend Winton Woods Early Childhood Central Campus.
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Shopping along Winton Road, Kemper Road and Northland Boulevard
Forest Park's main commercial thoroughfares are Winton Road, Kemper Road and Northland Boulevard. The majority of stores and restaurants are at the intersection of Winton and Kemper roads, where there's a Kroger, discount stores and fast-food chains. Skyline Chili is a regional staple known for Skyline Dip, a gameday snack made by layering chili, shredded cheddar and cream cheese. According to Scruggs, residents will find everything from casual Nepalese restaurants to dive bars along Northland Boulevard. There are even more shopping options in Fairfield, where McColaugh says Jungle Jim's International Market has become a tourist attraction. "People go wild about Jungle Jim's…They come in from all over the place."
Forest Park residents can sit down at Yummy Crab House to enjoy a seafood boil.
Locals can head to Forest Park Square to pick up groceries at Kroger.
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Commutes travel to downtown Cincinnati via I-75
Interstate 75 makes for quick commutes to Cincinnati, about 20 miles, or 25 minutes, from Forest Park. Most residents rely on their cars to drive downtown, although there's a park-and-ride with more than 100 parking spots near Winton Road retail.
Mercy Health-Fairfield Hospital is a short drive from Forest Park. Depending on traffic along Interstate 275, the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport is about 40 minutes away, offering nonstop flights to more than 50 cities.
Decreasing crime rates in Forest Park
According to FBI Data, the last decade has seen an overall decrease in crime across Forest Park, although there was a slight spike in violent crime in 2022. The majority of incidents are non-violent offenses.
Written By
Sara Caskey
Video By
Francesco Basti
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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Mid-Century Tri-Level on a Spacious Corner Lot! Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1 full and 2 half bath home offering over 1,900 sq ft of living space. Situated on a desirable corner lot in the heart of Forest Park, this mid-century gem features a functional tri-level layout perfect for both entertaining and everyday living. Enjoy spacious living areas, abundant natural light,
Investor Special! Full Renovation Opportunity! This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath ranch is packed with potential and located in a thriving, in-demand area close to shopping, restaurants, and major amenities. The home will require a complete renovation, including addressing water and mold damage in the basement, and flooring repairs. With similar fully renovated homes in the neighborhood selling around
Mid-Century Tri-Level on a Spacious Corner Lot! Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1 full and 2 half bath home offering over 1,900 sq ft of living space. Situated on a desirable corner lot in the heart of Forest Park, this mid-century gem features a functional tri-level layout perfect for both entertaining and everyday living. Enjoy spacious living areas, abundant natural light,
Investor Special! Full Renovation Opportunity! This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath ranch is packed with potential and located in a thriving, in-demand area close to shopping, restaurants, and major amenities. The home will require a complete renovation, including addressing water and mold damage in the basement, and flooring repairs. With similar fully renovated homes in the neighborhood selling around
Welcome to a charming and practical atmosphere. The outdoor kitchen and dining area provide the perfect setting for enjoyable outdoor meals. Our 24-hour fitness center also ensures you can stay active on your own schedule. Experience ease and relaxation at Mills Run Apartments in Cincinnati, OH.
Versailles Village is a beautiful community located in Forest Park, Ohio. At Versailles Village you can enjoy our new clubhouse with state of the art gym. We also have a beautiful new luxurious pool opening in the spring of 2025. We have spacious townhomes, with fireplaces in select units. All renovated units and stainless steel appliances. Our renovated apartments have washer and dryer in unit,
A sleepy suburb of Cincinnati, New Burlington is located about 12 miles north of downtown and is situated within the I-275 Beltway for easy access to the greater metro area. The area has an abundance of green space nearby and is known for reasonably priced homes. “Homes here are very modest, so it’s great for a first-time buyer,” says Robert Smith of Coldwell Banker Realty. “This area attracts a lot of young families because it’s quiet and child-friendly.” <br><br>The real estate market in New Burlington is most competitive due to a large inventory of starter homes. “Inventory is slow here, but it’s gotten a little better with the interest rates in terms of people waiting for next year,” Smith says. “It’s fortunate for those who are hanging in there because where there used to be 10 buyers, now there are only three.” <br><br>In October 2023, the 12-month median price for a single-family home was around $200,000, compared to over $250,000 in Greater Cincinnati. Many of the homes in the neighborhood were built during a post-World War II construction boom in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. “You’ve got a lot of ranches on a slab with three bedrooms and one bath,” Smith says. “Not having steps, these properties are also popular with seniors.” There is little diversity of housing, with no inventory of condos or town houses. Single-family homes range in price from $150,000 on the low end to over $350,000 on the high end. The residential streets in New Burlington are quiet, with sidewalks lining modest, well-kept yards. <br><br>Families with children in New Burlington are served by the Northwest Local School District, an average district with a C-plus grade from Niche but an A-plus in diversity. Students can start their education at Colerain Elementary, which offers quality early childhood learning programs and a wide range of enriching activities. With a B-minus grade from Niche, the school has a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1, on par with the national average. Graded C overall, Colerain Middle is the 17th most diverse public middle school in Ohio. The school has a variety of clubs and activities, including architecture club, chess club, National Junior Honor Society, band and orchestra. Colerain High School gets a B-minus from Niche, which ranks it in the top 15% of public schools for athletes. <br><br>“New Burlington is probably 90% residential, but you’ve got a lot of business nearby,” Smith says. There is a major commercial district at the interchange of Winton Road and I-275. For stocking up on groceries and essentials, there is a full-service Meijer with a pharmacy and a Home Depot across the street. The area is home to many national chain hotels and dining destinations. El Asadero Mexican Bar & Grill is a great place to celebrate a birthday with sparklers and a margarita tower. The interior is spacious and airy, with big, comfortable booths and a lot of natural lighting. The Old Spaghetti Factory is a family-friendly chain eatery featuring traditional Italian entrees amid turn-of-the-century décor. <br><br>“One of the greatest assets for New Burlington is the scenery,” Smith says. “It’s great for walking because there are flat streets with slight hills and mature trees.” Golfers will find a lot to love about the neighborhood, with three different courses nearby. The Birch Creek Golf Course is a picturesque public course known for affordable prices that is considered an underrated gem. The Mill Course and the Winton Woods Golf Course are both located off West Mill Road, across the street from the Meadow Links & Golf Academy. Just south, Parky’s Farm is a 100-acre educational farm with animals and child-friendly events like wagon and pony rides. The trails around Winton Woods and Winton Lake are popular with hikers and bikers, and there are many shelters available to rent.
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