Comparative affordability and proximity to employment in Northern Kentucky
Cars still stop for passing trains in Elsmere, Kentucky, a small city on the southern banks of the Ohio River. The community is still home to less than 10,000 people, but Erlanger, Elsmere's sister city to the east, is nearly twice its size. Residents can seek employment at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport in Hebron, and, with the exception of small manufacturing facilities beside the railroad tracks, a mini-mart on Garvey Avenue and several early childhood education centers, Elsmere is almost entirely residential. Neighborhoods feature a composite of pre-World War II architecture, modest mid-centuries and new construction, and it's common for families to live within walking distance of an elementary school. Ultimately, it's Elsmere's comparative affordability, quiet streets and proximity to more populous areas—and consequently— that makes it attractive to prospective buyers. "Location-wise, it's fantastic," says Todd Blersch of Coldwell Banker, adding, "It's central, relative to all of those other Northern Kentucky communities, and there's a short commute to downtown Cincinnati."
The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport offers service to over 50 destinations.
Residents of Elsmere are part of over 25 million people, almost 10% of the US population, who live in the Ohio River Basin.
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Century-spanning architecture: World War II bungalows and new construction
Housing styles span generations in Elsmere, from 1930s-era brick bungalows in neighborhoods like Fairview Elmere to single-story mid-centuries in Turkeyfoot Acres. Those looking to put down roots in the city will also find 1990s-era New Traditionals in Ashbrook Crossing and Ripple Creek, known for their quiet cul-de-sacs and sidewalk-lined streets. "Overall," says Blersh, "the entire Cincinnati metro area is growing." Elsmere is no exception, and first-time home buyers are consistently attracted to the area for its comparative affordability. The median price for a single-family home is around $225,000, still a fraction of national prices. According to FBI data, overall crime rates have decreased within the last few years. Most reported incidents are non-violent in nature.
Homes in Elsmere typically sell after 13 days on the market.
Homebuyers looking in Elsmere can expect to spend around $201 per square foot.
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Elementary school options within walking distance
Erlanger-Elsmere Independent School District, which earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche, serves most Elsmere students. Several kindergarten through fifth-grade schools are within walking distance. There are more educational offerings at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Public Library, where adults can register for GED prep classes.
Kenton Elementary School has 627 enrolled students and serves grades PK-5.
The Kenton County Public Library in Elsmere is one of it’s three branches.
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Dixie Highway businesses and more shopping at the Florence Mall
The city is primarily residential, but Dixie Highway, Elsmere's northernmost border, offers an eclectic mix of shopping and dining opportunities. There are burger joints, appliance stores and auto shops, and small-town bars like Dixie Station welcome live, local bands most nights of the week. Silverlake Shopping Center—about a mile from Elsmere— is home to the nearest grocery store, and the Florence Mall has more than 100 retail options 10 minutes away.
Dixie Station in Elsmere is a casual hangout with live music, pool tables, and karaoke nights, plus happy hour specials.
Florence Mall offers a variety of retail options, including department stores and specialty retailers.
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Basketball in Covered Bridge Park, swimming in Florence and indoor recreation in Erlanger
There are five public parks in Elsmere, most of which feature playgrounds and picnic tables. Covered Bridge Park, the city's largest, has basketball courts and plenty of open field space, and families can also drive to enjoy the outdoor amenities in surrounding cities. Less than 10 minutes away, Florence has an aquatic center and minor league baseball stadium—home of the Florence Y'alls—and Erlanger is home to Silverlake: the Family Place. The 55,000-square-foot recreation center features an indoor trampoline park, climbing walls, a ropes course and more.
Covered Bridge Park in Elsmere features a playground, basketball court, walking path, and is considered good for kids, with wheelchair accessible parking and slides.
Silverlake: The Family Place in Elsmere is a family-focused center offering a gymnastics studio, water park, bowling alley, and more.
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Employment at CVG, TANK buses to Cincinnati and nearby medical care
Hebron, which borders Elsmere to the west, is home to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The facility employs thousands of Boone and Kenton County residents and offers direct flights to over 50 destinations. There are more opportunities for job seekers in Cincinnati, 10 miles away via Dixie Highway and Interstate 71. "We've got a very diverse economy here in Greater Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky's certainly a part of that," says Blersch, also highlighting Amazon's presence in the area. Bus 1 — a fixed route in the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) system — stops along Dixie Highway on its way toward Queen City, passing through Erlanger, Fort Mitchell, Park Hills and Covington along the way. Two St. Elizabeth hospitals — one in Florence and one in Edgewood — are within a 4-mile radius of Elsmere.
Written By
Sara Caskey
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Minion
Video By
Christian Gortler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michael McDonough,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Elsmere, KY sell after 15 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Elsmere, KY over the last 12 months is $225,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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