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.
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.
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